Long time thyroid sufferer

[Shebw53]

Hi all I'm sheila 64yrs of age I was diagnosed hypo over 30yrs ago but I think I've been hypo since childhood I always suffered mouth ulcers so bad I had to have my own cup, as far back as 10 I have had problems keeping alert memory lapses no matter how much sleep I had, anyone relate to this x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you know if you have high Thyroid antibodies? Have you ever had them tested?

You need to know if you have Hashimotos- autoimmune thyroid disease

It's also very important to have good levels of four vitamins so ask Gp to test vitamin D, folate, B12 & ferritin

Make sure when you get results you get actual figures & ranges (figures in brackets)

Any Thyroid blood test should be as early as possible, fasting and don't take Levo in 24 hours prior. Delay & take after test

Memory issues can be low B12

If you have Hashimotos then need to consider possible that you have gluten intolerance. Changing to Gluten free diet may help

[Shebw53 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have vitamin b12 every three months but I don't feel any better after it, the reason I am asking is I keep getting colds and am really ill for days with it, my immune system is really low

[Singoutloud]

As you have B12 injections, do you have Pernicious Anaemia? Hypothyroidism & pernicious anaemia share some similar symptoms so, if you have both, its hard to tell which condition is causing the problems.

With B12 injections you need to take methyfolate to help utilise your B12. I use Jarrows B Right as it has methyfolate and all the other B vits to keep them balanced.

You could also need an increase of your thyroid hormone replacements.

If it has been a while since your last blood test it would be good idea to get your thyroid tested again. Ask your Dr to test your

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies, TPO & TGAB

Also ask for

Folate

Ferritin

Vit D

There's no point in testing B12 as the test will be skewed because of the injections.

Always get a printed copy of the test results showing the ranges (number in brackets) from reception. It's your right under the data protection act so they can't refuse but may charge a small nominal fee to cover paper and ink. (mine do it for free) If they ask why just tell them you want a copy for your records. They may have to get permission from the Dr but don't let them put you off.

Once you get the results raise a new post so members can help and advise with what's happening.

You may also want to check out the Thyroid UK & Pernicious Anaemia society websites. Both have a huge amount of information and symptom checklists.

[Shebw53]

Hi thanks for replying I don't have pernicious anaemia but I have been drinking green tea for the past few years so I googled green tea and underactive thyroid and it seems that the green tea could be the culprit so from today I'm not going to drink it and hoping that's it, I will get my numbers from the dr, it seems silly that after 30 odd years of hypothyroidism I've never really looked into it till I found this site x