Does Levothyroxine work for everyone?

My thyroid is just on the levels accepted as needing levothyroxine here in UK but I don’t tolerate it well. I know that in Germany for example, I am definitely thyroid deficient and they use a natural medication. What experiences have others had?

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Hi Hidden ,

Welcome to the Healthy Eating group.😀👍 Thank you for introducing yourself to everyone. Please check out the Topics/Polls/Pinned Posts/Events sections for ideas/suggestions for meals/snacks.

Have you talked with your doctor about the issue with your medication?

Have you checked out the Thyroid UK group also on HU? Go to: healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

I hope this helps!😀👍

[Kai--]

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Sorry, Mivi, not everyone. There are other experiences — other approaches:

. . . • healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

. . . • healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

. . . • healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Wishing you the best. 😌 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

.

[Hidden in reply to Kai--]

Thank you. I am finding those links useful. Strangely, I have just started along a mainly plant based diet but with protein from grilled chicken and fish plus seeking out “good gut bacteria” which many of the responses on your links are confirming. Think I’ll give that a good go before going back on Levo which I was considering.

[Kai-- in reply to Hidden]

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👍👍

"Good gut bacteria"/ gut microbiome is fascinating, Mivi. ✨ 😯 ✨

If you’re ever looking for additional microbiota resources/ references:

. . . 🦠 healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

. . . 🦠 healthunlocked.com/cure-art...

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😌 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

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Oh . . . (unpasteurised) sauerkraut, kimchi, non-dairy kefir, miso, kombucha, tempeh, pre & probiotic foods (leafy greens, etc.) all help keep those good bacteria 🧫 flourishing. 👍👍

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[whatgoingon]

I'm taking levothyroxine. I guess it's working for me. I have been on it for many years. I am wondering what your symptoms are that makes you say you don't tolerate it well? I'm curious because I never feel very "well". I also have to say that I don't eat very well or sleep very well. Maybe it doesn't agree with me either but I never thought my issues were because of it. Thank you.

[Hidden]

Yes, the bad sleep is one thing though I’m not sure that’s just when taking it. It’s mainly headaches with me. They are supposed to go once one has been on it for a few weeks, but for me they don’t stop. I also appear to do the opposite of what I’d expect, and gain weight or at least find it harder to lose.

[podsart]

How are your TSH, T3 and T4 levels?

I have been on synthroid for decades. Recently, I found my TSH was acting strangely and asked for T3 and T4 tests. This showed T3 which is key was a bit low — not converting T4 to T3. I asked for script of T3 at low dose and found that taking both drugs together allowed for better results. My case is perhaps complicated as I have prostate cancer.

[Hidden in reply to podsart]

Yes, I have the conversion problem which is why I don’t think Levothyroxin is helping. On it, I end up with enough T4, perhaps even too much but still no T3 but because my T4 is then just above the minimum, no one will refer me to look at the conversion problem.

[podsart]

I explained to my GP my approach as my Onc doesnt deal with this area and my super complex case would mean finding a Endocrinologist that understands my case difficult-especially the effect of my cancer med. After a bit, he agreed to write the script for T3, especially as I was asking for a low dose to learn its effect. At first he limited the script for a month to see the effect. After the month, he saw it helped so he felt comfortable writing a longer duration script. We test my thyroid levels quarterly to keep tabs on it.

[Hidden]

Cheers, will try that on my Doctor after next blood tests, especially if T4 is OK but T3 isn’t.