thyroid deficiency

You can find info about underactive thyroids on NHS Direct website and more on netdoctor. Underactive thyroid (hypothyriodism) is very common and easily controlled and managed with prescribed medication and regular blood tests.
There are a number of causes, and treatment makes a difference otherwise it wouldn't be prescribed.

I've been hypothyroid and on thyroxine for over 30 years and am a support worker for Thyroid UK. It is so common to hear that a GP hasn't explained much about the illness and most are very strict about sticking to guidelines concerning the blood test reference ranges regardless of any remaining symptoms patients have so a lot of patients get left with some symptoms and never feel as though they are really well.

It might be helpful for you to obtain, from any pharmacy, a little book entitled "Understanding Thyroid Disorders" by Dr Anthony Toft, published by The British Medical Association, in the Family Doctor series. It costs around £3.50. Also take a look at thyroiduk.org which has lots of information and a list of foods and medications that can affect the thyroid.

You are lucky to be prescribed Eltroxin brand as most prescriptions do not state a brand and the pharmacy is obliged to dispense the cheapest thyroxine they can obtain. Some hypothyroid patients have found that Eltroxin brand suits them better than any other brand (and others find a different brand suits better - trial and error really). I asked for Eltroxin to be stated on my prescription and that is what I get every time now.

If you read the leaflet enclosed in the box, under the heading "Taking your tablets", fourth point down reads "The dose is preferably taken before breakfast, once a day". That is from the leaflet in my most recent box which states "Date of leaflet revision January 2005". This is what is usually recommended, take before breakfast, leave an hour before eating anything, and do not take with any calcium supplements. I put mine out on the bedside table at night, always have a glass of water there too, and take them when I first wake up in the morning (I usually drift off again!).

Please do see about getting your Exemption Certificate and as already mentioned by bestpud it covers all future prescriptions for any medication not just thyroxine, so even if your GP suggests you take over the counter painkillers or whatever just ask them to write a prescription for it. By the way, I think the form for you apply for your exemption certificate is supplied by and has to be signed by your GP to confirm your hypothyroidism, can't quite remember as I applied for mine so many years ago.

Edited to add that the pharmacy should have pointed out that a patient prescribed thyroxine should be exempt from payment and either asked if you had a certificate or told you how to obtain one. Hope you can get a refund on the prepayment certicate you purchased.

bristolleedsfan wrote: »

i did ask the gp if any foods or drink benefit the thyroid deficiency to which he merely replied no.

i was started of on 50 mcg was 56 day course to start with before repeat blood tests, havent been weighed for over 12 months.

As far as I am aware there aren't really any foods that will benefit thyroid deficiency but there are foods and medications that should be avoided as they will adversely affect your thyroid and this list you will find at thyroiduk.org under TREATMENT>Problem Drugs and Foods. Also be careful about iodine/iodine in supplements - too much iodine and your thyroid can't cope with it and will go into overdrive.

I take the view that GPs are exactly that, general practitioners, and if they have not taken a special interest in a particular illness they will only have a general overview of what a patient is presenting with and unfortunately some GPs drag their feet when it comes to referring the patient to a specialist. (I was told that in the time spent at med school [is it 7 years???] approximately half a day is spent on the thyroid - someone correct me if I am wrong). In the case of thyroid conditions, many patients are put on thyroxine and after repeated blood tests/dose adjustment they chug along quite nicely, it is those who still suffer symptoms and their quality of life is affected that the GPs should be hearing alarm bells and refer on. Unfortunately some endocrinologists will only stick to the reference ranges and be happy to leave patients with symptoms, blaming the symptoms on something other than the thyroid.

It is normal for patients to start on 50mcg and have blood tests every 6-8 weeks with increases in thyroxine and re-tests until the test results stabilise and symptoms disappear. It can take up to a year for this to happen and it's important to increase thyroxine gradually. Once on the correct dose any increased weight should shift without any drastic dieting. If you GP isn't weighing you when you go for your reviews either ask him or keep a check on it at home, this is important because if you are still putting on weight then there's something not right.

I would also advise keeping a record. The blood tests normally done are TSH and FT4. Don't ask the receptionist for the result of your tests as you will just be told "they are normal", make an appointment with GP and ask for the result - actual numbers - and the reference range. Make a note of them along with your symptoms at the time. This will then be the basis for the next appointment, you will be able to see whether your FT4 (the important one) and TSH (which can be supressed when on thyroxine) have improved and you can compare symptoms - do you feel better or worse, have you lost or gained weight, have you more or less energy, etc. If you keep a running diary of your blood test results and symptoms this can be an important tool when discussing your condition with your doctor, e.g. "When I was on XXmcg of thyroxine I felt tired all the time, since I've been on XXXmcg I have lost half a stone and I feel I've more energy" or "When I was on XXXmcg thyroxine I felt pretty good and my weight was stable, since you reduced it to XXmcg I've put on half a stone and I'm much more tired and my skin has gone dry" etc.

Hopefully you will come into the easy to treat category and life becomes sweet for you again very quickly. Glad to hear you'll be getting your refund on prescription charges :T