Had under active thyroid 10years. Regular blood tests say I am OK, but I feel awful, a range of symptoms, including muscle pain, back pain, brain fog, eyesight blurred, numbness, don’t know if this is all attributable to Thyroid or if it’s an arthritic condition such as Ankylosing Spondylitis. My GP doesn’t seem to help much, just saying it’s all age related wear and tear. I am only 61 and don’t feel I should feel this suddenly washed up.
It does seem to flare up and abate at different times. Of course it could be both I guess. Really hard to know what’s going on. I am sure others relate. . . . . .I know Thyroid problems cause a wide range of symptoms….,,trying to find a way through this.
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HopefulHenry24
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Always request copies of all test results, with their reference ranges. You're legally entitled to them and they're free. Or download them if you have online access. Just ask the surgery receptionist, there is not need to ask a dr.
Welcome to the forum! Please do share blood test results, with ranges in brackets (as these can vary between laboratories)… ask your GP for a copy if you don’t have them to hand. Remember that when medics say normal/ within range, this may not be the same as optimal, where you feel most well. Its is also important to test key thyroid vitamins: ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D.
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
How much levothyroxine are you taking
Do you always get same brand at each prescription
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
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease or as we get older, especially if only taking levothyroxine
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)
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
What vitamin supplements are you taking
Also VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
What is reason for your hypothyroidism
Autoimmune?
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)
Far too often NHS only tests TSH and nothing else
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Most new blood results on line on an app these days ... ask at doctors reception. I would ask for results from 10 years ago as should have antibody test.
Doctors unlikely to test T3 or even T4. Many do private blood tests for £30 odd to find out. See if you are converting T4 to T3 well.
Are you autoimmune type? Many of AI cannot take gluten.
B12 and vit D for numbness? Get levels checked first.
See doctor, they will likely test bloods too and check other things.
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Is it possible to have an enlarged thyroid with Hashimoto’s?
Latest results 
Thyroid Nodules/HT & symptoms
Feel like I’ve stepped back in time. 
High TSH and T4 in upper range?
