Help please - what to do next

[Lellyb]

Hi everyone. I hope the forum can offer some advice please. I had blood tests for suspected hypothyroid last year which came back as being in the normal range. This surprised me as I have a family history of hypothyroidism (mum, mum's sister, my sister, sister's daughter)' feeling cold all the time, varying degrees of depression (very bad in the morning) and waking in the night with anxiety and depressive thoughts, tiredness,physical and mental lethargy, slow gradual weight gain, dry scaly skin, spotty rash on back...and they're only the ones I can remember!

I'm of the mind that what's 'normal' for one person is not necessarily the same for another so I was wondering whether a) does this sound like hypothyroidism, and b) if so, is it worthwhile revisiting my NHS gp or to seek private tests/diagnosis?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[shaws Administrator]

Hi Lelly

You symptoms sound hypo. The first thing to do is get a copy of your thyroid blood tests from the surgery complete with ranges (figures in brackets) and post on a new question. This will enable people to comment on them and give advice.

You are correct what is within 'normal range' for the GP is not normal for us, especially with continuing symptoms.

If you haven't already done so, get blood tests for B12, Vit D, ferritin, folate and iron and post results too.

[Lellyb in reply to shaws]

Thanks shawls, I will get the results and take it from there as suggested.

[Heloise]

Lelly, do you have any idea whether you have an iodine deficiency or not? If you do a bit of reading, you'll find there are several reasons for becoming hypothyroid. Checking for antibodies would tell whether your thyroid is being attacked by your own immune system. If any of the underlying conditions could be resolved BEFORE starting on thyroid medication, it might save you from a lifelong medical nightmare although I guess some people do okay under NHS management. A short term of Selenium might help. D3 deficiency is a big problem for anyone not receiving sunshine regularly and would not hurt to supplement right now. B12 would also not be dangerous to supplement and might give you noticeable results.

[Lellyb]

Thanks Heloise. I will check out your suggestions especially the D3 and selenium.

Re iodine, I thought that deficiency in this area would be very unlikely due to modern food production or have I got it wrong? Also, I already take a good quality multivitamin supplement too and the b12 is supposed to be 200 per cent of daily needs so I'm assuming that's not likely to be a contributor?