Left in the dark - Suspected hypothyroidism

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I had a child three years ago. Two weeks before my 40th - and last October I had a hysterectomy (Apart from my ovaries) I have never felt right after having my child and after my op my life has now become hellish. I started to complain to the doctors three years ago about aching joint and sore knees (was ignore) and feeling very tired all the time. Then after my Op (about five months) I ended up in A&E after a yoga class with swollen legs and in excruciating pain. Now the doctors started to listen - I am under a rheumatologist and have been tested for a lot of things apart from my THC, T4 & T3 levels. I really think I have hypothyroidism but they wont listen to me. These are my main symptoms I am interested to hear from people that do have this and what I can do to get tested. Chronic Fatigue, Insomnia, Sever constipation, depression, ridged nails, change in hair, muscle weakness, painful muscles and joints, confusion, memory loss, no libido, swollen gland in throat (but no obvious lump), weight gain (about a stone and half, cant shift), sluggish and brain fog, Silent migraines, (never had one before the birth of my son), random pains and twitches, muscle spasms, tingling in my arms, hands, wrists, ........... Does this sound likely to be hypothyroidism? And if so what can I do about it? It’s ruining my life sad

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    I was in the same situation like yourself apart from hysterectomy. I had 2 children a year apart and two cesareans within that time. After my second child I just felt exhausted all of the time and could never really get my energy levels back! I put it down to having the children and just really being a busy mum. I then had all of the other symptoms like severe constipation and bloating, brittle hair and nails breaking, feeling cold all the time, extreme exhaustion, I couldn't keep a clean house and had no energy for my children. Brain fog and so on. Fortunately because I was putting on weight and not losing my doctor picked up on this and sent me off for my blood to be tested. I've been diagnosed since April and the medication had given me my life back. It's still early days to things settling properly, I understand it takes about a year but I'm on thyroxine which is tricky to get used to at first but once you get used to it it's very good. You have a right to demand to be tested for hypothyroidisn and if they refuse you need to see another doctor or make a formal complaint to the Nhs. You pay for the Nhs through your taxes and you have a right to be treated if you become ill. Stand your ground and be persistent. Good luck :-) 
  • Posted

    I would call Nhs direct today and get an immediate appointment with a doctor too. 
    • Posted

      I have had so many appointments with the doctors - they make you feel like a hypochondriac. I am seeing one again next week and I am going to insist that they test me. Thing is I did a home test (Prima) and it was negative are they reliable? I have had enough! 
  • Posted

    just say ...you'd like your TSH T3 and T4 levels tested please. be brief. thats it. write a list of your clinical symptoms by letter 'for the avoidance of doubt'.

    are yu UK?

    • Posted

      Had my test and will get the results in the next two days. Asked the doctor to test all three but he didn't request my T3/4 levels. Thankfully the nurse added them for me. 
    • Posted

      oh well done deb....Good luck with the results xxxxxxxxx
    • Posted

      TSH - 1.42 

      T4 - 11.9

      Still dont know the T3...... not sure what this means but the Doctor is saying thats normal. 

    • Posted

      Yes agree with jill that your TSH could be lower...however the old 'normal' reading went up to 4. So under 2 is not so extreme. Its better than mine!!

      I'm trying to address deficiencies deb. after giving birth our bodies are so depleted. Look into all the naturally sourced supplements you can get your hands on. Merck do a wholefood multi vit...important for it not to be synthetic. Vit d. co q 10.

      but seriously i would suggest seeing a naturopath and addresssing on a one-to-one basis all of your deficiencies. You will be amazed by the benefit of this personal attention, the high level of care and knowledge, way exceeding our dear medics, who are just not trained in nutrition....but who can help with the lab tests and who need to ne kept on side..... try a liver detox and get all the junk out of your life toxin wise that you can.

      loads of love thinking of you and keep us informed....that lab result was super pronto !!!!!!!

  • Posted

    Hi Debjean - they are all classic symptoms for hypothyroidism. Normal for one person is very much NOT normal for another. You could well need your TSH to be much lower - even into a minus figure - and your T4 to be much higher. Its even possible that the lab chose not to test your T3 even though it was asked for. Amazing to think they call the shots!!!

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