Under active thyroid.

[farthing]

Does anybody else on here have an under active thyroid, if so what medication are you on and what dose.
I have been under active for 13 years now and have gradually gone up to 200mg of levothyroxine. I went back to the doctor last friday as I have been getting more and more lethargic and I'm now sleeping a lot, so I have to get a blood test next monday, thyroid function as well as full bloods. The doctor did say that I am at the highest recommended level for levothyroxine and if it does turn out to be my thyroid ( which we both think it is) I might have to change medication. I'm so fed up, because I assume it will mean another period of time while they find the right levels again.

Another think, why can't doctors blood sample any more, I have to see a nurse for this, and the doctor told me to get a fasting blood sample done, which shows up cholesterol, but it would mean I got seen quicker- 10 days I have to wait between consults and the sample. Ill be unconscious by the time I get sorted out.:(

[dandysmom]

The doctors group I worked for were endocrinologists, and the office nurse always took the blood then and there for non-fasting; or patient could pop in the next day for a fasting blood sample. I know that getting the medication adjusted can take a while; can be tricky. I hope they can get it sorted soon for you......

[Donna]

I was only thinking this today. My GP wanted me to have another blood test (had about 15 in the last eight months I would guess). It would take two seconds for the doctor to do this but today I had to go to my local hospital and queue.. there were about 60 people in front of me and it took and hour and a half!!! Such a waste of time!!

What annoyed me the most is that a prisoner from a nearby prison was wheeled in with handcuffs and was seen straight away!!!!

~Rant over lol ~

[yola]

The system is crazy and assumes we all have the luxury of time at our disposal . . . not so! Also the lack of joined up thinking amazes me - it's a shame as overall the NHS offers a very good service and is let down by box-tickers.

I had an over-active parathyroid (little nodules that live on the thyroid) for god knows how long, which nearly killed me in 1995 because it had been depositing massive quantities of calcium all over my body. Resulted in a serious attack of pancreatitis whilst away on business in Harrogate - scary. They sat up and took notice then but sadly ignored me for years when I complained about tiredness, lethargy and extreme thirst.

In addition to your medication, have you been given any dietary advice in terms of foods to avoid? In many of the hormonal imbalance instances avoidance of certain foodstuffs can really help alleviate symptoms.

[farthing]

No i have never been advised about diet, in fact as long as i appear to be within the normal range they are happy. At least this doctor looked at my chart and realised I need to have my thyroxine levels sitting at about 22 to be happy- the normal range is 10 - 25, so as long as I was within that range thay said I wasn't under. He agreed with me that my 'normal' sits at the high end of the scale, at last, I've been trying to suggest that for years.

[farthing]

Just thought I'd give a wee update.
Al my bloods came back normal, in fact I should feel on top of the world, instead I am doing nothing. I have now got an urget referral to the endocrinology clinic as they still think it is thyroid related. There could be an absorbtion problem or a problem with the brand I am now getting,they also want to rule out an Addisonian type problem.
So I am pretty much lying around, worrying in case it is something bad or all in my head, for at least the next 2 weeks. I have to get another set of bloods taken next week to rule out a few more things and them wait for a specialist appointment. I think I feel more frustrated knowing my bloods are normal or good, so I should feel fine.
It is so worrying as the animals are only getting basic care as Mike has been away a lot and when home he is worrying about me rather than concentrating of the beasties. He doesn't realise it stresses me out more if they don't get the care I expect.

[angieh]

So sorry to hear about all the medical trials you're going through farthing. In your case it is almost worse getting your blood tests back to find there's nothing wrong there. I know you can't help worrying - but please try to reduce your stress levels.