Hi I am a 17 year old female. I have been getting pain in the front of my neck and my thyroid is sticking out a bit more than usual. Been getting more tired, constipated, left eye more puffy than usual, cold hands and feet, tingling around mouth. I take 175mcg levothyroxine and diagnosed when I was 14.
Thank you
Ji Kimiiko,
Can you post youor recent thyroid results and ranges and members will advise whether you are optimally dosed on 175mcg.
Low calcium can cause tingling around the mouth. If it persists asks your GP to do a calcium blood test.
TSH 4.70 (0.2 - 4.2)
Free T4 14.9 (12 - 22)
Free T3 3.8 (3.1 - 6.8)
Kimiiko,
You are undermedicated to have TSH over range on 175mcg. Ask your GP to increase dose.
The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.2 - 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_... Email dionne.fulcher@thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.
Request that GP tests your vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too
If vitamin D is too low, this can cause low calcium
Do you know if you have raised Thyroid antibodies? This gives diagnosis of cause as Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...
Full Thyroid tests should be TSH, FT4 and FT3
Thyroid peroxidase antibody 604 (<34)
Thyroglobulin antibody 357.3 (<115)
So your antibodies are high, this means cause is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. With Hashimoto's they are very often too low, especially if under medicated, as you are
Always get actual results and ranges.
Post results when you have them, members can advise
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)
you do not need to have any gut symptoms to still benefit from gluten free
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ask GP for coeliac blood test first and to test vitamins
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
Are you on any supplements? Been diagnosed with any vitamin deficiencies already?
Persistent low vitamins with supplements suggests coeliac disease or gluten intolerance
gluten.org/resources/health...
Typical low vitamins due to under medication and detailed supplements advice on how to improve
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