Will 8 mths. of vitamin supplements trigger 125mg Levothyroxine daily to actually make it work after several years?

[Diomalco]

I was badly damaged by side effects from Tamoxifen & then Arimidex - nail disintegration, hair loss, joint problems and obesity & other probs.. Under active thyroid is a part of this.

[Jackie]

Hi Sorry if the dose has not been altered of the Levo , the answer is no.I am sure you know thyroid disease is a very complex medical treatment which needs the correct meds for the individual. What are your TSH, T4 and Free T3 results?.Also have you ad all the other tests associated with thyroid disease.?Mostly hormonal, autoimmune, should be repeated every year if OK, more if need treatment.Generally speaking your T4 needs to be in top third of range, FT3 near the top, never over. Common to need T4 ( Levo) and T3 together to be OK.Only the tests will show thatYou need frequent thyroid tests and alteration in meds until stable.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Diomalco in reply to Jackie]

Jackie,

Thanks for your reply. I do not know what TSH, T4, Free T3 are. I have been taking Levothyroxine for at least 5 years and no one has ever explained these. I'm due a blood test on 21st (next Monday) and having a diabetic review on the 25th (next Friday). All I have ever been told is I should never stop taking this drug. If it's purpose is to reduce/control obesity it has been a complete failure. However, last week I attended a clinic for an unrelated condition, the second time in 8 months where I was weighed on each occasion and was told I'd lost 17k/39.5lbs. I haven't been doing anything different as regards diet in that time - the only different thing is I started to take vitamins about the time of the first appointment. Since then I've noticed about a 65% improvement in my fingernails and am not losing so much hair.

I do have a collection of other daily doses of drugs that I've also taken for years so I do know it isn't these that have changed things.

[Jackie in reply to Diomalco]

Hi That was quick! Every blood test you ever have , ask for a print out from receptionist, hospital sec. with RANGES as all different.Keep. It is your blood ,your right, same as you can refuse any test you wish to.If only TSH done for thyroid ( quite possible) try and get the GP to do T4 and Free T3 as essential. If not the cheapest option is on line DIY, you cannot have the correct treatment without these tests.GP should do the others without a problem.I now have to use Blue Horizon, main site, well known Lab which is important if you wish treatment on it. Quote TUK10 for a discount, there is a good finger prick test, properly researched, reliable etc.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Diomalco in reply to Jackie]

Thanks Jackie, I'll keep your advice handy. I'll start asking questions next week and see what transpires. Very much obliged - Diomalco.

[Jackie in reply to Diomalco]

Good Luck,My Endo ,when I first saw her said that the best multi vit and mineral was important to take. If you have had cancer treatment you should be under a good Endo, find your own first then ask for a referral. it must be an Endo not a private doc.A general Endo will advise on the Diabetes and look after it too, mine does and lots of other things.Sleep, thyroid under treated ( or not treated)

Jackie

[Diomalco in reply to Jackie]

Thanks again Jackie. My cancer treatment ended some years ago - I'm still dealing with the problems it caused.

[nobodysdriving]

Hi I would like to say, yes, it can make a difference, how much of a difference depends on how complicated was your situation before (and now) and why your body was suffering....

if you were deficient in some vitamins/minerals then yes your body would not be able to 'use' the thyroid hormone medication as needed, supplementing with those things your body needed is now helping it to work more 'in sync'.

For some people that is all they need, for many it is more complicated then just taking multivitamins, but if you are beginning to feel better then it is likely to be helping.

[Diomalco in reply to nobodysdriving]

nobodysdriving

Thanks for your reply. My present condition is because of cancer treatment. I had 4 major surgeries but did not have chemotherapy and was treated only with drugs which turned out to be seriously harmful. At the time there was no alternative to them. Daily I take Diclofenac sodium, Pioglitazone, Quinine, Solifenacin and Levothyroxine. I can take upto 8 paracetamol per day which have replaced co-proxamal that were ineffective. I was found to be allegeric to both Metformin and Glucophage which produced bad side effects.

I didn't discuss my decision to take vitamins with my GP; I certainly feel better after several months of taking them although it's done nothing to cure what I call 'Rip Van Winkle' syndrome - this after a lifetime of useful insomnia.

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link in which you will see that vitamins can help. Personally, I think we can be low in quite a few areas of vitamins.:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

[Diomalco in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws - will go there now.

[Diomalco]

Reading through the vitamins and their contributions it looks like zinc might be the crucial one for me. Something I'd never taken before (or even knew about) prior to March this year. I had hoped taking the vitamins would produce a positive effect so am very glad the theory worked out. Appreciate your guidance. Best Wishes - Diomalco.

[Warren184]

When is the best time to take additional vitamins do as not to interfere with the Levo please ?