Introducing myself

[PaulH1986]

Hi all,

I was told yesterday I have hypothyroid, I have little to know real understanding but a basic idea like a nagging wife the pituity gland asking about a lightbulb being changed over and over and im the thyroid glad just popping my headphones in and ignoring her... lol...

Anyways the numbers I had been given yesterday not sure how to interpret them but my TSH on monday was 126? (If thats how its supposed to be presented?) Wedbesday it had raised to in excess of 150 which had been described to me as very high... My testosterone levels had dropped massively to 7.0 which is very low, along with estrogen levels... however you would never have thought that seeing me in the gym the night before i was in beast mode!!! I have now been advised im to take 3 - 4 weeks off to allow the meds to settle into my body as my consultant is concerned with such elevated levels I could risk further complications mainly concerning my heart...?

Any advice or back ground info on this illness, would be great... Once I have allowed the meds to work into the body and thyroid is settled and sorted can I go ham again in the gym or are my heavy lifting days over?

Are my body building days over?

It is quite literally my source of happiness I dont want to sit around and pack on the pounds...

Once my levels are sorted will my other hormone levels start to settle to?

How can this happen and I didnt even know this was happening?

I have so many questions probably best put into another post really but any advice would be great...

Thanks in advance.

Paul

[Treepie]

First I suggest that you read up about your illness on the Thyroid UK web site. Yes that is a high TSH.You should have further blood tests every 6-8 weeks with more levo prescribed required.You want to get TSH to around 1.

It is also important to know Free T4 ,FreeT3,antibodies,ferritin,folate,B12 and D 3. Often the NHS only tests TSH so many on. the forum use pricate testing.

I think you will have to reduce your exercise but others will know more.

[PaulH1986 in reply to Treepie]

Ok I will ask my doc to test for these on the next bloods... As currently according to my next bloods form they have requested the following...

Repeat TFT's???

TSH, FSH, LH, TESTOSTERONE, OESTRADIOL....

Thank you for getting back to me and do you have a link or can you point me in the right direction to read up about this illness.

[Treepie in reply to PaulH1986]

Just google " Thyroid UK",there is alot of information . TSH is produced by the pituitary and instructs the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones mainly T4 and T3 .Your thyroid is not producing much so the pituitary goes into overdrive hence the very high TSH. Most of the T4 is converted to T3 which is an active hormone that every cell needs.

[Marz in reply to PaulH1986]

The NHS rarely test for T3 and T4 has not been requested. So only part of the story will be revealed. Also Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg should be tested to rule out Hashimotos.

thyroiduk.org

The above link takes you to the main website of this Forum. Scroll down through the menu and click - About Testing - where you will find the Private Testing Companies - Blue Horizon and Medichecks.

Testing and dose adjustments should be every 6 weeks - or sooner if you are unwell.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you been on any other medications before this was picked up?

Or recently stopped smoking?

Or increased your gym and exercise excessively recently?

[PaulH1986 in reply to SlowDragon]

Q1 - Not recently, I did have Chemotherapy 11yrs ago for testicular cancer and I do take supps for the gym stuff, pre work out, Nitric oxide and a natty supplement called anvarol by crazy bulk ( which in all honesty is where i think my issue lies)

Q2 - I quit smoking over 3.5yrs ago, never looked back...

Q3 - I have increased my gym routine from 4 or 5 to 6 days, hitting all body parts twice a week to encourage growth as I seemed to be lacking from just once a week and have seen great progression in recent weeks from this routine...

[bantam12 in reply to PaulH1986]

Looks like you need to stop the Anvarol as it can effect test results including thyroid function possibly given false results.

[PaulH1986 in reply to bantam12]

I stopped it immediately, should I try to get my bloods taken again before I continue to take these meds for too long?

My next blood test is 11th May, should I push for sooner than that?

[JennaShi in reply to PaulH1986]

It might be good to do so incase it messed with your last results. Did you tell them/ or did they ask if you were taking anything?

[PaulH1986 in reply to JennaShi]

They asked and I told them exactly what ive been using supps wise... which is why i have stopped based on their advice...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PaulH1986]

Also get your B12 and folate tested

There's info on the net that nitric oxide can affect B12

b12deficiency.info/b12-the-...

Not to be confused with Nitrous oxide, which definitely does affects B12 in a big way

[PaulH1986 in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok will do thank you. 👍

[bantam12 in reply to PaulH1986]

I suggest you talk to your Consultant or GP about this, see what they want to do about a new blood test. Hopefully if the supplements are the culprit the damage is reversible.

[PaulH1986 in reply to bantam12]

Im going to give them a call and see what they say...

[blueabyss in reply to PaulH1986]

Hi Are you on any replacement hormone therapy?

Also Anvarol supplement you were talking about does not sound harsh, not nothing like if you taking any serious like real gear orals or injectable that can be harsh on the system

I used to train but with inconsistent energy lately i cant do it just yet

[PaulH1986 in reply to blueabyss]

Im not on any hormone replacement and not sure if this levothyroxine is a supplement, medication or HRT...?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PaulH1986]

It's hormone replacement

[PaulH1986 in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok. Thank you.

My doctor actually called me this evening to check in on me as this is day 2 of taking the medication...

I have discussed the various bloods suggestions and asked her about if she thinks the supps had an effect, I have been told not to take the supps anymore but with the levels i had displayed recently this is most defo hypothyroid disease, I guess just gotta live with it now...

My main concern being my fitness I asked if i would be ok to continue attending the gym, she said if i feel well enough i can go from monday, I honestly never noticed any lathargy, confusion or any symptoms thats why this has come as such a surprise!!

[blueabyss in reply to SlowDragon]

What is Anvarol? Or the thyroid meds lol

[Morgansare]

Welcome!! I am 5 months in, had to have 3 months off work due to extreme symptoms of fatigue and muscle pain, I'm finally going to see the inside of a gym next weds, I'm excited as like you I did wonder if I would ever be able to get back to it! There is loads of information out there and so many knowledgeble people on this site it's awesome. I have simple advise, learn all you can manage and stay positive, you will find your balance again, and when you feel like crap, post here, everyone is so helpful in trying to help you find the reason!! Good luck xx

[PaulH1986 in reply to Morgansare]

Thank you so much...

I have learnt so much already based on the info I have and what I have been advised so far. Really appreciate the message. 👌

[shaws]

Your TSH is exceptionally high. Mine was 100 and I don't want that again.

You should take levothyroxine when you get up with one full glass of water and wait one hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of the hormones.

If you prefer you can take the dose at bedtime as long as you've last eaten about 3 hours before.

You should allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levothyroxine and the test and take it afterwards. This helps keep the TSH at its highest as it drops throughout the day but most doctors reduce our dose according to the TSH which doesn't help us.

The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower (not in range as some doctors think). The Free T4 and Free T3 which are rarely tested should be in the upper part of the range. T4 is an inactive hormone and has to convert to T3. T3 is the only Active Thyroid Hormone and is required in our millions of T3 receptor cells.

Ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as everything has to be optimal.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges. Ranges are important as labs differ and it makes it easier to comment.

You have a blood test every six weeks with a 25mcg increase in levo until your TSH is 1 or lower. Not 'somewhere' in the range - which is up to 5 - and some doctors don't know very much and believe if TSH is 1 or lower we may have a heart attack. Untrue unless you are very frail with a heart disease..

(I am not medically qualified).

[PaulH1986 in reply to shaws]

Brilliant thank you for the info I will look into this... 👍 and request in future print outs of my bloods...

[Navaz]

Try cbd(canabis) if you can get it. I think it will sort you out.

[PaulH1986 in reply to Navaz]

That is a lifestyle long since passed Navaz, never again will I go anywhere near cannabis or its oils... lets say i was a silly kid influenced by people who didnt really care about me as a friend at all...

Thanks for the suggestion though. 👍

[Navaz in reply to PaulH1986]

Just because you went silly doesn't mean that it's no good for you now that you're mature. I have been using cbd for over two weeks now and have seen the effects on my thyroid. I generally struggle with cold fingers and toes and tiredness. I have cholesterol too. I am hoping to see my next blood test showing positive results as I am no longer feeling cold. There is no doubt in my mind that cbd works. Please look at the research. We are not talking psychoactive with cbd. It's sativa, not Mariana.

[PaulH1986 in reply to Navaz]

I will do some research, but id rather refrain from being anywhere near cbd oils...

I was an addict to marijuana, I lost myself in that time, its taken me all this time to find myself again...

[shaws in reply to PaulH1986]

I think it is the priority to get your thyroid hormones optimal before anything else

[blueabyss in reply to Navaz]

Lol

[PaulH1986]

I guess next question is, can i still cut body fat % and weight or atleast maintain my current weight bit cut BF with this hypothyroid disease?

[DeeD123 in reply to PaulH1986]

I did and never had a problem until 10yrs in and a bad gp. Get printouts so you can see where you feel good. In range means nothing it’s where you feel well in that range not where the gp tells you your ok is where you want to be. Good luck

[PaulH1986 in reply to DeeD123]

Thank you...

I felt great when TSH was taken monday at 126... lol... I felt great wednesday when TSH was +150...

I had no idea this was even a thing that could or would affect me...

Are there any little things I should be looking out for?

I guess I just need to monitor how I feel over the next few weeks give the meds a chance to set their course and how I feel now may seem normal but actually isnt "normal" if that makes sense...?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PaulH1986]

I would get another blood test done through different lab.

So if this was done via NHS, get a private test done

diogenes has replied on similar point recently

If your TSH is 150 and you feel fine.....there's something suspicious there. Is the test result valid

[PaulH1986 in reply to SlowDragon]

The call i received tonight said that the blood tests i had at around 2.30-3pm on wednesday TSH was 127, the really high +150 was taken at around 11am...

I will look into the private tests, I'm not trying to convince myself I dont have any issues bit as you agree it does seem strange...

However also as said below, Im not sure how long this problem has been festering, I may be feeling crappy and ill but im used to feeling like it and on the better days makes me feel great so to speak... I dont know!

Coming across this was purely by chance...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PaulH1986]

Mind you, men seem to react very differently when hypo or with Hashimoto's, than women.

Male endocrine system is very different to females.

[PaulH1986 in reply to SlowDragon]

Are there many males on here?

That could be my first proper post after "introducing myself" maybe...

🤔🤔🤔

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PaulH1986]

Vast majority of thyroid patients are female

everydayhealth.com/thyroid-...

[Lisas_tired in reply to PaulH1986]

I can’t actually believe your feeling on top of the world lol! What made them test your thyroid in the 1st place? I found it pretty hard cutting towards the end & everyone suggest L-carnatine... stay away from this, it’s not good for the thyroid. Knowledge is power!! Go read everything you can & hopefully you will stay feeling great! I’ve had it 10years & it rarely comes on its own sadly. I’ve had to drop my daily (sometimes twice) to next to nothing at the minute & like you, it’s my life!!!! Hopefully it’s just a phase but listen to your body:)) Good luck!!!💪🏻

[PaulH1986 in reply to Lisas_tired]

How I feel at the moment is all I know, you must bear that in mind, I may be feelinng weak n crappy, but ive adjusted to feeling like this and interpret it as feeling good, if that makes sense? I dont know how long this has been affecting me...

They tested for thyroid because I went to the doc about suspected true gynecomastia just a little mind you but enough i noticed it, turns out its pseudogynecomastia so if i can still burn sufficient fat and bring my Test and metabolism back up i could burn it off...

I have a past history of testicular cancer and a side effect of the chemotherapy is thyroid problems, a shame as only last year i was given 10yrs all clear, nothing picked up in any blood tests or anything then...

So found purely by chance, and kind of glad it was based on the levels apparently could have ended up in a coma...

[shaws in reply to PaulH1986]

Yes - a myxedema coma was common before they discovered it was due to the the thyroid gland. There was also no cure. Now there is, thankfully.

[Navaz in reply to PaulH1986]

Look at intermittent fasting and ketone fasting for healthy weight loss. I have lost 20lbs over 10 months. It's mostly about cutting carbs. Google it

[PaulH1986 in reply to Navaz]

Thank you. I will take a look at those, Ive tried intermittent fasting before but not the ketone diet...

Currently im 32yrs old

Height 6'0

Body weight 85.3kg (happy with this weight)

BF 22% (I have been aiming for alot lower I want between 12-16% ideally...)

[blueabyss in reply to Navaz]

Keto eating is very useful and effective and will return to that myself when i am feeling a bit better

[shaws in reply to PaulH1986]

Unexplained weight gain is a clinical symptom and as our dose increases which raises metabolism and weight reduces. I think you might have a few more symptoms:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[PaulH1986 in reply to shaws]

Thanks for that link, i actually have felt some if not most of those symptoms and just thought I was going through a rough patch maybe...

This thing wont beat me! I am too young and feisty for that!!!

I have to much to live for and far too much to lose Im only just at the beggining of my career! My life!!!

I am way stronger than this disease and I think thats proven by not even noticing I was ill at all!?

[shaws in reply to PaulH1986]

Thyroid Disease is one that creeps up on us without notice. We don't realise we are gradually developing an autoimmune disease.

It is finding a good doctor these days which is the difficult part. Many people do well on levothyroxine. Some do not and most are on this forum.

We used to be given an option of thyroid hormone replacements but now they've reduced it to one, which is levothyroxine. This contains the hormone T4. It is an inactive hormone and has to convert to T3. T3 is the only Active thyroid hormone and it is needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells.

If we weren't improving on levothyroxine (T4) (it takes time to work up to an optimum dose - and if you try to exercise before that you will deplete the T3).

It is our whole metabolism which is affected from head to toe and we used to get the opportunity of taking a combination of T4/T3 which research has shown is preferable for a lot of people. Some people cannot convert levothyroxine to sufficient T3 so they don't feel so well and used to get a prescription for T4 and T3. The cost in the UK for T3 (liothyronine) has risen exhorbitantly that they withdrew it a few months ago, leaving many patients distraught and having to source their own.

Just take your time and slowly work up your dose and you may be one of the lucky ones that levo works for you. The best way to judge if a hormone replacement is working for you is 'how you feel'. You should gradually begin to feel better and then really well and back to normal. You are aiming for a TSH of 1 or lower and I do hope the doctor wont stop increasing your dose when TSH is 'somewhere' in the range. Many do.

[PaulH1986 in reply to shaws]

If my TSH is "somewhere in the range" can i continue to gradually increase the meds myself until it works better for me? And will the doctors support me on that? Or will they just continue to prescribe me the set dosage that they want? Obviously you only get 28days at a time meds and cant really go over the prescribed amount otherwise you run out early....

Thing is aswell how will i know i feel better? When i feel fine as it is???

#confused

[shaws in reply to PaulH1986]

You are obviously a phenomenom in that you feel well at present with no clinical symptoms.

You will be restricted to a dose of levo according to what the doctor thinks is an optimum dose even if you don't feel 100%.

We have to raise dose of levothyroxine slowly. We are dealing with hormones and we cannot get to an optimum dose quickly. However your doctor, if TSH reaches around 4, tells you that you need no increase that will let you know that this doctor doesn't really know how best to treat patients who have hypothyroidism.

Some of our members have also not had a positive Private Consultations and were very disappointed - also when they were hoping that they would get better advice.

Doctors don't need to increase doses if they believe we're on sufficient despite the fact that the patient still complains. So they will give you a prescription for the 'symptom' instead of an increase in hormones.

Don't think too far ahead at present as your doctor may be o.k. and levo may suit you very well.

With the advice of the members - many of whom now source their own thyroid hormones - you will be able to find a solution if an optimum dose of levo doesn't work as it is supposed to do.

I am fortunate that I am now well but it was a slow journey and we are now restricted to levo alone in the UK. Before we had some options and could trial other than levo.

[PaulH1986 in reply to shaws]

Thank you so much for the in depth info, and advice...

Im fairly certain my docs will be ok, and tbh I will actually discuss levels with them the next time im in 11.05.18 for bloods, so will try catching my doc/consultant whilst there. 😁 maybe even tell them Id like to aim for a level of 1 or lower... 😉

[shaws in reply to PaulH1986]

Put up a new post after your consultation to let us know if he is agreable. I hope so. Will your blood test be at the earliest or when you have your appointment? Maybe you don't know yet.

[PaulH1986 in reply to shaws]

They just told me i need to go in on the 11th so i can get my new prescription and dosage change if required...

Im off to Cornwall that day aswell so I will be there at 9am when they open practically...

And of course I will start a new post 😁 I will also get the info from them to put up all my levels etc for advice...

Im going to go back to the gym tomorrow and start my training again, I cant sit around anymore thinking about this illness its just making me eat all the crap i can get my hands on with no consideration for diet or anything...

I need as much info as i can get or tips on where to look for decent diet, what to and what not to eat, which will/will not affect my levels etc etc... Before I found this out I was in a deficit, and cutting phase trying to get as lean as possible, im off to Florida on the 26th May, so I guess another question will this affect my travel or travel insurance?

[Navaz in reply to shaws]

Dear Shaw, I have been on synthetic synthroid for 61 years. It's a blessing but I have experianced the drawbacks. No synthetic will ever have the effect that natural hormones have and we have to work on whole foods diet, vitamin and herbal plants as well as excersize. a lot of people are stuck with work pressures, income shortages and no end of personal problems, we recognize that and so we all try to do our best. I have been lucky to be excersizing all these dynamics with the blessed support of my now dead wife from cancer and have come upon cbd as a final adjunct. It is finally working on one of my problems with hashimotos and that is coldness in my fingers and toes. Too early to tell you about anything yet. Two weeks only. But if you have seen the research on rats and mice, you will know that it's positive. We have endocanabenoid receptors in our thyroid, brain and throughout our body. cbd has been seen to work for both hyper and hypo as it can switch up and down thyroid output in rats and mice. Finally, there is absolutely no fear of psycho activity as the cbd nullifies that aspect of thc while still allowing for thc to dampen auto immune function against the gland. Also, it is a known fact that if you rely on synthetic meds only, your gland and ultimately, your body will fail in subtle ways. I will be getting a blood test in June or July, I think. It's free in Canada, England and Europe. I will inform you of progress, if it occurs. Sorry I was so long

[shaws in reply to Navaz]

Thank you for your information and I am sorry your wife died due to cancer and it puts immense worry on a family when one is so very unwell and we do feel helpless. That in itself would have caused immense worry for you and I hope you had a family which supported both you and wife during this period.

Many do well on NDT but in the UK they have withdrawn it and recently T3. Both these were essential for hypothyroid patients to feel well and back to 'normal health'. If people have money they can source these themselves but other have to suffer for years.

One of our Advisers (USA) stated that levothyroxine and blood tests came to prominence due to 'monetary' rewards given to doctors and endocrinologist when first being being introduced to only prescribe levothyroxine. Many members have sourced their own NDT and T3.

I have never heard or read about cbd so thanks for drawing my attention to it and I am glad your fingers/toes are improving. I don't need it, thankfully, but others might find a benefit but am not sure it would be prescribed by doctors in the UK.

[Navaz in reply to shaws]

No, it wouldn't be encouraged by doctors. We have to let our heads peep outside of the box and help ourselves.

[Navaz]

I am 67years old, so I have been on synthroid for 61years.synthetics are not perfect for the body but a blessing if you don't have a choice. The cbd will keep your gland from being destroyed by your immune system through the influence of synthroid. Synthroid also causes free calcium to float in your arteries and cause plaque build up. You need to take vitamin k2 to take care of this. Cbd should have no more than 0.2-0.3% thc(marijuana) in there. The cbd makes this thc inactive and only good for enhancing your health. It is useful for damping the auto immune system. It's the only way out from extreme pharmaceutical drugs.

[PaulH1986 in reply to Navaz]

Ok thank you for the heads up, I really appreciate the advice and will look into both the cbd and k2, but if i can i want to avoid cbd for the reason above. 😊