Hiya. I have been self-medicating with Thiroyd for just 2 weeks now, 1 grain a day, and I have been exceptionally tired for most of the time. Have been sleeping like crazy and finding it very hard to get up even by midday.
As of last month, my T4 is 14.1, my TSH is 3.17 and my Gamma GT (liver function) is 80, when it should be between 30 and 50. I know my T4 and TSH read normal, but my symptoms have suggested otherwise for the past couple of years. Put together, I havent been able to put them down to anything else! And boy have I tried to figure this thing out!!
My GP is not too worried about my liver function, just keeping an eye, and has invited me to get a referral for a specialist if I am still concerned about chronic fatigue, constipation etc. I have told my GP I am self-medicating with NDT to see if it makes a difference to my symptoms.
I still haven't found any difference in symptoms on 1 grain, except for increased fatigued, and possibly bowels moving better, but its a little soon to tell. I plan to increase to 1 and a half this Friday!
I am just wondering how I can tell whether I am taking the right action. I have ordered the 'Stop the Thyroid Madness' book and have read 'Living Well With Hypothyroidism'. But its all so confusing! I am worried I am not on the right track at all!
Any advise or reassurance would be greatly appreciated!
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moowens
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Moowens, 2 weeks is far too soon to judge but if your constipation is easing the NDT is helping. You were undermedicated to have TSH >3.0. How much Levothyroxine were you taking before you switched?
Hi Clutter. I have never been on Levothyroxine, or any other synthetic.
I have been seeing a nutritionist who has been ruling out potential health issues...
she had me conduct a basal body temp test for a month, which revealed (consistently) below average temperature, which is why she believes my thyroid to be underactive. I also have considerable low heart rate and blood pressure, along with the various physical symptoms.
Re constipation, in the past I have tried things and have found that my bowels will move better for a while and then things will return to 'normal' i.e. very little movement. But fingers crossed.
I just want to be sure I am doing the right things, as I have been working really hard this year to alleviate symptoms and get to the bottom of what's wrong.
Reallyfedup123 suggested vitamin C. Are there any brands that either of you can recommend?
You also need to ensure the building blocks of health are in place. So have you had your Iron - Ferritin - Folate - B12 - VitD tested ? - if so do you have the results with ranges. These all need to be OPTIMAL for you to feel well. Low B12/Iron can cause fatigue.
I wasn't aware of the non-stick thing! Will change to iron pots instead? I haven't had my vitamin/mineral levels tested... can I get that on the NHS? I do take a liquid iron/b12 supplement (feroglobin - seems reputable). I often wonder how much of the good stuff my body is actually absorbing! I do take supplements with ACV but still sceptical, due to my dodgy digestion.
Normally people raise at 2 weeks by another 1/2 grain (starting with the morning dose assuming you are splitting your NDT 1/2 morning 1/2 early afternoon )
Have you looked at the dosing protocol on stop the thyroid madness ? A quick google search will get you there. Normally raises every 7-10 days of 1/2 a grain are required until the symptoms stop
If you still have symptoms at 3 grains they say to hold for 4-6 weeks and get bloods to check where you are
Sounds awfully like under dosing as mentioned above
Hi Moohans, you and your cat make a beautiful pair. So sweet.
I was a bit alarmed when you said you haven't been on any hormone and started with two grains. You might take a look at this: stopthethyroidmadness.com/m...
Remember you are trying to build up a level of hormone in the blood stream and your adrenals will also react to what you are doing as they regulate how much thyroid your system can handle at the moment. It can take weeks to get the level to the required amount to bring your tsh down (hopefully to around 1.0) You will end up on a concise amount when you achieve that. This all takes time but I think you have already started to make progress.
Thanks for the advice everyone! I will up my dose my another half grain tomorrow, splitting it as you suggest. 'Stop the Thyroid Madness' arrived in the post today, so I am feeling optimistic! I have been taking advice from the website too, as you advised. Keeping fingers crossed, feeling hopeful! Miaow!! xo
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