Advice needed

Hi there

I'm new to the forum and am looking for some advice, please.

I am 31 years old and have been feeling unwell for some time (approx. 9 months). I've had to have my hair cut short because it was so brittle and damaged, my periods are extremely heavy and painful (this wasn't always the case), I'm tired ALL the time and my skin is very dry. I have been to see my GP about all of these symptoms separately, and about the aches and pains I've had in my limbs.

Last week, my mum advised me to ask my GP for a thyroid check. My mum, her three sisters and my 35 year old female cousin have underactive thyroids. My mum and two of her sisters also have vitiligo.

My GP did a blood test and I've just called for the results - apparently, they are normal. I'm really shocked by the result and am wondering where I should go from here. I just know there is something wrong with me. I feel like my body isn't working properly. Is there some way I can get the details of the result from my GP? I wonder if they are within the normal range, but still low?

Obviously I don't want to have thyroid problems, but I felt sure that was the at the root of my health problems. Could it be something else?

Please help. I am so, so tired and just want to feel better.

Thanks.

[Hidden]

P.S. I have just spoken to the practice manager a my GP's surgery, and she said that my THS level is 1.00 and my T4 level is 14.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi there,

I agree with other comments made - you must get a full blood screen and ask for print outs of results and if your GP will not do all the thyroid tests - then see if they are willing to draw the bloods for you and you can through ThyroidUK arrange private blood tests. They are not as expensive as I thought and for peice of mind. That is my plan if my endo appt is negative tomorrow.

My periods started to get heavy and painful in my 30s and I felt incredibly tired I used to put it down to the periods but now I don't know - I was found to have fibroids by the age of 41 and ended up having a partial hysterectomy, that was 5 yrs ago nearly and I still feel incredibly tired along with other symptoms and am awaiting some diagnosis. I am not medically trained but get your GP to look at why your periods are now so heavy - an ultra sound scan or something whilst they are looking at everything.

Anyway, lets hope we are on the right path - this site will certainly be a great place to start.

Take care

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK]

Never just accept "normal". Always ask which tests they did and the results, including the ranges. If your TSH is above the range but less than 10, you can ask for a trial of levothyroxine. This is in the Guidelines for Thyroid Function tests available on our website.

[Chippysue]

I feel for you, know how you must be feeling.

Having your blood tested at 8am can made a big difference to your TSH level as it is at it's highest around 3am. You can ask for a blood form and then go to your local hospital which hopefully opens early as mine does.

Unfortunately GP's go by our blood test results and it is awful as you feel dismissed and ignored when we tell our GP's "but I feel so dreadful".

Also ask for your thyroid antibodies, B12, ferritin and folate and sex hormones to be tested as if these are low they can have similar symptoms.

There are many of us who felt ill for a while with so called "normal" blood test results. With your family history together with positive thyroid antibodies hopefully your GP would give you a trial of levothyroxine. Have a good read on the Thyroid UK site too. Do keep us posted!