Hypo but getting hyper symptoms : Hi ๐Ÿ˜Œ I have... - Thyroid UK

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Hypo but getting hyper symptoms

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38
โ€ข35 Replies

Hi ๐Ÿ˜Œ I have been a member of this forum for awhile only now I have plucked up the courage to post, I was diagnosed in sept 2017, my TSH level was 20, now almost one year later it is down to 6, my symptoms are ranging from hypo to hyper, I have not gained weight, went down to a size 6 from a size 16, diarrhoea is awful (sorry) appetite is terrible, getting sensations of food being stuck in my throat, my mood swings are evil ๐Ÿ™ˆ I do not have my full test results, after 4 doctors I have finally been referred to an endocrinologist and a scan as my thyroid is enlarged, my gp was accusing me of not taking my levothyroxine, it has now been reduced to 100 mcg from 150, Iโ€™ve lost interest in everything and am so irrational ๐Ÿ˜ญ is anyone else like this? I honestly feel as if my whole personality has changed ๐Ÿ˜ณ I am being tested for thyroiditis in 6 weeks? Iโ€™m so scared and fed up ๐Ÿ˜” I donโ€™t have my full bloods results sorry ๐Ÿ˜ thanks, Nic

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Marz profile image
Marz

Were your anti-bodies tested ? Sounds as if you have Hashimotos ? Are you able to have Private Testing done through Tyroid UK ? Always request copies of test results - they are legally yours. They should be on-line - check with your surgery. ...

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply toMarz

Hi mars, the gp has given me blood forms for ai thyroiditis, but Iโ€™ve got to take the 100mcg reduced dose for 6 weeks first, I asked the receptionist but she told me I have to get them from the gp, I canโ€™t really afford private tests atm

Marz profile image
Marzโ€ข in reply toNicola38

Do you nean you have to get your results from the GP -sorry a bit confused ! Your Receptionist can give you copies of your results ..

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply toMarz

Yes! Sorry not with it today!! Receptionist told me my gp has to print them out?? I have been told I deffo had antibodies, thanks, Nic

It sounds horrible, no wonder you're scared and fed up.

I can't advise on hypo or hyper but please know that all this is solvable.

Your dr should gave referred you to an endocrinologist when he/she saw your TSH was sky high.

I think it would be with you writing down all your symptoms and questions you have for the Endo ( easy to forget when we're there in front of them) and when you do see him/her ask for a copy of the GP letter.

Good luck. It's cr** right now but you won't always feel like this, you will get better.

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply to

Thanks holly ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป It Just feels like itโ€™s never ending ?! The first gp put me on 25mcg to begin with, then another gp said that was way too low a dose, he put me up to 75mcg, there was no mention of a referral but after a year I am finally getting somewhere ๐Ÿ˜ณ I have to write everything down my memory is really bad ๐Ÿ™ˆ

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

First of all - your TSH is too high. The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower but many doctors think that if it is lower than 10, that we're on sufficient.

In the UK, I have no idea where they plucked the 10 from in order for us to be diagnosed as they do not diagnose until it reaches that number. Whilst in other countries we're diagnosed if it is above 3+ with symptoms.

You may have a conversion problem, i.e. not able to convert inactive T4 into the Active hormone T3. It is T3 which is needed in all of our T3 receptor cells.

You can get a blood test (private) which will confirm or not whether you have DI02 which means inability to convert levo. I doubt doctors are aware of this and I'll give you a link:-

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

Or you may be on an insufficient dose of levo as the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower- is your GP aware of this fact!

Are all your vitamins/minerals optimal. B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate? Ask GP to test.

Tick of your symptoms and if we're on an optimum dose we should have none.

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

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply toshaws

Hi shaws, my gps have said TSH needs to be below 1, I have been tested for all the deficiencies and they were in range although I have no idea about what the actual levels are, the only thing that came up was red blood cells enlarged, go said this was due to my thyroid, I know I have antibodies also, but gp told me that this meant it was ai but I would have no problems with it until Iโ€™m older?? Thanks for replying ๐Ÿ˜Š

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_Northโ€ข in reply toNicola38

Enlarged red blood cells are not caused by the thyroid. They are usually caused by pernicious anaemia - low folate and B12, which you can have if your results were at the bottom of the range. You really need to get your results or new blood tests for TSH, Free t4, free t3, folate, B12, ferritin and vit D and then post the results (with ranges) for advice. Never believe a doctor who says things are "OK", "fine" or "normal" - you'll often see that the results have been marked as abnormal by lab, but doctor still says "Fine", or they are so low in range that it is obviously not fine.

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply toAngel_of_the_North

Thanks think I deffo need the test results, they told me I didnโ€™t have anaemia etc, my folate was low once as I was prescribed folic acid, but it was only for 1 month I had to take it. ?

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_Northโ€ข in reply toNicola38

They told you that you did not have iron-deficiency anaemia - they probably didn't test for pernicious anaemia and did they retest your folate after the month? I very much doubt you'd get good levels in a month. Your enlarged red bloods cells indicate a problem there. See a different GP.

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply toAngel_of_the_North

Thank you I will try and get to the bottom of it, they all seem to tell me different things, just feel like Iโ€™m back and fore there all the time and no they didnโ€™t test it a month later either ๐Ÿ˜–

humanbean profile image
humanbean

my TSH level was 20, now almost one year later it is down to 6,

my gp was accusing me of not taking my levothyroxine, it has now been reduced to 100 mcg from 150,

These comments and actions from your GP are completely irrational and perverse! First of all he accuses you of not taking your Levo (presumably because your TSH is too high), then he reduces it, and will therefore end up making your TSH higher still.

One thing to bear in mind is that the body will often produce more cortisol and adrenaline (C & A) if it has too little thyroid hormone ( if the adrenal glands are capable of producing more C & A). High levels of C & A can produce symptoms that are often mistaken for hyper symptoms.

Producing lots of adrenaline might be the cause of your weight loss. Excess cortisol tends to make people gain weight. If you were producing lots of both C & A then the effect on your weight would be anyone's guess.

In an ideal world your body would reduce its output of C & A as your dose of thyroid hormone increases. But by the sound of it you've never been treated sufficiently to get your thyroid hormones up to a healthy level.

In a non-ideal world the levels of C & A might get stuck at high levels, and increasing levels of thyroid hormone doesn't reduce them. In those situations people can feel very hyper indeed.

To know whether you are producing low or healthy or excessive levels of cortisol you could ask your doctor to test your early morning cortisol. If that isn't informative then the alternative (which is a better test than the blood test a GP would do), which would have to be paid for by you, is to have a saliva test done at four points throughout the day.

regeneruslabs.com/shop/prod...

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

The price quoted for the test is different on the Thyroid UK page than it is on the Regenerus page. I don't know if Thyroid UK is out of date or whether it is a discount for Thyroid UK.

I don't know any ways of testing levels of adrenaline, sadly.

If you want to try something that is free, then you could follow the suggestions on this page. You would need some graph paper and a good quality thermometer (preferably mercury, but they are practically impossible to get hold of these days).

drrind.com/therapies/metabo...

I've never done the graph option myself - I'm too lazy.

Nanny23 profile image
Nanny23โ€ข in reply tohumanbean

Very informative post. Thanks human bean

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply tohumanbean

Thanks, Iโ€™m hoping this will be done when I see the Endo?? And lol at the lazy bit because I am exactly the same ๐Ÿ˜†

jgelliss profile image
jgellissโ€ข in reply tohumanbean

Chuck Full Of Very Valuable Information. Thank you for Sharing .

humanbean profile image
humanbean

How and when do you take your Levo?

It needs to be taken on an empty stomach (or with only water in your stomach), and after taking it you need to avoid food and drink (except for water) completely for an hour. You should avoid taking supplements and any other prescribed meds for two hours after Levo, and in the case of iron, vitamin D, oestrogen, calcium, magnesium wait at least four hours after taking Levo.

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply tohumanbean

I take it in the morning, I have been taking it same time as my other meds ๐Ÿ™ˆ I donโ€™t usually eat anything until lunchtime depends what kinda day Iโ€™m having ๐Ÿ˜ณ I donโ€™t take supplements they made my stomach feel sore ๐Ÿ™ˆ Sorry Iโ€™m a moaning Minnie ๐Ÿ˜‚

humanbean profile image
humanbeanโ€ข in reply toNicola38

It would definitely be a very good idea to take your Levo separately from your other meds. You'll get much better absorption of it.

People take Levo at various different times e.g. some people take it during the night if they always go for a pee in the middle of the night. Some people take it at bedtime, as long as they don't eat and drink late.

If you don't eat in the afternoon then you could take Levo then, as long as you didn't eat afterwards for a couple of hours. It all depends on your eating, drinking and sleeping habits.

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

Hi๐Ÿ˜Š the symptoms are ranging from being freezing cold some days and canโ€™t warm up, I have had lots of mental health problems, my anxiety is so bad some days, I have terrible mood swings and now I lose my temper so easily, never used to be like that ๐Ÿ˜– I have beeen experiencing awful night sweats, and hot flushes ๐Ÿ˜” been tested for menopause all clear there!! my PMS is just scary ๐Ÿ™ˆ sometimes I think Iโ€™m losing my mind, sometimes I canโ€™t sleep, I am taking 3 lots of meds for my depression/anxiety I really donโ€™t think they are helping, my memory is horrendous ๐Ÿ™ˆ I am waking often in early hours with cramps/ diarrhoea(sorry too much info!!)

I havenโ€™t gone gluten free or anything like that, my appetite is awful! As I said just feel like such a hypochondriac, I also get real tired in the afternoons and I just feel like I need to lie down, but itโ€™s kinda hard with 2 kids lol ๐Ÿ˜‚

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

Thanks humanbean ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป I will take it on itโ€™s own in the morning from now on, I wasnโ€™t aware of it not being taken with other meds!๐Ÿ™ˆ

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

Thanks, I was so down I even stopped my Levo for a week, yes I can imagine, my other half has a lot to put up with bless him

serenfach profile image
serenfach

Just sending you a hug. Your symptoms are old friends of mine - IT WILL GET BETTER. Unfortunately it is not instant, but just take each day at a time and you will climb out of the pit and see the sunshine soon.

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply toserenfach

Thank you littlestar ๐Ÿ™‚ I really hope so ! Iโ€™m glad you are better ๐Ÿ˜€ sending a cwtch your way lol

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

Yes tbh they arenโ€™t doing much, I also take propanolol they do help with the shakes, I donโ€™t know a lot about T3 or T4 but am hoping the Endo might? Thank you for your reply you have been very helpful ๐Ÿ™‚

NatChap profile image
NatChap

Hi Nicola, you've been given plenty of great advice but I just wanted to say hang in there! It is shit and I can totally relate to the fatigue, irritability, irrationality and mood swings. I also suffered with depression but all of those symptoms will improve when you get on the right dose/medication. I would go and request your blood results again though. The receptionist can sort them out, she will need your gp's permission but you are entitled to them so don't take no for an answer. Deficiencies in things like vit D, B12 and ferritin can cause symptoms that mirror hypo one's making you feel even worse. Deficiencies can cause fatigue, aches and pains, depression, nerve pain etc.. too, so very important x

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38โ€ข in reply toNatChap

Hi nat, thanks for your reply itโ€™s just the hot sweats are unbearable, it is like I am either freezing cold or boiling hot ther is no in between? I am gonna ring docs Monday and Request the test results, I have had all vit def tester and all came back normal x

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

Thank you I will ring docs mon and see if I can get a copy of my latest test results ๐Ÿ™‚

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

Thanks again x yes I was thinking of going there rather than being fobbed off in the phone ๐Ÿ˜Š is the ai thyroiditis blood test the same as the thyroid function test ? Any idea?

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

Thanks for that , I will try and get these results, itโ€™s so confusing, I know Iโ€™m having the AI test in 6 weeks so will that be the t3 t4? Iโ€™m sorry for the questions lol ๐Ÿ˜‚

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

Iโ€™m sorry if my reply has somehow managed to come up twice, one of the previous gps told me I tested positive for thyroid antibodies and said it was autoimmune but basically brushed it aside?

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

How are your family after taking the natural desiccated one? Is it expensive tho? Iโ€™m kinda struggling with money atm as I have missed work some days.

Myra18 profile image
Myra18

Where do you buy your NDT from

Nicola38 profile image
Nicola38

Sorry late reply, I havenโ€™t yet got my results, I know the receptionist will probably be arsey ๐Ÿ™ˆ I canโ€™t really afford to buy them atm I am struggling, I just feel lately like I have no emotions however stupid that sounds ๐Ÿ™ˆx

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

If not online speak to receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018 and they must provide copy if requested and you do not need to explain why you want them

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

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Low vitamins are extremely common as direct result

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 leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels. Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

You can then feel hypo and hyper as you remain hypo but can't use the thyroid hormones you are taking so feel hyper as well

Night sweats are often low B12

Anxiety is symptom of being hypothyroid

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)

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

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take early morning, on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime.

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo 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)

Most Hashimoto's patients need to take regular supplements to keep vitamin levels optimal

Always get actual results and ranges on all tests

Many with Hashimoto's also find strictly gluten free diet helps significantly or is absolutely essential

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges on your tests

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