Consultant at hospital told me I had Hypothyroi... - Thyroid UK

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Consultant at hospital told me I had Hypothyroidism

PartiallyDigested profile image

Hello all, new here and very much in need of advice. Following a stay in hospital a few weeks ago for a seizure, my consultant stopped me on the way out and asked me if I knew I had Hypothyroidism? I said no and he said to see my GP as soon as I was feeling better.

For background; My health has been in decline since 2017 after a full hysterectomy. My hair started to fall out and I am always fatigued or aching, or have numb fingers and toes, puffy face, hands and feet, I've gained weight which I find hard to shift, cold hands and feet, haven't been able to tolerate alcohol for many, many years now, get dizzy when I stand up, constipation or diarrhoea, psoriasis on my scalp which I've had for over 20 yrs and won't go away. I could go on with these symptoms but we'd be here all day. I have been tested for thyroid in the past and the markers all come back under the threshold of concern. I was given HRT a few years after my hysterectomy but it only stops the hot flushes, doesn't help the fatigue. Last year due to scarily high levels of cholesterol, I had a mini stroke and surgery later on my carotid artery - I had a severely blocked artery the kind you see in someone in their 70's - I'm 56. I went back to the gym just a few weeks ago to try and regain some strength and do some light cardio and shift some weight which is hard with the fatigue and then the seizure happened.

I managed to get a phone appointment with a Dr I've never dealt with before, he seemed angry with my consultant but I ran through my symptoms and he (to shut me up I think) agreed to prescribe Levothyroxine 25 mg. My concern is that I take blood pressure medication (Losartan Potassium 100 mg) and an antiplatelet medicine (Clopidogrel 75 mg) which I'm not sure I can take with Levothyroxine? And now my Dr has me questioning if the consultant was right even though they ran extensive tests and had more than a few meetings because they couldn't find out why I had a seizure or why it took me so long to respond to treatment. The Dr said he could see my bloods and there were no problems.

I know menopause is horrible but I feel unwell most days and I'm several years into it. I have to rest between chores, my confidence is at an all time low, I don't want to see friends or family I just can't put everything down to menopause anymore.

If you have advice, I will gladly listen! Thanks.

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13 Replies
Obsdian profile image
Obsdian

As your doctor seems unenthusiastic about actually doing his job, I'd suggest doing a private finger prick blood test yourself so you can be armed with tbe information you need. Somewhere like medichecks and monitor my health do tsh/t4/t3.

With those results people here can give you advice and firm support on how to proceed. GPs tend to test only tsh which doesn't give a full picture.

You certainly describe a lot pf hypothyroid symptoms.

PartiallyDigested profile image
PartiallyDigested in reply toObsdian

Thank you Obsidian, I'm seriously considering private testing.

Calceolaria profile image
Calceolaria in reply toPartiallyDigested

Nearly all of us have to do it!

PartiallyDigested profile image
PartiallyDigested in reply toCalceolaria

I'm browsing through the forum and that really does seem to be the case doesn't it? Unbelievable that GP's seem to know so little about this condition...still!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAmbassador

welcome to the forum

High cholesterol is typical when hypothyroid

You are legally entitled to copies of blood test results

Have you seen any test results?

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Easiest option is NHS app, you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

If you can’t currently see test results online, simply ask receptionist at GP surgery to give you access. You will need to have photo ID with you.

This currently only applies in England, not across the whole of the UK. Nether Scotland nor N.Ireland have released an NHS app for patients. (Scotland supposedly due in December '24.) Wales has an app, but only for booking appointments, repeat prescriptions and amending personal details

Link re access

patients-association.org.uk...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality some GP surgeries still do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

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

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

As you have psoriasis (autoimmune) it’s highly likely your hypothyroidism is also autoimmune

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

Low vitamin levels likely

25mcg is very low dose levothyroxine but with your medical history GP is being cautious

Standard starter dose is 50mcg

Bloods will need retesting 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in Levo

Levothyroxine is typically slowly increased over 1-2 years until all symptoms improved and thyroid levels are OPTIMAL (not just within range)

Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

PartiallyDigested profile image
PartiallyDigested in reply toSlowDragon

Wow! Thank you so much. My knowledge so far is "Take one each morning" no advice from pharmacist whatsoever, this is beyond helpful. I do use the NHS App so will look into blood results or ask them to print them off for me . Thanks again.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAmbassador

if you want to get tested

Test BEFORE starting on Levo

Or test after 6-8 weeks on 25mcg levothyroxine

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)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

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...

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

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

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Hi PartiallyDigested, welcome to the forum. :)

It does sound as if you are very hypo, given your history and symptoms. So, if I were you, I wouldn't doubt the consultant, just take the levo. It won't do you any harm even if it doesn't do you any good. :) But it would be a very good idea to try and get hold of any thyroid blood test results you can, post them on here and let's have a look. Your GP may very well say he's seen the bloods and there were no problems, but he's not an expert. One thing you have to know about GPs is that they know next to nothing about thyroid and they've never been trained in how to interpret blood test results. Oh, they can see the obvious, like if there's something under or over-range. But they do not understand how one result affects another. For example, high cholesterol usually suggests a thyroid problem. But highly unlikely that a GP would know that.

So, if you can't manage to get your blood test results from the hospital - and I know that can be difficult - or get hold of any of your past thyroid tests - there's always the possibility of going a private blood test. It's usually a very good idea to get private testing because you can get full thyroid testing which doctors will very rarely do. You need:

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin

That will give you a clear picture of what's going on with your body.

Details of private testing here:

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

In the meantime, make sure you get plenty of rest, and good, nourishing food. Don't worry about the weight-gain. That is another low thyroid symptom, and has little to do with your diet. Go easy on the exercise, it won't make you lose weight and could have the opposite effect. Just gentle walking and swimming until we have a clearer idea what's going on with your body. Avoid stress as much as possible, and don't worry! Millions of people have thyroid disease but still manage to live normal, happy lives for the most part. And educate yourself - knowledge is power. Read as much as you can on the subject, read the posts on here and follow the links, And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. :)

PartiallyDigested profile image
PartiallyDigested in reply togreygoose

Honestly, I can't thank you all enough. I'm lost for words. I feel like I'm already about to turn a corner and I'm going to be armed to the teeth with knowledge. I'm also glad to hear about the exercise because I wasn't sure how hard to push myself when I fully recover which can take up to 2 months - right now I can barely manage the stairs lol

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toPartiallyDigested

Don't push yourself. Take it easy. One step at a time, whether it be stairs or life. Pause when you need to and breathe. Deep breathing is also helpful. :)

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

Welcome!

Like most GPs I don't think yours has much idea about hypothyroidism....or how to evaluate labs.

Having said that we need the results of a full thyroid test to see exactly what is going on....anything else is guesswork

Suggest your first step is that test. You can do this privately ....

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

You need to test....

TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin and thyroid antobodies TPO and Tg

The links above will further explain

Testing protocol...

Test at 9am

Test on an empty stomach

Test 24 hrs after taking your T4/ Levo dose.

Your symptoms sound like text book hypothyroid symptoms, tick thel all off the following list and give it to your GP

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

The others have already offered excellent advice......pity your GP could not. Listen to that consultant, fortunate he pointed the problem!

I can confidently say that once your thyroid medication is right for you as an individual then you will feel better

It's not a quick fix, so be patient, but replacement thyroid hormone will in time and in correct dose, fix this problem

Your GP may not agree....but he will be wrong!!

It is vital that you read and learn to overcome their lack of knowledge!!

Best of luck!

PartiallyDigested profile image
PartiallyDigested in reply toDippyDame

The GP had me questioning everything the consultant said. I'm so glad I found you all because I was losing my fire. You've all handed me a flame thrower lol

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toPartiallyDigested

Be kind to yourself and take it easy

I'd suggest the collective thyroid related knowledge of this forum is greater than that of any one medic after 7 years at med school!!

You are legally entitled to request copies of any lab results from your surgery. Consider that then post them here for comment

If you manage to test privately then post your labs and we will help you to analyse them and to use the results to get properly medicated

We're all here to help ...just ask.

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