Heavy Concrete arms, weakness, fatigue

[Flowers14]

Hi to all.

I've hypothyroidism and take 125mcg in the week. I take 100mcg on the week end. My problem is this, I have heavyNess in both arms. I feel like I've got concrete slabs attached to each arm. They are so heavy I can't live with it anymore. The so weak all over and I'm constantly physically drained.

I've changed my diet to gluten free. I inject b12 weekly now. I take iron, vit d, k2, magnesium. I've just started drinking coconut water for the potassium. I take magnesium tablets and eat lots of advacados and I eat lots of fruit, pears and bananas. I've been like this since 2013. I can't get rid of this heavyness in my arms. And the fatigue is debitating.

Is it possible I've got hypopituitarism? I'm so tired of my GP not doing anything. I'm fighting with endorsed to try me with t3 but the battle is so so long.

Any suggestions or help really appreciate. Thankyou to all

[greygoose]

Why would you think you have hypopituitarism? I don't see the connection. Do you have any lab results to share with us? You're probably under-medicated.

[Flowers14 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose

I think I was just desperate for help and looking every direction for answers. No labs yet. Bloods taken tomorrow.

Thankyou

[greygoose in reply to Flowers14]

You're welcome.

[radd]

Flower14,

I am sorry to hear that you are still feeling so unwell. Hypopituitarism is rare and treatment would be to replace the pituitary hormones that are missing.

You are taking really good, positive steps but because hypothyroidism symptoms are insidious, and it has taken many years to get into this state, it may take a while for everything to recover.

Are you taking thyroid meds on an empty stomach with a glass of water, 1 hour before food, 2 hours before supplements and 4 hours before calcium, iron or vit D supplements ?

Long term mismanaged hypothyroidism can cause compromised adrenals that secrete hormones required for good thyroid function. Have you ever had your cortisol levels tested ? ? ..

Also, if you have gut issues causing malabsorption caused by years & years of low thyroid hormone, you may benefit from supplementing Betaine (stomach acid). This aids absorption of thyroid meds and all supplemented nutrients. Ask members for protocol if you are going to introduce Betaine into your diet.

Finally, if you have any bloods done, post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Flowers14 in reply to radd]

Thanks Radd, yes I take my levothyroxine in the middle of the night so its away from everything else I take. I've not heard of 'Betaine' regarding low stomache acid and absorption. Ill look into this, thank you :).

[jgelliss]

Strength and Wellness for you . Not feeling well is always very debilitating . Knowing your FT4 FT3 values would be very beneficial to know . If one is not optimally dosed with thyroid hormones the adrenals pick up the slack . Thyroids and adrenals work in unison . It's great that you are on nutrients . Nutrients are very valuable and help our thyroid hormones work better for us .

I hope you get sorted out real soon .

[Flowers14 in reply to jgelliss]

Hi Jgelliss

I have my thyroid checked regularly but on ly recently by a endo. I was uethyroid last test but that doesn't mean much to me when I'm feeling this bad.

Im just going to have more bloods taken tomorrow afternoon and I will NOT be taking my levo tonight though :).

I think the coconut water is helping a bit to. I have drank about 2 litres since yesterday, so fingers crossed. Thank you for your help

[jgelliss in reply to Flowers14]

Your most Welcome . Keep Positive . Let us know what happens .

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have any recent blood test results and ranges that you can add? Especially FT3

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

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)

[Flowers14 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon

Just having bloods taken tomorrow afternoon. I'll definately Not be taking levo tonight. Didn't think about the fasting either. Might be difficult as blood test not until 2.15pm EEEeek ..Mums the word with patient to patient info, thank you matey

[Jdoma]

Get labs drawn..T3 and t4...also RT3. you are probably under dosed.are you on T4 only..if so ask for NDT..T4 ONLY IS NOT GOOD. THATS what I would do!.

[Flowers14 in reply to Jdoma]

Yes only T4 Jkoma

Have been trying to try T3 for ages but they keep ringing me around in circles and knots and yo yos. Lets see what happens this time round. Cheers

[Tnhundley]

Are you taking folate with your B12 shots? B12 doesn’t work as well without folate. B12 can deplete potassium so be sure to eat lots of potassium rich foods. Also be sure your ferritin and iron levels are good as B12 uses iron to make red blood cells.

[Tnhundley in reply to Tnhundley]

(I missed the part about coconut water and bananas- good job!)

Have you thought of injecting more often?

[Flowers14 in reply to Tnhundley]

Hi Tnhundley

Yes I've always taken folate with B12. I inject regularly, daily sometimes and for about 2 years. I take K2 with vit D etc but thank you. I;m still on iron tablets daily for a long time now.

Yes, I'm loading up big time on my pottasium and I think its helping. I hate the coconut water taste but I've drank 2 lites in 2 days and I can feel a little relief actually. Could it all be down to my Pottasium now? I wouldn't be suprised as I've been injecting B12 daily for a very long time now. Have just started to taper down slowly. The pottasium is ringing bells loud, thankyou

[Tnhundley in reply to Flowers14]

Yes, B12 drains potassium and when your potassium is low it will often cause a weak feeling, almost a paralyzed feeling. There is a delicious chocolate coconut water that I drink, you can find it on Amazon. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are great too! I wish you well, I’m just about to embark on my own self injection journey.

[Flowers14 in reply to Tnhundley]

Yes that weak paralyzed feeling is me and I didn't know b12 depletes potassium so it's no wonder I feel like I'm carrying concrete slabs around with me so thanks.

Yes please embark on si daily. It worked for me. I also had no iron and on top of this my under active thyroid was 10.82 i was told i was fine. I was the walking dead and lost loads of my lovely long hair and at my age to 😒.

Don't forget to keep tl your b12 cool and in the dark. Oh and si gets so much easier each time you do it, honest 😁

Best wishes to you 😁

[Tnhundley in reply to Flowers14]

Thank you!! I’ve been bedridden for four months and the doctors all thought it was my thyroid. I just recently figured out it was Pernicious Anemia and haven’t even gotten shots yet. But I’ve been researching the hell out of everything and educating myself to get ready. My TSH was 157 from a medication crash and my iron was incredibly low so I totally get where you’re at. So glad you’re figuring out the potassium!

[Flowers14 in reply to Tnhundley]

Oh my gosh, you're where I was 1 1/2 years ago. I was bed bound to. You poor thing. There is hope as you now know. Honestly I was near death. I've just been house bound these last few days due to the Potassium!!!!!!😁 and so so very tired.

Keep injecting. I did morning and night for about 8 months but that's me. I also belonged to the b12 Def support group UK on face book. They are brilliant! I recommend you join them and them only. I would try to buy as much b12 as u can afford from either versandpo or my care. I've bought from both. I also tried some methlcobaline but it got too expensive for me.

Oh... Don't forget the pottasium now lol lol lol not like me.

I must go I'm shattered.

I wish you so much luck. Keep at it it really works.

Contact me when you like ok honey

Warm hug to you 😘

[Tnhundley in reply to Flowers14]

I will message you! Thanks for the support 😍

[Tnhundley]

I know you said you take folate, I wasn’t sure how much, but if you’re still having issues you may also want to take 5mg at least with each shot. Some find they need more than this.

[Flowers14 in reply to Tnhundley]

That's exactly what I take Tnhundley the 5mg. It's saved my life.