Thyroid problems: Hi, My name is Lynn and I am... - Thyroid UK

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Thyroid problems

lynnbibb profile image
6 Replies

Hi, My name is Lynn and I am new to the health unlocked thyroid site.

I was diagnosed with problems (underactive) with my thyroid in my 30's, so have been on Thyroxine for almost 30 years. I have been on 125mcg now for many years, which has been ok(ish), but have suffered from joint pain and weakness most of this time.

I recently visited the Doctors as I have felt tired, nails breaking etc and just not right , where they said blood tests were showing I was on the low side again. They have increased me to 150mcg almost 2 weeks ago, and instead of feeling better I feel hormonal, have gained 4lbs in weight (despite sticking to Slimming World) and generally run down.

Has anyone else had this or is it just me?

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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Do you know what last blood test results and ranges were?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after dose increase

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, 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. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get antibodies tested at least once.

lynnbibb profile image
lynnbibb in reply toSlowDragon

Thankyou So much for the information. I have never been offered test results, just told I am either ok, or my thyroid is low, so not sure if I have had all appropriate tests done.

My last test was done after I'd taken thyroxine and had breakfast as nobody has mentioned fasting before, and I don't think I have been tested for vitamin deficiency before so quite an eye opener.

Thankyou for your help.

Aurealis profile image
Aurealis

There may be something else going on or the increase in dose may be too big. But also it is possible to be extremely sensitiv3 to dose 8ncreases if you’ve been undertreated for quite a while. Hang on in there and see what happens. Good luck

lynnbibb profile image
lynnbibb in reply toAurealis

Thankyou Aurealis. I will try and hang on for a while longer in case the dose is taking time to settle.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54

I seem to react horribly to every dose increase and I'm only on small amounts at the moment. It's just taken me 4 weeks to get up to 75mcg a day! I had to do 3 weeks of 50/75 on alternate days. And then I've had 1 week on 75. I've been feeling horrible. PMS, exhausted, zero stamina etc. BUT I think I'm starting to feel a tiny bit better this week. So I think you need to wait. Your body has been used to one dose for many years. You could try dropping back to your old dose one day and the new dose the next day for a couple of weeks before moving up fully as I have had to do.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54

I would also add that as you have never been given your test results and your GP is doing the barest minimum to help you, I would bite the bullet and in 6 weeks time (after your new dose is settled) I'd get privately tested for the full works as mentioned above. It will be an eye opener probably and give you a good baseline to work from.

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