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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
What tests should I be requesting from gp for hypothyroidism?
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I was diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago by my gynecologist, which was then changed to insulin resistance from seeing an endocronoligist in Sydney. Many symptoms have increased over the past 5 years including cold hands and feet, acne, weight fluctuations, fluid retention, sore throat and my thyroid is sensitive to touch, I have significant hair loss each day and my hair has lost its ability to grow and is becoming dry and brittle. My Dr suspected hypothyroidism and test my TSH levels first thing in the morning and he said the results were normal. I didn't return to see him, but my symptoms are becoming increasingly troubling and I know TSH tests can be inaccurate. -
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Dr Dick Beatty
GP (General Practitioner)
Dr Dick Beatty is a Full Time Vasectomist - operating across locations in South East Queensland, including Greenslopes Private Hospital. View Profile
To rule out hypothyroidism, the usual test is a thyroid function test (TFT). The full TFT is made up of a Thyroxine level (T4) and the “feedback hormone” called TSH that works in the opposite direction to T4. So when the thyroid hormone is low (hypothyroidism) then the TSH is high (usually >10). A high TSH is normally the first test for hypothyroidism. There is a rare situation where the TSH is actually low with hypothyroidism (remember this feedback hormone “should” be high), and so suspected hypothyroidism, with a normal TSH, would need a T4 level to rule out the rare “secondary hypothyroidism.” So, to answer the question, the full test is a TSH and a T4, but in the vast majority of situations a TSH is fine on its own. Symptoms of hypothyroidism with a normal TSH are much more likely to be unconnected to the thyroid than to be caused by secondary hypothyroidism.
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Anonymous
I have Hashimotos. I was tested regularly and my T4 levels were normal. I was on Thyroxine. The dose was adequate but yet I was severely fatigued and had sore joints, aches and pains. I had poor concentration and all of the other symptoms telling me something wasn't right and it was very symptomatic to the thryoid condition. I researched through Thyroid Australia and other recognised websites; found literature on Tarithyroid. I have now been on Tarithyroid (synthetic thyroid medication). It has been a massive life changer. I no longer get the symptoms. I am very rarely fatigued and I have had a significant change in my concentration. It doesnt work for everyone (10% apparently) and it is expensive ($120-280 for 3 months supply). But I have lost weight, have lots of energy and feel a lot happier. In other words perhaps consider seeing a Doctor that delves into the Thyroid, Cortisol levels and Adrenal gland treatment. The test they perform look at the T3, adrenal and cortisol levels which are all linked.
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