New to this condition

[Jelley93]

So here we go a bit of background about me. Im 25 from Leicester and have been diagnosed as having an under active thyroid. Last June I caught what i thought was a cold I still went work on the Friday but felt terrible, when I came back home I went straight to bed had really bad fatigue and slept well into Saturday. I was very ill I woke up and me and my bed were soaked in sweat. So I went down to the local NHS walk in Centre where I collapsed and was taken to A&E. I was discharged later on that night having had drips put into me. I thought like I say it was a really bad cold however it was just the start of the nightmare. I returned to work but things were not still right, I started having really bad anxiety to the point that it was just stupid. Not only that I developed an unbalanced feeling 24/7 like I had been drinking not vertigo room spin though. I was getting fed up depressed and just generally miserable. On august 14th I ended up in A&E once again after suffering a 12 hour panic attack. Again the Dr was saying everything looks OK on your results. However a following blood test revealed I had signs of past EBV infection which is glandular fever. Plus my blood test was showing my Thyroid wasn't right. So they just kept doing repeat bloods for the next four months. The DRs kept putting off thyroid medication. Until 22/12/2017 the DR finally said Im going to put you on thyroxine 50mcg. I had been suffering for 6 months but when I started taking it I felt a lot better. The dizziness unbalanced feeling went although came back a couple of months ago. Im now on 75mcg. Im still not right though I get tired a lot and also get waves of depression and anxiety. If anyone has any advice on how to be the best they can while suffering from this. Please let me know

[Treepie]

First read up on the Thyroid UK website about the illness.Get all your recent blood test results with the ranges shown in brackets and post for advice.You should be tested every 6-8 weeks and levo adjusted ad necessary.You also need to test D3,B12,folate and ferritin as deficiencies can affect the utility of the levothyroxine.Being in range " normal" is not good enough they need to be optimal for you.

[greygoose]

How long have you been on 75 mcg? When are you due your next test? Ideally, it should be about 6 weeks after starting the dose. If the doctor didn't give you a date to go back, just go when the six weeks is up.

The protocol is to start on 50 mcg and retest after six weeks, increase by 25 mcg and retest after another six weeks, and continue this process until all the symptoms are gone.

Did you get copies of your blood test results? Or do you have on-line access? In the UK the law says you are entitled to your results, and don't let any doctor tell you any different, they are your results, and you need to keep a record of them, noting each time what you are taking and how you are feeling.

Next time you go for a blood test, make sure it is early in the morning, and that you have fasted over-night. Leave a 24 hour gap between your last dose of levo and the blood draw. If you always do it the same way, you will better be able to compare the results.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT4 and FT3 plus vitamins

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, and if on T3 don't take in 12 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this 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

Glandular fever is known cause of Hashimoto's

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drhedberg.com/epstein-barr-...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

drchristianson.com/epstein-...

Are you on strictly gluten free diet? If not you may find it helps

If your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

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 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...

[Hidden]

Hi there. I have been taking thyroxine now for 13 years following thyroid cancer and removal of my thyroid gland. I can honestly say the symptoms you mention I had them all, apart from the dizziness, until my dosage was correct. Sorry to say this took almost 3 years. If you still don't feel right keep going back to your GP. I feel bad for you because I know exactly how frustrated you must feel and the fatigue is like nothing I can describe. Glad to say my meds are ok now although I do still have very tired days now and again. I hope your go soon has your meds dose level and you start feeling much better.

[Jelley93]

been on 75 mcg since march 24th.

[Jelley93]

I shall ask my gp for all the latest results and I will post them onto this thread. Thanks for all your responses already people appreciate it.

[Jelley93]

Sorry people I have been really busy with work. So ive not had a chance to do all of those tests yet.