All the very best, Ausi.

Well I've had most of my test results now, thyroid pretty much as expected but apparently my other hormones should be twice what they are and Dr B can't believe I don't have hot flushes. I'm obviously not absorbing the BHRT which could account for my still deteriorating bones.

My LFT results are slightly elevated and I'm suspicious that the osteo drugs are causing that but at this stage dare not stop them.

Thank you for the top up, hope all goes well for you.

Thanks Seasider, sorry to hear you are still having problems sorting things out.
Since having the mini stroke that they suspect, i have been having terrible hot flushes even though i am on two dosage of meds a day.
I phoned up the doctors to see if i could up the dosage some more to sort it out a bit, but they said on no account too. So i am stuck at the moment with them.
A cold wet flannel by the side of the bed at night does the trick, when you feel a flush coming on slap the flannel on your forehead or tummy and it cools you down quite quick.
All the best,
ausi.

Thanks, ausi. I don't actually have flushes if I'm on HRT - however as soon as I stop it they start up, despite it being years since I had my hyst (1997). Doc can't understand that I'm NOT one big walking hot flush given that my levels are so low. That I can live with; it's the osteoporosis that concerns me greatly as I've already had one bad break (well technically 2 bones) and I'm still only 46.

Only 46. Never thought I'd say that.

Sorry, I know this is not thyroid-specific but it is all related to autoimmune and hormone problems, especially as my downward slope started with endometriosis.

It's all related S. No problem! Keep it coming because we need to be aware of how these things link for us all.

Went for my thyroid ultra sound check and asked afterwards how things were and was told no lumps, bumps or nodules. But the thyroid was so small that it was virtually not there at all.
Was told that this would be expected for a thyroid of mine, having been on thyroxine for so many years.

I guess if you've been taking enough of the stuff... but wow, I never knew it had that sort of effect over time!

Glad to hear there are no lumps or bumps. That's great news.

Okay went to the doctor this morning and she was really nice and listened to all my grumbles.

She suggested I exercised more to lose the excess weight. I told her it's a vicious circle as I'm too bloody tired to walk let alone do aerobics. I know I'd feel better if I could exercise and lose the weight. Told her I've been going for long walks, as I felt this was a start.

Told her my knuckles ached and my back hurt when I got up in the morning. She said I'm at the age where I could be getting arthritis.

She seemed more interested in chatting about all the stress I was under. She did listen to me though, which was nice and I didn't feel at all rushed.

She checked my height:weight ratio, which I told her gave me a BMI of about 29 (I was right). She checked my blood pressure, which was fine.

I told her my eyesight was getting worse and she said it's normal to need your prescription changed a few times in the first year you need glasses.

I have a family history of heart disease as well as thyroid so she's going to test me for diabetes, thyroid, cholesterol and also check my hormone levels. She's also going to check to see if I'm anaemic.

I'm having the blood test tomorrow. She couldn't do it today as it's a fasting blood test.

Told her I wanted a full thyroid panel with T3 and T4 results - she said this was standard (we'll see).



I have to go back and see her in 2 weeks time.

Well hopefully after having all that done, you should be getting some results that might help.
Wish you well,
ausi.

For all you medically minded people here's what my sheet for the blood clinic is requesting:

fbc fe stores tft oe prog lh fsh lipids including hdl and ldl fasting blood glucose

Currently doing the fasting bit - blood test in the morning - results on April 1st

fbc=full blood count
fe = iron
tft = thyroid function test
fsh = follicle stimulating hormone (menopause)
lipids = cholesterol - can be raised in thyroid cases

Looks good.

Thanks TP.

I've been following this and the old thread for months from UK and getting no-where with my doctor there so decided to wait till I got to Oz.

Now I'm here I have been to a doctor and finally got the FT4 & FT3 tests done.

My results are:-

FT3 4.5 (range 2.8-7.1)
FT4 20.6 (range 9.0-25.0)
TSH 0.16 (0.40-4.00)

He says that with my TSH so low and the others within range I should stay on my current level of thyroxine.

The trouble is I still don't feel totally right particularly with all the extra weight I am carrying round my middle and it doesn't matter how much I excercise or how good I am with my food I just can't shift it.

Anyone got any advice on what I should do next?

Rachel

AS I understand it, both fT3 and FT4 are better if they are in their upper ranges. There's discussion about what the ratio should be but I would say that you may feel better if you are supplemented with T3 to raise that a little. THe ratio should be 7:1 or below.

Have a look at this:
http://www.altsupportthyroid.org/t3.php

Also, are you taking any supplementation at all?

Thanks. I'll have a good read but do doctors in Oz actually take any notice of articles on the net. I tried 3 different ones back in UK and they all rubbished it.

No I am not taking any supplements as I find it very confusing to know what would be best.