Thyroid problems

RE: Thyroid problems

Hi

I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). They measure how well your thyroid is working and if it is underactive they give you replacement thyroxine. I was overweight and tired all the time before that diagnosis. Thyroxine is just the replacement hormone your thyroid gland should be making itself, but isn't.

I don't know much about an overactive thyroid though except that people who suffer from that generally are underweight and have rapid heartbeat.

Sometimes having an underactive thyroid can make you feel low, definately lacking in energy. There are different degrees of underactive.

Good luck with your test and results. Hope it all turns out well. 😀

RE: Thyroid problems

Lisa

You may find this link useful.

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068762/

Lesley

RE: Thyroid problems

hi
Get your doctor to check your ferritin and iron levels. But especially your ferritin. Some people with low thyriod function have a problem absorbinbg iron. Docotrs never check ferrtin levels.

I've just had to have 20 iron shots to get my ferrtitn levels up to 60 it should be 120 but hey at least its up. It was 16.

RE: Thyroid problems

Im off for my blood tests this week, I dont know speciffically what they are testing but on the envelope it says to test for thyroid. My Iron is low any way, always has been but do to an Illness I have it is always around 60 or 70.

Lisa x

RE: Thyroid problems

Did you know that if your ferrittin levels are low it effects how well your thyriod funtions?

My doctor gave me iron shots raised both my ferritn levels and iron and now i don't need thyroxine.

That's why it's good to get you ferritin levels checked. Doctors never check them only iron levels. My iron levels weren't low but my ferritn was at a transfusbale level.

Just a thought.
http://www.beckman.com/literature/ClinDiag/ImmunoNews%20S-F99.pdf
http://www.ithyroid.com/iron.htm
[DLMURL] http://www.sensible-alternative.com.au/thyroid.html [/DLMURL]

RE: Thyroid problems

Thanks, I'll ask her when I speak to her next week 🙂

Lisa x

RE: Thyroid problems

Really useful information on the Ferritin Levels. I have an underactive thyroid but am still tired out, despite treatement. I know I have had my iron levels checked but do not believe I have had Ferritin Levels checked.

I do feel a little self conscious asking a Doctor to check something out that they haven't initiated but it would be good not to be so tired.

Thanks

RE: Thyroid problems

Hi all,

It seems that everyone has problems with their Thyroid now-a-days! I can't believe how many people I've spoken to who have some problem!

I have Goitre (Thyroid swelling) and am constantly tired, I'm always cold and find it really hard to loose weight. My blood test came back normal, and that the Thyroid is producing the right amount of hormones, so they sent me for an ultrasound to make sure that there was nothing horrible growing on it. This all came back fine but it's def. enlarged but the GP said that as there is nothing wrong (on the tests anyway) then it's just a "physiological Goitre" which means that there is nothing wrong with it. She said that it may swell up when I have my period, but the thing is I can still feel it swollen and as its round the windpipe then surely they should be able to do something about it.

So I asked about the tiredness and the other symptoms that seem to be similar to a Thyroid problem and she gave me Forcavel, which is a super dooper vitamin tablet.

I'd be interested if anyone else has had a simlar experience, I've been told that a blood test isn't always conclusive?

Siany
x

RE: Thyroid problems

Hi spafox
"I do feel a little self conscious asking a Doctor to check something out that they haven't initiated."

I used to feel the same way but now i just walk in and say check this. So far i haven't been wrong.

Doctors are only human. Sometimes they don't join up the dots either.

Ask your doctor about it, if they seems edgy, go to another doctor to get your ferritin checked. At least you'll know if it's ok or not.

RE: Thyroid problems

Lisa - were you on steroids very long? it is usually difficult getting weight off when gained taking steroids, and more so for some people - just like pregnancy wt gain. think longterm - say 12 months at least and aim to lose no more than 4lbs per month.

well worth getting anaemia/low iron stores and thyroid imbalance checked with regard to tiredness. studies show that a ferritin level below 50 (but in the normal range) can contribute significantly to tiredness. Despite LemonSquezze's disparaging remarks, most humble GP's will routinely check ferritin levels in these circumstances - although the test may be referred to as "checking the iron" as a more understandable term.

LemonSquezze - however backward and underinformed your doctor(s) may be, you will get a better service from them by trying to develop mutual respect and understanding, and making plans for your healthcare as a team. the manner you seem to portray - ie know-it-all, bolshy and disparaging - could well antagonise, and get in the way of the best outcome.....just a little thought for you to ponder.

Doq wanders off muttering in his beard.....brain the size of a planet...mutter mutter....you'll find me in the car park...[&:] [&:] 😉

RE: Thyroid problems

Thanks doq, yes I was on steroids for a long time. At a really high dose too. I was really bad on them and they turned me into the human beachball. Ive put on 2 stone :(. Im now on maintainence drugs which I cant come off (azathroprine). I have all my dealings at the hospital so bypass my GP. This months bloods were to include checking for thyroid as I mentioned to the consultant about not being able to loose weight etc. I think they check my iron levels all the time, well I know I have a FBC on each occasion along with a multitude of other abreviated words which I have no idea what they mean.

Lisa x

RE: Thyroid problems

Sorry Doq if I offended you. I was only talking about my experience and only mine and that is that none of my doctors over the years have specifically checked my ferritin levels only iron levels.

"however backward and underinformed your doctor(s) may be, you will get a better service from them by trying to develop mutual respect and understanding, and making plans for your healthcare as a team."

My doctor and I have a good working relationship. She has found out things that were wrong with me that no other doctor has, She diagnosed my Hashimoto's disease for example and my IBD. And in turn allowed me to suggest possible health problems such as testing my adrenal system which she did and then she diagnosed me with adrenal insufficiency. I do feel like my doctor and I am are a team and my doctor has said that we work well together as team on my health.

I did not mean my comments to sound " ie know-it-all, bolshy and disparaging." Sorry if I offended you or anyone else.

I didn't see any harm in stating that docotrs are only human. My doctor admits to it all the time.

RE: Thyroid problems

Lemonsquezze - no offence honey, and delighted to hear your description of how well it is going with your present doctor! you are now sounding like the kinda person I like working with 😀

I was indeed saying the same thing - we docs are only human, have feelings, and get hurt when unappreciated or unfairly criticised by our customers. I was probably feeling a bit like that yesterday after a particularly bruising encounter with an alcoholic patient.....enought to drive one to drink oneself [&:]

back to ferritin - thinking about it, when speaking to my patients I would probably give a ferritin result by saying something like "your iron's ok" rather than being technical. our local laboratory will not even accept requests for a serum iron except in cases of iron overload and for calculation of the iron binding capacity.

Dear Lisa, you are in a bit of a catch-22 aren't you? I would suggest seeing a herbalist/nutrional adviser to ensure you are on the best possible diet, and have supportive herbal treatments for vital organs like the liver.

a gradual increase in exercise levels is the only way, and you will have to push yourself. if you don't, and just reduce calories, the body goes into "starvation mode" and metabolic rate slows down. [sm=crazyjacky_seilchensmiley1.gif]

with love and hugs - Doq

RE: Thyroid problems

WhenI first moved here I couldn't stand my GP off hand ,gave the impression of couldn't be bothered and had little or no time for us (Me & my family) I even asked for a change of GP (which he didn't find out till yrs later)Any way i was refused, now 17 yrs later I still have the same GP who i think is an absoloute godsend.
just taking time to step back and look at the DR Patient reltionship, & where I was was maybe going wrong with my approach & sensing what type of person he is. Came to the conclusion that he didn't like my, Well i am a nurse attitude So i toned down the Look i think this is wrong with me. what ya gona do about it attitude ( i was young ) OUCH! [&:] & stepped up the these are my symptoms What do you reckon, Do you think it could be?? & then i'd listen & so would he.Not sure he understood my very dry humour either;)
Now rightly or wrongly My impression is he doesn't like time wasters & ohh yess siree they are out there [:'(] But when the need is there he pulls out all the stops. If he doesn't know he says I don't know! but come back in ??? Days & we'll review it. If it gets worse come back before the next appt. I have four children with specail needs & he has arranged for them to be seen by consultants, written to the education , and with my last two said to me at one of the check ups for my babies as I expressed my concerns Just say the word & i will put pen to paper. Now we talk about things & although he trusts my judgement he will come to his own conclusion.
Yep there are some excellent GPs out there and some dreadful ones, sometimes it's down to personality clashes sometimes its just the GP.
Like was said they are human & have good & bad days just like all of us.

Love & hugs Maria xxx