I'm now 60, and over the course of my life I've hardly ever been to the doctor. Which should tell you it only happens when it's critical, or some condition has become a bother e.g. conjunctivitis, persistent adult acne etc.
Some ten years ago I started feeling very tired, and my normal level of activity was definitely 'depressed.'
Being self-employed, I was able to spend part of my working day in bed, trying to catch up on what I thought was lost sleep.
This never helped, but with energy levels low seemed unavoidable.
Eventually, several years ago I went to the GP, had blood tests, and 'nothing' was found. I was just getting old I was told.
I thought then, as I do now, that that was a load of rubbish.
For several years Google has not been my doctor but my medical advisor. I KNEW something was wrong with me. It was just a case of trying to find out what.
Google subsequently led me to the Barnes basal temperature test. Simply put you take your temperature FIRST THING in the morning.
If you have low thyroid (and I both suspected I did, and told my GP my suspicions several years ago) your temperature will be lower than normal. One book on thyroidism I have puts it at 97.8F. Mine first thing is usually about the mid 96s (around 36C.)
Fast forward to last November. Following an acute kidney infection, I'm again sat in front of a GP explaining my thyroid suspicions, backed up with my basal temperature charts. She showed no interest in my thoughts then or upon two returns to her during December, dealing with my newly diagnosed diabetes.
February this year I'm sat in front of a different GP (the one who runs the diabetes clinic) again sharing my concerns.
This time I'm listened to. "Well if you think you are, we'll test for thyroid antibodies !"
May this year (the follow-up blood test), I have antibodies confirmed, but my blood tests always show my other thyroid markers to be 'normal.'
'Normal' for most GPs means 'no need to act on.'
I'm fully convinced otherwise, and am currently asking to be referred to an endocrinologist (GP apptmt Nov 14th)
The point of this post is to point out that many consider there to be many who suffer from undetected thyroidism. Undetected because markers come back 'normal.' Therefore it's called 'subclinical.'
GPs are great when they're great, but not when they're not
If like me, you go to bed tired, wake up tired, spend all day tired, have symptoms which could be diagnosed as depression (something which is often associated with diabetes) then consider whether you're possibly subclinically hypothyroid.
Start by taking your morning temperature. It's a good indicator.
I've shared this in case it helps one other person.
I don't suffer from diabetes, but I do from my thyroid condition.
Geoff
Some ten years ago I started feeling very tired, and my normal level of activity was definitely 'depressed.'
Being self-employed, I was able to spend part of my working day in bed, trying to catch up on what I thought was lost sleep.
This never helped, but with energy levels low seemed unavoidable.
Eventually, several years ago I went to the GP, had blood tests, and 'nothing' was found. I was just getting old I was told.
I thought then, as I do now, that that was a load of rubbish.
For several years Google has not been my doctor but my medical advisor. I KNEW something was wrong with me. It was just a case of trying to find out what.
Google subsequently led me to the Barnes basal temperature test. Simply put you take your temperature FIRST THING in the morning.
If you have low thyroid (and I both suspected I did, and told my GP my suspicions several years ago) your temperature will be lower than normal. One book on thyroidism I have puts it at 97.8F. Mine first thing is usually about the mid 96s (around 36C.)
Fast forward to last November. Following an acute kidney infection, I'm again sat in front of a GP explaining my thyroid suspicions, backed up with my basal temperature charts. She showed no interest in my thoughts then or upon two returns to her during December, dealing with my newly diagnosed diabetes.
February this year I'm sat in front of a different GP (the one who runs the diabetes clinic) again sharing my concerns.
This time I'm listened to. "Well if you think you are, we'll test for thyroid antibodies !"
May this year (the follow-up blood test), I have antibodies confirmed, but my blood tests always show my other thyroid markers to be 'normal.'
'Normal' for most GPs means 'no need to act on.'
I'm fully convinced otherwise, and am currently asking to be referred to an endocrinologist (GP apptmt Nov 14th)
The point of this post is to point out that many consider there to be many who suffer from undetected thyroidism. Undetected because markers come back 'normal.' Therefore it's called 'subclinical.'
GPs are great when they're great, but not when they're not
If like me, you go to bed tired, wake up tired, spend all day tired, have symptoms which could be diagnosed as depression (something which is often associated with diabetes) then consider whether you're possibly subclinically hypothyroid.
Start by taking your morning temperature. It's a good indicator.
I've shared this in case it helps one other person.
I don't suffer from diabetes, but I do from my thyroid condition.
Geoff
