Sick of feeling tired and anxious!

[Casaclara]

I’m a 56 yr old post menopausal woman who has battled with an under active thyroid since being diagnosed around 5 years ago when I was diagnosed with TSH of 5.1. I have raised TPO antibodies only (33) other thyroid antibody is fine, so that means I have Hashimotos. I was on Levothyroxine for the first couple of years before seeing a private functional doctor and a GP when I complained of palpitations and anxiety. We carefully weaned myself off the small dose (50mg then 25mg) of Levo and bulked myself up with vitamins and nourishment for my adrenals and went gluten free and have managed to feel quite well until recently. I now feel, after going through a few quite stressful life changes recently ie moving country and husbands job ceasing, that ive got a few telltale symptoms back. Sore, husky throat if I exercise or rush around too much, feeling cold:shivery although that was only for a week or so and body temperature has now stabilised but I do feel very tired and depleted very often and my ability to handle stress is pretty much zero !!!! I had a recent blood test that showed my TSH is 4.75 and antibodies as above. I would like to organise a full thyroid blood test done , plus the usual vit D, B12 etc as last time I had it all done about a year ago in Hong Kong under a private Canadian thyroid expert - all levels were quite low but I have been supplementing so it’ll be beneficial to see where I’m at now. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Are you in the U.K.? If so, Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

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

It's rare with Hashimoto's to be able to stop taking replacement thyroid hormones. Vast majority need vitamin supplements, many need gluten and/or dairy free diet IN ADDITION to Levothyroxine

[Casaclara in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks very much for your advice. I’ll order all the tests as I’m now back in the UK, and I’ll take it from there. Claire

[Marz in reply to Casaclara]

If you have been supplementing B12 - remember your result will be skewed. 😊