New To All Things Thyroid..

[Luucekay]

Hi everyone,

Just found this forum as I decided to do some research, I was diagnosed at the start of this year after being underactive for over a year and the doctor didn't think to tell me (!)

I take 75mg of levothyroxine daily and after various blood tests this is apparently the right dose for my blood levels to return them to 'normal'. (Sadly I don't have the actual results)

However, I still feel incredibly fatigued, I can't go more than 8 hours without taking a nap, my muscles have been aching more again recently, as well as the weight gain which has seemed to snowball out of control again, but as my bloods are okay the doctor won't increase my dose - is this normal? Should I push to have my dose increased? Is there any other kind of treatment I can find - supplements etc?

Also wanted to ask if anyone has had extreme sweating as a side effect before? As well as depression - i'm on a SSRI antidepressant, does this have any affect on the thyroid?

Lots of questions! Thanks in advance! Luce

[beh1]

Luce it really does look like you might need an increase in your meds but you need to ask your gp practice for your blood test results and post them on here. Only then can we see what is happening.

[Ruthi]

The SSRI is probably causing the sweating.

And although there are bound to be exceptions, in general anti-depressants don't make up for inadequate medication.

Go to your doctors and ask for a printout of the tests. You need that information before you can make any judgement about what is needed. It is your right, don't take no or oldfashioned looks for an answer!

[Nanny23 in reply to Ruthi]

Hi I'm nanny 23. Are you taking your thyroid hormone correctly? First thing in morning or before bed. At least 2 hours away from food. Do not take any other mess or supplements at same time. Have you had your b12 vitamin checked folate ferritin vitamin d. A lack of any of these will make you exhausted. Of course it could just be you need more thyroid hormone. These vitamins need to be optimal not lower part of ranges. Post blood thyroid levels here and you will get some answers from knowledgeable people. Do hope you feel better.

[Ruthi in reply to Nanny23]

If you reply to me Nanny23 the OP won't be notified and might not see your post.

[Nanny23 in reply to Ruthi]

Oh thought I replied to her sorry.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Nanny23]

Good point Nanny23. Luucekay did your gp tell you to take your levo on an empty stomach well away from iron or calcium? That's an easy way to boost its effectiveness if you're feeling a bit undermedicated.

[Luucekay in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Definitely wasn't told anything like that, I always take them at breakfast time as part of routine, but thanks foretting me know!

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Luucekay]

A lot of us set the alarm for an hour or so before rising and take meds then w a glass of water. Or you might be someone who goes to the loo every night and you can take them then. Some find taking them on an empty stomach every night suits best but you have to ensure it is not less than two hours after last meal/non-water drink. You may find this improves your situation as much as a small increase.

[Luucekay in reply to puncturedbicycle]

That's so interesting! I will definitely start doing that one for sure, thanks!

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Luucekay]

[6691 in reply to Luucekay]

Just realised Luucekay I'm in Prozac But didn't start that till a year after they chills/sweats started the endo immediately said I doubt I'll find anything wrong with you uts norw than likely the Prozac or our butrans patch causing this which immediately gets my back up he is dismissing me before even testing me anyway I stopped the Prozac when I walked out his office and its now been 8 weeks since having 24 hour urine and recumbent bloods taken and I am told they are very busy so I won't get seen until january now! But have had exactly the same since stopping the Prozac so I know it's not that (wouldn't advice anyone to just stop takin them by themselves neither always check with a dr but I am at rock bottom and thought if I could find an answer myself before having to wait another three months I would try) Just so fed up Tina x

[Luucekay in reply to 6691]

It is definitely annoying when doctors do that!

However my mum is on butrans patches and it could very well be them causing it too, but as we are not alone in experiencing sweats from thyroid then perhaps not - just something to consider!

[6691 in reply to Luucekay]

Luucekay yes your right I just kinda think the sweats would have started with the Prozac or the patches yet it didn't not till a year and much longer with the patches after That's why I find it hard to believe I have been tested for pre menapausetoo not that neither because as soon as you get to a certain age everything is blamed on that .Just so frustrating when two years down the line they are still here and I have no answers Thanks xx

[6691 in reply to Nanny23]

Hi nanny23 sorry to jump in but am reading posts with interest as I'm struggling so much with sweating lots and my clothes being wringing wet whilst feeling freezing cold with chills am under the endo at the moment but I have been told by the pharmacist to take on an empty stomach (my thyroids meds) but have never been told not to take with any other meds unless it was a gastric pill my pharmacy told me as he saw both on my script told me to leave a few hours before taking the Levo and the said tablet but never mentioned not to take any other tablet with it I have also read again the attatched sheet and that doesn't say anything about taking it alone so I'm just wondering is this advice from your GP or is it with research? I will try anything to help with these cold chills/sweats and am wondering If this will help of course im willing to try this but wondering how long before I would get any results if any ? Every little bit of extra info helps all of us so thank you Tina x

[Nanny23 in reply to 6691]

Actually I got this advice on those site. Also research. Hope you find out why your sweating so much. Are you in menopause?

[6691 in reply to Nanny23]

Thanks Nanny23 no I have been tested for that too said I'm not in the pre --menauoause bit even and it sounds weird they are not like hot sweats I am always freezing with goose pimples my skin is constantly wet/damp like when you get dressed too fast after swimming and not dried probably it's awful Tina x

[Luucekay]

Thanks for all the quick feedback folks!

Definitely going to try and get my results this week then - will post when I get my levels.

Appreciate the help

[Icescream99 in reply to Luucekay]

Hope the tests go well, you'll get some good advice on here x

[silverfox7 in reply to Luucekay]

Remember to include the ranges as well as they differ from lab to lab

[hachiko in reply to Luucekay]

Yes - post your results, easier to go from there. I just wanted to say that I had excessive sweating as a hypo symptom too. Not by nights or randomly, but whenever I did anything physical, like stretching, riding a bike, little physical effort and lots of sweat. So just wanted to say that it happens too. Although not-sweating, when hypo is more common. Good luck!

[Luucekay in reply to hachiko]

Oh wow! That's exactly the same as me - any time I get ready to go out or anything it gets out of control! Did yours go away when your thyroid was treated?

[hachiko in reply to Luucekay]

Sounds like we have a very similar "sweating type". Also the sweating occurred obnoxiously when I walked somewhere and then suddenly stopped (to stop at the shop, or to have a meeting for example) - then the sweating occurred too, making me feel awkward if anyone notices..

Yes, it has shifted/lessened now, which I am happy about. For example now if I exercise, I don't break crazy sweat while still only stretching...

I must add that I have always been a heavy "sweater", ever since a kid, but toward the hypothyroidism diagnosis it just got ridiculous. YOU know what I mean

[6691 in reply to hachiko]

Hi hachiko this sounds just at like me I can't believe it anything i do brings me out in sweating soaking wet to the skin cold freezing cold and sweats where I say sweats I am never warm I am freezing cold with my clothes soaked through.But I don't know what you mean by a hypo symptom I only understand hypo to be used in diabetics so not sure if I'm missing something or getting her confused but any info will be greatly received these cold drop wet sweats are ruining my life they are so bad I'm at rock bottom thank you Tina x

[hachiko in reply to 6691]

by 'hyposymptom' I meant something that occurs because of HYPOthyroidism

[6691 in reply to hachiko]

Thank you x x

[Luucekay]

Hypo thyroid is the name for under active thyroid! But can't believe I'm not the only one! My sweats get me really warm but I can't do anything without my face soaking - it's so visible when im at work! Thanks to both of you for sharing!

[6691 in reply to Luucekay]

Hi Luuxekay Thanks for that I just feel happier that I have found others feeling the same it's so horrible I can't go anywhere my face my back my stomach my legs all soaking wet it's a horrible thing to have to deal with it used to just be odd time through the day now I feel it's almost every time I move getting worse instead of better but because my bloods are ok they want to leave my levo at the dose it's at now just need it to stop but don't know how I am currently seeing the endos hopefully for a result but I'm not holding my breath Tina x

[Luucekay in reply to 6691]

This is the exact same as me! My doctor wouldn't increase my dose because my bloods were okay but going to post my results on here along with some new results soon and see what people say!

[6691 in reply to Luucekay]

Wonder if it will help if I post mine I suppose we get a better understanding my GP is wonderful but it's always good to see the people who suffer their side as they are the ones that live with it and more often than not know the answers Tina x

[hachiko in reply to 6691]

6691 - maybe you could post your blood results too? (as a new thread/post) Loads of wise people here who can offer advice

[6691 in reply to hachiko]

hachiko many thanks I will start a new post when you have strugglesfor so long (two years now) you really hit rock bottom and I'm sick of moaning but all the time but when you read in here that others are the same your stomach kinda jumps in delight that you may finally get some help /answersthank you Tina x(really must edit my name I never realise that's me lol )

[6691 in reply to 6691]

Luucekay sorry my phone keeps correction things that are correct lol x

[Luucekay]

So I got my blood test results for the last couple years. Have no idea what they mean/how to read them but guna try and copy them here and hopefully someone can tell me what they mean!

22.6.16 - TSH level = 1.59 mU/L (also says T4 but no number beside it)

5.4.16 - T4 & triiodothyronine tested but no result listed. TSH = 1.97 mU/L

28.1.16 - T4 = 16.6 pmol/L, TSH = 6.52mU/L (triiodothyronine also tested no result listed)

16.12.15 - T4 = 13.9 pmol/L, TSH = 8.17 (triiodothyronine also tested no result listed)

10.7.15 - T4 = 13.9 pmol/L, TSH = 12.85 (triiodothyronine also tested no result listed)

2.10.14 - TSH = 3.28 mU/L (triiodothyronine and T4 also tested no result listed)

4.8.14 - T4 = 13.3pmol/L, TSH = 7.97 (triiodothyronine also tested no result listed)

Completed another blood test for thyroid last week, awaiting results. Although the nurse refused to test for anything other than TSH and said she would test T4 only if the TSH was abnormal.

[6691 in reply to Luucekay]

Sorry I'm no help here Luucekay there is usually lab results they go by in brackets next to the results think the beginning of yours are the dates you have had them taken so I don't really understand them I'm sure someone will be along to help though also not sure why certain results not been listed for you? Be interested to see others replies.Tina x