advice please

[Jive15]

i am experiencing many symptoms of underactive Thyroid. Weight gain excessive tiredness, limbs ache.high chlorestoral, slow heart rate.low libido, low mood,don't feel myself. Family history. Original thought symptoms were menopausal but HRT didn’t help.

been to gp and bloods done.TSH .6.57 . T3 12. 5so just in range & T4 in normal range.

I believe symptoms suggest underactive thyroid. GP isn't interested at all other than telling me to try to eat well to lower chlorestoral. Won't listen that I am on very low cal , low fat diet as desperate to loose weight but can't.

thinking should I pay to go private for a hormone specialist. I feel so unwell but not getting anywhere. Has anyone else been in same situation? Are my levels not at point that treatment is offered?would it be worth getting another opinion? Many thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jive15

Can you please add the reference ranges for your results, I think you may have put the wrong information about T3 I doubt very much that result is 12.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested as well? We know that your TSH is probably over range and if antibodies are also over range this would suggest autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's

[SlowDragon Administrator]

TSH over 5 is abnormal

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after this first abnormal test result

Book next test for early morning, ideally before 9am

TSH highest early morning

Request thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested too at next test

With two thyroid results with TSH over 5, and symptoms you should be prescribed levothyroxine

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

Come back with new post once you get results

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If GP won’t test more than TSH, get full thyroid and vitamin testing done privately

Only test early Monday or Tuesday morning (not in a heatwave) ….test between 8-9am to get highest TSH

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks currently have 21% off tests

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[Jive15 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much this is really helpful !

[Thyroid2468]

I don't have answer but I feel the same. My primary care ignored my result and said come back in 3 months. And now I am without a doctor and appointments aren't for weeks out. I call the thyroid docs office almost every day asking for cancellation. I am so uncomfortable in my body too and thought of paying out of pocket just to get some kind of help. I am sorry you feel this way too..