Hi, I am new to this site and have a quick question.
I take thyroxine after having my thyroid gland removed 14 years ago. Although I take my meds like clockwork and get my levels checked, I find that my levels can drop leading to bouts of feeling extremely low.
I wondered if anyone else gets this and how they cope.
Lots of people have reported similarly. The reasons, if ever identified, do vary.
Do you always have the same make?
Do you find a difference between summer and winter?
Do you always take your levothyroxine well away from food, drink (other than water), supplements and other medicines?
Is there any apparent relation to foods such as the brassicas, or soy, or various others that are known to affect thyroid hormones?
Do you take any other medicines?
Rod
Hi, in relation to your questions,
I always use the same brand, the "dip" can happen quite randomly at any point during the year.
I take the levothyroxine at the same time each morning on an empty stomach with water.
I don't take any other meds.
Joanne, If you can post your recent thyroid function results and tells what/how much thyroid medication you're taking we can advise if you're under medicated in addition to the things Helvella asked.
I've not got my latest readings with me, I was asking out of curiosity
Hi Joanne. I had my thyroid removed just over 3 years ago and I have suffered ups and downs both mentally and physically.
I now keep a note of circumstances, time of year but most importantly I've learnt from this site to get a copy of my blood tests because often what a GP or Endo might say is normal may not be normal or meet your needs. I've also learnt here that vitamins and minerals become depleted either due to lack of thyroid or because of taking thyroid meds. So I've found out that I was low in Vit D, very low and that can affect you mood, low in folate, now take a good b complex, my blood tests also showed early signs of B12 deficiency. It is what I call 'whack a mole'! If you do not have a good balance then this can also inhibit how well your thyroid medicine works and that in turn can affect how you feel. I also know now that I need slightly more thyroxine in the winter.
Overall, the last 6 months is the most even and well I've felt since having my thyroid removed but it's been trial and error, I'm still a work in progress 
The pills themselves can vary in potency with each batch.
Hi Joanne - I had a TT 18 months ago and my surgeon put me on T3 (Liothyronine) I have to say that I felt so much better on that up till 2 months ago, when he decided to lower my dose, I made the mistake of taking them before a blood test and they showed up too high, but there is a website called Stop the thyroid madness web address stopthethyroidmadness.com/s... ok its USA and they talk about natural thyroid replacement a lot, and that is hard to get in UK, but interesting about the T3 aspect as I was never able to convert Levothyroxine very well so was always tired etc. Do hope you find an answer - also coffee apparently can stop T4 working well. x
Hi Joanne,
I am very interested in this subject, because although I have a thyroid gland, both my doctor and myself have come to the conclusion that it can't produce now, and that I cannot compensate for any difference in medication or change in requirement.
Do you find that you cannot consistently keep up the level of activity/exertion you would wish to? Do you get ill after doing more? I have found that with a touch more thyroxine, the activity level I can sustain has improved. However the problem is still there but with a higher ceiling. Things do make me crash. At the moment I seem to have a recurring infection (going to GP asp) and this has brought on some hypothyroid-like symptoms. Does your body run a temperature when you get something like 'flu', or do you go cold? In my case, I think that the tendency for my temperature to drop with an infection probably gets in the way of throwing the infection off.
Very interested in all the replies. I had TT in February and lots of problems with low calcium/vitamin D/ hypocalceamia on going as it seems I have Hypoparathyroidism as the 3 parathyroid glands I was left with just not working. My energy levels change dramatically & I have to pace myself. I am age 68 and the whole situation leaves me worried & confused. If I do a days work, it affects me for next 2 days both physically & mentally. I am taking supplements to help, well away from time of taking thyroxine. Seems I have to wait for pituitary gland to recognise I don't have a thyroid! The usual symptoms that others report on tingling/pins n needles, shivers,aching muscles & bones, numb toes, anxiety I can generally cope with, but the calcium issues seem to have affected my lower back with burning sensations there & in my legs which drives me to distraction. The GP says this is non specific and referred me to an Endocrinologist on 8th July. Does seeing an Endo really help and what should I say to him? Really concerned about the way we have to manage everything and monitor it constantly. Does anyone have a happy ending to all these issues? Would like to read a good report for a change!
Thyroid level
Yet another thyroid level question!
Armour Thyroid
