Hi I am new and I was diagnosed hypothyroid in 2011. I take 100mcg levothyroxine and I have had some problems which I can't put down to just my low thyroid. I am 30 years old, female. Here is a list of my symptoms -
Bone tenderness and pain in shin bone - I cracked my tibia bone in a fall 12 years ago. The bone has hardly improved, it still feels ridged, it is tender and I get pains in it.
Eyelashes falling out - I had 4 eyelashes fall out this morning.
Tiredness
Pins and needles in arms and toes
Immediately feeling cold when going outside
Gaining weight around my middle and hips very easily.
Loss of appetite
Blood sugar crashes, going to sleep after eating and waking up shaky.
Rib pain
Wrist and hip pain
Heavy periods
Not opening my bowels every day.
Feeling sick to my stomach.
Gritty eyes
Flaky and splitting nails
Muscle spasms, muscles feeling paralysed
Lack of concentration/memory
Advice would be appreciated for my upcoming appointment on Tuesday as to the cause of my symptoms, thank you.
December 2017 (100mcg)
TSH 4.89 (0.2 - 4.2)
FREE T4 14.8 (12 - 22)
FREE T3 3.4 (3.1 - 6.8)
October 2017 (175mcg)
TSH 0.03 (0.2 - 4.2)
FREE T4 21.3 (12 - 22)
FREE T3 4.6 (3.1 - 6.8)
Written by
Vix224
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Do you know if you have high thyroid antibodies? If high this is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's so it's pretty likely. Particularly as your results are hopping up and down
If not ever had thyroid antibodies tested, ask GP to do so
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.
Extremely common to be far too low
Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
Your December results show you need 25mcg dose increase
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
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
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
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.
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
Typical post with Low vitamins due to under medication
Have you had your vital minerals tested? B12/folate iron/ferritin & Vitamin D for starters.
I had bone pain when low vitamin D, esp shin & ribs. Pins n needles/shakiness/spasms can be low B12, heavy periods low iron etc. they all need to be optimal for Levo to work correctly.
[Edit - I see your results are low & hope your GP has prescribed adequate supplements]
8000iu is a good amount, your Vit D levels aren't that low, my bone pain worsened to start with & I felt better when levels reached around 100.
(It is recommended to supplement K2 & magnesium with Vit D)
Higher levels of B12 will help ease pain too, although you should rule out pernicious anaemia before supplementing really (see information from the PAS site here on HU healthunlocked.com/pasoc)
Once vitamin levels are optimal, several months strictly gluten free and Levo dose high enough to bring TSH down to around one and FT4 towards top of range, if FT3 still remains low, then you may need, like many of us with Hashimoto's, the addition of small dose of T3.
But essential to do other steps first
Prof Toft - article just published now saying T3 is likely essential for many
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