Low thyroid

[Jowood77]

Hi I have been really sick for over 18 months and have just been told I have low thyroid I don't really understand what levels mean my gp says my top levels are 777.

I'm interested to find out if anyone else struggles with bad intolerance to food medication and the environment with this problem. I live basically on chicken peas and parsnips and lots of anti histamine. I'm interested to find if when the thyroid is treated will these problems start to clear up

Also after eating food in general I feel really sick with bad headaches, dizziness, itching and fatigue

I would be great full for any sort of advice lots in the hole thyroid world!😒

[Divided]

I'm not entirely sure which result that is but it could be a Total T4 result. It's certainly out of any of the normal ranges. Did your doctor start you on treatment?

I've been under-active all summer and was having some food issues, although nowhere near to that extent. I was having such a strong insulin reaction to food, my blood sugar would drop really badly after I ate. It caused heart palpitations and dizziness to the extent it felt like a lack of oxygen. I've only been on treatment for the last 10 days, but all my palpitations are gone. I hadn't even thought about the hypoglycemic reaction I was having, but I think it's resolved too, or is just less obvious. I hadn't even realised that could be a thyroid thing. The other problem I had was severe dry eye after I removed my contact lenses. I was having to use gel drops overnight and contact lens drops through the day. This week my eyes are fine again.

I think your results would suggest you are over-active, although I'm no expert. Make use of the resources on Thyroiduk.org.uk as they have lots of helpful information and don't be afraid to go back to your doctor with questions. Make a list of things you'd like to know so you don't sit there racking your brains for all the things you wanted to ask. I doubt they will think your food issues are in anyway related, but your average GP usually only understands the tests they take and not much more. All your food questions are best saved for a specialist. Good luck.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Divided]

I immediately though it might be a Thyroid Peroxidase antibody test - which can be that high. Or should there be a decimal point somewhere?

Jowood77,

You need to ask your surgery for a print of the results (including reference ranges).

You might find going to the main Thyroid UK site well worth your time. For example:

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

... then look around at other pages. There is lots there to read and take on board.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

You sound as though you have a very, very restricted diet, very low in nutrients, and this in itself can damage the ability of the thyroid to work and cause your TSH level to rise in tests. Is your weight quite low?

Did your doctor say that you were hypothyroid? Did s/he prescribe anything, if so, what?

Hypothyroidism is closely associated with disorders of the gut. Very roughly, around 5 to 10 per cent of hypos also have celiac disease. If you have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, you could ask your GP for a blood test to exclude this.

Around 35 per cent of hypos have Atrophic Autoimmune Gastritis, which makes it hard for them to absorb B12.

Has your GP given you a Full Blood Count test and/or a serum ferritin test?

Hypothyroidism in itself is associated with low stomach acid, making it harder to absorb nutrients.

I am not aware of allergies being closely associated with hypo, but others will know more than I.