Help & Advice

[Jenna91]

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 2 years ago at the age of 24. I am currently on 200mg thyroxine. I keep catching the cold and other sickness bugs and now have the flu, a lot of people have said I should get the flu vaccine. I am looking to see if anyone else gets the vaccine and if it is worth it?

Any help and advice would be much appreciated

[shaws Administrator]

I don't get the 'flu vaccine. It's a personal thing but if you don't feel too good at present I would give it a lot of thought.

The most important thing is to check your thyroid hormones and these are a few hints in order to get the most out of your dose.

Blood tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test and take it afterwards.

If you've not had Free T4 and Free T3 tested ask GP if you can have these. Probably not but you can get them privately and we have two private labs who are good. I'll give you a link and you can read about why FT4 and FT3 should be tested, even occasionally.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

It is T3 that is the active thyroid hormone required in all of our T3 receptor and you are on a reasonable dose so hopefully your FT3 is good.

Levothyroxine should be taken first thing with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of hormones.

Or at bedtime, as long as you've last eaten abut 3 hours previously due to us usually having slow digestion.

Ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate if they haven't been taken all have to be optimal.

Get a print-out of your results with the ranges and if you have a query you can post them. Ranges are important to allow members to comment on the results.

[Jenna91 in reply to shaws]

Thank you for all the advice, I only just had my bloods done 3 weeks ago and results came back “normal” however the DR wants me to go back every 6 weeks for routine bloods. In the 2 years of having this I have never actually been told or shown my blood results. I am due to go back in 3 weeks so I will ensure I ask for a copy.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Jenna91]

The word 'normal' isn't good enough for us. We need Optimal so remember to get your blood tests at the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and TSH is highest early a.m.

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If I were you I would not get the flu vaccine. Why don't you take a Vitamin C tablet every day. This vitamin has helped me to overcome my colds and sinus problems. Since the age of 8 I have had many bouts of sinus trouble including cold after cold. I have only been taking these for about 8 months and although I can feel a sinus/cold coming one day by the next day it's vanished. I can only assume it's the Vitamin C helping.