First Post

[Gillyanna22]

Hi, I've been diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism I started taking 50mg of levothyroxine 1 a day and 200mg ferrous sulphate 3 times a day.. This is my second night this week where I've been awake all night has anyone experienced lack of sleep? Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Gillyanna22]

I should've put latest blood results in my first post which was iron 17, b12 194 and folate 2.8 I normally sleep at least 10 straight hours the lack of sleeping is a new thing.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you add the ranges to these results (figures in brackets after each result) your B12 and folate look low, but need ranges to confirm

Do you have the thyroid test results - TSH, FT3 and FT4 plus have you been tested for high thyroid antibodies

Vitamin D test is also helpful.

[Gillyanna22 in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry for delay in replying.. I don't have the ranges I did receive another b12 result which came in at 164 lower then the first test the week before.. gp calling tomorrow so I'll try find out from phone appt what the ranges are if not the first available surgery appointment I get.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gillyanna22]

Assuming standard NHS B12 test, then typical range is 210-750 approx

Anything under 500 needs watching, under 250 approx needs treating

B12 works with folate, so if folate is low close look at B12 too (yours looks low, but impossible to be certain without ranges)

Active B12 test not available on NHS apart from via St Thomas in London. Active B12 range is approximately 25-165

Low B12 and folate are common side affect of hypothyroidism. But GP will/should run testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting supplements (B12 injections)

Suggest you post on PAS healthunlocked too once you have ranges. They are B12 experts.

Low vitamin D is also extremely common and is possible cause of insomnia so ask GP to test if not been done

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

[Gillyanna22 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank I will write down what I need to ask gp as I tend to forget.. I had another result for intrinsic factor which receptionist said was fine!! I attended endocrinology clinic at end of Feb still waiting for ultrasound I did ask gp if they had received info from hospital and she said he'd requested a biopsy I assumed they carried out scan before biopsy?

Thank you for replying again I really appreciate it I'm so tired waiting to hear blood results, scan appts and gp to call... I will ask for print out of results rather than over the phone tomorrow.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gillyanna22]

I think the intrinsic factor test is the test for Pernicious Anaemia.

[Gillyanna22 in reply to SlowDragon]

So if the result is fine would that mean I don't have pa? I have no idea sorry that was a question I was asking gp tomorrow as receptionist said she couldn't discuss only that it was fine.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gillyanna22]

You can have low B12 due to PA, or low B12 due to other reasons, eg hypothyroid especially with Hashimoto's , coeliac, gluten intolerance, low stomach acid

Result is the same, you need B12 injections. But if have PA its injections for life.

If just low B12 you may eventually not need regular injections once hypothyroidism is under control and correctly medicated

Just noticed you say you have been diagnosed as autoimmune thyroid disease. This is Hashimoto's.

So presumably already had thyroid antibodies tested and results have come back high

Ask GP to do blood test for coeliac disease

Hashimoto's affects the gut and often 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)

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

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...

[Gillyanna22 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have received more information from you than in all my gp appointments thank you for opening my eyes and helping me understand what has been a very confusing time recently. I very much appreciate your replies thank you again.

[Gillyanna22]

Quick update increased levothyroxine from 50 to 75 in same week gp asks I stop b12 so they can check in four weeks if my body is going OK.. Feet cramps Omg went to pharmacist she advised I drop levothyroxine to 50 and see gp can't get an appointment with gp all appointments booked to phone Monday morning...had anyone had feet cramping due to levothyroxine? Thank you in advance x