Hi Im new to this

[fedupoffeelingtired]

hello, I'm 46 year old lady recently diagnosed with under active thyroid and tested positive for antibodies. I have been feeling exhausted and suffering with anaemia, brain fog and low esteem since by son was born 15 years ago. I was always treated for anaemia but it didn't make me feel better. My doc retired and a lovely new doc listened to me did bloods and so here I am, 50 mcg thyroxine. Bloods in the new year. It was my hubby who said just before Christmas "you haven't complained about being tired for 3 days now" I hadn't even realised! I have ben googling UAT and become so confused by contradicting information can anyone give me tried and tested tips that will help. Do I need supplements, is there anything I shouldn't be eating, will I ever get back to feeling the way i used to?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

As you have positive antibodies, that confirms that you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where the thyroid is attacked and gradually destroyed. The antibodies fluctuate and cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results.

Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

You can possibly 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.

**

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies, and the fact that you have been treated for anaemia makes this a distinct possibility. It would be very helpful to test nutrient levels, either through your GP or by private testing with one of our recommended labs. Tests needed are:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

All need to be optimal for thyroid hormone to work properly (which your doctor wont know, they aren't taught nutrition and the importance of good levels for hypothyroid patients). If you post your results on the forum then members will respond and suggest what to do if you have any low levels or deficiencies.

**

For a full picture, thyroid blood tests needed are:

TSH

FT4

FT3

You wont need antibodies tested again, once positive that confirms Hashi's and that wont change.

Your doctor is unlikely to be able to get FT3 tested as it's the lab who decides if it's done even when a GP asks for it. It may get done when TSH is suppressed (my doctor's lab tests FT3 in those circumstances).

T3 is the active hormone that every cell in our bodies need and T4 converts into T3. It's important for us to know that good conversion is taking place, if FT3 is low then we will continue to get symptoms, unfortunately another snippet of information that bypasses doctors. Many of us here do the full testing privately when we can't get it done with our GPs.

**

When booking thyroid tests, always book the very first appointment of the morning and fast overnight (water allowed), this means have your evening meal/supper the night before then delay breakfast until after the blood draw, drink only water, no coffee, tea, etc, before the test.

This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for a diagnosis, an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction. TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. It can also lower after eating and coffee also affects TSH. Also, take your Levo after the blood draw because if you take it before then your FT4 will reflect this and show higher than what is normally circulating. We usually advise 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw so if you take your Levo in the morning then delay until after the test, or if you take it at night then delay that dose until after the test. These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.

**

Take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with a glass of water only, no tea, coffee, milk, etc, for an hour either side as absorption will be affected. Take any other medication and supplements 2 hours away from Levo, some need 4 hours.

**

If you have any other questions or need clarification, ask and members will respond

[Marz]

Hi and Welcome ! There are over 90,000 members here so reading other posts and replies should prove helpful - if you have the time that is The link below takes you to the website for this Forum where you can learn all about everything to do with the Thyroid ...

thyroiduk.org

It is mentioned here daily about optimal nutrients for good uptake and conversion of thyroid hormones ... B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD - all need testing. B12 around/over 500 - Folate and Ferritin - mid range and VitD around 100 plus. Docs have very little knowledge or interest in these tests and results and they are not routinely done - you have to request them.

Also the thyroid testing is inadequate - you need the TSH - FT4 and FT3 done. If your GP is unable to order these tests then they are available Privately with kits sent to your home. Look at ABOUT TESTING in the link above !

Always keep copies of all tests done - results with ranges. It makes posting here easier as you are providing valuable information. It also enables you to monitor your own progress and check what has been missed !

When you have more questions please post again and everyone will be more than happy to help !

[SlowDragon Administrator]

50mcg is only a starter dose. We have to increase slowly. Dose of Levothyroxine is increased in 25mcg steps. Bloods retested 6-8 weeks later each time

This continues until TSH is around one and FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range and all symptoms diminished

Most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

Low vitamin levels are extremely common especially with Hashimoto's

Ask GP to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin at next test plus good idea to get coeliac blood test to rule it out before thinking about trying strictly gluten free diet

It's possible you had Hashimoto's since your son was born

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels. Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take early morning, on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime.

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

[technogran]

The first thing to remember is it takes time for the thyroxine to accumulate in the blood so you won't feel better straight away anyway. The doctor should do another test in about 6-8 wks to see if the level has gone up enough, it may be that you need a stronger dose but that can only be determined in time. 50mg is usually the starting dose. Your tiredness may not be caused by hypothyroidism though as that has other symptoms too which you may not have. I would ask for a blood test for your iron levels to rule that out.

Good luck!

[RockyPath]

Dr. John C Lowe, who studied hypothyroidism exhaustively, notes that low energy, insomnia, cognitive difficulties, depression, anxiety, low stomach acid, irritable bowel syndrome, pain, elevated blood pressure and lipids, thinning eyebrows, brittle nails, (a partial list), can all be traced to the metabolic effects of too little thyroid hormone.

You should get your reverse T3 tested along with the others that have been recommended in this thread. Some people are genetically predisposed to produce reverse T3 in response to T4. If your rT3 is too high in relation to the free T3, you will continue to experience hypothyroid symptoms, and taking more levothyroixine will only make you feel better briefly, and then worse.

So sorry you're going through this.

[JoeNa]

Sounds like my story a year ago. This is just the start of feeling better- give it time, be kind to yourself & learn all you can through this forum. Find a GP who at least listens (it took me a few attempts) & if you’re not getting the help you think you need, you may need to have a private blood test, to help ask for what you think you need.

Good luck for 2019, you’re on the right road!

[fedupoffeelingtired]

thanks everyone for replying. I didn't realise so many people suffered. Slow dragons comment about the Teva brand was interesting that is the brand my chemist gave me. I haven't had any problems so far. Will be looking into supplements.

wishing you all a healthy. 2019!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to fedupoffeelingtired]

Please test your levels before supplementing. Some can build up to toxic levels if not needed. And where suplements are needed then taking the correct dose, and any cofactors, are important.

If you post your results on the forum, members will help.