My Health

[Scallie]

My Health Ihave underactive thyroid after operation due to overactive thyroid this was back in 1988 I have been given various different doses over the years , my levels have been saying I’m on too much levothyroxine I take 100 per day I have been not at all well for past six months very tired not able to do usual activities bad headache/ migraines dizzy throat seems I con only discribe as thick and hard to Swallow sometimes my medication gets stuck part way down am trying to get a dr who will look at the whole picture not just TSH my last bloods showed very high antibodies I live in North Yorkshire

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum Scallie,

I am sorry you've been made hypothyroid due to (I assume) your thyroid gland being removed due to being hyper - thyroid. If antibodies are present in your blood you have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called hashimoto's and the commonest form of hypothyroidism. Going gluten-free can help reduce these antibodies as they wax and wane whilst attacking the thyroid gland.

What you should do is get a Full Thyroid Function Test from one of our recommended labs. These tests are home pin-prick tests and make sure you are well-hydrated a couple of days before blood draw and arms/hands are warm.

All blood draw should be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and the test and take afterwards.

This helps keep the TSH at its highest and may prevent an unnecessary adjustment in your dose.

You need tested - following above advice:-

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

GP should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as everything has to be optimal.

Always get print-outs from the surgery of your results and they must have the ranges. Ranges are important as they are needed for members to comment (labs can differ in their ranges).

I shall give a couple of links as we have to read and educate ourselves if we want to have a healthier lifestyle and not feel unwell.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

p.s. also if you put some of your history into your Profile, you've only put your name, then members can look at it if needed without asking you repeat questions.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

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. Dairy is second most common.

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, plus vitamin testing

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

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

[silverfox7]

Make sure you take your medication with a full glass of water. This should get it down to the place where it is needed

[shaws Administrator]

As silverfox has stated, always take levothyroxine (usually first thing on an empty stomach) with one Full Glass of water as tablets can stick in throat and wait an hour before eating. Some people prefer a bedtime dose - in that case your stomach should be empty and if you've had a meal previously leave about 3 hours between this and the dose. If having a blood test next a.m. miss night dose and take after test and night dose as usual.

Info re once weekly dose:-

"Conclusion

Once-weekly LT4 administration is a reasonable alternative for patients, especially for those who have issues with compliance".

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[pennyannie]

Hello Scallie

I read you had your thyroid removed in 1998 because you were overactive, were you diagnosed with Graves Disease and did you have surgery or 1-131 rai treatment ?

Graves is an autoimmune disease and as such, it's for life. It's in your DNA and your blood.

If with Graves, like me, I've a lot more information should you wish.