reduction after 20+ years of thyroxine from 150mg to 125mg. i had a full removal of my thyroid when i was 22 iam now 48.

[Lynn-B-]

my GP has said i should be hypo iam not, i feel tired and carn't be bothered most of the time i have cramps, joint pains including golf/tennis elbow i have had in the past frozen shoulder i do suffer with migraine i was admitted to hospital with suspected mini stroke i had all symptoms of a mini stroke the hospital carried out tests mini stroke was ruled out they said it was a migraine attack , i have had attacks before but nothing like this, i have alot of other problems to many to mention can anybody help .

[humanbean]

I think you mean "My GP has said I should be hyper", if he/she is reducing your thyroxine.

Most doctors don't listen to thyroid patients, they just read blood tests for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and if it is below the reference range then they think the patient is over-dosed and reduce their medication, even if the patient says they feel fine.

Some suggestions for a plan of action - you must have a plan if you want to get better :

1) Refuse to reduce your dose. I don't think your GP can force you to do this.

2) Ask for copies of all blood tests you have had done for at least the last 5 years, and the results MUST include the reference ranges - the info is useless without the ranges. Don't take "No" for an answer, you are legally entitled to this information under the Data Protection Act, although there may be a charge, not exceeding £10. Even better, if you can afford it, apply to get a copy of ALL your medical notes in any format (i.e. on paper and on computer) - it will cost you £50.

3) You need blood tests to see if you are deficient in various vitamins and minerals. If you are deficient, then no amount of thyroid medication will work because your body will be unable to process it correctly and transport it into the cells where it is needed. The tests you need are for ferritin, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, magnesium, copper and zinc. You are unlikely to get tests for the last three, but there is no harm in asking!

Some articles on the subject :

tpauk.com/forum/content.php...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/r...

4) There is another major problem for people with thyroid disease and that is that the adrenal glands suffer hugely when the thyroid is treated insufficiently or wrongly for a prolonged period of time, and the inevitable result is adrenal fatigue - your body suffers from insuffient production of cortisol. Adrenal fatigue is something I haven't really got to grips with so, hopefully, someone else will step in here. Thyroid health and adrenal health go hand in hand - if one is not working properly then the other will suffer.

Getting better is possible, but it takes hard work. And that is incredibly difficult for people who are brain-fogged and exhausted. But it can be done.

Good luck!

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

I should also have said...

When you get your latest blood test results, post them on here.

[Lynn-B- in reply to humanbean]

i have the results but only through phone call from the doctor, i had a test done last year and it was 23, twelve months later it is 28. they are reducing for 8wks then have another test done.

[shaws Administrator]

Go to the question dated January 25, 2002 on this archived site:-

There are also other topics at the top of the page but some links within may not work:-

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

Research has shown most feel better on T3/T4

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

How have you felt all these years on levothyroxine? Just out of curiosity.