Struggling

[marshmallow1]

At the moment I feel as if I can't carry on for much longer. I am on 125 levo and 15 T3. I am suffering unbearable anxiety and nothing I do helps. At times I can't believe I am not going to die the symptoms are so bad. GP doesn't seem to be able to help and I just don't know what to do. I feel it must have a physical cause because I have no idea what I am anxious about. Help.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you get tests as recommended in my answer to your previous post?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If you have high antibodies (Hashimoto's) then gluten intolerance is highly likely.

90% of all hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's

Gluten intolerance and coeliac can be underlying causes of anxiety

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

With thyroid issues then low vitamin levels are extremely common. Post test results (and ranges) of vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

All these websites advocate gluten free diet

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

Private testing of vitamin D

betteryou.com/vitamin-d-tes...

[Royo]

I had this a few times nothing as bad as you though.

People just told me to stop worrying or stop being anxious.

But when you do not know what you are anxious about.

In the end I found that breathing techniques I learned in a ti chi class. It just calmed me down took me away even from myself. It sounds strange but just getting extra oxygen. Into your blood stream and into your brain Works. I can see why there is people like monks who practice this as a way of life. It works.

I was like you and was willing to try anything. Have a go even meeting others in the group may help.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Royo]

Yoga is similar, breathing is a key aspect in this too

[Nanaedake]

FT3 4.1 (3.20 - 6.80)

TSH 0.76 (0.27 - 4.20)

Free T4 14 (12.00 - 22.00)

These were your last results but I see you've increased your levothyroxine since then which was good. How long have you been on the new dose? It can take a few months for your body to catch up with your biochemistry and for things to settle down. Meanwhile get a hypnotherapy calming tape or do some yoga or anything that is calming.

You do need to optimise your vitamin levels as low B12 or folate can give you anxiety. Have you got your vitamin results as suggested? If so, post them here. Nothing much will help your anxiety if you haven't sorted out the basics. With thyroid conditions you have to work at getting well on all levels, not just adjusting your thyroid blood test results.

Gut health is really important as it seems that taking levothyroxine can alter how our stomach and small intestines function. Going gluten free can be a great help.

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry you are suffering anxiety in particular which is a horrible sensation, and makes you wonder what is really going on with us.

I am sure you will be able to tick more than one of the following clinical symptoms:

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

Request a new blood test - the earliest possible - fasting (you can drink water) and allow a 24 hour gap between last dose and test. This procedure gives us the best results.

Also ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferrtin and folate. We can be deficient and also can have symptoms.

[kittenmittens]

Hi Marshmallow1,

I'm so sorry to hear you are feeling this way, but don't give up, it really won't be forever, you can find a solution.

Have you considered taking some sort of anxiety medication, or perhaps seeing a therapist? Your GP should be able to help you with both these things. It may be that your hypothyroidism is causing the anxiety, but it may not be that. People without hypothyroidism get anxiety too, it could be your brain chemicals (can't think of the technical term at this moment) are out of whack. And therapy can help you to manage the anxiety x.

[Nanaedake]

I expect your anxiety does have a physical cause as when thyroid is out of balance or vitamin levels are low we very often suffer from anxiety. Once you've got these sorted out I expect you'll find the anxiety vanishes. If you can avoid adding anti-D's and instead address any deficiencies you will avoid adding another potential layer of side effects into the mix but you do need to get the doc to do the vitamins tests or get them done privately asap. Anxiety makes it hard to do the things you need to but you need to plough on one step at a time or get a family member or friend to help you problem solve.

[Bertwills]

Hi you could look at trying Inositol powder or tablets. It's a B vitamin I think.

Check out the reviews on Amazon. Many find it v helpful for anxiety. The powder is tasteless. I'm taking one mabe by Pure.

Hope it helps

[jamesal0]

It's a side effect of Thyroxin for some people - drugs.com/sfx/levothyroxine... I get it real bad every-time I try and go back on to Levo. Almost suicidal. I could not believe how strong the feelings were, never had anything like it in my 50 years.

I'm on NDT and don't have the issue unless I forget to take for several hours and then it's mild by comparison.

J

[Naomi8]

I agree with everything people have contributed to this thread,but I also believe that when anxiety becomes unbearable,medication is an option that has to be considered if nothing else is helping enough to make it bearable,even when on thyroid hormone replacement.

I have suffered anxiety all my life & been on thyroid hormone replacement since 1997.

I have had 2 patches of prolonged extreme anxiety & the second one was when I was feeling really well on T3 & taking all the recommended supplements,as well as going to 2 lovely yoga classes a week & practising mindfulness for 20 minutes once or twice a day.

After trying adaptogens & other alternatives including homeopathy,I asked the doctor for Sertraline which has worked extremely well for me at a low dose.After 6 months of the least anxiety I have ever experienced,I am now very slowly weaning myself off.Knowing its there if I need it again & that it works for me is a huge relief,because I have been brought to the brink with anxiety.Extreme anxiety,like depression,causes extreme suffering.