Hi , I got diagnosed about a year ago with hypothyroidism (from bloods) and started to take levothyroxine , I started off at 25 and now take 50.
Now ... I don't feel any better for taking ... probably the only side effect that has stopped is palpitations . I still can't think clearly, I'm still sensitive to cold, I've still got no energy... even when I force my self to run I'm exhausted after a short distance ( I also find my hamstring and achilles get tight...unsure if related) , i still get swelling in the throat, I find my vision goes a bit funny when trying to focus , I'm getting emotional for no reason, and now to make it worse my libido is virtually gone ( never a problem before med) .
I'm seeking a bit of advice of where to go from here ..... I've been hanging on waiting to feel good ... but it's just not happening.
Should I be taking supplements.. like zinc or helium...should I be going back to docs.
Thanks for anyone who can help me. 👍.
I'm so frustrated.
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Johnljc
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I am far from an expert but as far as I know 50mcg is a starting dose and should be gradually increased. I think I would put in another post saying "Is 50mcg of Levo a starting dose?" You might get more direct feedback.
I am very sorry that you are feeling so bad and it is because your dose of 50mcg is far too low for someone diagnosed around a year ago. The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower and FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the ranges.
It is really ridiculous that the medical professionals seem to only look at the TSH and if it is somewhere in the range they 'imagine' that we're on sufficient. They no longer know any clinical symptoms or have any knowledge whatsoever of how the poor patient feels, when the patients life and happiness is at stake due to incompetence. Only thing is that seems to be the case with many doctors so we have to self-educate.
You will have to take care of yourself, and I suggest (and am not medically qualified) that you get a privat test and I'll give a link for private labs, i.e. Medichecks, Blue Horizon and Thriva.
Alll tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. This helps your TSH to be at its highest. Post your results with the ranges on a new question for members to respond.
Also if your GP hasn't tested B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate - ask for these too (at the earliest appointment).
It doesn't matter to those who haven't got a problem with their thyroid gland. They only look at the TSH which they fail to know it is highest early a.m. and drops throughout the day. That means that the patient will not get the increase they so desperately need.
I doubt that any professionals are aware that it is our clinical symptoms that are supposed to be relieved and for that we need sufficient T3, T4 being an inactive thyroid hormone and T3 the life-giving hormone needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells.
They appear to only look at the TSH and T4 and if TSH is somewhere in the range the assumption is that we're on sufficient dose. Never check the FT4 or FT3 and these are very important.
Well, I really don't think you should be taking helium! Why on earth would you take that? Do you want a Mickey Mouse voice?
No, seriously, 50 mcg is only a starter dose. How long have you been on it? When did you have your last test? The first thing you must do is get hold of the results - and ranges - from your last test, and post them on here. Let's see what's going on. If you live in the UK, it's your legal right to have a print-out.
There are no supplements that you should be taking. You only take what you need - more is not better. So, to find out what you need, you should get your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested. Post the results and ranges here, and people will help you draw up a supplement plan.
But, for my money, you are simply on too low a dose of levo. So, give up the running, for now. Just gentle walking until your T3 is optimised. It will only make you worse, at this stage.
Selenium. It helps convert T4 to T3. But, without seeing the blood tests, we don't know if you need help with that. As I said, only take what you need. Excess selenium can be toxic.
Yes been on it a year next month ..... I think I messed up at my last blood test... my appointment was 11am and I took my tablet at 7.30am ..... when normally I dose before the test .
I've seen a few on here say never take levo before the test
Yes, you did mess up. All you will have tested will be the dose you just took. You won't know your normal circulation serum level. And having your test at 11 am means that your TSH won't be at its highest. So, bloods not worth much, really.
Your doctor is negligent. He should not have left you on a starter dose for a while year! You should have been put up to 75 mcg six weeks after starting the 50 mcg, because you are obviously still hypo.
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
Low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common, especially if have been started and left of far to low a dose
Insist that GP tests vitamins and thyroid antibodies
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
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
All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH and lowest FT4. (Patient to patient tip, not to be mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Hi Johnljc, you have just described having an UnderActive Thyroid to a T. Sorry can't help with what to take & what not too, but this site is so informative, I am sure will get lot's of advise. Trouble is with Thyroid, you can look as fit as a flea, & some people (some of my friends) think you are pulling the Wool. Good luck.
Update ..... just had a phone appointment with doctor( not my usual one ).... he s put me up to 75 got to do a blood test in 3 weeks then go and see him week after.
Hopefully will get a bit more clued up on what's going on
Hi There, 38 year old Male, Irish, Diagnosed this week. TSH 40, I feel like crap. I can't believe I have a life-long incurable illness. My main worry is work. I have an office-based stressful job? Do I need to consider reducing my stress levels by changing my job? I resigned from my dream job last year. I couldn't handle it. I thought I was going crazy. Looking back now it's clear this is what was wrong.
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