Looking for support and advice

[MissCLR]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some support and advice from this forum as I am feeling a little overwhelmed by my hyperthyroidism diagnosis.

Let me tell you a bit about myself. I am 28 years old and studying for a Master's degree whilst working full time. Just after I started my new job I found myself almost falling asleep in meetings, I was waking up in cold sweats 4 or 5 times a night, I was always freezing cold and my mood was incredibly low. I stopped being able to keep up with my work at uni and some days I couldn't even get out of bed. The worst part was the anxiety which was mainly directed at my poor boyfriend. I decided to go to the doctors, the doctor barely listened to my symptoms and prescribed me Sertraline for anxiety. The Sertraline did help a bit with my mood but all my other symptoms were still there...night sweats, coldness, sleep problems and exhaustion. I went back to the doctors and saw someone different, she immediately booked me in for a blood test as she suspected an under active thyroid.

The doctor called me back two days later and told me that I had a 'severely under active thyroid' and immediately put me on 100m of Levothyroxine. I was actually quite relieved to be diagnosed with hyperthyroidism as it explained all of my horrible symptoms. I had to take a week off work to adjust to the new meds as I was feeling very woozy and exhausted. The doctor did another blood test 2 weeks later and upped my Levo to 150m..after a very exhausting weekend of getting used to the new dosage I actually feel a lot better today! The doctor has referred me to a specialist who I will see on Friday, the specialist wants to find the cause of my under active thyroid. To be honest I really don't know what to expect when I see the specialist..whenever the doctor explains things to me I find it hard to fully understand how serious my condition is (I am on my third doctor now due to their vacation time/sick leave and my current doctor has quite an abrupt manor and a thick accent) and I also feel awkward asking too many questions as they always seem so busy.

I would really like some advice on how to help myself feel better, I am so busy with my MA and working full time that I have no time to be exhausted! I'm hoping that my meds will make me feel better but i'm just so worried I will always feel tired and with no enthusiasm. Could anyone give me advice on what the specialist might suggest? I really don't know what to expect. I have put on a bit of weight recently, does anyone know of any good ways to speed up my metabolism? has anyone actually lost weight on Levo?

Sorry about the long and rambling manor of this post!

Thank you in advance for your help!

Cher

[Fruitandnutcase]

Hi, if you can get a copy if all your blood test results - with the lab ranges, that's the figures in brackets beside them - someone will come along who is able to offer more advice on hypothyroidism. I'm overactive myself but I got underactive as part of my treatment and being under was no fun at all.

[MissCLR in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you! yes I think getting a copy of my blood tests is a good idea.

Cher

[waveylines in reply to MissCLR]

Hi Cher,

So sorry to hear that you are feeling so unwell. The truth is that it take time to get the thyroid meds right for you -they are best increased slowly. Normally doctors would leave 4-6 weeks before increasing meds. It sounds like from what you have said that your thyroid was woefully inadequate in it's production of thyroid hormones which might explain why your Gp has fast tracked you on the Levo. You might want to have a look at some books on hypothyroidism ( under active thyroid) -Thyroid Uk's website have a list of good books they also have a library with a nominal charge for loan of books -or you can buy your own

I hope that your visit to see the specialist goes well. Let us all know how you get on -there are lots of people on here with good knowledge who will do their best to help you.

[MissCLR in reply to waveylines]

Yes I think my GP was quite concerned about my levels. Thank you for the reading recommendations, I will be sure to look into them! I will let you know how my visit to the specialist goes!

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it!

Cher

[PinkNinja]

As you are severely hypothyroid, you may well have some vitamin and mineral deficiencies too. The tests we often recommend are serum iron, ferritin (stored iron), folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. As you are exhausted and under stress I would also recommend a cortisol test. Make sure you get a print out of all the results. Many of the NHS lab ranges are too low. For example, vitamin B12 health range starts at around 200 but most people don't feel well with a level below 500. You may find you need to supplement with various things to get properly well again. Once you feel a lot better and you are on the right dose of thyroid medication, you should be able to absorb vitamins and minerals better again.

I hope all goes well with the specialist. I have never seen one about my hypothyroidism so can't comment on what to expect. Just know that we are here to support you while you recover

You may find the main Thyroid UK website helpful. Thyroid UK is the charity that runs this forum. The information can be found in the menu down the side.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/

I hope you start to feel better soon!

Carolyn x

[MissCLR in reply to PinkNinja]

Hi Carolyn,

Thanks so much for your reply! I have made a note of the tests you have recommended and I will inquire about them with my GP and the specialist.

I thought that supplements would be of benefit but I wasn't sure which ones would be most beneficial or if any would interfere with the Levo. I have been taking vitamin C, drinking lots of water and making my own fruit smoothies at home in a hope they will give me a boost!

I will let you know how everything goes.

Thanks again!

Cher x

[Hidden]

IMHO we don't help our thyroids when we put ourselves under lots of stress for a long time. There's no history of thyroidism in my family, but I've got it. The years I spent working as a project manager were always stressful, and I would dollop a bit whack of amateur theatricals and parties on top of that as a social life (to unwind!). And here I am, so I just wonder ...

Sounds as if the doc is finally sorting you out. It isn't an instant fix. Posting the blood test results will help the knowledgeable folk here tell you more.

I wonder if your stressors have a part to play here. Next time you see your doc get him/her to check your Adrenal function hasn't been compromised, 'cos if it has, that will be contributing.

And you must find a way to take some of the stress out of your life. Is the end point of your MA near now? Although, the greatest stresses of all are likely to occur towards the end with deadlines for completion looming. Might your employers let you work part-time while you complete? You're not well. You must help your body recover. Tabs alone will not do the trick.

[MissCLR]

Actually my symptoms all started when I started working full time alongside my MA.

Unfortunately my MA is getting to the busiest time as I am just starting my dissertation and final project. I wish I could work part time but I don't think it would leave me with enough to pay the rent. I am only 28 and my career is just getting started, that is why I am so frustrated with my situation. I am just trying to think positively and if worst comes to worst I will try and defer my studies...hopefully I can get it done though! Thank you for your reply! Cher

[MissCLR]

Hi everyone,

So I went to see the specialist today and it wasn't as helpful as I was hoping. He has booked me in for more tests in 7 weeks time and told me that I should work less to reduce my stress. It's a nightmare really because I know he is right but I feel so guilty for taking time off. Silly really!

C xx