Light Headedness and Thyroid?Allergy Issues

[celticlady]

I am experiencing lightheadedness nearly every day-since August. Just wondered if any hypothyroid people get this? All bloods back ok. I'm 63 and have noticed that some years I take antihistamines for pollen and some no problem at all. i wondered if leaf mould might be a contributing factor as my house is surrounded by trees.

Also thought of taking starflower oil for post menopausal symptoms but having had 2 over 2 days I suddenly felt even more disequilibrium. Sorry to mention so many factors in one item but any anecdotes would be great to hear.

[greygoose]

'OK' is not the same as 'optimal', which is what we strive for. Do you have the actual numbers: results and ranges?

Have you had your nutrients tested: vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin? Light-headedness could be due to nutritional deficiencies.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

When were thyroid and vitamins last tested?

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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 .

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_...

[celticlady in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you-my GP won't test for vit deficiencies. Been on 50mcg Levo for years and been fine with it. When they put me on a higher dose-75mcg I was off work for a year-panic attacks/nose bleeds-awful. I take magnesium/vitD3/B12/iron/supplements-although find the D3 hard to take-Better you Dlux 3000 spray-tried all makes-all make me feel unwell. Am very interested in how many postmenopausal women with hypothyroidism get on with herbal supplementation for post menopausal symptoms-I'm 63 and low in oestrogen which causes problems.

Thanks to the administrators for your time and advice. It's been hectic recently as my partner had a heart attack last week hence the delay in my reply.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to celticlady]

Sorry to hear your partners heart attack.

When you get time, once life returns to less stressful time, suggest you get full Thyroid and vitamin testing

50mcg is extremely low dose

75mcg - frequently Teva brand prescribed as its only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. Many, many people react extremely badly to Teva

On adequate dose Levothyroxine TSH should be under 2 and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

High cholesterol is linked to being under treated and still hypothyroid