Keeping up with work

[Lisa-1967]

I currently work as a care assistant and I'm finding the day to day shifts a struggle physically. Does anyone else struggle with work?

[UrsaP]

At the risk of ruining your weekend, I think you will find Lisa-1967 , that quite a few people on this forum have had to give up jobs through the illness. It sounds like you are not properly medicated. There are better informed people on here than I to advice you on that though, hopefully someone will respond. It might help to post any recent blood tests, with ranges, someone will see if you are optimally medicated or not.

Hopefully, luckily for you you found this site before things get to that stage. Best of luck.

[Lisa-1967 in reply to UrsaP]

Thank you I have a doctors appointment on Thursday and will ask about another blood test. I've never had results before just told slightly under. Probably against advice I've stopped taking levothyroxine. The aches, cramps became too much. Felt better since although still have the odd ache. More fatigue though and feeling down. I'm not one to quit work wise, it will take a lot for that to happen. I'll ask for results and hopefully have something to see what's going on.

[tinkerbell22 in reply to Lisa-1967]

Yes definitely post your results here. People are very helpful

I myself struggle with work. Years ago I gave up being employed because I couldn't keep up. I'm sure I had undiagnosed thyroid problems back then too. I started up my own business and that was the best choice I ever made! As then I can be flexible around my energy levels.

Recently my thyroid has been struggling more though and Finally got diagnosed after Years of waiting! But I've barely been able to work at all recently. Thank goodness I've had understanding clients...!

I hope you find some assistance soon.

[tinkerbell22 in reply to Lisa-1967]

Did you try different brands of levo? Maybe you were intolerant to just one type? Natural dessicated thyroid is another option. There are always options don't give up.

[Hidden in reply to Lisa-1967]

Hi Lisa-1967

I'm so sorry to her that you are struggling - both with work and the diagnosis/treatment. I hope you have a supportive GP - and good luck with your next appointment.

I'm not sure if you work in the NHS, but if so it might be worth speaking to your Line Manager and/or referring yourself to Occupational Health. I am a nurse with PA and Hypo and my Line Manager at my current Trust has helped me out with "Health Passport" that describes how some of my symptoms impact on my ability to do my work and suggests ways that the organisation will support me. The guy I spoke to from Occupational Health was incredibly helpful too. I know not all Trusts are as supportive, but it's worth asking...

[cjrsquared in reply to Lisa-1967]

Not surprised you are struggling if you have stopped your meds. Please be aware you can cause long term irreversible damage to yourself by coming off thyroid replacement medication. That said I appreciate that levothyroxine on its own doesn't suit everyone. I agree with other respondents that repeat bloods would be helpful and then taking it from there. Goodluck

[Lisa-1967 in reply to cjrsquared]

I felt terrible and did try to see doctor sooner but they have problems themselves. I will go back on it and see.

[Locky1971 in reply to Lisa-1967]

What brand of levothyroxine were you on? I had aches with teva brand and quite a few others were the same.

[Lisa-1967]

I work for Hampshire county council I haven't told my manager. Once I know more with my doctor and results I may notify her. I'm not sure how this will go down, I'm a little worried how I will be treated once this is known.

[cjrsquared in reply to Lisa-1967]

I work in the NHS and hypothyroidism is recognised as a medical problem under the disability at work act. This means that your employers have to make a reasonable effort to accommodate your problems, i.e. Shorter shifts , not to many shifts in a row etc. The downside is if you are non compliant with treatment they don't have to support you and they can argue that you are not capable of doing your job so you can be asked to leave without notice. Therefore think carefully before telling your employer.

[Lisa-1967 in reply to cjrsquared]

Can you explain the non compliant part I'm going to the doctor on Thursday. Will do what the doctor says but want to take vit, minerals as well.

[cjrsquared in reply to Lisa-1967]

If you have stopped taking levothyroxine, the doctors may say that your symptoms are due to this, not a reaction to the medication. Most gps are not educated in the importance of vitamins and minerals so supplementation with these will not add or hinder to compliance. I absolutely understand that levothyroxine on its own doesn't suit everyone and that ensuring high in range folate, ferritin, b12, vit d and selenium can help with conversion of levothyroxine (t4) to t3 the active hormone. I agree that getting new blood tests and then posting in a new thread would be the way forward.

[Lisa-1967]

I will let you know my results when and if I get them. Who knows with doctors.

[Stourie in reply to Lisa-1967]

You should get them as it is your right. They cannot refuse you them. The freedom of information act.

Jo xx

[UrsaP in reply to Lisa-1967]

Lisa-1967 I'm no medic, and I'm sure better people on here would advice you better. I'd say to try push for full thyroid function test, including Free t3 and Free t4. And antibodies. It might be worth asking for full bloods too - You probably need to check your iron, vitamin B12 and D levels. (If you can) If you search on here for blood tests you will get a feel for what you need. Whether your GP will agree to it is another thing. There may be advice on here how to best get the tests you want.

You may find GP reluctant to do T3 tests, And/or labs are often refusing to do them too. I've specifically requested the GP to authorise the T3 testing as I am on T3. (You may need to consider having private bloods done - again, advise on here if you look. Or post and someone will advise)

If you suspect you have been HypoT for some time, without diagnosis, it may be that your system is unable to convert the Levo t4 to t3.

I would recommend have your blood tests and ask the surgery for a printed copy - (as Stourie says - it is your right under the Data Protection Act) preferably before you go see GP about results. Make sure you have the lab results not just the GP comments - and you will need to know the 'ranges' from the lab report. Then, if need be, you can go to GP stronger, armed with what you need and with evidence to support your needs.

Post results on here and ask for advice.

That is what I'm planning on doing when I have my bloods next week.

You will get a lot of support and better advice on here, so don't let it get you down.

Best of luck

[Padster7]

I was diagnosed two years ago and was in a bad way then. I gradually found out that GPs know nothing about thyroid. This forum was a lifeline and I learned so much. I think the best thing I did was to take my thyroid disorder into my own hands. I read lots and researched what I needed to feel well again. I keep a spreadsheet of all my results that I get myself from Blue Horizon as the NHS only does a fraction of the tests needed. I have an NHS endocrinologist that I see every 8 months or so. I take all my info re symptoms and blood results and we discuss these together. I tend to know what I want from the appt and ask for this.

I work in the NHS and luckily have a sympathetic manager. We look together at ways I can continue to work full time. I've had a few blips but usually doing okay.

My advice would be to arm yourself with information about this horrible condition and make sure you understand what you need and where to get it.

[carnation]

I had dreadful aches and pains on Mercury Pharma levo. Stopped within 2 days of switching to Actavis/Boots Almus. Others on here react differently!

If your GP gives you another prescription try to get another brand and see if you feel any better.

[Mizzle]

Hi Lisa- 1967,

Yes, like you, I find full time work a struggle.

I was diagnosed with sub-clinical hypothyroidism just over 2 years ago and this is when my levothyroxine began. It's taken 2 years and intense vitamin supplementation (B12 and D) and a vegan essential fatty acid supplement but I finally feel somewhere close to normal. I've also made a big effort to maintain as much physical activity as I can; when able I cycle to work and community visits.

I began work as a new Occupational Therapist for the NHS in Feb 2016. I have had the hardest time adjusting to 8am starts and coped wrongly, at times, on coffee. My supervisor gave me a 8 - 8.15 window to start but others have told I need to get in at 8 for handovers, etc.

Now, I no longer have the daily early morning intense all over ache and brain fog nor struggle with the duvet.

Although my energy levels and work life balance have improved I still have doubts about my job as working in Health and Social Care is pressured. Having the options of asking for part time hours (hopefully with support from Occy Health or/and the union) or leaving helps me feel less overwhelmed.

Btw, changing the time I take levothyroxine from 4pm to 6am (to allow full digestion before eating or drinking) helped too.

Good luck Lisa-1967, x x.

[lilac_daze]

I was a carer 1-1 privately and ended up leaving on medical grounds after I had a total thyroidectomy for Graves'disease, there's no way I could cope with care work now and now have bad back to boot with other health conditions that have arisen since my TT. I wish and hope I will be able to work again at some point. Hope things improve for you.