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Post by Robyn on Aug 20, 2012 6:20:31 GMT
A lot of women of a certain age are affected by this. I've been on Thyroxine myself for a few years. To be honest though I didn't notice any symptoms before I went on it and I haven't noticed any difference since I've been on it, so I'm not sure what it's actually doing for me.....lol...
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Aug 20, 2012 8:58:26 GMT
I have Hashimoto which was undiagnosed for years. In my twenties I suffered symptoms of choking, panic attacks and bulging eyes - doctor ignored borderline TSH prefering psychiatric treatment. I had my dentist, a plastic surgeon and a hospital registrar all expressing concern about my thyroid but nada!
Fast forward to my forties and I start losing hair,my eyebrows started thinning. I got constipation, thrush, vaginal dryness, poor libido, polymennorhea, depression, hideous nightmares where I kept wakening all through the night, abdominal fat, raised cholesterol.
I had numerous STANDARD thyroid tests again nada. But I felt suspicious and so did my regular doctor - BUT NHS didn't carry out anti bodies test through sheer stinginess so it continued until I paid for private tests done at The London Clinic. Best £100 my husband ever spent - although the consulation fee was excessive at £600.
Results returned within 48 hours with diagnosis.Marched into GP 's office with results and he said he would refer to an endocrinologist - four months later I'm still waiting but he hasn't left me to suffer and put me on 25 mcg of Lethothyroxine and what an enormous difference.
Hair getting thicker - no longer resembles a wrung out dirty floor mop. Skin looking pretty with luminous tones, nails are strong, dead skin has vanished from soles of feet, eyebrows returning, libido is healthy, abdominal fat is disapearing. Mood is far better and pillow demon is held at bay and apparently it does take a good few months to see the full benefits - so there are still bonuses yet to come.
I am so angry that it was left and I was made to suffer visiting those stupid arrogant shrinks in my early thirties. I'm so pleased I refused their wretched drugs and told each one where to go with their facetious diagnosises.
In retrospect I think my father had thyroid issues as he blew up like a ballooon and underwent a complete personality change. I'm glad I pursued this to the end.
Robyn
It sounds as though your dose might need looking at - especialy as you have sleep issues.
Jacks
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2012 14:36:54 GMT
Jacks - I checked out Spire and there are no hospitals close to me, but I did see it is possible to get thyroid function tests done on line and you just have to pay a small fee to a private local clinic for the phlebotomy work. I also rang another private testing clinic but they don't open on Mondays (?) Also, I noticed that my own surgery does private blood tests whilst browsing the web! I wonder why the GP didn't tell me that a couple of years ago when she said although my TSH was a little high, it wasn't high enough to warrant additional testing. Had she mentioned that I would have requested a private test then. I think it has fluctuated a bit over the years and the last time was 3.64. I don't have all of the symptoms you mention, but quite a few, and my daughter has been hypo since birth. Would you suggest I request a T3/T4 screening test? There seem to be lots of options -getting more and more expensive as you go down the list.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2012 13:53:47 GMT
Pinky, I think it's irrelevant how you feel as far as the GP is concerned - if you don't fall within the stipulated guidelines they aren't listening. Although it was a long time ago, I do recall my Mum had similar symptoms prior to her being diagnosed hypothyroid - very dry hair and skin, lethargic - I have all of those - plus some others listed by Jacks. I'm not really keen to buy online until I have had a diagnosis so am making some enquiries with a couple of places locally to get a thyroid function test done. Then, depending on the results, if it seems I could be helped by a small dose of thyroxine and the doctor still won't prescribe, I would have to buy privately.
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Aug 21, 2012 14:20:34 GMT
I suggest you go for the full panel including anti bodies.NHS don't do anti bodies and this was where the problem showed up.
Jacks
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Aug 24, 2012 15:20:56 GMT
I suggest that you get a second opinion - symptoms can often be helped by a small dose of thyroxine.
Jacks
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Post by Robyn on Aug 29, 2012 3:39:24 GMT
I think I will have to talk to my doctor about my thyroid meds because I haven't had a blood test for quite a while, so maybe there could be a link between it and all the problems I'm experiencing.
I would love it to be thyroid, because then I would know what the problem was and it could be addressed. I've left a message for my GP, so hopefully she'll call me back tonight and set up a referral for some blood tests.
I'm not sure how thyroid meds go, but I assume I'm on a fairly low dose. I'm taking 50mcg of Eutroxsig, so maybe an increase might solve some problems.
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Post by Robyn on Aug 29, 2012 5:43:42 GMT
Thought some people might like to see this website. It has quite a comprehensive list of symptoms for both Hyper and Hypo. A lot of them are so similar to what you experience in menopause, so it's difficult to know what's really causing what. Everything is so intertwined when it comes to hormones. www.thyroid.org.au/Information/disorders.html |
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Aug 29, 2012 7:40:24 GMT
Robyn
That is useful. I could relate to the "its all in your head"
I was fobbed off with that years ago
Jacks
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Post by Robyn on Aug 29, 2012 8:12:30 GMT
I don't know if there is a "typical" age, but I have a few friends who are all on thyroxine and we all started when we were around 50ish. Not sure if that website that I posted the link to would have any stats on that. It does seem to have quite a lot of info. www.thyroid.org.au/ |
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Aug 29, 2012 8:25:51 GMT
Thyroid levels (TSH T4 T3) can appear normal. However on the NHS testing for antibodies is rationed. My tests appeared fine until I lost my temper and went privately. I then was diagnosed with Hashimoto Disease - my antibodies were raised. I showed signs of thyroid malfunction in my twenties.
Thyroid conditions often fluctuate and they do mimic menopause as the symptoms are similar.However thyroid issues for women in peri are common. Robyn if I were you I would get tested - your dose might need adjusting.
Jacks
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Post by Robyn on Aug 29, 2012 21:58:51 GMT
I spoke with my GP on the phone last night and she doesn't think that thyroid is the problem, but I'm getting some blood tests done anyway, but I won't be able to get the results of that until probably the middle of next week. That's made me feel even more disheartened because I was really pinning my hopes on it being my thyroid - but we'll see.
She also gave me the bad news that I've pretty much run out of HRT options. She wasn't in favour of me increasing the Premarin .625, but I am anyway, but if she won't prescribe a higher dose anyway what's the point?
I'm really at the end of my tether because I'm stuffed regardless of whether I take or don't take HRT. It's almost like my body just totally rejects any oestrogen it gets, yet I know if I take some Utrogestan I will get a period, so how does that work?
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susan
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I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member - Groucho Marx
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Post by susan on Aug 29, 2012 22:12:32 GMT
I'm no good on thyroid Robyn, but I was typing some HRT stuff out today for the forum and from what I remember the Premarin .625 is still within the range of normal dosages. If that makes sense. Really high dosages are when they prescribe over and above what comes ready made by tablet, patch or gel, if that makes sense, like two x 100 mcg patches or six pumps of oestrogel.
xxxx
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Post by Robyn on Aug 29, 2012 22:46:55 GMT
I've just checked with my local chemist to see what the next higher dose of Premarin is here, but she told me that there isn't a higher one, but I'm sure another chemist told me there was. So that's probably why my GP isn't in favour of me increasing the dose myself. The higher doses that we have here only seem to come in patch form, which I've tried but I don't feel I was absorbing it. So maybe I'll just stick with the 1 x .625 until I see her next week.
Anyway, I've also just decided to be a bit more proactive about things and I've looked up the names of some gynos who are part of the Aust Menopause Society and I've found one who’s only about 20 minutes drive from me. So even though I don't have a referral yet from my GP, I've made an appointment, but I have to wait until 8th November, which I suppose is only about 2 months away. Normally I don't think I would have to wait that long, because apparently he's going to be away for most of Sept. So hopefully I won't have to wait that long for any future appointments.
In the meantime the only thing I haven't tried is the est gel, but I didn't bother with that because the patches didn't seem to suit me, but what the hell. I've tried everything else so I might as well cover all the bases.
So when I see my GP next week I think I will see if she will give me a prescription for that. By the time I've tried that it will probably be nearly November, so I will have my appointment with the gyno. At least taking some action of my own has made me feel a little more positive, because otherwise I think I will go nuts.
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Aug 30, 2012 8:26:28 GMT
Robyn
Make sure you get a full panel including antibodies.
Jacks
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Oct 3, 2012 17:23:04 GMT
Anyone suffering with thyroid issues should advoid aspirin. Several times after using it my thyroid went hyper and not being a believer in coincidences I researched and found that aspirin interferes with thyroid receptors.
Jacks
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Oct 4, 2012 9:09:05 GMT
My GP and I have decided he will treat it himself. I dislike consultants as a breed so I am happy to have him arrange the regular blood tests - I lowered my levothyroxine dose because the thyroid became slightly hyper. I shall tell my doctor when I see him to avoid him getting confused by changes to my blood test results. Conventional medicine has little to offer auto immune disease so I am doing my own thing and have researched intensively. I added a daily dose of DHEA as it is supposed to be good for thyroid diseases because it helps destroy the destructive anti bodies. I must say the DHEA has a great effect on my mood and is improving my muscle tone. I am very disillusioned with the lack of treatment and options for diseases ( auto immune) which mainly affect women. Fortunately I do have a brain which can be used. Jacks thanks for asking - sorry for rant  |
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Post by rusalka on Oct 8, 2012 13:35:43 GMT
Jacks - I checked out Spire and there are no hospitals close to me, but I did see it is possible to get thyroid function tests done on line and you just have to pay a small fee to a private local clinic for the phlebotomy work. I also rang another private testing clinic but they don't open on Mondays (?) Also, I noticed that my own surgery does private blood tests whilst browsing the web! I wonder why the GP didn't tell me that a couple of years ago when she said although my TSH was a little high, it wasn't high enough to warrant additional testing. Had she mentioned that I would have requested a private test then. I think it has fluctuated a bit over the years and the last time was 3.64. I don't have all of the symptoms you mention, but quite a few, and my daughter has been hypo since birth. Would you suggest I request a T3/T4 screening test? There seem to be lots of options -getting more and more expensive as you go down the list. Jaycee, a TSH over 2.5 is a sign of hypothyroidism! Many doc's are still concerning the old norm ranges, where a TSH till 4 or even 4.5 is normal, but the advanced and modern doctors are treating the levels over 2.5. I know this from the big hormon centers here in Germany. So I think you should really check your free T3 and T4 levels! |
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Post by rusalka on Oct 8, 2012 13:38:32 GMT
Jacks, sorry to hear about your story! I experienced quite the same with my prolactinoma, which the ignorant doc's didn't diagnosted over 15 years.
are you still on 25 mg? I'm also on this baby-dose, but when I have increased on 50 mg, I'v got hyper symptoms, so I'm back on 25, although my free T levels are quite low.
xoxo
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Oct 8, 2012 13:45:22 GMT
Rusalka
I went a bit hyper on 25 mg so my husband cuts the pill in half and I'm currently on 12.5 mg daily.
Jacks
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2012 18:05:10 GMT
Rusalka - The private Thyroid function test I had done gave the following results;-
TSH - 4.06
Free thyroxine 13.7
Free T3 4.6
I have been told by my GP, the doctor who did the private blood test and a hospital consultant that it is policy NOT to treat as my results are normal. Maybe I should move to Germany? It is so frustrating.
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Post by rusalka on Oct 9, 2012 6:34:39 GMT
Jaycee, sorry to hear this. My endo gave me Thyroxin at the moment when my TSH level was 2.6! And the recommended ideal TSH level is about 1!
TSH over 4 is definitely not o.k. Do you feel good? Do you have symptoms? I don't know the norm ranges for your free hormones, so I can't say something about them. No treatment for TSH over 4, I can imagine only in cases where the patient feels great. But for how long?
Maybe you can find a doc who is on the newest standard regarding TSH...
xoxo
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2012 7:33:50 GMT
Hi Rusulka - no I'm not feeling great. I too feel this is down to a thyroid issue but when you have doctors sticking rigidly to the current guidelines they use it's quite difficult to combat this. Of course it comes down to budgets mainly and I think if they can justify not treating you because of the scientific back up of lab tests then basically you are stuffed. I am encouraged by the info you have given me so I am certainly going to research a bit more to see if there are any other options open to me, so thank you. My daughter is hypothyroid but she works within the NHS and would never agree to letting me try some of her medication, which was my first thought - she is so annoyingly ethical!
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Oct 9, 2012 8:08:26 GMT
Jaycee
I think Gold Pharma sell levothyroxine online you should start with the smallest dose 25mg
Jacks
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susan
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I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member - Groucho Marx
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Post by susan on Oct 9, 2012 10:27:09 GMT
One of the things I couldn't get my head round Jaycee was this 'consultant of general medicine' that you had been referred to. I am not too up on these things but is that a specialist discipline in it's own right ? It sounds very vague. I don't understand why you weren't sent to a gynea or a thyroid specialist or a rheumy.
I thought the way it worked was a GP decided the closest specialism and you were sent there and if nothing found, you went back to the GP and were referred to the next most suitable specialism i.e. with my unexplained joint and muscle pain I sent to rheumatology first if they couldn't diagnose I was told I would then go to see a neurologist.
You mentioned it on beagleladys thread but I though I would put this here as seems a better place.
xxxx
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Post by rusalka on Oct 9, 2012 10:53:42 GMT
Hi Rusulka - no I'm not feeling great. I too feel this is down to a thyroid issue but when you have doctors sticking rigidly to the current guidelines they use it's quite difficult to combat this. Of course it comes down to budgets mainly and I think if they can justify not treating you because of the scientific back up of lab tests then basically you are stuffed. I am encouraged by the info you have given me so I am certainly going to research a bit more to see if there are any other options open to me, so thank you. My daughter is hypothyroid but she works within the NHS and would never agree to letting me try some of her medication, which was my first thought - she is so annoyingly ethical! I think if you search on internet you will probably find some useful links which you can refer to or show it to your doc. I have now the problem with very good TSH ( 0.99), but my free levels are on the lowest norm range. So I would like to try combined hormones ( T3 and T4), because it's obviously that my body can't convert the hormones proper. But my endo has the opinion as long I'm in the norm range we don't need any experiments  Maybe are those low free levels one of the main causes for my sleep problems. Sometimes I think, the best thinks would be if I start to study medicine and become my own physician... xoxo |
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Oct 9, 2012 11:30:18 GMT
I'm awfully pleased that my GP decided to ignore the consultant endocrinologist who said no treatment. I'm continuing with the thyroxine as he did not care for the attitude of the specialist.
Jacks
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Oct 9, 2012 13:00:53 GMT
My GP was so angry - he got a snotty letter from the consultant refusing to see me and telling the GP not to give treatment until two TSH were out of range.
I know my doctor was furious because he gave me a copy of the letter the specialist had written - it was patronising about both my GP and myself.
I'm glad I didn't get to see the wretched man - I would have strangled him.
I didn't read the letter during my consultation with GP - but went through it later but will comiserate with him getting such a nasty letter from a colleague.
My GP is quite the maverick and says he would prefer to go on my symptoms and raised anti bodies then a specialist who is rubbish as he put it.
Nothing to lose from a trial run - might be best if you cut the tablets in half and start with 25 mg to begin with.
Jacks
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Oct 9, 2012 13:22:36 GMT
The thyroid can cause menstrual irregularities. Hypothyroidism often causes dysfunctional uterine bleeding ( sometimes it manifests as polymennorhea) I had this myself until levothyroxine corrected it.Alternatively it can trigger heavy menstrual bleeding Hyperthyroidism can cause very light periods. I experienced this since starting levothyroxine. I began to show signs of being hyperthyroid - racing heart beat and tremor (Hashimoto swings back and forth) as a resut I have lowered my levothyroxine to 12.5mg and wouldn't be surprised if my period is slightly heavier this month.
In the USA thyroid medication starts at 12.5mg in the Uk it begins at 25mg. Another couple of things to watch for are medications OTC which interact. Beware of aspirin - this can over stimulate the thyroid and any cold / congestion products contaning pseudoephedrine.
For my nasal congestion I have been forced to resort to snorting pepper as the results are preferable to insomnia, racing heart and sweats.
Jacks
I'm currently researching the thyroid as often information is no better than snake oil
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Post by jacksfullofaces on Oct 9, 2012 13:42:01 GMT
Hi Rusulka - no I'm not feeling great. I too feel this is down to a thyroid issue but when you have doctors sticking rigidly to the current guidelines they use it's quite difficult to combat this. Of course it comes down to budgets mainly and I think if they can justify not treating you because of the scientific back up of lab tests then basically you are stuffed. I am encouraged by the info you have given me so I am certainly going to research a bit more to see if there are any other options open to me, so thank you. My daughter is hypothyroid but she works within the NHS and would never agree to letting me try some of her medication, which was my first thought - she is so annoyingly ethical! I think if you search on internet you will probably find some useful links which you can refer to or show it to your doc. I have now the problem with very good TSH ( 0.99), but my free levels are on the lowest norm range. So I would like to try combined hormones ( T3 and T4), because it's obviously that my body can't convert the hormones proper. But my endo has the opinion as long I'm in the norm range we don't need any experiments Maybe are those low free levels one of the main causes for my sleep problems. Sometimes I think, the best thinks would be if I start to study medicine and become my own physician... xoxo Rusalka I strongly recommend that you do become your own doctor. My GP is good but obviously he doesn't know my body like I do so I'm quite a believer in research Jacks |
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