Hi new to this. I think I have anxiety/depression. I was diagnosed hypothyroid 2008 and had vague symptoms 4 years prior to this. I feel low, aches in joints, jumpy around people, feeling on edge, tired and wired. I take 100mcg Levo
Dec 17
TSH 4.80 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 14.7 (12 - 22)
FT3 3.4 (3.1 - 6.8)
TPO antibody 405 (<34)
TG antibody 326.5 (<115)
Thanks in advance for support into understanding my odd symptoms
Welcome to our forum Zoe662
First of all your TSH is too high and the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower. Not - as most doctors seem to be told - to stop increasing dose when the TSH is somewhere in the range.
You have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease, also called Hashimoto's as you have thyroid antibodies present in your blood although they are not too high. These can be reduced by going gluten-free.
Both your FT4 and FT3 are too low and should be nearer the top of the ranges.
Request an increase in dose and tell him/her the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower. He/she may tell you that a low TSH will cause osteo or heart disease but this isn't true.
You should have an increase of 25mcg plus another test in six weeks with another increase and so on until TSH is around 1 and FT4 and FT3 are nearer the upper part of the range but, most of all, your symptoms are resolved.
Thanks
I increased from 25mcg about a week ago
The 25mcg has to convert to T3 before you find a benefit and it does take a little while to do so. T4 is inactive and has to convert to T3, so that's why a test every six weeks with increases until you symptoms resolve and that's usually when TSH is around 1.
Ok thanks on 175mcg levo I was not converting T4 to T3 at all, TSH 1.22 (0.2 - 4.2) FT4 19.4 (12 - 22) FT3 3.7 (3.1 - 6.8) maybe get some T3 and add it in
I think that would be wise. T4 is inactive and should convert to T3 which is the only Active Thyroid Hormone. T3 is needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells. If you are in the UK you could ask your GP if he will prescribe T3 but I think there is a blanket ban on it although some Endocrinologists may do so especially as you aren't convertig.
If you want to source your own T3, put up another post and ask for a Private Message to be sent to you. Your post will then be closed for comments on the forum but youwill receive private messages.
These are two links which may also be helpful:
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
All blood tests for thyroid hormones should be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours from your last dose and the test nd take it afterwards.
Just wondering if my Hashimotos is in late stages since my TPO antibodies were 1300 (<34) and TG antibodies 289.3 (<115) 2 years ago?
Antibodies fluctuate all the time, so that doesn't mean very much. You would have to have an ultrasound to know, more or less, at what stage of destruction you were. 
Is going gluten free easy to do as well? I do not cook so will find this hard
I found it surprisingly easy! Most staple foods have a decent gluten free alternative you can swap out, GF pasta is fab. The only thing I dont enjoy is GF bread... so i have just cut bread from my diet. Easily replaced with GF wraps or lettuce wraps! I have noticed a huge difference since going GF and it's only been a few weeks for me. My mood was a huge struggle of mine and now I feel more in control of my thoughts and do not have such a dark cloud of depression like I used to feel almost everyday. I'm not anywhere near as well as i want to be but progress is hope. Gluten free was hope for me. 🌻
Kpoll97, that's so reassuring, thanks. I discovered I had Hashi's a couple if weeks ago, and I was planning on going gluten free immediately after our upcoming holiday in Greece.
I'm so glad! It can feel really daunting to begin with as it feels like it will be so restrictive but it's actually not too bad! The key is in preparation for me, making sure you never run out of gluten free options in your fridge and cupboard😊
I'm 62, so I've decided to stop working and concentrate on battling my hypo. That means I'll have plenty of time to focus on keeping my cupboards full of GF options and creating tasty GF meals. As I said to Marz, at least wine is GF! In a strangely masochistic way I think I'm actually looking forward to this journey (provided it produces results, of course!!).
I live in Greece and being Gluten Free here is so easy. The Starters Menu is always full of various salads - fava - horta - stuffed vine leaves - avocados are in season too ! So many choices - who needs bread ? They use cornflour in cooking for thickening - and for some that is a no-no - but most are OK.
I'm really ignorant about GF at the moment. Basically I'm looking to totally avoid flour/wheat-based items, yes? My research so far has only gone as far as confirming that wine is GF, and I can easily buy GF-beer here in the UK!! So when you mention cornflour in Greek sauces, does that imply that cornflour is GF, or is it NOT GF but it doesn't matter too much?? I thought you had to be 101% gluten free otherwise it wouldn't work? My comments may imply that I'm not taking this seriously - but I think what they are doing is covering up my fear of starting GF, or a fear of starting and finding that it's not the answer to my symptoms.
Some people are not full blown coeliacs - so they can tolerate corn. Sweet corn is a no-no for me and generally do not use cornflour. Greeks do not thicken sauces - olive oil combined with lemon juice naturally thickens things - and healthier too
There is nothing to fear - you will be more organised with shopping and cooking and if it doesn't grow then don't eat it ! - An Ayurvedic mantra I picked up in India.
Many thanks. I'm due to see my GP next week and, amongst other hypo-related things, intend to request a coeliac test (if such a thing exists).
Yes there is a test - but sadly it can produce false negatives. More detailed testing is Private through Cyrex labs - they have a website. Why not just go GF and see what happens ....
Have you tried M&S GF brown seeded loaf? Great texture, none of that dissolving cake like texture. 11.9 g of fibre per 100g. It's not cheap but it's the best one I've tried. I only eat about 4 slices a week so keep it in the freezer.
I haven't yet - heard great things about m&s but it isn't local to me. It is on my list for next time i am in town for sure! The genius range just doesn't work for me at all!!
I agree about the genius bread. It sticks to your mouth, tastes stale and hard to swallow. Bearable as toast, that's all.
My nearest M&S is a 68 mile round trip 
I live in the middle of nowhere on the Powys/Shropshire border. I usually get 4 loaves at a time, but it obviously sells well as sometimes there's only one loaf left. Definitely give it a try!
M&S brown seeded is my favourite too. Makes great toast (in a separate GF toaster)
They also do Brown seeded "thins" makes great sandwich
I saw those sandwich thins yesterday Slow dragon, they do look nice and lots of seeds on top too. But then I saw the GF scones and I was so tempted, but resisted!
A few weeks ago they had a new oaty bread. It was even more delicious, but not seen it since
Lots of their other "normal" products are GF too. Even lemon chicken with Parmesan "breadcrumbs" (made from rice flour)
I haven't seen that but I was in a tiny M&S Food, maybe their bigger stores would have it. I did notice gluten free naans though, haven't seen those before. I hope they continue to expand the range of gluten free products. I don't buy much, just bread and I used to buy gluten free porridge, but sometimes you just want a treat! Thanks for the heads up on the lemon chicken with parmesan, it sounds delicious.
And delicious Hot X buns too
Also have had constipation for about 10 years? Is this hypo related?
Yes.Have a look at Thyroid UK website for information on symptoms,testing and treatment.
I am having thyroid treated
Thanks
The following is a list of clinical symptoms and usually constipation can be caused because everything has slowed down in our body and we may not be on an optimum dose if doctor is happy with a TSH above 1. TSH should be around 1 and Free T4 and Free T3 should be in the upper part of the range.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
sarahwilson.com/2014/06/how...
If we are on a dose of thyroid hormones which make us feel well we should have no clinical symptoms
So do I stop my Levo? Now looking at possible mental health route
Thanks
Why on earth would you stop your levo? With a TSH over 4, you need an increase, not stopping it. As I said, depression and anxiety are symptoms, not diseases, and they can be symptoms of hypo.
I was told to look at Thyroid UK website for hypothyroid information and diagnosis and treatment. I am confused
He told you that so that you can learn about and understand your disease. You have to learn about it, or you will have your doctors leading you up the garden path, fobbing you off with antidepressants, and not giving you enough levo. And, that's what they're already trying to do! You must know about symptoms, and alternative treatments so that you can guide your doctors and make your own décisions. You just cannot trust then and leave it all up to them or they will keep you sick.
You are not the only one - most doctors seem pretty confused where hypothyroidism is concerned! Just try and take in what you can about the disorder - I couldn’t even read when I was still undermedicated and found everything hard going. Little by little I learned on here about my hypothyroidism and what steps to take to feel as well as possible. I am still learning and the more I know, the more I realise I don’t know! I hope you get your meds optimised so you feel right again.
What tests do I need for hypothyroid diagnosis if I am on Levo and officially diagnosed?
If you already have a diagnosis of hypo, why would you want another one? It doesn't go away. Once hypo, always hypo. Hypo is for life.
Have the following been tested - B12 - FOLATE - FERRITIN - VIT D ?? If low your Thyroid medication will not work well and you will have a low mood.
How do you take your T4 medication ? - away from foods ? Are you on any other medications ?
I take Levo 2 hours away from food no other medications thanks. I supplement vits but need help with levels I think. I think I need to be taking iron and folate, I take 800iu D3 and B12 injections. Is Dec 2017 recent enough for these to post?
Hi. Haven’t read right through but another important thing is to ensure gut is healthy and not porous ( leaky gut).
....know it’s all quite mind boggling but comes together, and also if gut is porous you leak nutrients 🦋
Ashwagandha is good for helping with your mood, takes longer to work than persription meds but has had loads of trails some which include the use for patients with thyroid disease and the results came back in favour of this herb.
Hi Zoe662. Just wanted to reiterate some of this advice for you so that you know you are not alone. Confusion and poor memory are symptoms of being Hypo and when your thyroid is more stable, they will improve, THEY REALLY WILL, SO LOK FORWARD WITH HOPE 🙂, but in the meantime it can really hit your confidence and chip away at your self esteem and your trust in yourself. IT WILL IMPROVE. . I was told I was depressed and I was but it was the Hypothyroidism causing it and antidepressants don’t do anything about that. Through this forum, I am learning about the condition I have suffered for over thirty years and for the first time, I have heard about the effects of gluten and have now been gluten free for two weeks. I do feel sort of livelier and I don’t know if I am imagining it but my joints don’t seem to hurt as much, but it’s early days. This is something you can try now and not wait thirty years like me😄. I will follow your progress Zoe 662. I am excited to witness you improvement. Best wishes to you. xx
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