Newly diagnosed : Hi I have just been given 25mcg... - Thyroid UK

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lynnwin profile image
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Hi I have just been given 25mcg of levothyroxine as I went to see my gp feeling unwell bad muscle pains in arms and legs nausea and insomnia and hair loss :( I thought I was hyper as 10 years ago went hyper but had tpo antibodies and was told I would eventually become hypo was given carbimazole ! Been fine till now my tsh was 4.67 and t4 12 and the nurse said it was fine !! I went back after speaking to a friend who said 4.67 was too high for tsh so I saw my gp and said I still feel ill he said your in range but would give me low dose thyroxine ! My question is I use and have been using natural progesterone cream and estriol cream for years and now need some advice if I need to stop it or not ?? I'm 55 years old , my dear friend said I should maybe stop it as binds to receptor sites ? Is there anyone who still uses the cream with thyroid problems with no ill effect ? Many thanks Lynn xx

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lynnwin
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Clutter profile image
Clutter

Welcome to the forum, Lynnwin.

Progesterone and estriol creams are less likely than oral HRT to affect Levothyroxine absorption and uptake. If you've been doing well on them it's probably better to continue with them.

TPO antibodies (Hashimoto's) causes the thyroid gland to fail in time. It's good your GP has started you on Levothyroxine but 25mcg is a very low dose and not likely to be very helpful. Make sure to have a thyroid test in 6 weeks because it is likely your dose will need increasing. Have the blood draw early in the morning when TSH is highest and leave 24 hours between last dose and blood draw to avoid skewing results. Thyroid should be retested 6-8 weeks after every dose adjustment until stable, usually when TSH is just above or below 1.0 with FT4 in or towards the top 75% of range.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Take your Levothyroxine with a full glass of water on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after food and drink, two hours away from other medication and supplements and four hours away from vitamin D3, calcium, iron and oestrogen.

Ask your GP to test ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate as hypothyroid patients are often deficient/low and these deficiencies can cause musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and low mood similar to hypothyroid symptoms. Post your results with the lab ref ranges (the figures in brackets after your results) in a new question and members will advise whether supplementation is required.

Some, but not all, Hashi patients benefit from a gluten free diet and find it helps reduce antibodies and reduces flare ups. It won't restore lost thyroid function, however.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

lynnwin profile image
lynnwin in reply to Clutter

Hi thank you so much for your reply :) I have responded to your message but can't see it ? So I apologise if you get this again ! I have B12 injections every 12 weeks as I am a coeliac and not absorbing so no gluten for me for 25 years ! I will carry on with my natural progesterone and estriol cream and see how things go ? My gp told me to stop the propranolol as he said it will make matters worse ? I have been taking 10mg twice a day since my hyper time and stayed on it as it helps my migraines stay at bay :) would you agree it's best to stop it ?? I had been taking solgar vitD for months and vitaminC but stopped as I thought my symptoms were due to the vitD ? Thank you for taking the time to reply I really appreciate your help take care Lynn xx

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to lynnwin

Lynnwin, Propranolol can inhibit uptake of thyroxine so it may be worth trying without it plus hypothyroidism can slow down heart rate anyway so regular beta blockers really aren't a good idea.

There's no reason not to supplement vitC, even with a good diet many are low as so many veg and fruit are sold before they are fully ripe to prolong shelf life. It's better to have the blood tests before supplementing iron, vitD, etc.

lynnwin profile image
lynnwin

Thank you so much :) I have cut my propranol down to one a day and will eventually cut it out completely my friend who is hypo takes a bigger dose of the beta blocker than me and said it's fine to take it ? I'm still going to keep on with my progesterone and estriol creams see how I go ? But my friend stopped her cream as she said it effects thyroxine :( .. It's all very confusing I'm only day 3 of 25mcg of thyroxine so early days I don't have such terrible pains in my arms but maybe it's sycophantic ? Thank you for your help this forum has made a huge difference . Love Lynn xxx

lynnwin profile image
lynnwin

Many thanks for your reply :) I'm on 50mcg now and have carried on with my progesterone cream :) will look at the link thank you :) gp said have to wait 12 weeks for blood tests grrr .., i do take VitD and have B12 injections as being a coeliac it's always low :( will ask for those to be tested when I go for my bloods ! Thank you again really appreciate it :) xxxx xxxx

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