Pre diabetes

[Pajoy]

Hi I've not posted for a while I just feel that I would be wasting yours and my time I'm fed up with the whole thyroid condition. A few months ago my Dr recommended that I join a pre diabetic group as my levels had been raised a few times so I joined I followed all the information cut out sugar walked a lot more everyone in the group is losing weight I have put 4lbs on and I'm sure no one believes how hard I've worked I'm so disheartened by it all

[Nanaedake]

Hi Pajoy, in your last post which was a while ago you were advised to post your latest thyroid test results for best advice. Did you manage to get hold of a print out of your thyroid test results and did you get your vitamin levels tested? This is essential so that people on this forum can give you best advice.

You are legally entitled to copies of blood test results if you live in the UK so please do get copies and post them here. Make sure you ask for the laboratory ranges to be included as we need them to interpret results.

[Pajoy]

I didn't get my results the Dr said I was just edging out of the parameters and said that was why I was sweating I was low on iron and vitamin D so was prescribed them that was the beginning of the year I've not been back since as I don't think they're interested

[Marz in reply to Pajoy]

It is important to obtain all your results with ranges - so you can monitor your own health and see what has been missed ... Results are legally yours.

Posting your results may indicate to members here why you are gaining weight - maybe you are not on the correct dose. VitD needs to be monitored. VitC helps with the absorption of Iron. Ate you taking your Iron four hours away from your Levo ?

Most Docs are overloaded and may not seem interested - so time to take control and start monitoring your own results by making up a file with your own records. It will enable you to post here with more information so members can help and support.

[Nanaedake in reply to Pajoy]

Do get your results and tell us what they are and what you've been prescribed. We often see people on this forum who simply have nit been prescribed the correct dose of vitamin supplement or who don't improve due to lack of absorption. Dr's are too busy and don't look into this unless you push it forward. That's why you need to take control. Getting and keeping a record of results is the first step.

[SkyBelle in reply to Nanaedake]

Spot on - Drs are too busy. I now monitor myself - always keep ALL my blood results - I get my private thyroid blood tests from Blue Horizon - most recent showing low in B12 and vit D. I have halved my Thyroxine and what a difference - feeling great. My system is super sensitive it seems post Chemo/Radiation treatment. Has taken over two years to get this Thyroid business sorted but keep pushing & learning!

[JaninaWalker in reply to Pajoy]

If your doctor prescribes vitamin D it will be D2 which is synthetic which is around 50% absorbed and not nearly as good for you as D3 combined with K2 which is needed for its absorption.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to JaninaWalker]

It might well be D3 given the large number of products listed in the British National Formulary:

bnf.nice.org.uk/medicinal-f...

(I agree it will not include vitamin K2.)

[Marz in reply to JaninaWalker]

VitK2-MK7 helps to send calcium from arteries into bones and teeth. VitD improves the uptake of calcium from foods. A build-up of calcium in the arteries is not good !

[JaninaWalker in reply to Marz]

I fully agree as it is called metastatic calcium which is calcium in the wrong places and creates calcified arteries which contributes to heart disease which takes years to get worse. I've studied this for years as I help a doctor who provides therapies for getting that calcium out of people which has been proven with about a 30 million dollar long term study in North America for which my doctor was one of the testing sites. I only found I could not place more than one sentence without being told I had no permission to make a comment so I tried a really short comment and that did get in.

[Stormx]

Hi hun, I can’t express to you how much I overstand how you feel, I’m over this thyroid shit, sorry for my language I don’t have diabetes, but this thyroid has gone me angry hateful and mad 😠

I am a shell of me and I don’t know how I’m gonna do tomorrow, or most importantly don’t want to do tomorrow or any other day. I’m tired I’m lonely and consistently confused😥, it’s so disheartening knowing that you are putting your all into something and getting bow diddle back, I mean I’ve been going through this near ok 10 years, it took my twenties and now it look likes it stealing my thirties too 😥😥😥😥, there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of my tunnel 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ I’m ranting had a bad morning the night before last and I’m just sick and tired of it all but hey keep your head up !!!

[Hidden in reply to Stormx]

Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain and diabetes (however much you try to exercise and diet - though that should help of course)

[Stray]

Hi

I have hypothyroidism, and I can relate to that problem, I try to be healthy, exercise, lots of walking, healthy organic diet but my weight stays the same and my cholesterol level increased, I went on holiday and I ate really well at breakfast and evening meals, I ate alot more than I normally do but my weight stayed the same, if I don't eat for 6 hours I get shaky and a rapid heart beat, to be honest I don't know what the answer is.

Stray

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Stray]

Raised cholesterol is indicative that you are still under medicated

High cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

Suggest you get your thyroid and vitamin levels tested

[Stray in reply to SlowDragon]

ok thank you, my GP put me on Atorvastatin for the high cholesterol 40mg which I hated taking, it is now down to 3.9, he said I can stop the Atorvastatin now after taking it for a year and have a blood test for my cholesterol in two months time. So my GP should have increased my levothyroxine from 100mcg to ??? also I am slowly coming off the omeprazole that I have been on for 10 years for GERD which was caused by taking Diclofenac for 20 years to relieve my back pain, all prescribed by my GP.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Stray]

As you are probably aware reading this forum, most hypothyroid patients have low stomach acid, not high stomach acid. Almost identical symptoms but very different treatment

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

We see hundreds prescribed PPI's for high acid, when they actually have low acid. It's possibly even more misdiagnosed than thyroid problems

But you can NOT stop omeprazole suddenly. It must be done extremely slowly and other steps taken instead

Improving vitamin levels, getting Levo dose correct, plus gluten free diet often helps too

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/m...

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

[Tina_Maria]

Hi Pajoy, there is a strong connection between raised glucose levels and not being on the correct dose of thyroxine.

If you are undertreated, your metabolism is slowing down which can lead to raised glucose and also cholesterol levels!

Like other members suggested, get your results and post them here, if your values are low you may need an increase in your medication. And if you are on the correct dose, the glucose will probably normalise again.

All the best!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Is this how you did the last test?

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

If your vitamin levels were low recently this suggests you are not adequately treated for thyroid

Ask GP for new thyroid tests including vitamins and antibodies

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.

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges

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

[silverfox7]

It can sound a long and complicated road to well was and yes loads of does and fonts and can be daunting as it doesn't happen quickly but anyone of you who are feeling the same then please start a tread starting with you last results. Don't forget the ranges as they differ from lab to lab and I'm sure we can help you improve. Also as you may know this forum is run by Thyroid U.K. who have loads of useful info on their web site which may help you as well. I've just been looking at another site who don't bother about eating a large breakfast and then tablets and it doesn't make any difference so I've pointed out that they may be on higher meds to compensate and their body will feel the difference between a slice of toast one day and a full English the next. It you look after your body it will look after you. I've also read one, may be more posts earlier where the same question was asked a while back and so were asked if the writer had followed the advice given. It's a two way street so yes we can't always afford the extra testing or whatever but we can take heed of the rulings to leave an hour before breakfast and other times re other medication. When I realised things were not going right gmfor me I radcarticles and listened to advice and then putvthings in sort sort of order but started on the easier things first. It's best to take things slowlyvin snycase so you are aware of what works and what doesn't but whatever the outcome I'm sure there will be someone who will listen and help you but at the end of the day we can't make the changes for you! We can only make suggestions, share our experiences and hope that you try things suggested and give feed back as that helps others to learn as well.

[liz1952]

Pajoy, I too feel sick to death of the whole thyroid thing....one step forward 27 back..it's mainly the lack of control over everything 'me' and the lack of respect shown by the medics - at least those in my area. However I can also outdo you...I joined Slimmers world (there are othe groups available........) and was good as gold, worked to get the correct results and still put on 5 1/2 pounds...ha ha. Oh joy!!

[Treepie]

Most of the responses are thyroid related. I was diabetic then three months later below the line and stayed that way for two years.Last week I was back to where I was three years ago diabetic.

So its back to the drawing board.Three years ago cutting out cake ,scones ,biscuits, lowering other carbs ,switching to butter from marg ,eating more cheese did the trick. I think I slipped in the last 3months ,bramble & apple pie,biscuits and too much bread with the cheese.Put weight on .Oh yes ,too much wine!

Think about all your diet ,reduce carbs and increase fat probably the opposite of traditional advice.

[Millea]

To get your past test results you don’t need an appt with your GP - just call or go into reception and ask for a printout with ranges. You are legally entitled to them and they should be able to give them to you right there and then.

Remember you may feel alone - but you’re not - look how many people have taken the time to respond to your post - it’s because they care about you and because we know that the med system, when it comes to the thyroid is useless. You will start to feel stronger when you take back control - and the first step is getting your results and posting them.

Doctors will fob us off by saying we’re in range when in fact your results may show that you are just barely in range - with a thyroid condition you need to be at the optimum end of the range but docs ignore this.

You could in a way look at the failure to lose weight in a different way - you know you’ve been doing everything else right - managing your diet and exercising - so now you’ve narrowed down that the lack of weight lose isn’t due to those two factors, in which case it’s got to be either wrong dose of medication and/or Vit/mineral levels. Narrowing down what it could be is a positive.

If you haven’t had a recent Vit test you can have one done privately through Blue Horizon or other similar company and they’re not too expensive for a basic Vit panel.

Good luck and hope to see your next post and results.

[JOLLYDOLLY]

Hi Pajoy,

I completely understand how you feel and how frustrating it all is. I have been having similar problems myself. Always been on Thyroid meds, but due to a GP drastically changing them many moons ago, it has put me in turmoil ever since. Ironically I am now back on my original dose but there has been consequences.

Four years ago, I was in hospital with pneumonia and they again reduced my meds, When I got home, I had to have my bloods done again and to be told I was just over into Diabetic zone by one point. I was on Metformin for a while but did not get on with it, so managed it by diet only. Within a couple of months, I was back well into normal range. When I found out, I was in diabetic land, I was told again that it was my thyroid was out of kilter.

Bar one jump earlier this year (which was blamed on stress) I am now back in normal range, (they call it remission)

So, I would demand new blood tests done, as the thyroid hormone levels can affect everything, including the diabetes ranges. Also when getting the results, never speak to the receptionist or admin about them as they are only reading from a script, ask to speak to the GP/Dr over the phone if necessary. If you are low on iron and vitamin D, that will have a massive impact on your well being too and a lot of the time, not only has it got similar symptoms but walks hand in hand with the thyroid condition.

At the end of the day, these professionals forget, we know our own bodies. The amount of times recently I have had them go on about my weight and the raised eyebrows. No one understands what we go through with this condition.

Hope you can finally get this sorted and be able to move on. Let us know how you get on. Take care

[Fruitandnutcase]

To all of you pre diabetics and T2 people out there I can only say buy Dr David Cavan’s wonderful book ‘Reverse your T2 Diabetes’ and get going. If you do exactly and I mean exactly what he tells you to control your blood sugar you will lose weight and you will get healthy.

Insist that your doctor lets you have a copy of your blood test results, you are legally entitled to have them if you live in the U.K.

I got fed up begging for B12 and vitamin D tests my GP either didn’t want or couldn’t afford to do - so I get my own done by home fingerprick using a Blue Horizons Thyroid 11. I also add in HbA1c as for me I feel one HbA1c a year just isn’t enough, although I know if I’m eating the foods I should be eating it should be. I just like to know what’s going on in my body.

There comes a time when you have to take control of your own body - no one else is going to do it for you and there are enough people on here with the experiences needed to guide you.

[Pajoy]

I've just read all the posts and I have to say I'm so grateful for all the responses I suppose you can feel a bit sorry for yourself and feel alone but reading these I know I'm not alone and only another person with the same condition can understand how I feel. I am making a promise to myself to take control and I will get my last results. Thank you to everyone x

[Hidden]

I had a thyroidectomy almost 2 years ago and I still feel like my numbers are not correct and my weight is a mess and I do track my lab numbers and I also open my mouth about how I'm feeling because if I didn't nothing health wise for me would change, most Endos or Doctors don't care...they just love the lab numbers.

Get a printout or access your health record online don't take no as an answer, its your labs and you paid for them.

[Mino40]

If you are pre-diabetic and you want to reverse that, join diabetes UK. There is plenty of advice on there. Reversing diabetes, does not include just cutting out sugar but a low carb diet. This, along with regular exercise will allow you to lose weight and this in turn, will bring down your HbA1c. In terms of exercise, interval train and do weights.

[Lovecake]

Hi Pajoy, I noticed you said your vitamin D was low at the beginning of the year. I expect the vitD the GP put you on was only for 12 weeks. They did the same for me. My level went up from 21 to 80. But then it just dropped again (and I do force myself to get sun). I feel awful if it’s under 75, so I had to take 1500ius a day in tablets. Turns out that didn’t work either, was still dropping. I bought vitD with k2 spray from Better You (online). Recommended from someone on here. It has made a lot of difference. I have more energy and my migraines and less frequent and less severe. (Migraines seem to be my body’s way of telling me something’s not right).

Follow as much advice as you can from all your replies above. You will feel better, it just might take a little time. 🙂