Hi everyone I have what my doctor considers borderline hypothyroidism. Lrvel was about 4.0. I was put on just 25 mg of thyroxine. lately my body temperature has been running 96.4 96.6 and I noticed when my temperature runs this low that I feel bad sometimes breaking out in cold sweats I have talked to my doctor about this who seems to think there is nothing to be concerned with and I just would like someone else's input on this! Thanks. I should also mention that i was treated for lyme disease 3 years ago..and dont feel i was treated properly and have chronic symptoms. Like 49 out of 70 symptoms. No test seems to verify this..and my doc..thinks i am a hypochondriac. Meanwhile my hair is falling out and i am sick most of the time these days.
This is symptomatic of both hypothyroidism..side effect of thyroxin..and a symptom of Lyme disease..im at my wits end
So sick and tired of not being heard.
Funding and insurance are not benefits i have so my options are extremely limited
Hi Autumn882 once a doctor has put you on medication he should at least do it properly and monitor both your readings and symptoms. I’m presuming he has only tested TSH and that the result is 4 which without seeing the range is around the top of the range? When we get test results we should always put the ranges as they differ from lab to lab so it’s difficult to comment without knowing what yours are.
25 mcg is usually considered a starting point for the elderly or anyone with a known heart problem, the usual starting dose for most of us now is 50 though I’m old enough to have been started on 25. That’s not a major issue but the fact it is a starter usually means it is expected to increase. We start low to get used to the medication but it’s expected that after 6-8 weeks we are retested to see if the level needs increasing. If so we should be increased and the test repeated and this should continue until you are on the correct dose for you. We can all vary and although you could be within the range then it’s where in the range that is important. Most of us feel best when the reading is 1 or even lower.
I don’t know much about Lyme disease other than it’s very debilitating so hopefully someone with greater knowledge will be able to give you more advice on that.
Normal when starting out we should get FT4 and FT3 tested as that gives a better overall picture. You medication is probable the inactive T4 which our body converts to the active T3 that every cell in our body needs to feel well. But that doesn’t always work well on its own but it helps if our doctor will test Vit D, B12, folate and Ferritin as these need to be good levels to help us and if not we need to supplement as our body because we have a thyroid issue is always struggling to keep the levels high in the ranges. You should also have have had more tests done to test for antibodies. 90 % of us have them but I’m one of the 10% that does so again id rather someone more experienced told you more about those.
I keep an eye on my basal temperature, taken first thing every morning before I get out of bed so you are right that low temperature is a symptom and yours is most likely low because you are on a too low level of medication.
Lots of us have to arrange extra tests etc to convince our doctor we have an ongoing issue and I appreciate that can be too much to self fund so I should go down the research root and find out all you can about testing and what the levels should be. If you can actually find that in some literature then show him that rather than copying it out so he can’t suggest you have made it up. Also try to eat well to improve your vitamins etc. If there is a different doctor you can see then see if he is more knowledgable. Put together all your Lyme symptoms and give it to him. Not sure where you are from but in the UK we can ask that these symptoms are put with our notes. That may get a more positive reaction from your doctor that he should at least do more tests. Keep a diary of your symptoms as well whether you know they are symptoms and ask him why you have all these issues.
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
UK guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose (or brand) change in Levothyroxine
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
Ask doctor to test vitamin levels and 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.
Add your most recent blood test results and members can advise on next steps
Did you have an Elisa tests for the Lyme disease? If untreated properly with antibiotics ( the tetracycline ones are antibiotics that’s should be used).
If it is not fully treated people may develop rashes, chronic inflammation ( especially around the knees), migraines and severe neurological symptoms. Bell’s palsy is one that springs to mind.
You need to see a different Doctor who will take this seriously.
Obviously some symptoms from low thyroid levels overlap with lymes.
It’s important to take your temp 4 times a day and not when you wake up if you have your meds in the morning. That would be 24 hours without meds so it will be far lower.
That said yours works out at 37.78 ish which is too low. 36.50 degrees is a good aim with an average of 4. readings. If any of the readings ( after meds) vary by more than say 0.2/0.3 degrees then that usually suggests an adrenal issue.
SlowDraggon’s advice is excellent you need to ensure in this order you address things:-
Diet. Going gluten free helps many people myself included. Thyroid antibodies need to be established.
Vitamins as listed above
Absorption ( a comprehensive stool analysis would tell you definitively what the issues were. Sorry it’s a private test.) You can eat the best organic food and supplement well but with stomach issues you’d be wasting money. You usually can tell if you have some stomach issues.
Then it’s fine tuning the adrenals and thyroid levels.
Yes the dose is too low. I agree 50mcg would have been a better starting point. If your GP is reluctant to help use a basal thermometer to track improvements to your levels. You do need a starting point though so thyroid antibodies t3 and T4 are important at the beginning. Your hair will be linked to these issues above.
See drmyhill.co.uk and on the home page on the top right hand corner type in orchestra. It’s a great article on achieving good health.
In the meantime high doses of vitamin c, zinc and elderberry will boost your immune system.
Good luck
Thank you to all who replied to my post!!
I have a appt Tuesday with my Dr. I am on a mission!! You all gave me great advice...on the test i need...and i intend to get them. If not i will find a NEW DR.!!!
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