Debilitating Fatigue

[Shaun_m]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been dealing with debilitating fatigue for the last 2 weeks. It’s the worst when I wake up. My body feels like lead and it’s so hard to do anything. I have to force myself to move.

I started taking 115mg of elemental magnesium malate about 4 days ago, one per day, and noticed an increase in energy and alertness. I still have the lead-like feeling though. Any thoughts?

I’m currently on 112mcg of Levothyroxine, a multivitamin, and fish oil.

[Clutter]

Shaun_m,

Did you try reducing dose as suggested in your post a month ago?

[Shaun_m in reply to Clutter]

I did try skipping one dose and I felt worse and couldn’t sleep. I then tried taking 2 half doses and I felt even worse than before. I could barely function at work the next day.

[Clutter in reply to Shaun_m]

Shaun_m,

FT3 was below range so perhaps you could try adding some T3 again.

Make sure you leave 4-6 hours between thyroid meds and magnesium.

[Shaun_m in reply to Clutter]

Ok. I really appreciate the input.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Why are you taking a multivitamin. They generally don't contain enough of anything to help, and often use the least absorbable form of ingredients. If it contains iron then nothing else can be absorbed as iron needs to be taken 2 hours away from thyroid meds.

You should take the vitamins and minerals that are shown to be needed after testing, ensure that you take any Cofactors needed, and that you time them appropriately where thyroid meds and other medication and supplements are concerned.

Take supplements 2 hours away from your thyroid meds, but Vit D, iron, magnesium and calcium must be taken 4 hours away. Absorption of thyroid meds will be affected otherwise.

For best absorption take your thyroid meds on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food and with water only.

[Shaun_m in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for the input. I’ve been toying with getting just a b-complex and adding anything else I may need with it too. It’s just been very confusing trying to decide the best route to take.

I currently take my Levothyroxine before bed which has worked best for me. I would then take the fish oil with breakfast and my multivitamin around 10am.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Shaun_m]

A good B Complex is a useful supplement for us hypos, but choose a decent brand (not high street or supermarket own brands) that contains methylcobalamin and not cyanocobalamin, and methylfolate not folic acid.

Also Vit C, at least 2000mg daily in divided doses, it helps support adrenals.

Anything else would need to be tested, eg Vit D, B12, Ferritin.

I would ditch the multivitamin.

[Shaun_m in reply to SeasideSusie]

Definitely will look into it.

In my last labs about 2 months ago, this is what was found:

Vitamin D: 40.5 (30-100)

B12: 1636 (232-1245)

Ferritin: 131 (30-400)

My b12 was so high since I was supplementing an additional b12 spray at the time. I haven’t been doing that since.

[Saya85 in reply to Shaun_m]

Hi! I would def start the b12 again... once taking supplements the results can be skewed and just because blood b12 is high doesn’t mean it’s being absorbed properly. B12 doesn’t stay in body very long.

You could try adding liver to your diet once a week.

Often thyroid patients have issues absorbing b12 anyway. It would certainly explain your fatigue. And a good B complex.

Remember you need good folate levels to utilise the b12.

Your vitamin d still seems on the low side so worth supplementing especially during the winter months.

Good luck

[Shaun_m in reply to Saya85]

Thank you! I really appreciate the input.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Shaun_m]

If your Vit D is measured in NG/ML it's just about OK as the Vit D Council recommends 40-60. If it's measured in NMOL/L then it needs to be 100-150.

Ferritin is OK although I've seen it said half way through range is better. Eating liver every week or two will help raise and maintain your level.

[Shaun_m in reply to SeasideSusie]

I checked and it was measured in ng/mL.

Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

If not had antibodies tested ask that they are

[Shaun_m in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m not sure if I do. I’m currently hypo with Graves’ disease.

Is this what you are referring to?

Thyroglobulin Antibody: 22.6 (0.0-0.9)

I have lots of other results I can post if that’s not it. If this isn’t it, what could it be named as?

Thank you for your input.