Hi, I am new and hoping to get some feedback and advice.
I am a 27 year old female. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in Nov 2011. After many dose changes based on results and symptoms my dose is currently 175mcg levo.
Symptoms are bloating, dry skin, hard and small spots, puffy eyes, heavy and paiful periods, weight gain, hair blocking the plughole, tiredness, muscle spasms, throat pain and goitre. I have been getting episodes of vertigo and motion sickness when I go into brightly lit areas, almost as if my eyes and brain can't tolerate that much brightness all at once. Also finding it hard to tolerate my levo, it gives me an upset stomach and makes me feel sick. Are these all hypothyroid symptoms? Waiting on call from endo to discuss results. Thankyou
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Emily1982
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Can you add your most recent results including the ranges for TSH, FT4 and FT3
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.
Ask GP to test if not been done already
Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
Lots of your symptoms sound like low vitamins
Muscle spasms can be low magnesium
Vertigo low B12
Heavy periods lead to low ferritin
Bloating is likely gluten related
Endocrinologists are often completely unaware how badly gut is affected by Hashimoto's and low vitamins as result
Hashimoto's leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels hinder the way Thyroid hormone work
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.
Typical post where Low vitamins causing low TSH high FT4 and low FT3
Getting vitamins optimal and gut healed are essential
If, in few months time FT3 remains low then you may need addition of small dose of T3
Email Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialists
please email Dionne: tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor please email Dionne: tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Prof Toft - article just published now saying T3 is likely essential for many
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
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, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results
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