Could This Be Thyroid?

[Mrs_Walsh]

I know what you're going to say... do these tests and just wait and see...

I'm very anxious with symptoms right now and just looking for some thoughts. Although I am currently awaiting investigations into what I'm fearful might be a liver or pancreas problem (you know what I'm saying), I'm hoping some of this might fit with thyroid instead. This may be rambling because the mental confusion and stress is really wiping me out at the moment.

For the last year I have had fatigue, not feeling myself at all, low iron, and reactive hypoglycaemia. I also lost all appetite (although managed to force myself to eat so have not lost weight) including hunger signals from my stomach (no rumbling etc), and had random paraesthesia, purple feet etc. We thought a lot of this might be due to silent migraines and iron deficiency so I had an iron infusion in January.

Since then my fatigue has only gotten worse - starting with muscles cramps and pains and progressing to joint aches which I have never had before. My hypoglycaemia really ramped up to give me hypos overnight, my eating schedule has gone out of the window, my feet and hands are constantly commented on my medical staff as being freezing and are more purple than ever. My usual resting heartrate of 78bpm has slowed to 60bpm even when anxious. The last few weeks I'm now barely eating and could sleep 22 hours a day (including my birthday). However, periods have been regular enough except for the occasional one coming very early (about one in every four or five - bleeding is normal but duration is very stop start).

I have had my TSH tested but it was 1.5 (range 0.1-5) so they have excluded it.

I also have symptoms which are leading a more sinister root such as upper right abdominal pain and lighter coloured stools which with the hypoglycaemia is making me worry about a spreading PanCan but that would not explain all of my symptoms so I'm hoping it could be something else (like thyroid playing havoc with my gallbladder maybe? - I am being referred for the right tests to investigate this but with being under 40 it could take months).

I have a private test coming in the post today which will include T3, T4, antibodies, etc. It will also include iron, B12, Vit D etc (which were all fine at last testing at the beginning of the year anyway).

I've just turned 34, have an 11 year old and a husband, and I've already been fatigued and unusually depressed for the last year so I'm literally losing my mind at the thought of this being something really awful so I'm trying to look at other possibilities. Any personal experiences would be much appreciated. I know no-one can offer reassurance but be gentle with me anyways. Thanks ❤️❤️

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum Mrs_Walsh,

So we can offer better advice, do share blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12) as soon as you get them. It is useful to share with us as even though levels may be within range, this may not be the same as optimal.

Even though your TSH is currently within range, you could well have an underlying thyroid condition that is giving rise to your adverse symptoms. Heightened anxiety has been one of the worst thyroid symptoms for me and is always worse if thyroid levels &/or key vitamins are not optimal.

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health.

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

We are a friendly and supportive group; I’m glad you have reached out to us 🦋

[Mrs_Walsh in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you so much Buddy for your support.

My private bloods for my thyroid panel and all the vitamins mentioned is on it's way as I've already ordered it privately so hoping we can have results back within the week. (GP and Endo opinion is TSH is fine so it's all fine so I've not even asked them for anything further).

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Mrs_Walsh]

Forum advice is to complete the blood draw before 9am (when TSH is highest) and refrain from taking any supplements with biotin 5 days prior to test.

[FallingInReverse]

I speak for myself and I know everyone else reading your post - we are here for you!

Yes, our advice will focus on thyroid (and all the knock on effects low/over thyroid can have.) Yes, it’s true your symptoms are varied.

But I have found the active members here and their willingness to think through one’s issues in a very horizontal way, to get advice and a sampling of fellow-sufferers experience. And most off just to have a place to be honest, ask questions, and get support.

We look forward to your thyroid panel, and you can at least be sure to get clarity for that one thing amongst the confusion you just feel.

Step at a time. Anxiety and worry is the worst and so easy to spiral down. When I get antsy I just I try to be present, take deep breaths, recognize there is only so much one can do at any given moment, and let the thinking part of my brain remind the worrying part of my brain that it will pass. I say this as I am still months and months into solving my own issues… it takes a while !

None of this is easy. None of our symptoms are pleasant. Uncertainty and confusion is awful. None of us asked for any of this : ) but here we are.

I hope we can help in thyroid, and I hope you can detangle your issues.

You will find strength and patience you didn’t think you had.

Virtual hugs to you.

[Mrs_Walsh in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thank you so much - what beautiful supporting words to hear.

So many virtual hugs.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

only do test early Monday or Tuesday morning ideally

If doing Wednesday, post back guaranteed 24 hours delivery

If taking any biotin supplements stop these 5-7 days before any test

[Mrs_Walsh]

Morning Everyone,

I'm seeing my endo this afternoon so just wanted to update on the test results I've had so far to see if there is anything additional I should point out to them...

TSH - 1.51 (0.25-4.25)

T4 - 14.1 (12-22)

T3 - 4 (3.1-6.8)

TPO - 9 Negative (Below 34)

I also had my cholesterol panel done

Cholesterol - 3.7 (<5)

Lipo Protein - 1.1 (indicated as low as needs to be >1.2)

Non HDL - 2.59 (<4)

Triglycerides - 2.29 (indicated as okay as <4.5 but google says different)

Unfortunately my iron, folate etc clotted so they're sending me out another test to redo.