I have had an underactive thyroid since being pregnant with my daughter who is now 21.

[juliet5427]

4 years ago it suddenly crashed (my wording but it sums it up well) and I was treated for severe hypothyroidism. My blood test levels slowly reached 'normal' and I am now told everything is fine so long as I take the thyroxine but it is nothing like it used to be. I functioned well, held down a demanding job and my underactive thyroid really didnt hold me back at all other than feeling a little tireder than most and fluctuating weight. Now I sleep for most of the day, have a foggy mind, trigger finger in 2 fingers, severe eczema, acne for the first time in my life, hot sweats/coldness, aching joints, ballooning weight. My doctor tells me I am depressed and referred me to a psychologist who told me I was NOT depressed. Could this still be my thyroid playing up even though my bloodtest apparently says that I am taking the correct dosage and it is within range (whatever that means).

[juliet5427]

Well I should have read through other questions/answers and blogs before asking mine. It seems I am not alone in feeling desperately unwell even though my thyroid levels are within the correct range and I am taking my prescribed thyroxine. I feel so much better just realising I am not going mad after all. Now to find out what I can do about it...finally I feel there is hope and I might be able to feel normal'ish again.

[Hidden]

Well that was easy - you answered your own question and feel better too! Welcome!

(seriously I remember how I felt when I found out it wasn't just me feeling rubbish!).

Have you got you blood test results (with ranges) for folks to comment, and what dose are you on. You can ask for vitamins and minerals to be tested too (Iron, ferritin, folate, B12 and Vitamin D for starters). Hubby had an op for trigger finger too - I have dupretrens - not sure if connected. Best wishes, Jane

[juliet5427]

Shamefully I have no idea what my blood test results have been for the past 21 years. I take 125mcg of thyroxine daily but that was dropped a couple of years ago from 150mcg.

I now intend to bombard my doctor with more than a few questions. I want to know why he has made me feel I am not well due to possible menopause and depression. I forgot, I also had kidney stones and that apparently is another symptom. Grrrr this doctor is about to find out his usually quiet, timid patient has found her voice!

[Hidden]

Julie, you're not the only one who didn't question what 'normal' results were, sadly we never dared to question did we? We just want to feel normal.

That alone may be enough to make your GP panic, as most seem to think treating thyroid problems is a simple thing (one pill fits all?) but us sufferers know it's not. BUT you may want to go easy a bit to start with 'tho (the 'big bad web' is scarily full of knowledge isn't it? or utter rubbish depending on the viewer!) sadly it may appear to be a bit threatening for some, I wouldn't want you to come off worse.

Says me....but you are far more along the road than me, I'm not treated after a partial Thyroid op, despite obvious symptoms, bloods within 'normal' range etc etc. Anything but Thyroid of course, anxiety, depression, CFS/ME instead etc. - but I'm not inciting a riot! (paranoia is also a symptom!) lol!

So just have a good read around and make your own mind up, good info at the main TUK site too (there are alternative meds like T3, or NDT- doc willing!)

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

there was a very good answer today and I feel must share it.... by Nbob

thyroiduk.healthunlocked.co...

All the best Jane

[Jackie]

Hi Often GP`s normal ,is not ours. You should be treated until stable. it does take a while but not 21 years.

Then there was no T3 available, although the correct tests were often done.TSH, T4 and Free T3. Now not always, cost cutting. Impossible to tell what is happening without the correct thyroid tests. If Gp will not do them. Perhaps you can pay for them.Well worth it to have the correct treatment. I pay £61 for the three, no docs involved, very easy. I use Blue Horizon, quote TUK 10 for the £10 discount.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/te or more on their main site. Larger discount if paying for more tests.

best wishes,

Jackie

[juliet5427]

Thank you for your replies, its great to read all this and I wish I had looked before. My thyroid, although under active since pregnant with my daughter, until 4 years ago was stable, i took the thyroxine and it seemed to work fine. Its only been the last 4 years everything has fallen apart. I am definitely going to make an appointment with my doctor and ask a bunch of questions and if he wont authorise the blood tests I will certainly pay for them. It will be great to get to the bottom of this and hopefully get some kind of life back.