Hi, Just read your blog and will help as much as I can, but remember reference ranges differ around the country. I have just got a confirmed diagosis of hypothyroidism after struggling for 5 years with GPs and Specialists. I have studied the workings of the thyroid in that time so I will help as much as I can. According to my reference range your T4 is within range but quite high up the reference range (7.9 - 20.0) and your TSH is low (0.34 - 5.6) B12 looks OK to me the range I have is (120 - 625), Serum folate is Borderline Low (4.6 - 10.7) Your MCH Mean cell Haemoglobulin is Borderline Low (27 - 32) and your ESR is the same as mine 22 is high my reference range is (5 - 15) I have never had my N terminal PBNP tested but from what I can find out the range is between 0 -99. I'm obviously not a doctor and somebody on this site will correct me if I'm wrong, but your bloods say to me that you need to get your adrenal function and thyroid antibodies tested as your TSH is low and your T4 is heading upwards. Serum folate is borderline low this happens alot with thyroid problems, I used to be deficient in this but now take 5mg folic acid every day and this makes my blood test normal. Your MCH could mean iron deficiency, The ESR at 22 is high but this can increase when you have a cold or an infection of some sort. I have asthma and Polymyalgia Rhuematica and that's why mine is high, but there can be many reasons for this and I know from experience that the GP doesn't worry about it unless it stays high over a period of months. Have you had your Vitamin D checked? You seem to be suffering from vitamin deficiencies, ask your doctor if he thinks a course of supplements may help. If I were in your position I would be asking my GP to check my thyroid antibodies and my adrenal gland function. You are in the unfortunate position that we are all in to start with alot of your bloods are borderline so alot of GP's won't do anything and in the meantime we just keep getting more ill. Hope this helps. Let us know how you get on.Take Care. Sharon X
Hi Sharon. Thanks for your input, i was dianosed 12 months ago after many tests and now taking 150gms levothyroxine, but always feel not right not really ill but not right,I dont sleep, have piled on the weight my gas bill is way to high ecause I cant get warm. My legs and feet hurt along with sometimes my arms and fingers. As I said to my doct I am 56 and feel 76. I used to be so active, now I have a job to walk to the local shops and back. Will speak to the doctor again tomorrow and let you know the out come, not holding out much hope though.
The first thing that came into my mind when reading your message is are your meds right? Secondly, I am 52 I don't sleep, you can message me at anytime and I will be here to talk to, I have put on 3 stones in the past 5 years and my whole body hurts but especially my hands, feet, muscles in my arms and my calves, so I hope you will see we are pretty similar. Until about a year ago my bloods were borderline. I knew I had something wrong with me and was not happy with my GP and edno telling me to go away and get some exercise, which I would find impossible because I can't walk far either, I have had to quit a really good job because of all this illness and it really made my blood boil when all of the medics basically said that I was a hypochondriac and I should get off my lazy butt. I asked for a referral to a rhuematologist and she diagnosed Fibromyalgia, research it on the web and you will see that there are a number of pressure points on our bodies that rhuemmies use as a diagnostic tool for FM and if we hurt in most or all of those places they usually confirm FM or it makes them investigate further. I recently contacted my rhuemmie because my ESR, CRP and Eosinophils are high and this means an inflammation in our bodies, whicd could mean some sort of arrthritis or myalgia. My rhuemmie has written to me and told me that her diagnosis of FM was correct 2 years ago when my bloods were borderline/normal but now she thinks I may have Polymyalgia Rhuematica, I am waiting for an appointment to go and see her about this. What I am trying to say is that when you have a thyroid problem you are highly likely to develop other illnesses as well but sometimes they only manifest themselves ages if not years after. So in a nutshell if I were you as well as getting your Levothyroxine levels checked out I would ask for a referral to a rhuematologist, they are very knowledgeable doctors. Hope this helps, Tell me you name next time please. Take Care Sharon PS: I had a total hysterectomy 15 years ago so the menopuase is not on my radar, but could this be an issue for you? If so ask for your hormone levels to be checked cause they can cause alot of aches and pains if they are not right.
Hi Sharon. Thanks for the answer, I also had an hysterectomy 14 years ago and took HRT until about 18 months ago, this is when I started having the systoms and was put down to menopause. I felt as though I was wasting the doctors time but I finaly see the Nurse patictioner who order bloods test. The results was so bad the hospital rang the doctors that afternoon and I had a appointment with my own doctor the next day, strange how we can't get appointments but they could fit me in. my doctor apologised and said he had tested me several times but they were all borderline. Can't believe I could feel so bad. Dont want to quit my job, but really have to force myself to get up and go, but I do have a few days sick. Well must try to get some sleep have doctors at 8am and then work. Thanks for your help. Maxine
Hello MAXINE, Nice yo know your name! Did you have a totla hysterectomy or did they leave your ovaries? It's strange I had a total hysterectomy and was on HRT until 2 years ago, but my symptoms were the same one HRT as they are now, so I don't think that made any difference to me. I don't envy you having to go to work, I wish I could but when you are awake all night and don't go to bed until average 7am it'sa bit hard to get a job even if you are fit enough! Good luck at the Docs let me know how you get on. Take Care Sharon
Hi Sharon, Well had my doctors appointment, not really good spent about 20 mins trying to get him to listen to me. Yes he understands how I feel, have a slight infection but not worth treating, maybe over medicating the thyroid so reduced my tablets now down to 125 gms. Cant sleep so up the dose of amitriptyline for a week if nt working stop taking altogether. Given Folic Acid for a month. Aches and pains down to arthritis made worse by the thyroid, put up with it and look forward to an early retirement. Do bloods again at begining of June.
I had a total hysterectomy, my systoms were a bit different on HRT, I did sleep better, was not so cold and did not have the pain. I have only felt like this for about 18 months 2 years at the most. At first I just put it down to coming off the HRT and being a bit lazy. But thats is not me I was so active and loved having the grandchildren. I realy lost it with my grandson just before Christmas 2011 and I have never lost my temper so much, I really hate myself, he was being a little devil and would not leave his sister alone I could have really hurt him. I think I was on the vergr off losing my hubby and my family because of my temper. I can't thank the Nurse enough for making me have those blood tests. Think I'd be in a mental hospital by now if it wasn't for her. Moods are a lot better, thank god. My job gives me a reason to get up in the mornings, I think I would stay in bed all day if it waasn't for working. Keep in touch Sharon Take Care.
Sounds like your GP is about as good mine. Let's hope the folic acid helps you, unsure if it helped me, Did you ask him about Vitamin D? It's VERY important for bones, especially when we've have a hysterectomy. Have you had a DEXASCAN? my rhuemy said that it should be standard practice to have this on a regular basis (about every couple of years) after hysterectomy. Do you know what kind of arthritis you've got? Is it definately arthritis or could it be osteoporosis or a myalgia like I have? these disease are completely different from arthritis. remember I told you that I have the same raised bloods as you and I have Polymyalgia Rhuematica. Your GP said a minor infection - how does he know? what is causing it? If I were you I would be careful, the GP's get out is always up the anti depressants and in the end all they are doing is masking the real problem instead of sorting it out. I am sorry if I am bombarding you with questions, but I really am trying to help and I am worried that you will have to go through years of suffering thinking that you've got arthritis when really it's something else that they could be treating and helping you to feel better. By the way what is your calcium level? Take Care Sharon
Hi Sharon, Dr said I have ostarthritis but as far as I know I have not been tested so how can he know. Never had any Dexascan and he said my vit D is ok from previous tests. The minor infection could be my diviticulies playing up Ive had the usual pain so as long as it does not get to bad I should be ok. The amitripyline has not been given as an anti depressant it is also used as a relaxant. They gave it to my husband after he had his knee op. It is only a mild dose. We will see if it works if not I will stop taking it and look for something else. Dr did not want to refer me yet. If bloods are not good next time and I still have so much pain I will insist he does. My doctor can be quite good but unfortunately under a lot off pressure hisself, but he will always ring me if I have a problem. He had over 40 messages while talking to me. I think GP's do come under at lot of flak but they have to know so much and dont specialise in any thing.
Thankyou so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Nobody else has come on,but this site is good for keeping you informed. I thought I was making a big thing when I was diagnosed and was so surprised after reading some of the blogs. I'm not going mad and I'm not alone. The GP's must know how much we are suffering. I cant believe how many people do have problems with their thyroid.
Can't find any results on calcium so perhaps he didnt do a test on that. Well take Care Sharon and thank you again.
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