Tired of being tired

[jojojo987]

I was diagnosed with under active thyroid 3 years ago. My bloods were really rather bad and I was immediately started on Levo and I'm currently on 125mg. My symptoms just don't seem to get better. I am so tired and exhausted, the brain fog is so frustrating and frankly inconvenient. I've noticed this week that there is a lot of talk about T3 and T4 medication. I really need to try and improve my symptoms. Please could anyone help with these medications?

[loobieloo123]

Hello jojojo987, I can fully understand how you are feeling, I was just the same. Do you have your blood results and the ranges? If you post them on here one of the lovely ladies from the Admin Team and other members will comment and help you. I must say, although very scary, I have come off Levo and am now taking NDT. I haven't looked back so far. No brain fog, not tired, more energy. Worth bearing in mind but see what the Admin Team and other members suggest. You have come to the best place for help x

[jojojo987 in reply to loobieloo123]

Hi thanks for your reply. I feel better just posting in here! I might get somewhere now. Could I ask what NDT is please?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

jojojo987 Sometimes thyroid meds don't get absorbed for one reason or another, which can be because of low nutrient levels, gut problems, other medication affecting the Levo, taking supplements too close to Levo, etc. So it's best to look into those first. Have you had the following tested, if so post the results with reference ranges for comment

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Optimal levels (not just in range) of all of these are needed for thyroid hormone to work properly.

Do you take any other medication or supplements?

Do you take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food and drink, with a glass of water only and not tea, coffee, etc?

[jojojo987 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seasidesusie

I have to admit I'm not great at taking the meds on empty stomach etc. Mornings are such a rush. I also take aloe Vera drinking gel.

I haven't got recent blood results as it has been a while since they were done.

[Marz in reply to jojojo987]

Sounds as if you may not be absorbing all the Thyroid meds if you are taking them close to food . I would see where you are at this moment in time with new tests - before contemplating a change. Too many changes can be bad for the body

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to jojojo987]

Jojojo - there's no point in considering changing to any other thyroid meds until you see if Levo does actually work for you but all the building blocks have to be in place and then you have to make sure you are taking the Levo correctly.

If mornings are such a rush, why not take Levo at bedtime? As long as it's 2-3 hours after your main evening meal, and you take it away from coffee, alcohol, etc and take it with water, that might suit you better. Or if you have to get up in the middle of the night regularly for the loo turn you could take not then, that's well away from everything else.

It doesn't matter what thyroid meds you use, you can't expect anything to work properly if conditions aren't right.

[loobieloo123]

Hi jojojo987, NDT is Natural Dessicated Thyroid. If you do a search on here you will find out alot more about it. Far be it for me to try to get you to change though. You can get blood tests done at home yourself through Blue Horizon or Medicheck if you don't want to go back to your doctor. As SeasideSusie suggests, if you can get some bloods done then they will be commented on and you will get lots of help

[SlowDragon Administrator]

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, take immediately after.

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven blood test are the most popular choice as they test all thyroid levels including antibodies and these four essential vitamins.

DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw.

If you have raised antibodies, then this is autoimmune thyroid also called Hashimoto's.