Aa
New diagnosis, hypothyroid???
Hi, I'm hoping that you may be able to shed some light for me. I've been feeling more than ill recently, so many symptoms : muscle cramps, lethargy, not being able to think straight/confused, skin covered in itchy rashes, insomnia despite feeling like I could fall asleep at any minute, swollen eyelids, scalloped tongue. I had my bloods checked about 8 weeks ago which came back as TSH 6.77 and free T4 11.1 also my HB is 10 so I'm on iron tablets now.
I had some more bloods done today, but my GP is reluctant to start me on any medication for my thyroid as I would be on it for life.
From what I've read my results are not that abnormal compared to most, so why do I feel so symptomatic? I am at the end of my tether with it. I'm a really active person and I'm struggling so much just even to go to work which is so unlike me. My grandmother suffered from hypothyroidism and I'm am a lot like her in many ways. I'm 41 in case that's relevant.
Any thoughts would be appretiated.
I had some more bloods done today, but my GP is reluctant to start me on any medication for my thyroid as I would be on it for life.
From what I've read my results are not that abnormal compared to most, so why do I feel so symptomatic? I am at the end of my tether with it. I'm a really active person and I'm struggling so much just even to go to work which is so unlike me. My grandmother suffered from hypothyroidism and I'm am a lot like her in many ways. I'm 41 in case that's relevant.
Any thoughts would be appretiated.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I hope that getting started on the thyroxine does the trick for you. You really should try to get your doctor to test the FT3 next time, so you can see what's really going on. Best of luck to you.
Hi there, I spoke to my gp this morning and my TSH is now 7.33 (8 weeks from last one at 6.77). So she is starting me on 50mcg thyroxine as I'm so symptomatic even though she said I'm classed as borderline under active thyroid. I'm really hoping that I'll start to feel normal again so fingers crossed. Thank you for all your advice. I'm so glad it seems to have been not too much of a battle to get treated.
Be aware that other posters on this forum have had significant trouble in the UK getting the Free T3 tested and worse yet getting a medication with a T3 component in it if that is what the patient needs.
What is very difficult in the USA is almost impossible in the UK at least for a few people.
Bottom line. Don't think this is going to be easy. Understand you will need patience and time. Maybe perseverance would be the best word. Do not give up and learn all you can. Don't assume Dr's know how to treat Thyroid. Because the unfortunate realities are many of them don't.
What is very difficult in the USA is almost impossible in the UK at least for a few people.
Bottom line. Don't think this is going to be easy. Understand you will need patience and time. Maybe perseverance would be the best word. Do not give up and learn all you can. Don't assume Dr's know how to treat Thyroid. Because the unfortunate realities are many of them don't.
COMMUNITY LEADER
It's always best to post the actual numbers for the ranges vs a link to a lab, since posting the numbers, puts everything right here where we can see it all together rather than flipping back and forth. I'll take the liberty of doing that for you, this time.
TSH -- 6.77 (range 0.1-6.0)
FT4 -- 11.1 (range 10-25 pmol/L)
Quick lesson in labs: TSH: your result was 6.77, which means you are just over the upper limit (6.0) of the lab's range. Keep in mind, that we don't usually look too closely at TSH ranges, because AACE has recommended the range of 0.3-3.0 for TSH, so that's what we go by, though doctors use the range provided by the lab, which often keeps people very ill.
FT 4: Your result of 11.1 is barely above the bottom of its range (10) and many doctors are reluctant to treat anything that's "in range" or "normal".
You really do need to have an FT3 test; with your low FT4, I'd almost bet your FT3 is either below range, or very low in its range, which would definitely explain your symptoms.
Were the tests you just took, also for thyroid? When you get the results, please post them here, with reference ranges, because I'm old and will never remember these ranges, without having them in front of me (LOL) so we can see where you're at. Hopefully, once you see your doctor and explain your symptoms, she will be willing to treat you with a trial dose of replacement hormones.
TSH -- 6.77 (range 0.1-6.0)
FT4 -- 11.1 (range 10-25 pmol/L)
Quick lesson in labs: TSH: your result was 6.77, which means you are just over the upper limit (6.0) of the lab's range. Keep in mind, that we don't usually look too closely at TSH ranges, because AACE has recommended the range of 0.3-3.0 for TSH, so that's what we go by, though doctors use the range provided by the lab, which often keeps people very ill.
FT 4: Your result of 11.1 is barely above the bottom of its range (10) and many doctors are reluctant to treat anything that's "in range" or "normal".
You really do need to have an FT3 test; with your low FT4, I'd almost bet your FT3 is either below range, or very low in its range, which would definitely explain your symptoms.
Were the tests you just took, also for thyroid? When you get the results, please post them here, with reference ranges, because I'm old and will never remember these ranges, without having them in front of me (LOL) so we can see where you're at. Hopefully, once you see your doctor and explain your symptoms, she will be willing to treat you with a trial dose of replacement hormones.
Thank you Barb. I've found this link which shows the reference range for my lab, it doesn't mean too much to me I'm afraid. http://www.pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pathology/ClinicalInfo/CommonTestsInvestigations/ThyroidFunctionTests/tabid/113/Default.aspx
The info you've given is really useful, I really need to learn more so that I can make sure I'm getting the right (if any) treatment. Thank you
The info you've given is really useful, I really need to learn more so that I can make sure I'm getting the right (if any) treatment. Thank you
COMMUNITY LEADER
AACE recommendation for TSH is 0.3-3.0, so your level is high; however, TSH is a pituitary hormone and varies widely for a variety of reasons. Additionally, TSH does not cause symptoms; it's the lack of hormones (hypothyroidism) that causes the symptoms.
Do you know the reference range for the free T4? It could be 11.1, depending on the units measured. Always get a reference range, when being given lab results over the phone. What's important is the range and where your level falls within (or outside) of that range.
Hashimoto's is an autoimmune thyroid disease, in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy it. The destruction process can take years or it can go quickly, but in either event, eventually, the thyroid produces no hormones, leaving the patient with hypothyroidism, and totally dependent on replacement hormones. Hashimoto's, itself, does not cause symptoms, except swelling/inflammation of the thyroid; the symptoms are caused by the resulting hypothyroidism, as the thyroid is destroyed.
To test for Hashimoto's, you need the following: Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). You need both tests, because some people have one or the other of the antibodies, while some have both. If you only test for one, even if that's negative, you may be left undiagnosed, since the one not tested could be present; however, treatment for hypothyroidism is the same, whether you have Hashimoto's or not, so many doctors don't even see a need to test for it. .
Along with the Free T4, you should also be tested for Free T3, which is the biologically active hormone, that's actually used by the individual cells. FT4 is considered a "storage hormone" and must be converted to FT3 prior to use.
Be careful asking for a referral to an endo. Many endos specialize in diabetes and are not good thyroid doctors. Make sure the endo you choose, tests both FT3 and FT4, along with TSH *every* time they test; make sure the endo is willing to treat with sources of T3 medications, including cytomel or desiccated hormones; make sure the endo treats by symptoms, not just labs and for heaven's sake make sure they do not treat by TSH alone or they will keep you ill. If you're comfortable letting your pcp treat you and you see continued improvement in the way you feel, there's no reason you shouldn't let her treat you.
All of that said, hypothyroidism can make a person extremely miserable on "nearly normal" results....... once you get treatment, you should do much better, though it takes 4-6 weeks for thyroid medication to reach full potential.
Do you know the reference range for the free T4? It could be 11.1, depending on the units measured. Always get a reference range, when being given lab results over the phone. What's important is the range and where your level falls within (or outside) of that range.
Hashimoto's is an autoimmune thyroid disease, in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy it. The destruction process can take years or it can go quickly, but in either event, eventually, the thyroid produces no hormones, leaving the patient with hypothyroidism, and totally dependent on replacement hormones. Hashimoto's, itself, does not cause symptoms, except swelling/inflammation of the thyroid; the symptoms are caused by the resulting hypothyroidism, as the thyroid is destroyed.
To test for Hashimoto's, you need the following: Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). You need both tests, because some people have one or the other of the antibodies, while some have both. If you only test for one, even if that's negative, you may be left undiagnosed, since the one not tested could be present; however, treatment for hypothyroidism is the same, whether you have Hashimoto's or not, so many doctors don't even see a need to test for it. .
Along with the Free T4, you should also be tested for Free T3, which is the biologically active hormone, that's actually used by the individual cells. FT4 is considered a "storage hormone" and must be converted to FT3 prior to use.
Be careful asking for a referral to an endo. Many endos specialize in diabetes and are not good thyroid doctors. Make sure the endo you choose, tests both FT3 and FT4, along with TSH *every* time they test; make sure the endo is willing to treat with sources of T3 medications, including cytomel or desiccated hormones; make sure the endo treats by symptoms, not just labs and for heaven's sake make sure they do not treat by TSH alone or they will keep you ill. If you're comfortable letting your pcp treat you and you see continued improvement in the way you feel, there's no reason you shouldn't let her treat you.
All of that said, hypothyroidism can make a person extremely miserable on "nearly normal" results....... once you get treatment, you should do much better, though it takes 4-6 weeks for thyroid medication to reach full potential.
Thank you narble for your reply. I'll check my free T4 numbers again as I'm sure that's what she said but she did tell me it was low, so maybe an error on my part. I've not heard about an antibody test for hashimotos. When I go for the results of my blood work I had done yesterday I'll ask about a referral to. An endo. I really need to get on top of this as I'm struggling to function and I play competitive sports and really finding it difficult to even go to training let alone compete. I just want to feel normal again. Who would have though a thyroid dysfunction could make you feel so ill! I'll keep you updated :)
A TSH of 6.77 is well above the normal range of 0.3 to 3.5 currently given by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists back in 2003. It suggests hypothyroidism, and typically a range of 3.5 to 10 is dubbed "subclinical hypothyroidism." Decision to treat is based on symptoms, plus the results of antibody testing for Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
But a free T4 of 11.1 is very high. Is that a typo by any chance? Perhaps you meant 1.11? If not, I suggest having that looked at carefully.
I'd suggest getting a referral to an endocrinologist. Many GPs try to treat thyroid patients. Some can do it, especially if the thyroid patient is uncomplicated. But often it's worth seeing an endo at least once or twice in the beginning.
Note: So far my Hashimoto's has been treated by my PCP. I had a TSH in the 6 or 7 range, no symptoms specific to Hashimoto's, and no family history. I opted for treatment based on positive antibody test results for Hashimoto's. There are good reasons to do this, from preventing possible damage to heart muscle to controlling/lowering cholesterol levels, as well as reducing the long-term risk of developing thyroid nodules. If your PCP isn't at least familiar with these facts, then I suggest seeing an endocrinologist, in particular one who works with thyroid patients.
Good luck figuring out what's going on and getting better.
But a free T4 of 11.1 is very high. Is that a typo by any chance? Perhaps you meant 1.11? If not, I suggest having that looked at carefully.
I'd suggest getting a referral to an endocrinologist. Many GPs try to treat thyroid patients. Some can do it, especially if the thyroid patient is uncomplicated. But often it's worth seeing an endo at least once or twice in the beginning.
Note: So far my Hashimoto's has been treated by my PCP. I had a TSH in the 6 or 7 range, no symptoms specific to Hashimoto's, and no family history. I opted for treatment based on positive antibody test results for Hashimoto's. There are good reasons to do this, from preventing possible damage to heart muscle to controlling/lowering cholesterol levels, as well as reducing the long-term risk of developing thyroid nodules. If your PCP isn't at least familiar with these facts, then I suggest seeing an endocrinologist, in particular one who works with thyroid patients.
Good luck figuring out what's going on and getting better.
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