Help

[Teegee27]

Hi there

I have been on levothoxine since Oct last year, my blood is nearly in range but am still suffering with bloatedness & constipation!

Any advice please!

Thank you

J

[Aurealis]

Hi, your blood is ‘nearly in range’. That means it’s not in range. I wonder what your results and the ranges are. Can you add them to your post?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

Thyroid results, Thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels ideally

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2. Many patients need TSH under one, FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

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

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all 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

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Vitamin C, and some forms of magnesium supplements might help with constipation as well as being good for you! Don't overdo it though or you may have the opposite problem!!! Are you taking any supplements at the moment? Hypothyroidism depletes nutrients, because your gut isn't working properly and can't absorb them as well as usual.

As said, if you post your results, with reference ranges (usually in brackets, or marked with an "R" after the result) to be able to advise more, but it does sound as if you are still undermedicated. Do you have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroiditis)? You should have been tested for antibodies at some stage