So tired but can't sleep

[Boyles1]

Can't cope I fall asleep if I sit for few mins in the day an at night I twist and turn for hours , tryed staying awake makes no difference I'm shattered

[LuckyKat]

Hi, sounds like you're under medicated. It only takes a slight dip for me to have trouble sleeping.

[Katka]

I know the feeling. Probably undermedicated or high night time cortisol, lack melatonin.... Ice suffered this for year. And on top, I get restless leg if I work out...

[JOLLYDOLLY]

You might, just might, have sleep apnoea. I was all over the place before I was diagnosed (there were other issues as well) but the powers that be, think I might have had it for a very long time before. It is not just associated with people who have weight problems, it can affect anyone at anytime. They think that there are many people out there with it, who have no clue they have got it. Even the fitted person, could suffer with it. I would check it out with your Dr - When you are over tired, it can cause so many problems. I used to fall a sleep without realising and then wake up with a shock, so much so, I rarely drive now. But since I have the help of a cpap machine, the difference is amazing. The last time I was checked, the apnoea was less than one percent. I am hoping that long term, I will not need a machine, but if I do, I do. I would suggest to get all your blood tests done again, including B12, ferritin levels and calcium levels checked too. Exhaustion can cause disturbed sleep patterns. Take care and hope you get that much deserved sleep.

[knackersyard]

Have you had a Sleep Study?

Do you Snore?

I was convinced I had zero sleep for years. Everyone else complained about my snoring. I think I was too tired to believe them.

I'm on CPAP now & it's helped a lot.

Over medicating can affect sleep just as much as under (in fact I would have thought more), so do a blood test before diving in.

[bern7475]

Have your cortisol levels checked. Sounds as if your circadian rhythm is off. Do a saliva cortisol level test. I have the same thing.

[dina7 in reply to bern7475]

I've done a saliva cortisol test bern7475, and my cortisol levels were all too high ... but I don't know what to do about it, and still can't sleep!

[bern7475 in reply to dina7]

Try holy basil . Take it one hour before each of the highs. Start with 1 capsule and increase by 1until symptoms disappear.. You can try Seriphos before bed as an option.

[dina7 in reply to bern7475]

Thank you so much ... I have been wondering about holy basil but didn't know to take it like that so will certainly give it a try now. Thanks again.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have any recent blood test results ( including ranges)

You may have low vitamins or Hashimoto's If they have not been done ......Suggest you ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells

Havd you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's the most common cause in UK of being hypo.

(NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG. NHS believes it is impossible to have negative TPO and raised TG. It's rare, but not impossible, there are a few members on here that have this.)

Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results. Some surgeries make nominal charge for printing out. Alternatively you can now ask for online access to your own medical records. Though not all surgeries can do this yet, or may not have blood test results available yet online.

When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advice on any vitamin supplements needed

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

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

Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these.

This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later.

Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHS) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too.

Assume you know that Levo generally should be taken on empty stomach and no food or drink for at least hour after. Many of us take on waking, some prefer bedtime, either as more convenient or perhaps more effective. No other medications at same time, especially iron, Vit D, HRT or magnesium, these must be at least 4 hours away

Best advice is to read as much as you can. Vitamin and minerals levels are very important, but standard NHS thinking, doesn't at the moment seem to recognise this. You will see, time and time again on here lots of information and advice about importance of good levels of B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D, leaky gut and gluten connection to autoimmune Hashimoto's (& Grave's) too.

Good link all about low Vit D upsetting vitaminB and poor sleep

drgominak.com/vitamin-d-hor...

vitamindcouncil.org/tag/aut...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

[Eddie83]

Are you euthyroid? If your FT3 isn't in the upper half of its range, you need to be there. Assuming you have already corrected your nutritionals, e.g. B12, trace minerals, etc.

Have you done a cortisol level & rhythm study? Chances are you would find high cortisol at night. A naturopath will suggest lots of things to treat that. I will add that my naturopath never suggested checking my blood protein level, however. Once I discovered myself that my Total Blood Protein was under range, treatment with a free essential amino acids blend worked wonders and, unlike sleeping pills, there are no side-effects.