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Thyroid tests?

E

Emck

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone knows whether your annual diabetes check-up would flag any thyroid issues?

I can’t remember what tests they typically run, I normally get a report sent out with lots of results that I don’t really understand - so I’m not sure if thyroid is checked then?

I have been displaying symptoms of under active thyroid and don’t want to bother the gp for tests if it might have been checked at my diabetes clinic.

From memory they check hba1c, kidney function and cholesterol but I don’t know what else!

Thanks!
 
Emck said:
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone knows whether your annual diabetes check-up would flag any thyroid issues?

I can’t remember what tests they typically run, I normally get a report sent out with lots of results that I don’t really understand - so I’m not sure if thyroid is checked then?

I have been displaying symptoms of under active thyroid and don’t want to bother the gp for tests if it might have been checked at my diabetes clinic.

From memory they check hba1c, kidney function and cholesterol but I don’t know what else!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Everyone in my family with Type 2 is on Thyroxine. My GP still won't test me for it. My mum was very typical, my brother was not.
 
Emck said:
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone knows whether your annual diabetes check-up would flag any thyroid issues?

I can’t remember what tests they typically run, I normally get a report sent out with lots of results that I don’t really understand - so I’m not sure if thyroid is checked then?

I have been displaying symptoms of under active thyroid and don’t want to bother the gp for tests if it might have been checked at my diabetes clinic.

From memory they check hba1c, kidney function and cholesterol but I don’t know what else!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I don't see my Endo for diabetes, but for my thyroid.

Some T1s are tested periodically because some types of thyroid disorders are autoimmune.

If you have concerns, but your GP will not test you, you could ask in clinic, or have a test privately. For example: https://monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyroid-test/
MonitorMyHealth do do a test including antibodies, but I'm getting an error on their website for that. You could always email them.
 
Just in case this is helpful - I suspected low thyroid function years ago. GP would only do the most basic test, which didn't flag up any issues, as in "within normal parameters" despite some rather telling symptoms. Private test did, but GP would not go with that. Since going keto, my eyebrows have grown back, having previously disappeared entirely. Sadly it's too late for my hair. I have loads more energy and am sleeping better (though my good night would be someone else's bad one).
 
Thanks all, I’ll try to chat to a GP this week.

I’m weirdly hoping that the tests do show something! I’ve been having all sorts of weird symptoms that I just assumed were due to getting older (they might still be)!

A few to mention are:
-weight gain (mostly showing on my face) despite no change in diet
-carpal tunnel in both hands
-cold hands and feet
-tiredness
-brain fog/forgetfulness
-poor sleep
-thinning hair
-swollen tongue with deep scalloping
 
Emck said:
Thanks all, I’ll try to chat to a GP this week.

I’m weirdly hoping that the tests do show something! I’ve been having all sorts of weird symptoms that I just assumed were due to getting older (they might still be)!

A few to mention are:
-weight gain (mostly showing on my face) despite no change in diet
-carpal tunnel in both hands
-cold hands and feet
-tiredness
-brain fog/forgetfulness
-poor sleep
-thinning hair
-swollen tongue with deep scalloping
Click to expand...

Whilst your list are all potential thyroid related, the thing about thyroid symptoms is there are so many potential symptoms and those symptoms are shared with several other conditions.

When your GP runs the test 9and based on those symptoms, he/she should, please do ask for the actual results.

The NHS accepts that TSH over 5 is getting a bit high, but will usually resist any treatment until TSH (a pretty blunt instrument measure) breaches 10. It can take some time to get help.

My GP of the time (she moved - I grieved) was very much onside and rang me very excited when my TSH went just over 5, because she could offer me a trial of some treatment, which she was certain I needed. I did, but also needed to see an Endo for additional treatment.

Don't give up.
 
Thanks @AndBreathe. I had my bloods done today and the doctor mentioned that they would run a few tests, and I should have the results back quickly.

She also mentioned that she would call to discuss even if the results didn’t show a thyroid issue, as we’d need to figure out what else might be causing the symptoms.
 
Apparently all results were normal, except my cholesterol was a bit high.

A bit annoying as I really thought I had figured out what had been happening with me over the past year.
 
Emck said:
Apparently all results were normal, except my cholesterol was a bit high.

A bit annoying as I really thought I had figured out what had been happening with me over the past year.
Click to expand...
Get the actual numbers not just a “Normal” pronouncement and do some research. It’s possible to be symptomatic if you are at the ends of the lab reference ranges. (Your normal might be the other end for example) and some drs sometimes aren‘t the most experienced at interpreting the nuances and dealing with symptoms. Same with cholesterol and reliance on total number etc.
 
I was diagnosed with a failed thyroid only after some considerable time with the symptoms.
Eventually the GP shocked me by starting off telling me there was something very wrong - when I realised what it was I managed to respond that I'd had the symptoms for 5 years so it was nothing new - just that the test had finally picked it up.
The eyebrows thing is very indicative of low thyroid levels, I believe - it is just that symptoms are not acted on these days, the test has to be done and it must show the right numbers for the symptoms to be believed. The thyroid is notorious for being able to decline and recover numerous times - even now, decades after diagnosis I have a recovering thyroid and my Thyroxine has been reduced.
 
AndBreathe said:
Whilst your list are all potential thyroid related, the thing about thyroid symptoms is there are so many potential symptoms and those symptoms are shared with several other conditions.

When your GP runs the test 9and based on those symptoms, he/she should, please do ask for the actual results.

The NHS accepts that TSH over 5 is getting a bit high, but will usually resist any treatment until TSH (a pretty blunt instrument measure) breaches 10. It can take some time to get help.

My GP of the time (she moved - I grieved) was very much onside and rang me very excited when my TSH went just over 5, because she could offer me a trial of some treatment, which she was certain I needed. I did, but also needed to see an Endo for additional treatment.

Don't give up.
Click to expand...
I had bloods done recently and explained to my GP that I just felt exhausted all the time so he added Thyroid function to my blood form. Come back 7.8 so he was going to start me on thyroxin ( think that's how it's spelt) but he would check with the consultants and Endo come back and said until it was over 10 they wouldn't recommend treatment! Had a bit of a disagreement with my GP about how I was expected to put up with the effects of it but wouldn't be treated until I met this specific number.
 
C.flem88 said:
I had bloods done recently and explained to my GP that I just felt exhausted all the time so he added Thyroid function to my blood form. Come back 7.8 so he was going to start me on thyroxin ( think that's how it's spelt) but he would check with the consultants and Endo come back and said until it was over 10 they wouldn't recommend treatment! Had a bit of a disagreement with my GP about how I was expected to put up with the effects of it but wouldn't be treated until I met this specific number.
Click to expand...

The UK's treatment threshold is bonkers. A euthyroid person generally has a TSH of under 2.

My GP told me guidelines allowed her to give me a trial of thyroxine with a TSH of (just) over 5, based on some extreme symptoms - mainly feeling miserably cold, even in hot weather. I have never come off that, but am now treated by an Endo as my needs were not met by thyroxine alone.

Was TSH the only test? You really need to have T4, T3 and antibodies tested too, for a clearer picture.
 
Totally concur. Esp as TSH and some other blood test results can be questionable when other factors involved (eg autoimmune inflammation). GPs are not taught about this. I am now in Oz. It took me years to get Levoxine (levothyroxine). Get a private diagnosis if nec. This med is not that expensive either. New versions don’t need refrigeration.
 
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