Still feeling rubbish...

[Denise133]

Hi all, in looking for advice please. I have hashimotos and now take 75mg Levo. Latest blood results show all within normal so doc says I am fine. I still feel awful, tired my head is throbbing my mouth is dry. Feeling very low at the thought of spending the rest of my life like this. Results are: TSH: 0.66 (0.3-5.5). T3: 3.8 (3.1-6.8) T4 16 (12-22) Anitbodies: 32 (0-34) . Thank you in advance if you can offer a glimmer of hope xxx

[Island_hopper]

Hi Denise, thought it might help to share my story as I'm a few months ahead of you in diagnosis.

I'm similar, I was diagnosed hypo in early Feb 15. Started on 25mcg levo, then put up to 50mcg, then 75mcg, then 100mcg. This was over Feb-July. I work full time and have also been studying part time, had a busy life and coped well, sociable and happy. From the minute I took Levo I got worse and worse, had to take chunks of time off work, slept some days for 20 hours, spent days and weeks crying and upset over nothing. It stopped me in my tracks. I had to get extensions for my study and sat crying my eyes out trying to finish an essay so that I could keep going. It has quite honestly ruined me.

Exasperated with my GP whom I phoned weekly upset and gutted at having to be off work. Her advice? Stay off work and halt my studies for a year. I went to see a private endocrinologist and he let me try liothyronine which is a t3 supplement. He advised I change does to 50mcg levo/10mcg lio. I was a bit better for a month but nowhere near back to normal self. After a blood test by my GP she said I was over medicated and changed me to 50mcg levo daily and 10mcg lio every alternate day. As the effects of these meds come on weeks later, I have now gone back the way to tired, emotional and had to be off work for days and can't study because thinking is impossible when you are so fatigued.

So after reading much and speaking to a woman who has been campaigning for better thyroid care I am going to stop the levo/lio and try the NDT I have ordered Nature Throid and going to get private blood tests. Levo does work for many people and that's what the GPs tell you. I hasn't worked for me it has turned me into a shadow of my former self. I have read many stories from women who say the NDT has changed their lives and they would not take levo ever again. Obviously it's entirely up to you to decide what's best for you.

My feeling is that I am not giving in to the GPs asking me to put my life on hold. It is thoroughly depressing and no wonder people get so upset. I read that "most people" start to feel better on levo after 2-4 weeks. Indeed I know a woman who this was the case for, she is fine and it works for her. I was not lucky in that since taking it I have felt progressively worse and felt better before I took it even though I was tired I could still function without being so upset.

I am going to post on here how I get on with NDT and hope that helps others. Waiting in it being delivered should be 2 weeks before it arrives.

Best of luck,

😀

[Denise133 in reply to Island_hopper]

Hi and thanks so much for your reply. I am worried that Levo won't work but will keep going for a while. I will watch your journey with interest & send lots of luck & best wishes to you. Look forward to hearing more, thanks 😊