Hi Guys,
I'm new here and reading all your posts have been so helpful in the last couple of weeks! Like many of you I've been poo-pooed by my GP and they basically think I'm crazy and an hypochondriac (though the last eye roll they got from me when they went "oh really? you were depressed?" "Yes, I was (f**king) hospitalised for it. It is on my file." might have dropped my eyeballs right out of my eyes).
Finally after a series of ridiculous arguments where they've told me I'm wasting their time and that I'm a delightful picture of health and go do more exercise (I spin twice a week, do hot yoga twice a week, swim and have personal training twice a week to rehabilitate a back injury they tried to fob off with some paracetamol, not sure how much more they think I should be doing) I've taken matters into my own hands and ordered some thiroyd. Because, continuing on doing the same thing while it's not working is insanity (or for the NHS, their m.o.). I'm not particularly interested in seeing an endo privately as I've also have PCOS and was put on metformin "for life"- by 2 leading "experts". Thankfully I found an amazing chinese herbalist who freaked out about that (at least someone sees that it is ridiculous to put a patient without diabetes on diabetes medication) and has helped me put my stubborn ovaries on track, oh the joy of menstruation every month! She isn't offering any solutions to the hypothyroidism though, but comments every time she takes my pulse that I'm exhausted (which I am) and need to see the doctor to sort the thyroid out (her professional opinion as a doctor who no longer practices western medicine).
I'm currently on 75mg levothyroxine - though i cheat and take 100mg every other day already and waiting for some blood tests to come back this week. How much and what's the best way to change from levo to thiroyd? It appears that some advocates a straight switch (so that would work out to be 2 grains?) and others suggest tailing the levo while starting with 1/2 grain at the same time and up gradually? The lovely people who made the switch, how did you guys do it and what would you recommend?
Exisiting conditions: depression (remission), pcos, insulin resistance related to pcos, hypothyroid, asthma, hypermobility, some serious repetitive strain on both arms and shoulders (I'm a massage therapist, it's part of my life)
Current symptoms:
low fluctuating basel temp (wildly between 34.3 to 35.3 from day to day)
lowish heart rate around 60 (I am not convinced I'm *that* fit)
exhaustion daily, generally feel super run down- I need a nap every day but I can't sleep for more than 6 hours at night.
headaches may be 1-2 times a week- usually a very low grade migraine, mainly tingling through the trigeminal nerve and right eyeball, esp. if I forget the 5htp
always cold
get sick very easily (had cold every other week this winter and brought back some tropical fever from holiday- no one else I went with got sick)
feel flat (goes away with 100mg of levo, doesn't really feel like depression to me)
feel fat (I gained 30kg (from 65kg) when I went on sertraline about 15 years back and it never really came off even though I stopped may be 7 years ago. Lost 10kg but still many to go!)
constantly constipated
muscle aches and pains (again better with 100mg levo)
massive brain fog and totally forgetful
Currently taking source of gold multi-vit, 5htp, L-tyrosine, kelp, glucosamine
Thank you so much for your help guys! Here's to feeling healthier (hopefully!)