I have had an under active thyroid for a year now. Only in the past 3 weeks have I begun to feel human again. I was increased from 50mg to 75mg of Levo 5 months ago. I haven't had a period for over a year and when first diagnosed the doctor said it would be to do with the thyroid. 3 months ago I started to get extremely horrible night sweats, to the point I had to get up in the night and change my clothes. I freaked out thinking I was having early menopause, but because my LH and FSH levels are currently suppressed the doctor said this isn't the case.
The past few days the sweats have been getting worse and worse. To the point where I may just get as little as 3 hours sleep a night, yesterday I experiences 3 sweats in one night. I know you guys can relate to the feeling of exhaustion, it's becoming so hard for me to stay focused at work etc. I don't want to get to the point where I have to start taking time off work.
I rang up my doctors surgery yesterday and I got put on the phone to a doctor (not my usual one) - she basically told me there was nothing she could do, initially she suggested lowering my medication, I said NO to which she replied 'it was only a stab in the dark kind of suggestion'
I have an appointment with an endo at the end of may but not sure if I am going to be able to hold out another 6 weeks.
If anyone has any tips or advice I would be so grateful. Even if it is just how to get through night sweats. If I get desperate I do have sleeping tablets but really I want to stay as far away from that option as possible
Written by
stephanie2424
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I would suggest a new blood test to check your hormone levels. Ask for a Full Thyroid Function Test which is TSH, T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3. GP's or labs sometimes only do a TSH level if it is within range. Even if we are 'in range' we can still have bad clinical symptoms of which you appear to be having at present.
Make the appointment as early as possible for the test (TSH is highest then and may prevent GP adjusting your dose). Leave approx 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood test. Take it afterwards.
The Free T3 test is important as T3 is the active hormone which the receptor cells require in order for us to function normally Sometimes levothyroxine doesn't convert sufficiently.
At the same time, if you've not had these recently, ask for Vit B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.
Get a print-out of your blood tests from the surgery with the ranges and post on a new question for comments.
From my experience this can indicate an adrenal function problem. When I had particularly low adrenal function I woke most nights with sweats. When my adrenal hormones became more in balance again, this ceased. I also have a friend who isn't hypothyroid but had an adrenal function issue too and once this was corrected her night sweats were diminished.
You could just go ahead and trial some adrenal support e.g. Nutri Adrenal Extra, give it at least a month of taking it before deciding if this supplement's benefitted you or not. Or if you'd rather know if you have an adrenal issue before taking anything, you could order a 24 hour adrenal (cortisol/DHEA ) saliva test through Thyroid UK's link on their website with Genova Diagnostics.
Another method you could try at home is taking your basal temperature on waking every morning but then also taking your temperature again at bedtime, after 9pm. If your bedtime temperature's lower than your morning, this can indicate your adrenal glands are struggling. Keep using this technique when you start taking any adrenal support, this will help you assess if the supplement/medicine's working. You'll also feel your symptoms either persist or diminish, which'll tell you the answer as well.
If you haven't had a period for over a year your hormones will definitely be out of balance still. Most likely the adrenal gland hormones will be out of kilter along with your thyroid. Unfortunately you won't get adrenal function testing through the NHS.
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