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[Katejo]

I have congenital hypothyroidism. Overall it hasn't caused too much trouble but, in my 30's/early 40's, i did have throat/chest infections far too frequently. Then, in 2005, I had a partial thyroidectomy to remove a goitre/enlarged thyroid. The frequent infections suddenly stopped. Doctors dismissed any connection between the surgery and reduction but there was definitely an improvement. This improvement remained for about 10 years and I went a whole year without any time off sick  but more recently the throat infections have crept back . I have lost my voice twice this year and still haven't fully recovered from the latest virus after nearly 4 weeks.
Has anyone else with underactive thyroid had similar issues?

[Artmouse]

Yes, very definitely.  I had nearly 10 years of chest infections, flu like illnesses, it seemed that any infection doing the rounds I picked up.  Blood tests found nothing amiss.  Four years ago GP finally decided from a blood test that my thyroid was a "bit sluggish" so put me on a tiny dose of levothyroxine.  This made no difference and I started having problems at work due to my absence.  Every 6-10 weeks I was unwell.  Then 9 months ago I was sent an invite for an NHS health check and decided to go as over 50.  They decided my thyroid level was too high (i.e underactive) and doubled the dose of thyroxine.  Since then I haven't been sick!!  If only they had twigged it earlier.  I think I must have been at the very edge of what is considered normal for thyroid levels and it slowly got worse.  My GP also said it had no relation to immunity but I would say for some it really does affect it.

[Katejo]

Yes, very definitely.  I had nearly 10 years of chest infections, flu like illnesses, it seemed that any infection doing the rounds I picked up.  Blood tests found nothing amiss.  Four years ago GP finally decided from a blood test that my thyroid was a "bit sluggish" so put me on a tiny dose of levothyroxine.  This made no difference and I started having problems at work due to my absence.  Every 6-10 weeks I was unwell.  Then 9 months ago I was sent an invite for an NHS health check and decided to go as over 50.  They decided my thyroid level was too high (i.e underactive) and doubled the dose of thyroxine.  Since then I haven't been sick!!  If only they had twigged it earlier.  I think I must have been at the very edge of what is considered normal for thyroid levels and it slowly got worse.  My GP also said it had no relation to immunity but I would say for some it really does affect it.

  thanks. I have already had a hospital referral to an endocrinologist (which only happened because another hospital doctor recommended it) and the endo dismissed my need to see her with a comment that underactive only needs to be monitored by a GP. Insisted that my thyroxine levels were normal. Which daily does of Levo do you take? Mine is 200 mcg. first a GP tried reducing it instead of increasing but that didn't help.
I am tempted to arrange a private consultation for a 2nd opinion but am scared that any private doctor would be equally dismissive.
I have had one of those NHS checks for over 50's but wasn't that impressed by the nurses who did it. She couldn't even measure my height accurately and announced that I was  1.52. i am 1.68.
Have you ever had the problem of aching calves and feet? i came across anecdotal evidence online that this could be connected to thyroid.

[CLKD]

It is well known that many NHS GPs won't do further tests if a thyroid function test is returned 'within normal limits' 

[Katejo]

It is well known that NHS GPs won't do further tests if a thyroid function test is returned 'within normal limits' 

  Yes I have come across this several times. That is why I am considering a private appointment. The endo who saw me at the hospital showed slight disapproval that i had come to see her even though a neurologist had recommended it/referred me.

I think I will look at the Thyroid UK web site to find  a possible doctor to  see. Unless anyone can recommend one? I am in London.

Katherine

[countrybumpkin]

I used to an advisor for a thyroid charity.  BAsically the nhs endocrinologists don't see straight forward hypothyroid patients only complicated thyroid problems and sadly us hypo's are not considered complicated!
The most important advice we gave out was that Tsh and freeT4 levels are checked every 6months and the patient asks for the actual results and the reference range of the lab doing the test and if the patient finds they are borderline too high ( hypo) or bordeline too low ( hyper) they see their Dr and don't be fobbed off with " within normal range".
Alot of Drs surgeries only test every year or two years which is appalling and they only do the tsh test but we found that if the patient was even mildy informed and asked questions they were tested as requested and had both tests done.
One thing crossed my mind is that if people have any swelilng of the thyroid then this can cause loss of voice and constant sore throats and even difficulty swallowing that can be assumed is due to viruses etc especially if the swelling is behind the thyroid so not always palpable on examination.

[CLKD]

   countrybumpkin

[Katejo]

I used to an advisor for a thyroid charity.  BAsically the nhs endocrinologists don't see straight forward hypothyroid patients only complicated thyroid problems and sadly us hypo's are not considered complicated!
The most important advice we gave out was that Tsh and freeT4 levels are checked every 6months and the patient asks for the actual results and the reference range of the lab doing the test and if the patient finds they are borderline too high ( hypo) or bordeline too low ( hyper) they see their Dr and don't be fobbed off with " within normal range".
Alot of Drs surgeries only test every year or two years which is appalling and they only do the tsh test but we found that if the patient was even mildy informed and asked questions they were tested as requested and had both tests done.
One thing crossed my mind is that if people have any swelilng of the thyroid then this can cause loss of voice and constant sore throats and even difficulty swallowing that can be assumed is due to viruses etc especially if the swelling is behind the thyroid so not always palpable on examination.

Thanks Countrybumpkin   I remember reading this from you before. I had an obvious goitre back in 2005. I had also had the feeling of a blockage when swallowing for a long time and thought it was caused by the goitre. However removal of that made no difference to the swallowing and the doctor seemed surprised that I had expected it to. I am still not sure what causes it despite having had 2 hospital referrals about it. I don't have constant sore throats but, if I do get a virus, it often shows up there first.

[Artmouse]

Yes, very definitely.  I had nearly 10 years of chest infections, flu like illnesses, it seemed that any infection doing the rounds I picked up.  Blood tests found nothing amiss.  Four years ago GP finally decided from a blood test that my thyroid was a "bit sluggish" so put me on a tiny dose of levothyroxine.  This made no difference and I started having problems at work due to my absence.  Every 6-10 weeks I was unwell.  Then 9 months ago I was sent an invite for an NHS health check and decided to go as over 50.  They decided my thyroid level was too high (i.e underactive) and doubled the dose of thyroxine.  Since then I haven't been sick!!  If only they had twigged it earlier.  I think I must have been at the very edge of what is considered normal for thyroid levels and it slowly got worse.  My GP also said it had no relation to immunity but I would say for some it really does affect it.

  thanks. I have already had a hospital referral to an endocrinologist (which only happened because another hospital doctor recommended it) and the endo dismissed my need to see her with a comment that underactive only needs to be monitored by a GP. Insisted that my thyroxine levels were normal. Which daily does of Levo do you take? Mine is 200 mcg. first a GP tried reducing it instead of increasing but that didn't help.
I am tempted to arrange a private consultation for a 2nd opinion but am scared that any private doctor would be equally dismissive.
I have had one of those NHS checks for over 50's but wasn't that impressed by the nurses who did it. She couldn't even measure my height accurately and announced that I was  1.52. i am 1.68.
Have you ever had the problem of aching calves and feet? i came across anecdotal evidence online that this could be connected to thyroid.

I'm only on 50mcg dose of thyroxine but it obviously made a big difference to me!  I think that the hormonal upheaval of the menopause can also affect your thyroid levels or so I've heard.  Haven't had aching calves and feet but I do get random bouts of having really cold feet, it doesn't matter what the temperature is it will still happen.

[Katejo]

I have never had cold feet at all. I am undecided as to whether the aching calves/feet are more thyroid or menopause related. Originally I thought it was definitely menopause because it started exactly when my periods became lighter and less frequent.

[CLKD]

Different parts of me especially feet feel cold but I am told by Himself that they feel 'normal' .........

[countrybumpkin]

Any hormonal upheaval as in puberty pregnancy or menopause can cause thyroid havoc
I have been underactive since I was in my 20's but during peri meno my results were all over the place and for 4 years I was consantly having to change my doseage. this is why it is doubly important that a close check is kept on levels at this time.

[CLKD]

How often are your bloods checked countrybumpkin?

[Artmouse]

Any hormonal upheaval as in puberty pregnancy or menopause can cause thyroid havoc
I have been underactive since I was in my 20's but during peri meno my results were all over the place and for 4 years I was consantly having to change my doseage. this is why it is doubly important that a close check is kept on levels at this time.

My thyroid levels were being checked once a year, sometimes missing the odd one, and I was ill so often.  I assumed that I'd be contacted automatically when a test was due by the GP but it doesn't happen that way, you need to prompt them etc.  Now I make a note that it needs to be checked every 6 months.

[Katejo]

Any hormonal upheaval as in puberty pregnancy or menopause can cause thyroid havoc
I have been underactive since I was in my 20's but during peri meno my results were all over the place and for 4 years I was consantly having to change my doseage. this is why it is doubly important that a close check is kept on levels at this time.

My thyroid levels were being checked once a year, sometimes missing the odd one, and I was ill so often.  I assumed that I'd be contacted automatically when a test was due by the GP but it doesn't happen that way, you need to prompt them etc.  Now I make a note that it needs to be checked every 6 months.

I have had regular  checks but my dosage hasn't been changed for years (apart from a brief period when it was lowered to my surprise). I have just made a new appointment and will ask to be tested again. It is a different GP whom I like so far so I hope she will be more helpful than the one who tried to reduce my dosage. She didn't inspire my confidence at all!