Does this get any better?

[Katerina2895]

I have now been on Levothyroxine 50 mg for two weeks (yep I know early days) and feel absolutely awful. Not too bad in the morning but the afternoon my lower legs hurt and I am really tired. Getting lots of pins and needles. Very sore throat and headaches constantly. Bloods due in six weeks. Doesn't help that I work shifts. Not sure what the underlying cause is for getting hypothyroidism in my case but doctor does not seem interested in finding out as TSH was not that high (6.5) so just told to take pills and report back in eight weeks for more bloods. Guess what I want to know is 'is this normal' or should I go back earlier?

[NatChap]

It can take a while to start feeling an improvement, you will need to be patient unfortunately. What other tests did you have done?

[Katerina2895 in reply to NatChap]

No other tests

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You also need to know if this is auto-immune Hashimoto's. Test needed for both TPO AND TG antibodies (NHS very rarely test for TG antibodies) rarely test for TPO either unless pressurised.

If GP won't do all these test, Private Blue horizon plus eleven blood test includes test for both types antibodies, TSH, FT4, FT3, folate, ferratin, D3 and B12

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

If you have Hashimoto's you can have high antibodies in one type or both.

If it is caused by Hashimoto's then addressing the autoimmune aspect is very important. Many of us have gluten intolerance or undiagnosed coeliacs. (Even with no obvious gut or digestion issues)

Gluten intolerance can seriously affect absorption of nutrients from your gut. Low magnesium, calcium and vitamin D especially. You need these to be high I order to use or process the replacement Thyroxine

Adopting a 100% gluten free diet is worth exploring. Easier these days with lots of gluten free options available. Coeliac membership gives access to comprehensive database of 1000's of what is suitable

Recommend the book - Hashimoto's the root cause

Blood test for gluten issues is unreliable (I know to my detriment - believing the NHS test and medics who said I didn't have gluten issue. Over 20 years later in desperation finally recently gone gluten free, with considerable and ongoing improvement)

I had terrible pins and needles when first on Levo, and again much more recently when advised by medic to supplement vitamin D, which I couldn't absorb due to undiagnosed gluten intolerance. Supplementing Vitamin D also revealed low magnesium.

[Katerina2895]

They tested ferritin but said it was within normal ranges. That was all

[Marz in reply to Katerina2895]

Katerina - never accept normal from your GP - when what they mean it is in range. WHERE you are in the range is very important as you do not want to be left bumping along the bottom. You will not find wellness that way. That is why you must obtain all copies of your test results - for two reasons - one so you can post here with more information and secondly so you can monitor your own health. Because no-one else will.

You must have ALL the tests done as suggested by others. LOW B12 can cause serious neurological damage as I know for myself. It needs to be around 1000 to prevent cognitive decline.

Do make a shopping list of the tests you need and get them done. Are you able to have them done privately through Thyroid UK ??

[Katerina2895 in reply to Marz]

Yes looking at Blue Horizon now for costs

[AnitaApple]

Sounds v similar to how I was feeling and it took about six weeks for things to improve . I am still on 50mg Levo and still have some symptoms but in general feel better - hang on in there and do ask your dr if you don't feel better soon