Newly diagnosed

[Kymm11]

Hi all! I'm new on here. I'm newly diagnosed. I'm 32 and I have many symptoms like irritability, hard stool, dry skin, heavy cycles, tiredness, cold intolerance. Are these all thyroid related?

Thanks in advance

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Kymm11.

Typical hypothyroid symptoms are thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Heavy periods can be due to low ferritin/iron and that can also cause fatigue. Ask your GP to test ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate which are commonly low in hypothyroid patients and can cause symptoms similar to hypothyroidism.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.3 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.

It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose. Symptoms may lag behind good biochemistry by several months.

You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.

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

[Kymm11 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks I have results of these and I supplement but levels aren't improving. Do I post?

[CSmithLadd]

They are common signs that the thyroid has slowed down in its functioning.

In addition to what Clutter has stated, I'd recommend comparing the results of any nutritional testing (as well as all other test results) with what's recognized in functional medicine as being "optimal" nutrient levels for good health.

Optimal levels are those that emulate healthy people and are not diluted by a "reference range" system that reflects wide differences, on average, due to the inclusion of all persons who frequent the lab (instead of only healthy persons).

It stands to reason that more people with sub-par health will frequent labs more often than healthy individuals. So optimal levels for good health must be sought out for guidance. This is where functional medicine ranges are stellar and will properly guide you back to health.

This is also why the "within the reference range" mentality of conventional medicine is a bane to our health.

The more we know, the more we can get what it is we need to regain and maintain good health. More often than not, low nutritional levels are at the core of our health issues. Yes, even hypothyroidism.

Everyone should know what their nutritional levels are and attain to get them optimized for good thyroid, and thus overall, health.

Healing Hugs!