Self medication

[Judliz]

Hi, I'm new to this group and quite new to being diagnosed with hashimotos. I read a lot of people self medicate, but I don't have the confidence, although I think I might benefit. I'm currently on 75 ,mg of levothyroxine but still struggling with fatigue, muscle aches and gaining weight. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[RedApple Administrator]

Welcome to the group Judliz. Self medication is an absolute last resort, and hopefully you won't ever need to take that step. As you're only recently diagnosed you are probably not yet on the appropriate dose of thyroxine, and/or your body has not yet had time to sort itself out since changing from having too little of the vital hormone that it needs to function properly and for you to feel well.

Unfortunately it can be a long journey before things sort themselves out. In the meantime, keep reading here and of course ask as many questions as you need to

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Judliz

We may be able to make suggestions to help you if you can post your latest test results, including reference ranges. As RedApple says, it can take time to find your optimal dose of Levo and hormone levels to settle.

For a full picture we need to see

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Optimal levels of vitamins and minerals are required for thyroid meds to work properly. Hashi's can often affect these and we end up with low levels or deficiencies, so testing them is important so we can address any problems there.

In the meantime, you can help yourself where the 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.

[Judliz in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you that's very helpful. I am gf now, apart from accidental mistakes but getting there. My gp didn’t test everything you suggested, so will arrange more blood tests. Thanks again.

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and I think the majority of members are ones who haven't improved with the doctor or endocrinologists prescriptions. Many of the professionals don't seem to understand that we need a TSH of 1 or lower and will stop increasing dose when it is within the range which goes up to 10.

This is the procedure to follow for your next test. Always make the earliest possible appoointment, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards. This helps keep the TSH at its highest and may prevent the doctor adjusting dose down.

Also if you haven't had B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate tested, ask for these too. If you've not had thyroid antibodies tested also ask for these to be included.

Always get a copy of your results with the ranges for your own records and post for comments if you have a query.

[silverfox7]

You are also on the best medication to start with. On Levo we can tell if we are converting the inactive T4 into the active T3 which every cell in our body needs. If not we can take steps to address it. Once on adding T3 or taking NDT we can't see this in the results as they are read differently. A conversion issue can be a fairly common problem.

[musette]

Thank you Judliz - had never heard that I needed to fast before or go early so will definitely do that.

Also, do they test separately for iron and ferritin? I think I've only ever had ferritin done before never iron separately. Also never (in the 10 years of pressing for blood tests), has anyone suggested looking at Vit B12 or folate, so I have no idea of my levels of those.

Am I allowed to ask for recommendations of London endocrinologists on here (private or NHS)? I'm in the NHS system but was told it will be a long wait so am thinking of getting initial appointment privately.