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[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

I've just come back from my doctor's appointment and I'm not sure what to think about it. Perhaps you ladies can help me figure it out.

My appointment was to review my recent Hashimoto's blood test. I have been taking 75mcg of Levothyroxine every day for eight weeks and my last blood test was three weeks ago.  Although my TSH is now in the normal range my antibodies remain very high. More importantly I  believe I am still symptomatic because my hands and feet are cold and I have a sore throat. I also have issues with low mood and tearfulness, anxiety and trembling, brain fog and low energy. I realise that a lot of these are also meno symptoms but I assume that hypothyroidism is probably making everything worse.

To my surprise my GP said my blood test results were fine as my TSH is now within normal range and a high antibody result is not important. He went on to say that all my symptoms are meno related and likely due to me coming off HRT eight months ago. His prescription for my anxiety and low mood was to take up vigorous exercise as often as possible, apparently I need to get my heart rate up as this releases endorphins that will elevate my mood and calm me down. I did get him to look in my throat but he said it was fine ( it's still sore BTW).

I came out of the surgery a bit bewildered.  I am still struggling with the meno but I thought hypothyroidism was also a factor but it appears not. I have to have another blood test in eight weeks to check my levels again.

  Have I been fobbed off or has he got to the route of the matter and I need to sign up to gym membership ASAP. He had some words of encouragement though, he said all these problems resolve eventually and we have to accept that after forty odd years of female hormones we are bound to suffer when they are reduced to practically zero.

Any thoughts ladies? I am interested to know your opinions.

Take care all.

K.

[Kathleen]

Hello Stellajane

Thank you for your reply. I may do as you suggest to see if it helps. Incidentally my friend who has had Hashimoto's for twenty seven years also said I may need to take 100mg to feel better.

Thanks again and take care.

K

[GerryL]

Hello Kathleen. I have been reading your posts with interest and read back on your old ones as well.

I noticed that you are on venlafaxine. I wanted to ask if you are still on 2 of the immediate release tablets per day, as my nephew was on those type and had mood swings as the tablets have only a 12 hour action and he would dip between doses.

He is now on 75mcg XR (extended release) and this problem no longer happens. I hope this might help you a little bit in case this might be part of your problem (just a thought).  Take care.

[Kathleen]

Hello again ladies

GerryL - thank you so much for your post, it was very kind of you to think of me.

I've just checked my packet of Venlafaxine and they are the extended release ones. It seems that I can't blame them for my mood swings so horrible hormones are the likely cause, more's the pity!

Thanks again and wishing you well (and your nephew of course).

K.

[KaraShannon]

Kathleen, I'd call the surgery and ask reception for your actual numbers.  If my TSH is higher than 1.0 I feel bad, but apparently up to 5 is considered normal.  I know people who do not have symptoms of hypothyroidism who have higher TSH but they clearly are ok, so the TSH score is not the whole story, but I do feel better keeping mine around 1.0.  For some this might make them a bit 'hyper,' but not everyone.

It sounds like your GP is trying to be a good doctor by promoting exercise, etc, and not just medicenes, but I think they need to listen more about hypothyroidism issues and fatigue as lifestyle advice is not enough if hormones are out.

[pixieelv]

Hello
Hypothyroidism is very complex. What your Doc said is not great.
TSH is a very unreliable measure. He should check for T4 & T3.  You may want to read more about it on the Thyroid UK forum. They have excellent advice on HRT and hypothyroidism.
 https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

[Marchlove]

Hi Kathleen

You haven’t been fobbed off, but are being treated by a totally ignorant Gp.

I suggest you buy the book ‘Stop the thyroid Madness’ second edition.
Excellent information and includes chapters on adrenal dysfunction as well.
Many functional doctors advocate treating thyroid and adrenals (if you have issues) before taking hrt as otherwise you will continue to have symptoms.

Lots to learn and I’m still learning but slowly getting there! xxx

[Kathleen]

Hell pixieelv and Marchlove.

Thank you both for your comments but I think an update is required.

I posted the above question two years ago and I am sad to say that my situation remains the same! My Thyroid blood tests continue to be in range including my antigen levels (which  means I assume that I am no longer attacking my own thyroid). I continue to take 75mcg of Levothyroxine daily.

At the time of my original post I was taking a break from HRT but at the end of 2020 I became a patient of Newson Health and began using it again. At my next GP appointment I will include mention of my hypothyroidism diagnosis and ask about further treatment.

Take care ladies.

K.

[ATB]

Hi Kathleen,
I’m hypothyroid too, I think we’ve chatted about it before. You’re on a low dose of thyroid meds and if antibodies are high you are still in a hypothyroid state and need an increased dose. In range is meaningless, thyroid patients feel best when results are optimal, last quarter of the range for Free T3, halfway on range or above for Free T4. I disregard TSH while medicated. I’m with Newson too, they ask about my thyroid stuff and have my results but they don’t get involved too much in it other than to discuss what impact it may have on menopause. But they tend to stick just to the HRT stuff.

[KaraShannon]

I'm hypothyroid too, I'm on 175mcg, and thinking of going up to 200mcg, when I can manage to get back to the GP for a blood test. 

The blood test isn't everything, it's also what feels right clinically and it's a balancing act.  My problem last time was I didn't feel right but my TSH was virtually zero, so they didn't want me to increase meds.  So then I thought perhaps it's menopause and am working on that.  But I need to discuss a retest with them now, it's been a year I think, and something is amiss.  I always felt better on the right dose of thyroxine, but it's difficult when the TSH is so low to justify increasing it, zero TSH comes with it's own health problems too.

[Kathleen]

Hello ATB and KaraShannon.

Thank you both for your comments.

I have never had my T3 tested but all other thyroid levels are in range so my GP says that's okay. When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism my antigen levels were really high at about 450. I started taking 75mcg of thyroxine and my antigen levels lowered every six weeks and they are now in the normal range. When they were still fairly high at about 300 my GP commented that these numbers are not important as my thyroxine levels were being replaced by the medication. He added that many patients had high antigen levels but were doing well on their medication.

I will remind my doctor of all this when I can and ask for a review of my meds.

Thanks again ladies and take care.

K.

[Marchlove]

Hi Kathleen

You need to take the full thyroid panel which also tests ft4 and ft3, the GP’s don’t do this test.

https://medichecks.com/products/advanced-thyroid-function-blood-test

I’m sure ATB will help you interpret your results.

Did you buy the book Stop the Thyroid Madness’ 2nd edition?

Best of luck to you xx