Yeah barb definitely agree with u on that one!! I have done a lot of begging & pleading even to get this far!! But like I said I'm very persistent & like a dog with a bone lol so I'll make them get to the bottom of this... when u said about my Drs understanding thyroid... my gp pretty much did what I did & "googled" hashimotos!! Hopefully my endocrinologist will have a bit more knowledge on Tuesday. :)
Being in UK, I'd assume you are on the NHS for your health care? I'd say your doctor understand thyroid, but are limited in what they are allowed to do.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we find that many of our UK members have a very hard time getting tested/treated properly, due to the limited tests, and meds, allowed by NHS. The allowable tests seem to be TSH, and sometimes, a Free T4, but only rarely, a Free T3, which is the active hormone that actually enters the cells and does the work.......
We've had members who have had to beg/plead/demand, and still not get what they needed. Some have had to go private in order to get adequate testing/treatment.
Poor you! I can totally empathise with how frustrated you must feel. I'm not sure about what your test results mean as Barb says about the reference ranges but you really have to be persistant with drs and yeh they totally are only human. You will get to the bottom of it I'm sure of it. I'm still trying to do that myself I must be honest, but one thing I've learned is persistance and patience! You are not alone in how you are feeling but you will find out whats going on. Levels can be so up and down for people with thyroid problems. It took 8 blood tests before my thyroid even showed it was underactive!!! Crafty wee bugger! ;) I was really bad for a long time and then got better and was like a normal human again,now, not so much and I feel so frustrated at times and I'm off work, but that is only because I believe Drs over here in NI don't really understand thyroid diseases. I'm really hoping to get to the bottom of it this time. You will too! Persistance and patience :)
What are the reference ranges for the T3 and T4? Ranges vary lab to lab so have to come from your own report. Also, are they tests for Free T3 and Free T4, or are the for totals? They aren't the same thing.
Being tired is a symptom of both hyper and hypo, as can others.