Can't sleep

[Tiredofitall]

Feel exhausted, dragged myself to bed 2 hours ago and still awake. I am only 7 weeks on thyroxine. Had a better day but still feel brain fog and very emotional.sorry I realize everyone here is struggling just needed to have a moan

[Hidden]

Have you had a dosage increase yet? What where your latest lab results? Have you had nutrients checked yet (ferritin, folate, Vit D, B12). Without this information it's difficult for the community to weigh in with helpful advice as I'm sure you understand! It sounds like you could use some input but it's up to you to take the steps necessary here to move forward. X Rusty

[silverfox7]

Doctors often neglect to tell you to retest after 6 weeks. It takes that length of time to get that dose fully into the system then it's retest and adjust meds if needed. This is repressed untold you are in the correct dose for you. Increments should be in 25 mcg a time. It's also a good thing to always ask for a copy of your results and ranges and to write on what dose you were on for your records. It also means you can share them on hear as last bloods and ranges is most useful to post for comments. The ranges are important as they differ for lab to lab so without them we would only be guessing.

[shaws Administrator]

Moan away, that's why we're here as we have also done our share of moaning whilst trying to feel much better.

Unfortunately, as you are so new onto levothyroxine, all of these symptoms are hypothyroid. It has probably taken years for us to be finally diagnosed so it takes a little while to establish a dose of levo which will return us to good health.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

This is the procedure to follow:

When you are due a blood test, it has to be the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test, and take it afterwards.

This helps keep the TSH at its highest as that seems to be the only results doctors take notice of and may adjust our dose unnecessarily.

With regard to the TSH we are looking for a TSH of 1 or below.

Many doctors believe that if it is 'anywhere' in the range that we are now on sufficient dose. That might be o.k. if we don't have hypothyroidism and have no problem with our thyroid gland..

Request the GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as deficiencies can also give symptoms.

Always get a print-out of your blood test results, with the ranges as labs differ and ranges make it easier to comment.

[Pink183]

I have read that keeping to a set bedtime routine .e.g. going to bed and getting up at the same time each day can help. Maybe introduce a calm, wind down hour before bed too - no tv, No phones. Sorry it's not much use instantly but might be worth implementing while you are juggling med levels.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Difficulty sleeping is common in early days of getting Thyroid treatment correct.

You might find taking some magnesium before bed helps (must be 4 or ideally 6 hours away from taking Levo) so if you take Levo at bedtime, take magnesium late afternoon

"Calm vitality magnesium powder" is easy to use and cheap. Starting on a low dose eg 1/4 teaspoon and slowly increase, if feel OK

If you take too much too soon it can cause diarrhoea

Most hypo's are low in vitamin D and magnesium is a cofactor that works with vitamin D (your own or supplements). Most people are low in magnesium and improving levels can help vitamin D too

[Howard39]

Hi

I remember starting my meds. It was hard. Shaws is right if you have been undiagnosed for some time it can take even longer to feel better.( mine was 12 years ) I had flu like symptoms for 6 months just at night.

If you have been on the same dose for 7 weeks you need all the thyroid tests done together with the vitamins mentioned. I had mine tested privately and to be fair they are cheaper now. I doubt a gp would be as thorough and give you all the starting info you need. My friend has received hers back from Blue Horizon today and found out so much- it's all confidential and in my opinion well worth the money.

You can have a finger prick test on a Monday and get your results on a Thursday. Everyone would help you interpret them.

With regard to sleep check out drsarahmyhill.co. U.K. and search sleep.

Pink 183 and slowdragon are correct. Magnesium is so helpful and you need a regular pattern.

Melatonin ( if you search the link I gave you) is only produced from 10-12 pm so you should be in bed by then. Even now I need help- that is trial and error- pulsatilla and motherwort help. Some peoples sleep improve when meds levels are optimal.

Hang in there- sorry thyroid issues just are so slow to resolve/ improve.

Best wishes and ask if you need further help.

[Tiredofitall in reply to Howard39]

Thank you so much for your reply