Guest guest Posted May 19, 2010 Report Share Posted May 19, 2010 I would write to your GP with a request that he refer you to an endocrinologist, but preferably one of your own choice as so many endocrinologists have a speciality in diabetes and not thyroid disease. (If you wish, I can send you a list of endo's who know a little more than most privately). Ask for your other thyroid function test results i.e. free 4, free T3 and the results of the test to see whether you have thyroid antibodies. If he didn't do this test, ask for it to be done as it is important. Also, don't forget to ask for the reference range for each test. Have you checked the symptoms and signs list in our web site? Click on 'Hypothyroidism' in the Menu, and then click on 'Symptoms and Signs' in the drop down Menu and see if you suffer with any of these, or show any of the signs www.tpa-uk.org.uk . Take your basal temperature before you get out of bed in a morning for 4 or 5 days. Normal temperature is 98.6 degrees F. If y ours is 97.8 or lower, this is usually an indication you are suffering with a slow metabolism, probably caused through hypothyroidism. If you are diagnosed as hypothyroid, then you will likely need to be on thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of your life. Luv - Sheila Hi there, This is my first posting here, before Christmas my TSH level was 6.82 (picked up in a blood test after I had had 3 repeat chest infections). The GP advised I get retested and I did last week (May) and the reading has jumped to 11.22. I have asked for a referral to an endo, but in the meantime I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced a similar jump whilst not on any medication? And is medication likely to be my only option? I am a bit scared - I have not experienced any real physical symptoms at all that correspon with hypothyroidism, I feel very well, and this was a big shock to me. Any advice or comments would be welcome, thank you! No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2880 - Release Date: 05/17/10 18:26:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2010 Report Share Posted May 19, 2010 Thank you Sheila - I do have my free T4 readings - 12.3 before Christmas and down to 9.2 now. I am waiting for the results of an autoimmune test too - I have previous suffered from alopecia which is also an autoimmune problem so my GP thinks that may be significant. My GP has made a referral to an endocrinologist so I am chasing to see what is happening. I'll have a look at the symptons and I will definitely do the basal temperature tests you suggest - I guess that will be useful information for the endocrinologist. It's all a bit odd as my mother has been suffering symptoms for years and is on thyroxin - however her TSH/T3/T4 readings are always normal. I feel pretty much fine (a bit tired perhaps and carrying some extra weight which isn't shifting despite a good diet and plenty of time in the gym)but the tests seem to be suggesting there is a problem. We'll see. But thanks so much for your time - if you know any good Endos in the Essex/London areas please do send me their names if you can so I can decide whether to go ahead with the one recommended by my GP. Best wishes Adele > > I would write to your GP with a request that he refer you to an > endocrinologist, but preferably one of your own choice as so many > endocrinologists have a speciality in diabetes and not thyroid disease. (If > you wish, I can send you a list of endo's who know a little more than most > privately). > > Ask for your other thyroid function test results i.e. free 4, free T3 and > the results of the test to see whether you have thyroid antibodies. If he > didn't do this test, ask for it to be done as it is important. Also, don't > forget to ask for the reference range for each test. > > Have you checked the symptoms and signs list in our web site? Click on > 'Hypothyroidism' in the Menu, and then click on 'Symptoms and Signs' in the > drop down Menu and see if you suffer with any of these, or show any of the > signs www.tpa-uk.org.uk . Take your basal temperature before you get out of > bed in a morning for 4 or 5 days. Normal temperature is 98.6 degrees F. If y > ours is 97.8 or lower, this is usually an indication you are suffering with > a slow metabolism, probably caused through hypothyroidism. > > If you are diagnosed as hypothyroid, then you will likely need to be on > thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of your life. > > Luv - Sheila > > Hi there, > > This is my first posting here, before Christmas my TSH level was 6.82 > (picked up in a blood test after I had had 3 repeat chest infections). The > GP advised I get retested and I did last week (May) and the reading has > jumped to 11.22. I have asked for a referral to an endo, but in the meantime > I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced a similar jump > whilst not on any medication? And is medication likely to be my only option? > I am a bit scared - I have not experienced any real physical symptoms at all > that correspon with hypothyroidism, I feel very well, and this was a big > shock to me. > Any advice or comments would be welcome, thank you! > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2880 - Release Date: 05/17/10 > 18:26:00 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2010 Report Share Posted May 20, 2010 Hi, Has you doc not given you a diagnosis of hypo already, if not then why not? Illness does have an effect on thyroid levels, but as I understand it it affects conversion of T4 to T3 rather than TSH. Sadly yes, if your thyroid cannot produce enough hormones then replacing them is the only option. you are lucky to feel well- many folk have many symptoms with levels much higher than yours. Has doc done an antibody test? > thyroid treatment > From: deliward@...> Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 21:16:55 +0000> Subject: Sharp TSH rise.....> > Hi there,> > This is my first posting here, before Christmas my TSH level was 6.82 (picked up in a blood test after I had had 3 repeat chest infections). The GP advised I get retested and I did last week (May) and the reading has jumped to 11.22. I have asked for a referral to an endo, but in the meantime I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced a similar jump whilst not on any medication? And is medication likely to be my only option? I am a bit scared - I have not experienced any real physical symptoms at all that correspon with hypothyroidism, I feel very well, and this was a big shock to me. > Any advice or comments would be welcome, thank you!> > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2010 Report Share Posted May 20, 2010 Hi , Thanks for you post. My GP wanted to prescribe thyroxin but I asked to be referred to a specialist as personally I don't feel happy starting such a potentially serious and life long course of treatment without consulting a specialist and eliminating all other options. I am waiting for the results of an auto immune test - I'm not sure if it's the same thing that you mentioned but I feel this could be significant as I have had severe alopecia in the past and have also recently been diagnosed with having asthma (although this isn't impacting on my life at all). But the fact that i do feel well makes me even more nervous about starting medication without further investigation. Many thanks Adele > > > Hi, > Has you doc not given you a diagnosis of hypo already, if not then why not? Illness does have an effect on thyroid levels, but as I understand it it affects conversion of T4 to T3 rather than TSH. > Sadly yes, if your thyroid cannot produce enough hormones then replacing them is the only option. you are lucky to feel well- many folk have many symptoms with levels much higher than yours. Has doc done an antibody test? > > > > thyroid treatment > > From: deliward@... > > Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 21:16:55 +0000 > > Subject: Sharp TSH rise..... > > > > Hi there, > > > > This is my first posting here, before Christmas my TSH level was 6.82 (picked up in a blood test after I had had 3 repeat chest infections). The GP advised I get retested and I did last week (May) and the reading has jumped to 11.22. I have asked for a referral to an endo, but in the meantime I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced a similar jump whilst not on any medication? And is medication likely to be my only option? I am a bit scared - I have not experienced any real physical symptoms at all that correspon with hypothyroidism, I feel very well, and this was a big shock to me. > > Any advice or comments would be welcome, thank you! > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2010 Report Share Posted May 20, 2010 Adele, Please can you let me know if you come across anything in the automimmune side of things in relation to alopecia, particularly if it is alopecia areata or alopecia totalis that you had, rather than overall thinning of the hair? Thanks, and good luck with the specialist. I can understand your reluctance to jump into treatment if you are feeling well at the moment! (Personally I was flatter with a TSH of between 4 and 6 than with one of 9.2 - some peoples TSH seems to reach record highs of 60 - I find it hard to make sense of the wide variations in personal experiences with the figures) We have thyroid conditions and alopecia in the family (not both in the same person!) I keep wondering about possible links, but whilst there is some correlational evidence and alopecia is thought to have auto-immune links I haven't yet found any causal relationship. (Though lots of people report thinning of the hair with thyroid problems but that seems to be rather different). Vicky > But the fact that i do feel well makes me even more nervous about starting medication without further investigation. > > Many thanks > > Adele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2010 Report Share Posted May 20, 2010 Hi Vicky, Yes, I'd be happy to share whatever I can find out about alopecia links. I experienced some thining in my early 20's (I'm 31 now) but so does everyone else in my family but first developed alopecia areata at the age of 27 although it was so severe I lost about two thirds of my head hair - the patches kept joining up! I have been really lucky and regrown all my hair, same colour and texture as before. My GP (who I was not with when I had the alopecia) said to be sure and tell the specialist about it so I will let you know. Crossing my fingers the specialist will run a thorough set of tests as I can't really seem to find any information on the net that completely resonates with my test results but relative lack of symptoms. We'll see! Take care Adele > > Adele, > > Please can you let me know if you come across anything in the automimmune side of things in relation to alopecia, particularly if it is alopecia areata or alopecia totalis that you had, rather than overall thinning of the hair? > > Thanks, and good luck with the specialist. I can understand your reluctance to jump into treatment if you are feeling well at the moment! (Personally I was flatter with a TSH of between 4 and 6 than with one of 9.2 - some peoples TSH seems to reach record highs of 60 - I find it hard to make sense of the wide variations in personal experiences with the figures) > [Ed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Hi Adele, If you don't fell sick now- then if this goes on you will in the future- leaving it too long before commencing treatment is a poor option leading to poorer outcomes. I hope this is just a blip for you BUT do take it VERY seriously. I have seen too much suffering of untreated folk. > thyroid treatment > From: deliward@...> Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 13:27:58 +0000> Subject: Re: Sharp TSH rise.....> > Hi ,> > Thanks for you post. My GP wanted to prescribe thyroxin but I asked to be referred to a specialist as personally I don't feel happy starting such a potentially serious and life long course of treatment without consulting a specialist and eliminating all other options. I am waiting for the results of an auto immune test - I'm not sure if it's the same thing that you mentioned but I feel this could be significant as I have had severe alopecia in the past and have also recently been diagnosed with having asthma (although this isn't impacting on my life at all). But the fact that i do feel well makes me even more nervous about starting medication without further investigation. > > Many thanks> > Adele> > > >> > > > Hi,> > Has you doc not given you a diagnosis of hypo already, if not then why not? Illness does have an effect on thyroid levels, but as I understand it it affects conversion of T4 to T3 rather than TSH.> > Sadly yes, if your thyroid cannot produce enough hormones then replacing them is the only option. you are lucky to feel well- many folk have many symptoms with levels much higher than yours. Has doc done an antibody test?> > > > > > > thyroid treatment > > > From: deliward@...> > > Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 21:16:55 +0000> > > Subject: Sharp TSH rise.....> > > > > > Hi there,> > > > > > This is my first posting here, before Christmas my TSH level was 6.82 (picked up in a blood test after I had had 3 repeat chest infections). The GP advised I get retested and I did last week (May) and the reading has jumped to 11.22. I have asked for a referral to an endo, but in the meantime I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced a similar jump whilst not on any medication? And is medication likely to be my only option? I am a bit scared - I have not experienced any real physical symptoms at all that correspon with hypothyroidism, I feel very well, and this was a big shock to me. > > > Any advice or comments would be welcome, thank you!> > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------> > > > > > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Hi vicky, I don't have any papers to hand, but can confirm from personal experience the link. on T4 alone I had all the hypo symptoms in the book and had lost about 1/3 of my hair- both to thinning and patchy alopecia. within a few weeks of starting Armour my hair had started to grow again- note that I was also on adrenal support at this time. i have found that one of the first things that happens if I try to reduce dose is that my hair starts to come out again so it seems sensitive to both adrenal and thyroid levels. > thyroid treatment > From: hobbsvic@...> Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 19:34:03 +0000> Subject: Re: Sharp TSH rise.....> > Adele,> > Please can you let me know if you come across anything in the automimmune side of things in relation to alopecia, particularly if it is alopecia areata or alopecia totalis that you had, rather than overall thinning of the hair? > > Thanks, and good luck with the specialist. I can understand your reluctance to jump into treatment if you are feeling well at the moment! (Personally I was flatter with a TSH of between 4 and 6 than with one of 9.2 - some peoples TSH seems to reach record highs of 60 - I find it hard to make sense of the wide variations in personal experiences with the figures)> > We have thyroid conditions and alopecia in the family (not both in the same person!) I keep wondering about possible links, but whilst there is some correlational evidence and alopecia is thought to have auto-immune links I haven't yet found any causal relationship. (Though lots of people report thinning of the hair with thyroid problems but that seems to be rather different).> > Vicky> > > >> But the fact that i do feel well makes me even more nervous about starting medication without further investigation. > > > > Many thanks> > > > Adele> > > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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