I have many symptoms of underactive thyroid, however bloodtest shows normal, what do I do now?

[lamblite]

[nobodysdriving]

what are you actual test results?

according to many doctors mine were normal too, however they were not and I was diagnosed last year and been medicated since.

My TSH was 4.27 (range 0.24 to 4.20), my fT4 was 17.8 (range 11 to 22)

I felt like a 'cheat' amongst many on this site who had high antibodies and high TSH and/or low fT4 but I was suffering all the same and was needing thyroid hormones after all.

Now I am on 'high-ish dose' of T3: 125mcg daily, this is a lot more than some of the people who had higher TSH than me, just goes to show how much blood tests really do say!

[PinkNinja]

Hi.

Do you have the actual numbers from your blood tests? The normal range is very wide despite the fact that very few people are healthy with numbers at the extremes of the ranges. You might be in the "normal" range but that doesn't mean this is normal for you. We will be able to help you more if you can get the results of your blood tests. If you ask at your GP surgery (I just phone the receptionist and she tells me over the phone) you should be able to get them. You are entitled for them. I just say that I like to know for my own records for managing my health. Try to get reference ranges if you can too, especially if they tested T4.

Other things you might want to look into getting tested are serum iron, ferritin (stored iron), vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D. Again, make sure you get the actual numbers as the "normal" isn't necessarily optimal.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Carolyn x

[lamblite]

Thanks for that, as I'm new to this I didn't know about the numbers but I'm seeing gp tomorrow and will ask her. She is never very helpful so I will also think about seeing other doctor x

[Hidden in reply to lamblite]

Lamb lite, ask for a printout. You are entitled to these. When I asked for mine they didn't like it but you have to insist! X

[Hidden]

Have you looked at the Thyroid UK main site for more information? This is thyroiduk.org

Many if not most doctors use only the TSH test to diagnose thyroid disease, but they should really use symptoms too and check T3, T4 levels as well as thyroid antibodies and everything that Carolyn has mentioned above, and sometimes adrenal levels too. Unfortunately thyroid disease is often not easy to diagnose or treat but it can be hard to convince GP's of this fact when they stick rigidly to the thyroid tests. Try to find out which tests have been done and post the results on here.

Jane x

thyroiduk.org

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I have found all the GPs unhelpful at my surgery.

[Hidden]

Hi, looks as though you're in the same boat I was. I paid to see an Endo as my TSH levels were 'normal'.

The Endo suspects Adrenal and cortisol problems and recommends a blood test to check for Ceoliac disease.. I do feel terrible, miserable, fatigue, headaches, wake up shattered etc.

I was told I would have to wait weeks to see an Endo. As soon as I said I would go private I got an appointment the same day.

[lamblite]

I actually found it hard to find a doctor in my local surgery who would diagnose me with fibromyalgia! I felt like a hypochondriac for years with the doctor I had until she left and her replacement diagn

osed me immediately, so here I go again! x