Can anyone help me with understanding hypothyroidism was told in 1998 i had it i get treated and everything is blamed on it :(

[Lainey71]

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome Lainey

Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid gland reduces its output of thyroxine - and this is an explanation

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

On this page there are several other links which may give you more information.

If you are on levothyroxine, which is a synthetic thyroxine, and are undertreated (not being given enough) it can give you other clinical symptoms.

Some GP's keep your TSH within the 'normal range' which may not suit us. and cause problems.

If you can get a print-out from your surgery of your latest thyroid gland blood tests, or maybe you need a new one if you haven't had one for a while, and post the results in another question but you must state the ranges (figures in brackets) and someone will reply.

It is a bit learning curve to try to understand but by doing so we can improve our health a lot. In fact, we know more than most GP's.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I suggest that you have a look at the main Thyroid UK website here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

When you have had a look, you will no doubt have more questions. So come back and ask away!

[PinkNinja in reply to helvella]

Yet again you beat me to it and with way fewer words!

[PinkNinja]

I know what you mean about everything being blamed on the hypothyroidism. Theoretically, taking thyroxine should restore you to full health. If you are not restored to full health on thyroxine then either you need something in addition to, or instead of, thyroxine or it is nothing to do with your thyroid at all.

If you have a list of symptoms someone may be able to help you with whether your thyroid is to blame (perhaps you are not on a high enough dose of thyroxine) or something else, such as a vitamin or mineral deficiency. These are surprisingly common in hypothyroid patients.

I would urge you to get the following tests done to see if there is anything else going on;

FBC (full blood count) might uncover something, such as iron deficiency anaemia. Larger than average red blood cells could be indicative of a B12 deficiency (that's how I found I was deficient in B12).

Serum iron and ferritin (stored iron) - If you don't have enough iron, you may not be able to get the thyroid hormones into your cells efficiency leaving you with residual hypothyroid symptoms. Iron deficiency can also cause many symptoms in itself.

Vitamin B12 and folate - also essential for getting thyroid hormones into your cells, or so it is believed. If you are taking folic acid you must make sure you take a good amount of B12. Your B12 needs to be above 500 ideally, not the 200 that the NHS says is normal!

Vitamin D - many people are deficient due to lack of sunlight in this country. A deficiency carries a whole host of wide ranging symptoms. I have felt much better since addressing my deficiency. It is worth looking this up on the internet, and the B12 too.

This is just a start to get an idea of what is going on. It would also be a good idea to get an up-to-date thyroid test and post your results here, with reference ranges. It may simply be that you are under-replaced and an increase in dose could solve many of your problems.

I hope that helps and isn't too confusing. You might find the main Thyroid UK website helpful.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index....

These two pages will hopefully give you some more information you might find useful.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

I hope you find the solution soon.

Carolyn x

[Jackie]

Hi all the tests described are very important ,also Free T3 you may need treatment with T3 , script, in addition to your levo If not happy with treatment , ie do not feel right, then it is a good idea to request a referral to an endo, make sure they are good and find the one to see before asking the GP. They do not always refer you to one that you would want to see!

Unfortunately when one thing is diagnosed doctors think it is easy answer to blame it on thyroid etc. An endo should be more understanding as their speciality is very wide.

Best wishes,

jackie