I have hashimtos and am on 75mcg thyroxine for around 5 years after initially being diagnosed as hyperthyroid and being given carbimazole which sent me hypo.
I’ve only felt awful since being on Levo and have had 2 late miscarriages (after 2 healthy births prior to taking it) since being on it plus a whole host of horrid symptoms.
I had a blood test a few days ago which has shown low ferritin of 6.
Everything else apparently normal.
So a couple of questions. Can I go and get an iron infusion as tablets don’t increase my ferritin much at all. Is it possible on nhs or is there a way I can do it privately?
Also, has anyone warned themselves of thyroxine and felt better?
I will try to add blood results but I think I can only upload one photo.
Thanks!
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I think the most important question here is: have you had any antibodies tested? If you were diagnosed hyper, did they test your TSI or TRAB to see if you had Grave's? When you went hypo, did they test TPO antibodies to see if you have Hashi's - which sounds like the most likely explanation.
If your TSH is over 2, then you are under-medicated, so of course levo isn't doing anything for you. Just the fact of taking it won't help. You need to take enough of it.
You do not appear to have had your FT4 and FT3 tested. Just testing TSH is not enough, you need the full range of tests:
TSH
FT4
FT3
TPO antibodies
Tg antibodies
But, in any case, you need an increase in dose.
Your B12 and folate are also low. Have you considered supplementing those?
Ok, so I don’t think I have had graves tests. I was diagnosed hyper with a TSH of something like 0.004. This was post partum, so they gave me carbimazole for a month which pushed TSH to 12 and then said I had post partum thyroiditis (pitting me on thyroxine) Then they decided to test for hashi’s (which I assume was TPO) and said that I have hashi’s.
Since then I’ve been really unwell not myself, gained lots of weight, severe muscle aches (like having to stop reading stories to kids or eating because my jaw aches so much), mood swings, breathless, no libido, fast heart rate all the time.
I’ve also developed a clicking noise/sensation in my throat where thyroid is when I swallow and a serious ache/pain in my thyroid at times.
The GP seemed to think my folate/vit d/b12 levels were all surprisingly good. i do have supplements but rarely use them as I forget and they don't seem to make me feel any better so assumed they weren't necessary. I have the better you brand of spray for b12 and D. Don't take folate.
Is it worth taking them if my results are in range?
I asked for the full range of thyroid tests but GP said she wasn't allowed to order them unless TSH was out of range.
If you don't take the supplements, they're not going to help, are they. In any case, the result won't be instant, all this takes time. And, vitamins and minerals can't replace hormones, you still need an increase in levo, but optimal levels of nutrients will help your body use the hormone more efficiently.
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
Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off
If TPO or TG antibodies are high this usually is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease). You can also have mildly raised TPO or TG antibodies with Graves
But your definitely hypothyroid now, not hyperthyroid. So it's likely Hashimoto's
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's and Graves. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.
So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Do you suffer from heavy periods? This is classic sign of being hypothyroid and obviously tends to make low ferritin worse
Eating liver or liver pate once a week, plus other iron rich foods like black pudding, prawns, spinach, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily vitamin C can help improve iron absorption
B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast
Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks ).
Or Jarrow B-right is popular choice, but is large capsule
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
No, it's not possible. If you have Hashi's - which apparently you do - you would have gone hypo anyway. You are hypo, and it will just get worse with time - faster if you stop your levo! It will not correct itself, it never does.
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