I've been taking 200mcg of thyroxin daily for over a year and have been doing fine. In the last couple of weeks I've become increasingly tired. Aching all over and suffering with severe neck pain and headaches on my right side. Is my thyroid out of kilter?? Or could there be something else going on?. I've just turned 50. Could the changes be age related?
Any information would be great.. thanks in advance.
Have you had recent thyroid blood tests? Is so, post the results here and if not then ask your GP to run some tests. TSH, FT4, FT3, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 plus antibodies TPO and TgAb is you've not had them done. Once you've got all the information and evidence you'll be in a better position to assess what the problem is. Neck pain could be anything so get that checked, headaches could have numerous causes so get it checked out properly.
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)
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
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 .
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Come back with new post once you get results and ranges
That's great. Thank you so much for your advice.
Are you female, and if so, are you peri- or menopausal? Have your sex hormones been tested? Changes in sex hormone levels and their relative amounts, can impact directly. Oestrogen dominance (low progesterone) impacts on thyroid health by negatively impacting T4 to T3 conversion; and too much oestrogen can also block the uptake of thyroid hormones. These issues often manifest most strongly during perimenopause, when progesterone levels are significantly decreased but estrogen is still present.
Thank you for your advice. I'm a 50yr old female currently starting with the menopause. Saw my doctor today who was as much use as a chocolate teapot!! Virtually dismissed me and said I have a virus! Apparently a lot of them about at the moment. I feel very let down.
Frustrating for you. Go back and ask for the sex hormones to be tested, together with your thyroid function; or perhaps have them done privately like so many of us.
Personalty changes and exercise questions
Thiroyd NDT changes?
Proposed Royal Mail Service Changes
Changes to the NHS
Pains - could it be iron suplements?
