Underactive thyriod HELP!!

[Tony86]

I really need a answer.. I don't seem to be able to get ride of my symptoms, the worst is dizzy spelIs because they stop me from doing my day to day activities and when they happen I get anxiety and feel sick, is that normal ??? Is surgery the answer. Really need help I can't take this no more

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum Tony86,

I know your question is very important but if you could give some more background to your thyroid condition. There's no history in your profile but that's to be expected when you are very anxious because of your dizziness.

When were you diagnosed? I assume you have been prescribed levothyroxine? What dose are you taking?

When was your last blood test for your thyroid hormones. You have to get a print-out from the surgery of your latest results, with the ranges. The reason for the ranges are that labs differ in their ranges and it makes it easier to comment.

Dizziness has been reported by some members.

[shaws Administrator]

I forgot to say that anxiety and nausea is common. It can resolve.

[Tony86]

I was diagnosed September 2014.. I was put on 50 and started to feel a lot better.. I suffered with a few symptoms.. And then began to start feel worse again,, after Christmas I went back to the doctor complaining and found out that they never tested me for t3.. I ended up getting tested and it was low.. The doctor told me I should be on 100 but they will start me off on 75.. Iv just had blood tests done yesterday and have to wait a week... I feel so confused it's driving me mad.. Im so confused that I'm not to sure if I get dizzy spells on I just burn up and have a anxiety attack and feel sick.. I felt like this for years and the doctor just told me I was stressed and having anxiety, I need to relax, I felt like I was going mad because I was active and enjoyed everything and I was up for trying new things now I'm the opposite and its destroying my life,, the only reason the doctor done more blood tests in September was because I said I felt crying everyday where it got so bad.. This nearly destroyed my relationship, I'm very lucky to have a patient and understand fiancé

[shaws Administrator in reply to Tony86]

It's very early days for you Tony, yet but you will gradually feel better. We have to read and learn and we do get knowledge from this site and it is possible to recover your health. It cannot be rushed. Some hints first:-

When you get blood tests for your thyroid hormones, leave approx 24 hours between your last dose of levothyroxine and the blood test and take it afterwards. If you have eaten you have to leave a 2 hour gap either side of levo so that food doesn't interfere with the uptake.

You have to have the earliest appointment for the blood test as the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is highest then and most doctors dose on the TSH. Don't let them adjust your medication according to your TSH if you're feeling well.

You take levo first thing with a glass of water and wait about 1 hour before eating.

Other responses will be helpful too.

[Hidden]

Yes Tony89, you are lucky but you deserve a patient and understanding fiancé because it is not your fault that you are ill. You are suffering a huge thyroid hormone imbalance and the reprecussions are huge.

Have you had a blood test for TPOAb and TGAb antibodies? This is testing for Hashimotos Thyroiditus which is very common amongst people with thyroid issues. When my hashi symptoms weren't controlled, I felt enormously dizzy and anxious. I have managed to overcome these symptoms with a gluten free diet, healthy life style, self guided meditation CD's and a very supportive family. Just taking control and believing that you will get better with the correct medication are very positive steps.

[Tony86 in reply to Hidden]

I'm not to sure if I've been tested for them. I will mention them to him next week. I have to say I do feel sick and strange when eating certain foods.. Don't the doctors do all these tests to begin with. Do you recommend any good relaxation CDs or hipno CDs

[greygoose in reply to Tony86]

Tony, doctors have to be pushed and bullied into doing tests. Tests cost money, and they will only do the cheap ones. But you need :

TSH

FT4

FT3

antiTPO

antiTg

Ferritin,

iron,

vit B12

vit D

Folate.

All of these tests are necessary to get a full picture of what's going on.

Your Dizzy spells could be due to low B12 - so could an awful lot of other symptoms.

Where hormones are concerned, you need patience! One has to start off on a low dose and increase slowly - at 6 week intervals - otherwise it stresses the body too much. And only increase by 25 mcg each time. Any more is too much.

I know how hard it is to be patient, but going too fast can have the opposite effect, and someitmes itmeans you have to start all over again!

It will take time - and higher doses - to get rid of your symptoms. And surgery is not the answer. Doesn't solve anything. But you will get there in the end, I'm sure!

[Tony86 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for the info, I will be sure to ask my doctor about these tests next week. It's great to go in to see him with useful information.. I will keep everyone posted with my results next week. Once again thanks everyone for the information and support. Ive had a lot of messages and I will try to reply back to everyone

[greygoose in reply to Tony86]

[Hidden in reply to Tony86]

Tony86,

Relaxation and meditation CD's are very much a personal choice. The only important factor to remember is to always equate your choice of music to a previous feel good experience.

For instance listening to a peice of soothing music in bed, that was previously listened to whilst sitting peacefully in the sun, will unconsciencely release those wonderful restful feel good chemicals in your brain that you so enjoyed in the sun, enabling you to relax, be happy and sleep well.

[Fuzb]

I would certainly get your vitamin D checked - I started with anxiety/panic attacks in stressful situations (shop, pub, cinema, etc) for a year then suddenly had dizziness and anxiety constantly (then got diagnosed hypo and started T4) - getting my Vitamin D up to normal levels with 3000IU a day and the T4 levels right has pretty much gotten rid of all that now.

Mindfulness also helps, just have to let the anxiety feeling take over you and pass, fighting it makes it worse - had to do this several times in meetings at work.

[Tony86 in reply to Fuzb]

I get most of my attacks when I'm in places and situations like you have mentioned. Would a Muti vitamin help.. I do try to fight anxiety a lot or whenever I feel tired or dizzy.. I have a physical job, I'm on my feet at least 5-7 hours a day and I'm starting to find it hard. I've told my boss but I left out a lot of fear I might lose my job. Does anyone no if I could lose my job over this.. I work for my local council

[silverfox7]

Getting even slightly.back on track is a slow process and you can't speed it up as then you risk going hyper and this will set you back. You doctor has recognized that you need more medication and increments are usually done by raising 25 mcg at a time which is what he has suggested and he recognizes you may well need more so far so good! Stay on the 75 for 6 weeks and get retested and then repost for further advice. It's a case of baby steps to move forward and to get the right balance. Patience is needed and your doctor doing the right things at the moment. Hope it goes well

[Tony86 in reply to silverfox7]

I've only just change doctors a few months ago, my old doctor was terrible, the new doctor seems so much better. I feel everytime I go doctors they look at me as I'm a hypochondriac. I understand stand it's a slow process and I have to say I feel a whole lot better then I did a year ago.. I've been on 75 for 6 weeks now and I've just had my blood tests, I have to wait a week for the results

[silverfox7 in reply to Tony86]

Let's hope we can see some improvement and if not there yet are advised to go up a further 25. As you get closer to the correct dose for you than you may well have to experiment a bit by varying between two doses. Hope it goes well for you but waiting feels like forever at times!

[Tony86]

would a muti vitamin be ok

[Tony86]

Would a muti vitamin be good for me

[shaws Administrator in reply to Tony86]

Before you dose with vitamins, get your doctor to check Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. The first two are actually a hormone and a pro-hormone. If you have a deficiency in either taking a supplement may confuse the issue until you have results. We should be towards the upper level of the range.

From now on always get a copy of your blood test results, with the ranges for your own records and so that you can post for comments. The surgery has to give you copies.

[JellyJac]

Hi Tony, Just wanted to say that before I was optimally medicated I suffered terribly with Dizziness, tinnitus and head pressure (Menieres Disease) However, although I still get i occasionally (certain times of my cycle) It is a lot less frequent and I am able to deal with it better..

[Tony86 in reply to JellyJac]

I get them symptoms, they are the worst for me. All the other symptoms I can handle ( I don't let them get to me much) but these ones I cant control and I get anxity from them.. I also get tingling around my eye

[Tony86 in reply to JellyJac]

Optimally medicated ??

[JellyJac in reply to Tony86]

I self medicate with NDT and T3.

[Tony86 in reply to JellyJac]

I'm sorry I'm a little confused. How do you self medicate with t3 and I don't no what ndt is. Sorry to sound stupid but I'm abit new to this

[JellyJac in reply to Tony86]

I buy T3 online and NDT is natural dessicated thyroid extracted from pig thyroid. pharmacy2u.co.uk/armour-thy...

[JellyJac]

Hi Tony, You need to do A LOT of research - read around these forums, have a look at my posts, check out thyroiduk.org.uk.

When you are ready get a copy of your latest blood results and post them on here, this site has saved my life. I started self medicating in December, after turning to this site in desparation in September, after being hypothyroid for almost 15 years, and am starting to get back to my old self. The information given by some of the members of this site is golden.

Have a good read round and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

[Tony86 in reply to JellyJac]

Ok thanks,

[greygoose in reply to Tony86]

Always, always ask for a print-out of your results for any blood test you have. It is your legal right to have them, and it is very important for taking control of your health.

[SilverAvocado]

You've had loads of good medical advice here. So the only thing I I can add is what helped me - don't think think of your life as ruined, just think of it as slightly different from what you thought it would be. Slow down bit and realise you have to rest more, and maybe can't do as much.

I've had thyroid cancer; did did end up losing my job and have have been in bed most of of the past 2 years. I'm in my mid - 30s, so have missed out on a lot. But it's made a massive difference to feel positive about it, especially when anxiety, self doubt, guilt and all the rest of it come along.

[Tony86 in reply to SilverAvocado]

I'm really sorry to here about your cancer, hope everythings ok now. This is my first day on this site and I'm over the moon with the help and advise everyone's giving me, it's taken a load of my shoulders.. I do understand about thinking positive but it dose get hard sometimes

[SilverAvocado in reply to Tony86]

Yea, I agree with you, it's definitely very hard!