How do I keep warm?

[Purple-Loki]

Hi All, First time on here, looking for some advice on what other underactive thyroid sufferers do. Every now and again my temperature drops. Yesterday when I took it, it was 34.9 thankfully today it's at 35.2. Struggle to stay warm, it's ok when I'm in bed, as I can put the electric blanket on. But at work I can sit there with an extra layer or 2 but still don't seem to warm up. Can anyone suggest anything I can do to keep warm please? Thank you.

[shaws Administrator]

What you need I believe is a new blood test. Cold is one of the clinical symptoms which informs a person that they are not yet on an optimal dose. Some hints:-

When first diagnosed we should be given 50mcg of T4 (levothyroxine) with a blood test every six weeks and usually a 25mcg increase of levo until we are symptom-free or TSH is 1 or lower.

All blood tests should be at the earliest possible time, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards. This keeps the TSH at its highest as that seems to be all the professionals look at. TSH is not a thyroid hormone, it is from the Pituitary Gland and when thyroid gland is failing, it tries to increase it by issuing out more TSH so our result will be higher than the 'normal range'. The following are a list of clinical symptoms and you may tick more than 'cold'.

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

Doctor should also check your vitamins/minerals at your next blood test - everything has to be optimal not just somewhere in the range.

[Purple-Loki in reply to shaws]

Thank you so much for that. I am already on 150mcg of thyroxin. But I've never had a fasting blood test with it, maybe I'll request that next time. Really appreciate your time and advice on this. It has opened my eyes a little. Once again thank you.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Purple-Loki]

coldness is a common symptom of hypo which shows your dose is too low - I am not saying your doctor would be aware of this fact

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Purple-Loki]

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)

Do NOT request fasting test. This is patient to patient tip and will be denied by GP as relevant

Just book appointment as early as possible in morning and fast. Take your Levothyroxine immediately after blood draw.

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

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.

Low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common and can cause symptoms in their own right or make thyroid hormones less effective

Add your most recent blood test results and ranges if you have them, members can advise

[Angel_of_the_North]

I just wear several layers of which at least 2 are fleeces.

[Purple-Loki in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you. Difficult at work though sometimes.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Purple-Loki]

It does depend on what your dress code is. But I find that a t-shirt under a polo neck jump under a fleece jumper under an over blouse/tunic looks OK

[Purple-Loki in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you. It is all smart dress. See what I can muster x

[MiniMum97]

I take a hot water bottle to work. Pop it in your lap. A scarf helps.

[Purple-Loki in reply to MiniMum97]

Thank you, that sounds like a plan x

[Gillybabe48]

Definitely get a check with doctor. If regulated you should not feel that cold.

[humanbean]

Anecdote : I suffered from the cold severely before my thyroid got treated. Even after treatment started I was still cold.

One thing that improved things for me was improving my iron levels. In order to find out whether or not your iron is okay, looking at just ferritin isn't enough to know if you are deficient or not, you also have to know how saturated your blood is with iron (transferrin saturation) and how much serum iron you have too.

One of the problems caused by low thyroid is that blood volume decreases. Low iron will do the same.

When I improved my iron levels my body temperature didn't actually change - it was still low - but my perception of heat/cold improved so that I felt warmer.