Silly question.?

[nursey]

I am sorry if I seem to be asking the same questions over and over. I am trying to get hypothyroid diagnosis and am struggling against usual unsympathetic gp. I saw him on 4th Feb with blood test results, was told all normal and to go and take some vitamins and I''ll feel better when the nicer weather come. Patronising **********!

Anyway I dutifully bought vita b12, vit d, vit c and folic acid and started straight away. I subsequently found out with help of this site that I was taking the wrong b12 so I ordered some jarrow and started at the weekend. I also tried more positive attitude and rejoined my netball team but can only play half a match due to excruciating joint pain. I have been running on and off but have tried to run twice a week. I used to be able to do 5k easily but now can just about manage 3 - 3.5km on a good day. I was also a good girl and went back to physio that gp sent me to for my numerous aches and ppains [his words).

I feel no better, in fact in some ways worse, and was wondering what was a reasonable amount of time to approach another gp in the practice and ask for blood tests to be redone. I had test done at 8.30 am but had not fasted. Would that make a difference.

I feel so rubbish and not sure know if what I am doing is helping making it worse or what. Sorry to ramble on but I want to go armed to the gp with the right info.

[shaws]

Hi,

first of all get a print-out of your thyroid gland blood tests from your GP and post here for someone to comment. You must also get the ranges of these tests as labs differ (they are in brackets).

Fasting doesn't make a difference but having one early a.m. is best.

Yes, he does sound patronising but he obviously takes no account of clinical symptoms and brushes off your concerns.

I had severe pain after I began levo but this is a link to the first question which may be helpful.

web.archive.org/web/2010122...

[nursey]

Thanks for yourprompt reply.

Blood test results from 24/01/13 as follows

B12 - 300 (range 180-900)

Serum ferritin 40.5 range (10 - 200)

Serum folate 6.70 (range 3.0 - 20.0)

Serum iron level 15.4 (range 11 - 30)

Tsh 3.76 (range 0.35 - 5.5)

Free t3 4.40 range 3.5 - 6.5

Free t4 14.40 (range 10.5 - 20.)

Major symptoms are muscle joint pain, fizzing sensation, fatigue, hair loss (it come out in handfuls whenever I wash it), unexplained weight gain despite exercise and sensible eating, terrible reaction to cold, always cold, irregular periods, dry skin, swollen fingers, moody, lack of confidence, irritable, low self esteem to name but a few!!

I want to build a sensible logical, relevant case for medication based on evidence.

Thank you.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to nursey]

Just to clarify, you're not on any thyroxine at the moment - ?

[nursey in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Hi no npt on any meds. Just buying my own vitamins.

[Jackie]

Hi Looking at that and how you feel , I would say you could do with an increase in T4 and some T3, which is weight related and can cause a\ lot of symptoms. Mine needs to be just under the top of range, this is quite common. Normally we find T4 needs to be in top third of range. T4 does lower the TSH but youcould certainly try 20mcg. Split the dose and try to take 12 hours apart, it takes about a month to make a difference.Endo`s are very keen on it, GP`s sometimes need persuading!

Best wishes,

Jackie

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Jackie]

Jackie are you saying that it's good to split the dose of t4, or is that a typo and you meant to say t3? Just want to clarify because I've never heard of splitting a t4 dose.

[Jackie]

Hi Having a bad day. I was referring to T3 but I find it very helpful to also split my armour. I cannot take T4 but I am sure I have read that it can help.It was T3 that lowers the TSH, what a muddle and that that dose of T3 needs splitting because otherwise you get a high after 2 to 3 hours.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[nightingale-56]

My old GP said to split dose of T4 (50mcg AM and 25mcg PM), but I can't say it made a difference and I have not done this for years now.