Latest consultant visit and Magnesium Question

[beccacbn]

Happy New Year!

Ive just returned from my latest consultant visit.

I had a total lobotomy in October. My consultant only tests my TSH and T4. after having my half thyroid removed my TSH was 5.94 (just above range). I waited 4 weeks, had it tested again - it was just under 5 and so was prescribed 50mg of levo. I have been feeling a million times better but not 100% - still get dizzy days, am constipated and if I push myself too hard I feel it the next day.

Today my TSH was 5.74, so even though I am taking levo my TSh is still slightly above range. So I have been given 75mg of levo.

My t4 is 16 which my consultant says in range. He tested my antibodies but the results hadn't come in yet.

I am due to go back in 8 weeks to have my bloods tested again.

My question is - do I go by how I am feeling or do I push for my levo to increase until my tsh is in the 1 to 2 range.

Since I have had my operation, I have constipation and I haven't had a proper period since I have been on the Levo. I have bought some Magnesium Citrate to help with my constipation. Do people take it daily on a regular basis - or just until things are starting to clear - the health food shop didnt have much advice.

Not sure about the periods, I am hoping things will eventually go back to normal once my body gets used to having the Lexo, but if anyone has any thoughts / advice then that would be great.

Many thanks

[greygoose]

You should definitely push until your TSH is 1 or under 1, wherever you feel well. Just having levels 'in range', is not good enough. They need to be in the right place in the range to make you feel well.

Probably best to take magnesium every day. Most people are deficient in magnesium, because soils are depleted, and you don't get much in food. But, also, as you're hypo, you might have problems absorbing nutrients from food.

Therefore, you also need to ask your doctor to test your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin, because they could also be low, and need to be optimal for your body to be able to use thyroid hormone.

[beccacbn in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply - and for understanding my silly error ....I meant thyroid lobectomy ... easy mistake to make - although I'm glad the surgeon got it right!!

I will continue to push Dr for vitamin blood test - however, I think I will just purchase a home kit and then I can get a complete picture of what is going on.

[greygoose in reply to beccacbn]

Yes, I understood.

I think a home kit would be best, because it's often so difficult to squeeze nutrient testing out of doctors! They just don't understand the importance.

[Heloise]

Hi becca, you won't feel good for very long on 50 mcgs of levo and a TSH well over 2.

Are you saying you had both a lobotomy and thyroidectomy? And you weren't on any thyroid hormones previous to that? I hope your doctors know what they are doing? It's puzzling. I have too many questions.

The magnesium you chose is fairly well absorbed so won't act much like a laxative unless you take a lot of it. I think you could take 1000 mgs or even more. Constipation goes along with low thyroid so once you achieve a proper dose of 125 mcgs. during the next few weeks you will do better.

[Hidden]

I take magnesium Citrate daily a couple of hours before bed and it works well for my thyroidless Constipation.

[penny]

I’m glad someone pointed that out!

[humanbean]

thyroidpharmacist.zendesk.c...

I take magnesium citrate in normal doses, had over the range copper the only time I've ever tested it, and haven't had any suggestion at all that the mag cit is causing me a problem. It's very popular.

[Hidden]

I never heard of this and no doctor has ever told me this mag citrate could cause me issues and I've tried the other forms of Mags and it never seemed to help.

How would I know if I'm having issues with Mag Citrate? I've never been tested for copper .

[Paula101]

I take Magnesium Glycinate. I find it very good for constipation. Also helps to relax me before bed, good for my muscles and also my heart.

[Archway in reply to Paula101]

Yes. I take Magnesium Glycinate as well. It helps with constipation and in my case I think it has helped with my muscle and joint pain too.