Alis girls Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 My bloods have come back and suggest from my TSH levels I have underactive thyroid. My aunt has one too. I have found my hair is brittle I am in bed at nine, always cold and have suffered depression on and off for yrs. I am going to see Gp tonight to ask if a trial of thyroxine could be tried. I think someone on forum has this prob - how long did you wait to get diagnosed. The NHS is pants at diagnosing and presc thyroxine. But I am going to push for tx. Cant do a thing with my hair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Hi Ali, very sorry to hear your thyroid's playing up, and hope it's sorted asap. It's a frustrating and depressing thing to have to deal with, and until someone's had to live it they can't really know what it feels like. My mother, grandmother and great grandmother all had underactive thyroids - I had to be different and went for the overactive version! My mother has had a difficult time re diagnosis and management whereas I've had a very different experience, I suspect because I was overactive rather than underactive, and so immediately referred to the local endocrine unit who have been brilliant over the years. However, now that I've had my thyroid removed, and am back under the care of the GP the service isn't so good! Given you work in the NHS I'm sure you have a very good idea of how to push them to get the attention you need, but don't let anyone tell you how you're supposed to feel - I could have punched all those well-meaning souls who kept trying to reassure me that in a few months I would soon feel much better - it took nearly 7 years before I felt 'normalish' again. Two professionals helped me enormously - one was the thyroid consultant who straight out told me that possibly the hardest part of coping with the disease would be the fact that I would feel physically and emotionally lousy at times, yet everyone else around me would say how well I looked, how well I was coping etc., when I might feel like I was losing the plot completely. The other person was an eye surgeon (I ended up with the eye disease as well) who also tackled the psychological side of it all head-on with me rather than skirting round it or ignoring it at all. Interestingly, both of them were women - the rest of the people I saw were all men, who were knowledgeable and caring but really didn't have a clue as to how to handle the emotional side of it all. Sorry for the rant! Do take care, push for thyroxine, but be prepared for it to take some time to get the dosage right, and don't let anyone tell you how you should be feeling! If you want to pm me you're very welcome. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 Thanks Minnie - sorry to hear about your troubles with the thyroid. My husband said I've been complaining of cold for years - strange after my babies I was always hot!! I put the exhaustion down to being an older mum, working mum and a depressive ( I am pretty sure my mum was an undiagnosed bi- polar and dad is depressive but says he isnt). Its the tiredness and hair I cant deal with. My hair has always frizzed but in last few weeks its unmanagable. I am also worried I gain the stone and a half I lost thro sheer hard work. I am hoping the GP will be sympathetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Mostly I can't be helpful but regarding your hair I have started using the most lovely, soothing conditioner. A Touch of Silver - it's aimed apparently at grey, natural and dye blonde hair types. I use the more intense conditioning thingy once a week and it results in BOUNCY CURLS!! OMG! I think it's great. DD has punky sort of blonde/black hair and she recommended it. This next is possibly just me but I tried noristhisterone(sp) which was a disaster and I believe I am still suffering from messing with my hormones several months later. Are you taking anything like that? My sister was also taking it and suffered dreadfully, we think it is hateful. I also think menopace is the bees knees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Ali, I had an early warning via a private medical check-up that my thyroid levels were low. My mum had an under-active thyroid and I knew it was likely I'd develop it (one of my sisters now has it too). I kept going back and asking to be tested, every time it was 'low, but still within normal range' - the day it finally sank below 'normal' I was delighted! I'd been feeling tired, cold, and my nails kept breaking which was very unusual for me. Mind you, when the GP said 'have you noticed any of the following: dry skin, weight gain, thinning hair, tiredness etc' I said 'ask any woman of my age and she'd probably say yes to all of those!' I was 46 when I was diagnosed, I got the pills and although I was told it could take six weeks before I felt any difference I could tell within a couple of weeks that I was less tired. It's not just fatigue, it was more of a complete lack of interest in anything, I couldn't muster enthusiasm for things and felt really weary. The problem is that one person could have severe symptoms but still have levels within the normal range, another can have few symptoms but very low levels - as I understand it, the rules in the UK are that they can only prescribe based on blood tests, not on symptoms. Mine have remained fairly static, I now take 50mg per day and 75 at weekends, as although levels at the last test were ok I said I was feeling tired. I do feel the cold a lot. I struggle with my weight but I honestly think that is down to too many pies, not the thyroid! My nails have returned to their normal length, and my hair's always been thin so nothing new there. It really doesn't trouble me at all, it's just a minor nuisance picking up the prescription every 2 months - but hey, it's free as are all other prescriptions, seems daft to me but what a bonus! I'm sure once you get the right level for you, you'll notice an improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 i have got to have thyroid antibodies done and then GP will speak to endocrinologist. I told her I wasnt willing to accept "normal" as I dont feel right. I slept from just after 10pm right thro till 8.30 and that is unheard of for me and then did a brisk mile walk. It the muzzy head and the fact I cant process info easily. I then panic and worry I've got early onset dementia I am stressed with sick relatives and work issues but want to be well to deal with all this. Patsy looked for the conditioner but Boots out of it so will check Brent X. Thanks for all your encouragment folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Good luck. It does get better. As for the muzzy head - yes, I know that one well - I struggled a lot with competing demands (work and home) at the time, but now that my hormone levels are stable I only experience 'normal' tiredness and 'normal' dimwittedness! Once it's sorted you'll know what I mean by normal versus thyroid-related sensations - thyroid tiredness is nothing like being normally tired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 I agree - the 'muzzy head' is a classic sign but it will clear up once you start taking thyroid replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Hi ! I am "borderline" underactive, so I am on a very low dose of thyroxine. The only difference I have noticed is in my hair. It was thinning quite markedly but I think it has grown back a bit. Still feel sluggish and sooooooooo tired! Hope you get it sorted soon. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid in 2008. I went to the GP with a lumpy sensation in my throat, I always felt that I had a lump there, had lost interest in food as a result. When I saw the ENT consultant he put a camera up my nose, not pleasant, and said that I had a lot of scarring from acid reflux, fortunately he also had a good prod of my neck and discovered that my thyroid gland was very enlarged. He immediately sent me to the phlebotomy department for a thyroid function test. This came back very low, I was also referred for an ultrasound on my thyroid which deemed it to be nodular but otherwise ok. I was put on low dose Levothyroxine which was gradually increased, I started to feel better fairly quickly but it took a long time to feel well. I had assumed that all of my fatigue was down to having a busy life with my 3 children and the fact that I had turned 40. It is only now that I realise quite how awful I felt. I am now 48 and feel so much better than I ever did in my 30's. I had always felt the cold, had frequent pins and needles, constipation, dry skin, and was exhausted all the time. By the evening I would sit down and just the thought of getting up to get a drink or go to the loo was too much, it would take me so long to summon up the strength. I think that I had been going down hill for about 10 or more years, I have read that it can be triggered by pregnancy if you are genetically prone. It is a shame that I spend most of the childhood of my children feeling rubbish. My paternal grandmother had under active thyroid, as does my dad and one of his brothers, so I will keep a close eye on my children as they grow older. I hope that you get sorted soon, the fact that they are doing antibody testing is good because I have read that this is a far more accurate way to diagnose it earlier because it is an autoimmune disease. Take care of yourself and don't take no for an answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 Patsy -tried conditioner - hair is softer and shinier - still a bit of frizz but thats me. Thanks for tip. Everyone else - had blood done on Monday waiting for results. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Good luck with the results - hope it sets the medicinal ball rolling in your favour. Also found that a muzzy head was caused by anaemia. All fine at the moment and no weird putting things in the fridge or freezer when they should have gone in the cupboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Oh - I thought that was normal once you got to a certain age! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 What age? I've been doing that for years and I'm only in my mid 30s! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 Thought I'd update - a letter arrived Sat from GP with a presc for thyroxine 50mcgms. My antibodies were abnormal. Have started taking usually very early in the morning as on Pantoprozole ( a stomach tablet) which can cause it to not be as effective. Bloods in 6weeks and see GP again. I actually wonder how many people dont get treatment. I will update you when my brain functions better and I am more human Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Hope you're feeling much better very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 Thanks xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Hope it starts to take effect soon. I read somewhere that it's most effective taken first thing on an empty stomach so I always make that the first thing I do when I get up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Thought I'd update - a letter arrived Sat from GP with a presc for thyroxine 50mcgms. My antibodies were abnormal. Have started taking usually very early in the morning as on Pantoprozole ( a stomach tablet) which can cause it to not be as effective. Bloods in 6weeks and see GP again. I actually wonder how many people dont get treatment. I will update you when my brain functions better and I am more human Hope you start to feel the benefits soon, I was started on 25mcg then 50, then 75 and have been stable on 100mcg for a few years now. You have made me wonder if I should change the way I take mine too, because I am in Lansoprazole which I think may be a similar medicine to your stomach one and I just take them together as soon as I get up and alway have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 12, 2015 Author Share Posted November 12, 2015 If you are on a single dose of Lansoprazole then the chemist told me to take it in the evening and thyroxine in morning. I am on a twice a day of my drug so he said take with an hour between two. Not easy when you get up at 6 for work. I generally have to get up at 4ish for the loo so take thyroxine then. Also worth asking next time you have a blood test for B12 test as these stomach pills can knock off this vitamin b12 leading to a form of anaemia. I already feel less sluggish unless its in the mind. could be I just feel that something is being done to help how I feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 Glad that you are feeling better, and thanks for the heads up about the B12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Yes I feel more alive - the downside is all extra activity as started back pain off again so solve one problem and irritate another. However the back prob I've had for years so will start pilates again. OH cant get over the fact I am up till 10.30 - last night I did fund raising do at church and was watching Corrie rpt when I got in at 11.30!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 He's also feeling guilty for moaning at me re my early bedtime for years. I am making him suffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Great to hear you're noticing a difference already Ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 long may it continue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
