I was diagnosed 2 years ago with an under active thyroid I was started on 25mg and within a year on 75 I went for a blood test last August 2018 and was told I was borderline and to stay on the 75mg at Christmas I notice I was getting extreme fatigue but put this down to my job ( working for the NHS ) by Easter 2019 I was so run down with brain fog I didn’t know what I had done in the morning let alone what I needed to do for rest of the day drowsiness was back and I was struggling to drive without all the windows down so I went to my Gp requesting a blood test and the results were back within 2 days and my Gp surgery called book to see me as results were in but they said he was not able to get me in till the 16th of May (today) due to no appointments available over the next few weeks my forgetfulness has incread my confusion and brain fog was so bad I was struggling to function and focus I had been starting to getting dizzy spells with drop in Bp restless legs cramp and bad acid reflux with neck pain with bouts of bradycardia and tachycardia and I was emotional didn’t know why I’m such a strong person and have never been or felt like this in my life and so not me
I had had Enough yesterday I called my surgery and said I need to see a Gp today surprisingly I was in at 10.30 am my Gp informed me my thyroid levels were out and look like they had not been within the normal range from the start she also informed me my folic acid was a little low she has decided to increase my Levothyroxine to 100 and see me in 2 weeks but has done nothing else I am concerned about my folic acid levels as I’m sure low folic acid causes the same symptoms She has signed me sick from work for two weeks but not treated my folic acid If anyone has had similar problems advise on this would be great guys
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Fiona-1
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First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. 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.
75mcg is only one step up from standard starter dose
Being under medicated for long time frequently affects vitamin levels
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. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in Levothyroxine
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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 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 .
Extremely common to need to supplement some of all of these vitamins and retest regularly to check they are at good levels
Come back with new post once you get results and ranges from recent test
If B12 is also low, as well as folate GP should test for Pernicious Anaemia before starting on any Vitamin B supplements
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH under one) and FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range
All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine. Also what foods to avoid (note recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours away from Levo)
For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.
This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.
Folate is found in lots of fruit & vegetables, so quite easy to get naturally. Perhaps have a read through the forum & pick up some information about the micronutrient cofactors we need to make our thyroid hormones & everything else work better.
I do wish people would stop calling folate, folic acid. Folate is found in vegetables, folic acid is manifactured in a laboratory and once you have swallowed it, your body has to convert it into folate by a process of methylation.
I had most of the symptons you describe and felt so rotten i gave up my job working for a thyroid charity last year.
Some investigation on my part, found that i have two duff copies of the mthfr c 677t gene, which means i cannot process folic acid. I found this by downloading my raw data from 23 and me.
If you have low folate, and eat a reasonable diet, it might be time to push for checks on the genes? Or maybe try folic acid and see if it makes you worse?
I am slowly getting back to normal. ( and losing weight!) by taking methyl folate.
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