Thyroid

[thelewisgang]

hello everyone. Just wondered if I am entitled to have a copy of my thyroid blood test result from my doctor? I have been on thyroxine for around 20 years following surgery for a goitre at that time & then another op for the same around 15 years ago. My dose was always 100mcg daily until four years ago. My thyroid blood tests were always within the required limits but about 4 years ago I started to lose quite a lot of weight (lost over a stone for no apparent reason over a short period of time). I had countless tests over a six month period but everything came back fine. My then GP said he would reduce my thyroxine to 50mcg a day and my weight stabilised shortly afterwards although it was ages before I put any weight on. I still take 50mcg daily. My problem now is weight gain!! I have put on over half a stone in the last few months but more recently I have been having feelings of flushing on my neck/face. When I saw my new GP recently (have moved to a different area now) I mentioned about my weight & these flushes & told him about the previous weight loss but he was adament the last blood test (Nov 08) was fine & didn't need changing. I know from what my previous doctor told me there are many parts to a thyroid blood test & I would like to see for myself what the last result showed not that it will mean anything to me. Just curious really but getting fed up with this weight/flushing problem

[sqad617]

Quite a problem:
Your blood tests tell you that 50mcms is the right dose.
You body tells you that 100mcgms is the right dose.

50mcgms is a very small dose.

If your skin is dry, you feel tired, put on weight, coarse voice, dry hair I would go back to 100mcgms.

You can ask your GP for a copy of your blood tests.

Tests are T3. T4 TSH

The TSH reading is the important one.

[DEN53]

The Thyroid Function Test Resuls should be:

Free T4- between - 10.3 - 24.5
TSH - between - 0.4 - 4.0
Triiodothyronine - between 1.1 - 2.6

I had my thyroid gland removed 3 years ago and now take 100mg one day and 75mg on the oher. It has taken 3 years to get these levels right.

You are entitled to see your test results - the details I have set out above will help you understand them. I have mine tested at the Nuffield - so they automatically give you the read out.

Could the flushing be the menopause ?

I hope this helps.

[cazzz1975]

you are entitled to a copy and an explanation of your thyroid results, sometimes you might be low normal where although you are classed as normal you are on the very low end and as such you will still be suffering symptoms of hypothyroidism.

you may need a gradual up, to say 75mcg rather than a jump to 100, you have to be insistant and note down all your symptoms (in case you forget them when you are sitting in the doctors office)

[thelewisgang]

thank you for your replies which I am grateful for. Sqad617, yes, my skin is dry and I do feel tired and also have slept badly for several months now. I'm ok once I get off to sleep but sometimes stay awake till 2am. Den53, no, the flushing is not due to the menopause. I went through that around 9years ago but these flushes come and go although not as severe as the meno. I am not due for another thyroid blood test till June but will make an appt shortly to request one taking my facts with me and will ask for a copy of the report once the result is back. I do wonder if they will charge for a copy of the report - anyone know? Its just that going on to another subject, I had a knee operation a few months back & they took pictures of the problem inside my knee during surgery. I asked medical records if I could have a copy (A4 size) as it was interesting to see and was sent the forms asking for �50 for getting the copy! needless to say, I didn't get it - thought that was far too much money! thank you once again for replying

[shaneystar2]

I do sympathise thelewisgang. I have underactive thyroid and used take 125 mmg of levothyroxine daily . I sometimes felt this was too much as I bounced off the walls at times .Yet after further tests and and a lower dosage I felt just as bad as before being diagnosed with thyroid probs .
My GP did say that there is a very fine line between under and over and it's something they have themselves have problems with getting right .I am now on 100 mmg. and it seems OK .For now ! But I am constantly back and forth for blood tests .
As for getting copies of your records don't hold your breath.
After a disastrous knee replacement my brother is still waiting to get a copy of his records which they seem to have conveniently lost !

[cazzz1975]

I always get a copy of my results, it shouldnt cost anything either

[thelewisgang]

thank you folks for the further replies

[dot.hawkes]

i've been on thyroxin (2x 50 micrograms a day) for 20+ years and i have never asked about my results, even though i have all the symptoms you all describe off and on, especially the bad nights, i drive everyone mad some nights with my insomnia.

[shaneystar2]

I thought it was just me having sleep problems Dot .)
I suppose this is a thyroid thing too.I do not sleep well at all and haven't done so for ages. I keep putting it down to the arthritics but this has triggered a thought that I am on too much thyroxine perhaps.
Some nights I lay there and feel like getting up and giving the house a good clean . I have so much energy, yet during the day I feel really sluggish ..ooh dear.

[dot.hawkes]

I tend to have entire days where I can't get motivated to do anything even at work, but then when i have been busy at work i can't sleep at night, i also get alot of palpatations which worry me but i have mentioned them a few times to the doc and she says it is the caffiene.

[dot.hawkes]

BTW the palpatations only start when i am lying in bed trying to sleep!

[thelewisgang]

gosh. dot and shaney maybe we should all get together and clean each others homes during the night!! I used to sleep like a baby but can't remember the last time I had a decent night's sleep. I also have times when I feel so sluggish during the day and can't get motivated to do normal household chores. I hate feeling like this though.