West Sussex/Hampshire/Surrey borders endo recom... - Thyroid UK

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West Sussex/Hampshire/Surrey borders endo recommendation please

debfinch profile image
12 Replies

Hi, I have high HDL and normal LDL. Total levels over 6. Used to be very low cholesterol before half thyroidectomy over 15 years ago due to multi nodular goitre. Now on 75mg Levo. I am also type 2 diabetic for 30 years. Also low ferritin approx 30 despite taking iron daily.

Recently given a statin which immediately made me feel like I had been run over by a bus. GP agreed I should stop but meanwhile due to long waiting list times in this area suggested I pay to see an endo who will test T4 and T3. My TSH is in the lowish/normal range and of course T4 and T3 never tested now . I understand Hypothyroidism can cause high HDL but doc says TSH levels normal so can't be...

I think I need to invest as felt so dreadful on the statins.

Any recommendations would be great. Thank you

ps aware of Prof Russell Jones in Guildford

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debfinch
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RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

debfinch, 'doc says TSH levels normal so can't be...'

Can you post your most recent thyroid test results so that we can see exactly what your doc thinks is normal?

'suggested I pay to see an endo who will test T4 and T3. '

You don't need to pay an endo to see what your T4 and T3 levels are. You can get those tested yourself, which will be cheaper. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Before considering booking any consultation you need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

Are you on Metformin, this can lower TSH

75mcg is low dose levothyroxine, unless extremely petite

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Which brand of levothyroxine do you take

Do you always get same brand

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease or when under medicated

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

come back with new post once you get results

debfinch profile image
debfinch in reply to SlowDragon

Many thanks for great help, will get back to you when test results available

PinkSkittles profile image
PinkSkittles

If you email thyroid UK they have a list of NHS endos who are recommended.

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to PinkSkittles

No email needed. Simply fill in their form and you can then download it immediately thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

PinkSkittles profile image
PinkSkittles in reply to RedApple

Ah okay I just presumed she wanted NHS

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to PinkSkittles

debfinch quite clearly says in her post that her GP suggests paying to see an endo due to long NHS waiting times.

PinkSkittles profile image
PinkSkittles in reply to RedApple

Sorry I missed that bit!

Hedgeree profile image
Hedgeree in reply to PinkSkittles

Hi PinkSkittles,

As I understand it, I think the list is just a list of endo's (both private and NHS) where members have had good experiences but not necessarily recommended by Thyroid UK? Maybe SlowDragon would confirm?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Hedgeree

Correct

PinkSkittles profile image
PinkSkittles in reply to Hedgeree

Yes thats what I thought too

debfinch profile image
debfinch

Hi, just found my previous TSH levels:

June 21: 0 .88

June 22: 0.43

June 23: 0.56

My HBAIC was last tested at 8.2,

I take 500mg x 4 daily metformin for about 25 years max dose for probably 15 years. Now two other meds as well, 100mg x 1 daily 5mg linagliptin and Dapaglilozin 10mg x1 daily.

75mg levo daily, various brands given but always refuse TEVA

Thanks for your help. I think I will seek private blood tests as suggested then think about a private endo appointment.

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