Hypothyroidism diagnosis

[ReginaPhallange]

Ive just been told i have Hypothyroidism, ive had very few symptoms all of which where very minor e.g. tiredness, dry skin, etc. Ive been prescribed with the usual medication to treat this which I haven’t started taking. Once i start taking this and regulate my hormone levels, will i be able to continue with a normal life like nothing is wrong as long as i carry on taking the medication?

[fuchsia-pink]

Welcome to the forum

To answer your question - Ideally, yes - but it may take time.

Thyroid hormones can take a while to reach optimum levels, and because a lot of us are very sensitive to changes in dose, the usual rule is to take it slowly, with very modest increases at a time.

You will almost certainly have been put on a "starter dose" and should have your bloods re-checked every 6 - 8 weeks after a dose increase until you get to the "right" level for you.

Your doctor will check TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone): this is a message from your pituitary to see if your thyroid needs to produce more hormone. The higher the result, the worse your thyroid is managing on its own (hence this number will be high if you are hypo and you need it to come down, probably to less than 2; often to less than 1)

But TSH isn't a thyroid hormone. The other thing the NHS will test fairly routinely is free T4. This is an inactive hormone, which converts to T3, the active thyroid hormone, needed in every cell of your body. So ideally you need free T3 testing too, at the same time as freeT4, to see how well you convert. Most of us need our free T4 and free T3 in the top quartile of the range (note ranges vary from lab to lab). But the NHS doesn't often test free T3.

Your levo works best when your key nutrients are nice and high - so you should also get these tested: ferritin folate, vit D and B12. Your GP may not test these either - you will see a lot of posts here about private tests and about supplementing nutrients.

You should always have an early morning blood test, with a 24 hour gap from your previous dose of levo, on an empty stomach.

In the meantime, to make your levo work best, you should take it on an empty stomach, just with water, 2 hours after or 1 hour before food n drink other than water. It doesn't make any difference whether you take your levo first thing, last thing or split the dose.

Good luck x

[ReginaPhallange in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thank you thats very helpful. Its just a bit of a shock because of the lack of symptoms. I originally went to the doctors because i had unexplained itching all over with no rash so they ran a blood test which i was expecting to reveal an allergy but they said my thyroid is under-active. Its just hard to get my head around since ive had no other indications of this.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ReginaPhallange]

As starting levothyroxine is usually for life ...it’s customary to do a second test 6-8 weeks after a first abnormal test

Is this a second test?

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested yet

[ReginaPhallange in reply to SlowDragon]

Ive only had one test, just a blood test to identify the possible cause of the continuous unexplained itching. We were expecting to find an allergy. I have been given a prescription and having another test in 6 week to check levels again after taking this dose. Im just confused as i dont really have any other noticeable symptoms

[RedApple Administrator in reply to ReginaPhallange]

12klj33, I have been given a prescription and having another test in 6 week to check levels again after taking this dose.

Can you please say what your prescription is for i.e.what is the medication name and what is the dose?

[ReginaPhallange in reply to RedApple]

Its Levothyroxine i think they said im on 50mg to start off with, i have to pick it up tomorrow but thats what the doctor told me on the phone

[RedApple Administrator in reply to ReginaPhallange]

Thank you for the clarification. Is this the first blood test you've had?

[ReginaPhallange in reply to RedApple]

Yeah, no one suspected it to be Hypo. The blood test was taken because of a suspected skin allergy but they found that my symptoms were caused by hypo

[jimh111]

Many patients on this forum have problems with hypothyroidism and need complex treatment. Many other patients do very well and so don't bother with the forum. As you are not noticing your symptoms (a biased comment but I'm sure you will feel better soon) you will probably do very well.

Start taking your levothyroxine. Ask your doctor for copies of your results and post them here. If you are in the UK you are now entitled to free prescriptions. If so, ask your surgery for a prescription exemption form.

[ReginaPhallange in reply to jimh111]

Im going to ring my doctor tomorrow to discuss it further and understand it more. Is it possible to have hypothyroidism and have no symptoms despite blood tests confirming it?

[jimh111 in reply to ReginaPhallange]

Yes, some patients only realise they have some symptoms when they feel better after treatment. It's best to get the blood test results so we can see. They tend to measure only TSH, the hormone that stimulates the thyroid to produce more hormone. If TSH is high it can indicate that the thyroid is struggling. Ideally they will measure at least 'fT4' as well, this measures the output of one of the thryoid hormones and can give a better idea. (They should also measure 'fT3' but rarely do, I won't go into this to keep it simple).

Occasionally the TSH test can give false results due to interference by antibodies. Get hold of your results, put them here and we can give more advice.

[helvella Administrator in reply to jimh111]

If you are in the UK you are now entitled to free prescriptions. If so, ask your surgery for a prescription exemption form.

More specifically:

If you are in England and not already exempt from prescription charges due to

are 60 or over

are under 16

are 16 to 18 and in full-time education

are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)

have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)

hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability

are an NHS inpatient

You're also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

Income Support

income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

Universal Credit and meet the criteria

If you're entitled to or named on:

a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice. You qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less

a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.

...

You now have a specified medical condition and are eligible for a medical exemption certificate (MedEx). If so, ask your surgery for a prescription exemption form.

Until such time as you get the Medex, request a FP57 receipt for each and every presciption in order tobe able to reclaim the charges.

More information here: nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-w...

[KazLS]

Hello, I just wanted to say that I was in a very similar situation to you when I was diagnosed 2 years ago.I had bloods taken for a 5 year review and my TSH came back at 89.I was absolutely shocked as I didn't feel ill at all,and definitely didnt want to take that 1st tablet of Thyroxine! Upon reflection though I did feel tired at times,always felt cold and like you had very dry itchy skin. My cholesterol was also very high.In hindsight I wish I had had full bloods taken at that time, so that might be worth considering. I also asked my GP for an antibody test which confirmed hashis.And now 2 years on and for me finding this site has been absolutely brilliant and I am so grateful for the advice and help. I have learnt so much and it has given me the confidence to take back some control over my own health. So I just wanted to say you aren't alone and that the advice this lovely community will give you will help you figure out the best way forward.😊

[ReginaPhallange in reply to KazLS]

Thank so much! Im glad i can relate, i have had full bloods and there where it popped up and i can relate to feeling a bit apprehensive about taking the tablets at first. Even though i dont start them till Thursday im still a bit worried because its like a lifetime thing but this site is great and makes it alot easier as it isn’t something i had much knowledge of!

Thanks!