Newbie

[janm3309]

Hi , my annual blood test gave yet again a border line low thyroid reading which my GP yet again dismissed as not needing treatment. When I mentioned this was now the 9th low reading, to my knowledge, they sat up and took notice. They haven't linked my gluten intolerance, and did a coeliac test which was a waste of time as I'd put myself on a gluten free diet 4 years earlier. Needless to say it came back negative. Im on 75mg thyroxin which initially lifted depression but hasn't helped hair loss and weight gain. Im now on Paleo diet to try and revitalise my energy. Am so tired. Now I've had a very painful flare up of my shoulder and a heavy chest feeling ( like panic attack), heat pads and ibuprofen were helpful and I wonder if this is a symptom of something else. I've just read you need to take thyroxin hours apart from multi cuts etc and get very little understanding from GO , I was sent to a dietician at the county hospital and they were no help at all, as I had self diagnosed she said to just carry on with GF diet. no advice at all . feel so alone in this so am glad to find this amazing group. Any suggestions as to my way forward? I read about Autoimmune Protocol. What is that please?

Am retired and gave little income so private doctors aren't really am option.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you add your actual results and members can advise

Sounds like you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease. Ever had thyroid antibodies tested?

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

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

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.

Worth every penny to get full tests done. Then come back here for advice on how to improve

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

Link about antibodies

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[janm3309 in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you so much, I have an appointment with my GP on Thursday so will ask for tests. they're not at all proactive and this seems beyond their knowledge....... I can see I will have to take a stand!

[janm3309 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi. I asked for a print out of my most recent blood test, Bback in Jan 2017 when I commenced with Levo reading was TSH 5.12, Serum free T4 17.7, Se Thyroid Peroxodase Ab conc 149 (no idea what that is) those are all the results they had on my records.

By Oct 2017 Serum TSH level was 3.09. Levo dose was 75mg

Today my Levo was increased to 100mg

[Clutter]

Janm3309,

If you post your recent thyroid results and ranges members will advise whether you are optimally dosed on 75mcg.

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.

[janm3309 in reply to Clutter]

thanks, will ask for a full test and will supply results asap.

[Danielj1 in reply to janm3309]

Have you researched magnesium supplements ?