GP only works on TSH. I am male and was diagnosed hypo 7 years ago and prescribed 50mcg thyroxine (generic). My TSH at the time was 5.5, my free T4 15.0 and total T3 2.1 (provided by hospital following atrial fibrillation episode). There are no reference ranges on the Biochemistry results sheet. My GP has only checked these 3 times since 2005. I'm totally exhausted, can't concentrate, awful brain fog with terribly gritty eyes. My GP says my TSH is 'in range'. What should I reasonably ask my GP to do? There is no other reason found for my symptoms. I take testosterone 5mg gel and my DHEA is lower than the low end of the scale. I'm also hypoglycaemic. I'm pretty convinced that my problems are being caused by my thyroid. When I ask for results all I'm told is that they are within range. I'm not overly confident that my GP will do anything.
Need to find a GP who will do something. - Thyroid UK
Need to find a GP who will do something.
Hello Philby, I'm sorry that answering questions on here so often seems to start by asking more questions!
Can you let us have your most recent test results please? We need Free T3 and T4, TSH, and as I'm sure you'll have read on other posts, B12, D3, Ferritin and Folates too.
Also, are you on any medication for atrial fibrillation? Amiodarone can seriously interfere with proper thyroid function and the test results.
If you can post this information there are lots on here who can offer help.
Jane x
Hi Janeb, I have posted my known lab results, I'm not on Amiodarone, I'm taking Flecainide 50mg x 3 which had to be started in hospital. Thank you for responding, because I'm deaf my GP's prefer not to try and communicate (less embarrasment for them I guess). I lost my hearing aged 35, not long after I started taking T4 but I put this down to coincidence. Sorry for the late response but I work full time and I think Christmas intervened.
I had a GP tell me he was 'too busy' to print out my test results... So I simply asked the receptionist, very sweetly, whether she could possibly do it for me. She said "of course" and it took less than a minute for her to print them all out and give them to me 
So it's worth a try, eh?!
Hi if on Beta Blockers , do not take before your thyroid test as that effects the result. If on Amiodarone, that normally lowers the thyroid, ie makes you more hypo.You need another blood test with results.If GP being difficult about testing, I get my print outs from the receptionists on request, If it was me I would have a private test, TSH T4 and Free T3 through Blue Horizon, TUK site, very reasonable but as they use the same Lab as all the private hospitals they are well known to docs., if you want to show them and change your meds. You may need T3.If that does not work, can you ask to see an endo? If so do all your research first, CV`s and ask around etc. for some one good. You have also not mentioned other blood tests, an endo should definitely do those. D is the most important as a hormone , so, effect the thyroid directly.I hope this helps, with AF the docs say it is essential to get the thyroid right.
Jackie
Hi Again, Having just done my daily test for my INR ( which is always a nightmare) Reminded me to say. Are you aware that any changes in meds for thyroid or any change in the thyroid strongly effect the INR so the dose of Warfarin that you need.?
Jackie
Philby,
I am sorry that I believe your instinct is correct - that your thyroid gland is the culprit. 50mcg of levothyroine is very, very low. A starting dose really and it should have been increased gradually about every 4 to 6 weeks till your symptoms improved.
This is an extract from Dr John Lowe who had websites, DrLowe.com - Fibroymalgia Research Foundation and Thyroid Science:-
Nov. Without question, you should do something else. Unfortunately, your doctor prescribed for you what our clinical and research experience has taught us is the least effective approach to thyroid hormone therapy—the use of T4 alone. Synthroid, of course, contains only T4.
Moreover, the dose he prescribed, 0.05 mg, is extremely small. It’s so extremely small that it's highly unlikely you'll benefit from it in any way no matter how long you take it. On the other hand, that small a dose may actually slow your metabolism more and worsen your symptoms. Perhaps this has happened, in that you say your symptoms have worsened since you started taking Synthroid.
P.S. 0.05mg is 50mcg.
This is a link to the archived site of Dr Lowe and you can find topics at the top of the page. Some of the links within may not work.
If it is at all possible I would change your doctor. Changing the surgery would be better. I doubt you will ever change the mind set of the one you are with now. I changed and I am a different happier healthier woman . I actually have a doctor who listens and who works with me. "God" doctors should be a thing of the past, sadly they are not.
I didn't find it difficult to change, just found one I thought would be ok and asked to become a patient...that was it really.
Certainly you need more testing, that's for sure!
"In range" and "normal" are words I simply can't accept when I hear them, now my GP knows better than to use them!
In the meantime, Hypoglycaemic *screams* Adrenal problems to me, but of course they won't treat it in the UK unless it's full blow Addison's, which it doesn't sound to be that bad! Naturally, Adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol) often goes along with thyroid issues, and lack of it makes it hard for thyroid replacement to work, even if you DO have enough L-thyroxine!
I am on Testosterone replacement (Tostran) too, it has been part of getting hormones issues resolved, and certainly improved my insulin sensitivity, but that doesn't go away on it's own, and improving it is the only way to totally control hypoglycaemia
Whatever the cause of your problems, it needs getting under control and the quickest way that my Hypoglycaemia came under control (100% in a matter of a couple of days) was by following a Low carb (Low glycaemic Load) diet, but amongst other things my longer term well being took self treating with Hydrocortisone. Some bloods and/or salivary tests might not be a bad idea though, and self-treatment is not for everyone!
Many thanks for the answers. My Afib is controlled by Flecainide which as far as I know does not affect the thyroid (but I may be wrong, it has many other warnings). My hypoglycaemia is reactive so my diet is pretty much on the protein side. I had to fight to get Testosterone replacement, my readings were around the 7.2 to 8.00 mark which is the low end of the dreaded range (8.00 - 28.00). If I stop the 'T' the world becomes even scarier so I'm happy to continue with that. DHEA was 11 the range was 11 - ?? So again at the bottom. Cortisol is reported as being 'normal' (haven't seen any figures). I'm 59yrs of age and unable to shift any excess weight (100kilo) no matter how I diet. GP says I probably don't eat enough! I think my GP doesn't want to increase my T4 because of the one off Afib 6 years ago. I take 50mg of Flecainide 3 times per day which is a small dose. Could low thyroid cause my Afib??. About a month ago I was losing my hair by the handful but that has now stopped?? I'll try my GP once more but then perhaps I had better try and find a new one. I did try about 6 months ago but the one I tried wasn't taking on new patients. Oh and I work full time so I need to get some energy back. No other known reasons for the way I feel other than my GP saying I'm depressed. I disagree, I'm just tired of being tired, well exhausted, I know the difference.
You have a right to your medical records if you feel the need to get them but from the sounds of things its probably more important to get a new gp, try a different one in your surgery if possible or find another surgery there are some good gps about mine is one of them but you have to seek them out from experience i would say its not right that your still on the same dose tlas when you were diagnosed, dont give up you can get better but you sound grossly undermedicated good luck
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