Hi, I am a 51 year old male, have been active, fit and slim my whole life then at the beginning of the year I started visiting the doctors due to feeling unwell. I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and prescribed Levothyroxine, but I'm now 6 months on and I don't feel much better. I still have bad pain in my joints, I occasionally get chest pains and vision problems, I have no labido whatsoever, I fall asleep at the drop of a hat and I get sore, itchy eyes. My recent blood tests showed red blood count at 4.17 and haematocrit at 0.37, does anyone know if this is related to my thyroid problems?
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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bluffly
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Could you get details of all your blood tests results and post on here (Thyroid and any others).
Give full details of results including dates of tests and ranges in brackets. Mention what dose Levothyroxine you were on at time and change in dose if any. Ask receptionist, Practice Manager or GP for print outs of all results.
Anyone in UK can ask for copies of medical records free of charge now, since new rules 25 May 2018.
Have you been referred to an Endocrinologist?
Have you had an Ultrasound scan of your Thyroid?
Have you had Thyroid Antibodies tested or any nutrients levels?
If you haven't had the following tests then ask GP for them. If they refuse ask for urgent Endocrinology referal:
TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase )
Tg (Thyroglobulin )
Free T3
Free T4
TSH
also
Vitamin D
B12
Folate
and Ferritin - because you could have deficiencies that need prescribed supplements.
Google search ' symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency ' and the same for each nutrient.
Don't take any supplements until after tests. And only take if deficiency. Never take multivitamins / minerals
Try and get an early morning appoinment for blood tests and fast. Only drink watr. Delay that mornings Levothyroxine until after the tests.
ps
Are you taking Levothyroxine on its own with water only and an hour before any food and drink? No other medication at same time?
Hi, I have had my test results back today and all completely normal, I will post below. If anyone has any advice on why my joints still hurt so much and why I can't seem to feel 'normal' again it would be greatly appreciated. I am still on 100mcg levothyroxine and have been for 6 months.
This would help to eliminate the possibility of you being a poor converter.
I recently found out that my FreeT3 is low within the range and am hoping for some prescribed T3 after present trial of slight increase in LT4 (my TSH was higher than yours).
I would keep going back to the GP with a list of all symptoms and ask to be referred to Endocrinologist .
You could ask GP for blood test for FreeT3 but don't know if they'd get it.
Where I live the lab won't test FT3 for GPs - only Consultants.
I think you need to be under an Endocrinologist to get T3 presrcribed anyway.
You may want to keep an eye on your salt intake as sodium is above mid-range, but it's OK. If you use refined table salt you could switch to Fine Sea Salt.
Have you ever had any xrays or MRI scan for joints pain? Have you been referred to Orthopaedics? Rheumatologist ? Have you been to Opticians recently?
An eye test may help put your mind at ease. I have Carbomer Gel liquid eye drops for Dry Eye. It would help with your eye symptoms (itchy etc) but you would still need vision problems checked out at Optitans.
If you are in England and still pay for your prescriptions then ask your GP or Practice Manager for an Exemption application form.
Do you have recent blood test results and ranges to add
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change. Dose of Levothyroxine increases in 25mcg steps until TSH is between 0.4-1.5 and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
Essential to also test both TPO and TG antibodies and vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common and especially with Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Red blood cells are made in the marrow of the big bones, especially the femurs in the upper legs. Hypothyroid causes low temperature and poor circulation and this reduces the ability to make red cells.
Thank you for the replies, I will be tested for all the things you mentioned above on Thursday and I will post my results. I started on 100mcg of levothyroxine and haven't had it increased/decreased. Thanks very much.
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