Advice re symptoms please

[Vicm78]

Hi

After a long road and seeing many GPs and an Endo who couldn't help, I have finally found a GP who thinks I have subclinical hypothyroidism and maybe some pituitary issues.

I was originally signed off work in Nov and I eventually resigned from my job due to symptoms such as exhaustion, panic attacks, dizziness, tinnitus. I never returned and have been at home ever since. On Monday I started a new job with less responsibilities. It's a lovely place to work (I worked there many years ago).

It's my day off today and all I can say is I feel dreadful - so jittery, tearful, tired, tinnitus has returned and tonight I have pain in my lower neck around my Adam's apple. I'm wondering - is it a result of returning to working? Would tiredness exacerbate symptoms? I was so enthusiastic about starting this job but I very quickly feel dreadful again.

It has been a particularly tricky week - starting new job, 4 year old son was sedated for dental treatment on Monday and husband is 40 tomorrow! I did insist on exercising on Monday night even though I was shattered which prob wasn't the best idea.

I'm having bloods done next week and GP said he will prescribe thyroxine once those results are back aling with well hormone tests he requested.

How do others manage their symptoms, exhaustion etc. Does battling through make you feel worse? I'm trying to improve at listening to what my body is telling me but I'm not always the best at it!

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks x

[Treepie]

When you get your blood results post them with the ranges for advice .Ideally you need TSH,FT4,FT3, antibodies,ferritin,folate,D3 B12.

[Vicm78]

Thank you! Yes GP is ordering all those plus more. Unfortunately can't get bloods done until next week then the only appointment this GP has is the 16th March which is really unfortunate but he is the only doctor who is taking me seriously so I need to wait for him!

I think going back to work has shown me just how valuable all that rest was while I was signed off sick. I was feeling really well. I thought I must be imagining it all but this has shown me I am most definitely not!

Thanks for the advice.

[waveylines]

I was exactly like you. Felt so much better when I rested lots but was exhausted very quickly at work. It would take me ages to recover each time. Am really glad you have found a GP who is taking you seriously.

I think you have to conserve your energy at the moment. You need it for work. So short cut everything else. Have the weekly shop delivered, get a cleaner in, someone to do your ironing etc.... Give up on the exercise for the mo -you are poorly. Your job is new so I know its difficult but it would be good if you are allowed to pace yourself, take little breaks.

And like others have said post your blood tests once they are back.

[Vicm78]

Thanks. I've got my own set of Medichecks results plus the ones the Endo has done which he has access to. As well as that he has ordered a full set of everything.

Thanks for your advice re rest etc. It's my last day of the week today. I find I'm a wreck going in to work then as the day goes on I get stuck in and feel okay then by the time I get home I'm struggling massively. Then I do push myself to exercise which I think is the problem. Going to stop that for a while.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

[Vicm78 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes thanks - they are all on the blood sheet to be tested

[LAHs]

Regarding resting and getting exhausted after starting the new job:

In general I am pretty fit (I have no thyroid - had a TT - and I take 1.5 grains of NDT daily) but I notice on the days that I ride my bike that afterwards my energy drops off precipitously. From this experience and from what I have read on this forum, I conclude that exercise - or working hard or for long hours - uses up your T3 which, in turn, will cause exhaustion. I first decided to boost my energy with supplemental T3 in the afternoon but this caused my blood pressure to soar - so I decided to just put up with exhaustion on the days I exercised. Now, having to work every day is a different problem, perhaps you could try increasing your thyroxine dose or spreading it out throughout the day so that your energy level is maintained rather than one big dose in the morning which then causes your T3 to decline throughout the day.