Tingly fingers

[Footello]

My daughter taking 100 Levo for a couple of years (she’s 26) she’s been complaining recently of tingly fingers, lightheaded dizziness and a general vacant/lethargic feeling. Is this a thyroid issue? We’ve booked for blood test but wondered if anyone could help. Me and my other daughter also on 100 levo family thing!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Low B12 frequently causes pins and needles

For full Thyroid evaluation you ALL need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also VERY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised. High antibodies confirm you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

Presumably you all have Hashimoto's

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).

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

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

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 primary 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 .

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that 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 eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

Guidelines on dose by weight - 1.6mcg Levothyroxine per kilo of your weight. Some need more....especially if gluten or dairy intolerant

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Footello in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou - you always help so so much. Xx

[Footello in reply to SlowDragon]

She says it the dizziness and spaced out feeling - happened about 6 months ago and now again. Is this Hashinotos. ? X

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Footello]

More likely mix of being hypothyroid and this causing low vitamin levels, especially low vitamin D and low B vitamins

You should all three of you get thyroid antibodies tested and all four vitamins plus TSH, FT3 and FT4

Make sure to get blood tests as early as possible in morning and fasting and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours prior

[Footello in reply to SlowDragon]

I know I’ve seen it 1000 times on here but which is the best test to send off for? And Thankyou again for wonderful advice xx

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Footello]

See what you can get GP to test

Just thyroid £59

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

No point just testing FT3. You need a TSH, FT3 and FT4 tested together. Plus BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Full Thyroid plus ultra vitamins £99 - often on offer at £79

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

[NWA6]

Yes those were under treatment for me. Has your daughter got a recent blood test that you could post?

[Footello in reply to NWA6]

No booking test today

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So what were her results after these tests?

[Footello in reply to SlowDragon]

getting new test results in 6 weeks. Thankyou all for all your help. She needs to wait until then till her body settles. Will send them soon x