Some experience appreciated please- levothyroxi... - Thyroid UK

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Some experience appreciated please- levothyroxine doesn’t help

boxesandplanes profile image
11 Replies

Hi

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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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

boxesandplanes

You can only add one photo to the opening post of a thread. Maybe you can edit your post and type the other results in.

I had a blood test a few days ago which has shown low ferritin of 6.

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?

I would discuss this with the GP, he can refer you to haematology and hopefully with such a low level they will give you an iron infusion.

boxesandplanes profile image
boxesandplanes

There is no option to add in a photo when editing post unfortunately.

I will write the main ones instead .

TSH - 2.4 (0.35-5)

Vit D - 69 (30-300)

Folate - 6.9 (4-20)

Vit B12 - 255 (130-800)

Ferritin - 6 (12-250)

greygoose profile image
greygoose

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? :)

boxesandplanes profile image
boxesandplanes

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.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to boxesandplanes

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.

boxesandplanes profile image
boxesandplanes

I've just found some old full thyroid panel tests results. They are a few years old though but were also within range. Is it worth posting these?

boxesandplanes profile image
boxesandplanes

Just wondering if there is anyone who can help please?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to boxesandplanes

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

FT4 and FT3 need testing. You also need TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested

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

Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off

thyroiduk.org.uk/index.html

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 .

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_...

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

FERRITIN and being hypothyroid

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

Post about iron supplements

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

B12 and folate on the low side.

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

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

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Vitamin D is likely better at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better

boxesandplanes profile image
boxesandplanes in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you.

OK so I will start up all the supplements again.

I've had TPO done before which is when they diagnosed hashimotos.

I think I need to stop the thyroxine though. I have had all the full thyroid panel done before and felt awful but it's all been within range.

The only constant has been the thyroxine and feeling awful.

boxesandplanes profile image
boxesandplanes

Is it possible that the carbimazole should not have been given to me and tipped me into hypo mode but I'm not actually hypo?

In which case I should probably wean off levo and see if it corrects itself

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to boxesandplanes

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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