Feeling worse since taking Levothyroxine, recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism

[hayonwye]

Hi, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 7 weeks ago, after visiting my GP to discuss what I assumed were menopause symptoms, minor tiredness, occasional constipation (which I thought was down to gallbladder removal Dec 17) and only 2 periods in 12 months, apart from those symptoms felt fine. I had the blood tests and my Gp started me on 50mg of Levothyroxine, my TSH level was 80, T4 was normal. After 5 days of taking the medication I became so fatigued, I could barely function and felt very unwell. Gp did more blood tests 2 weeks later, TSH reduced to 23, no idea about T3/T4? Antibodies 1000+ slightly under on vit D. I was then told to take 25mg of Levo and vit D, since then, I have lump in throat when swallowing, sore throat (throat looks very red) and lots of hair loss. I have appointment with endo in 1 month time. I'm really worried my thyroid may have to be removed, I really can't face another operation, after having gallbladder removed 7 months ago. Please can someone help x

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

hayonwye

Do you have your actual results with reference ranges that you can post, gives us a better picture so we can comment more accurately as ranges vary from lab to lab.

From what you have told us

Antibodies 1000+

Your raised antibodies mean that you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. The antibody attacks cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results.

Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies. So besides testing Vit D, you need B12, Folate and Ferritin tested.

slightly under on vit D

What was the result?

I was then told to take 25mg of Levo and vit D

Can you clarify what this means. You said earlier in your post that you were taking 50mcg Levo (it's mcg - micrograms of Levo, not mg - milligrams).

How much Vit D (D3 supplement) are you taking?

D3 has important cofactors that are needed - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7 - but unfortunately doctors aren't taught nutrition so don't know this.

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need Magnesium so that the body utilises D3, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too.

Can you also say which brand of Levo you are taking - there are a few brands in the UK - Teva, Actavis (Almus and Northstar are also Actavis but rebranded for different pharmacies), Wockhardt. Some people don't get on with a certain brand but find they do well on another. One in particular is known to cause side effects for many members here.

[hayonwye in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much for your reply. I don't have any other results, it was hard to get the exact information from Gp. I was taking 50 mcg (mercury pharma) then 25mcg (mercury pharma) I had a sore throat for a few days and soothed it with throat sweets and it went away. The current Levo I am taking is a different brand (wockhardt) since your kind response, it's made me realise the lump in the throat has appeared since taking these, I've had 10 of these to date, lump in throat from day 3, could it be a coincidence? Incidentally the lump feels a bit better in the morning, upon waking. It can feel awful, choking feeling, feels like you need to keep swallowing. With regards to vitamin D no exact figs, receptionist from doctors phoned to say to get some vitamin D, currently taking a mix of vit D and calcium two times a day after lunch and dinner.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to hayonwye]

hayonwye

I'm guessing you're in the UK.

First thing to do is pop along to your surgery (or phone in advance) and say you want a print out of your results. We are legally entitled to our results under the Data Protection Act, if they refuse they are breaking the law so you might want to remind them of that if that is the case.

Don't accept verbal or hand written results, mistakes can be made, it needs to be a print out with the reference ranges (often in brackets, usually at the side of the result).

With regards to vitamin D no exact figs, receptionist from doctors phoned to say to get some vitamin D

That is utterly ridiculous and you might want to mention that to the receptionist. How on earth can you know how much to take if you don't know what your level is. When you get your result, post it and I will tell you how much you need.

Taking calcium unless tested and known to be deficient is not a good idea. So if you've not been tested I wouldn't take your combined Vit D/calcium supplement. As mentioned above, taking D3 increases absorption of calcium from food anyway, and taking a calcium supplement as well may very well take your calcium level too high.

The lump in your throat may be due to the Hashi's. But it's always best to stick to one brand of Levo, if you know you do well on it.