Jittery - any suggestions?

Hello,

I won't go into my (many) symptoms but I'm wondering if anyone can help. I'm on 50mcg Levo for Hashis and have been for 5 months, GP won't increase it.

I also take a lot of supplements including sublingual B12 (methylated) and a B50 complex.

For several weeks I've been waking in the night with a racing heart and feeling really hot. In the mornings I'm completely wired and very shaky. I avoid caffeine as it's always had a bad effect on me, even in tiny amounts.

I think I may have adrenal issues after years of constant stress culminating in redundancy, three house moves, having a traumatic emergency C section, losing my mum to cancer and the unexpected death of my sister in law, all within a few years. I get the afternoon slump, a second wind at night and really struggle in the mornings.

So, the horrible jittery feeling and pounding heart at night. It's far worse lately. Could it be because I'm under medicated, or B complex side effects, or possibly adrenals? And if it may be the latter could anyone recommend a test? Bearing in mind my GP isn't open to anything other than Levo or antidepressants and dismisses anything else as a load of rubbish. Which is why I end up going it alone. There's no way I'd get prescribed anything for adrenal dysfunction but perhaps I'm jumping the gun and it's all down to something else.

Thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hidden

It may be adrenals. Best to test both cortisol and DHEA, the following companies offer this test and you need to use ThyroidUK as your "practioner" as they don't deal direct with the public:

Regenerus thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/r...

Genova Diagnostics thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/g... Test code END01, you can see details on page 5 here thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/G...

I use Regenerus as they send the results direct to you, Genova send them to ThyroidUK who then send them on to you.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for this. I'll try the Regenerus test. Hopefully if I need to take anything to help with adrenals I won't have to get it on prescription. I noticed on another post you mentioned some adrenal supplements which can be bought online so fingers crossed!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Personally i think you are under medicated, and been left on only 50mcg for far too long

Guidelines say Levothyroxine should be increased slowly in 25mcg steps.

Recommended dose is 1.6mcg per kilo of weight, so if, for example weigh around 9st 8lbs that's equivalent of about 100mcg Levothyroxine

You are likely going to have to go over GP's heads and see endocrinologist to get correct treatment

New proposed NICE guidelines are now suggesting starting most patients on full replacement dose

See page 10

nice.org.uk/guidance/GID-NG...

.....as per this research too

aafp.org/afp/2006/0401/p127...

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi,

Thank you again for your help. Always appreciated!

I've given up on my GP (and the others in the practice). After a lot of careful consideration and research, I bought NDT and started taking it on Friday. I'm getting my iron levels back up and looking into adrenal function as I'm aware these are crucial for it to be fully effective, and will continue to get regular blood tests from Medichecks to monitor things.

And, of course, come here for advice.

It's not a decision I've taken lightly and I haven't told my doctor either. I'm a bit stuck on that to be honest - I don't need a telling off from him or a lecture putting the fear of God into me about why NDT is 'unsafe' and why Levo (in tiny doses) is the only option. I've had thyroid problems, I suspect, since being a teenager and it's only now I'm starting to get some answers. So I'm taking responsibility for this area of my health now. I think keeping me on such a low dose of Levo has caused more harm than good and could, longer term, potentially be detrimental or even dangerous.

I did contact the nearest endo in Edinburgh after people here shared their experiences (50/50 roughly as to whether they'd recommend). I think for now - due to the sheer cost involved as well as the long distance - I'll see how things go with the NDT. But it's reassuring to know it's an option should I need to see someone for further help now I've made the decision to stay away from the GP. Seeing him just fills me with dread and I don't need the stress. It's a shame there's no private option closer to home. Inverness would be fantastic - I'm crossing my fingers that as it's such a fast-growing city, someone will set up a clinic!

[Hidden]

Hi, I take magnesium citrate daily (1500mg) in the evenings and add epsom salts to the bath weekly. Would the other magnesiums be better? I get along well with citrate and have been using it for over a year. Definitely helps with IBS and up until recently has been good for sleep too...

[Hidden]

Thanks, I'll finish the citrate - there's a lot left! - and buy one of the others.