Thyroxine absorbtion

[rose49]

Hi i have just had a illiostomy and have taken thyroxine for many years but a month down the line i just want to sleep all the time and its a really deep sleep, could it be that im not absorbing the thyroxine. Any one out there with some advice.

[jimh111]

Yes it could. Your doctor should run a blood test to check your levels, especially free T4.

[rose49 in reply to jimh111]

Thank you will do.

[jimh111 in reply to rose49]

Forgot to say that if the levels are low the first option would be to raise your levothyroxine dose. If that cannot restore your levels there is the option of liquid levothyroxine, this is not well known and is expensive (for the NHS not you). So, the first option would be to try increasing your dose of levothyroxine tablets to restore your T4 level. This assumes there is impaired absorption. Make sure your doctor insists fT4 is measured, not just TSH.

[Mummychicken]

I too have been on thyroxine for many years and I had an ileostomy twelve months ago. I asked my gp to test everything after a few months - vitamins minerals thyroid etc to see if the ileostomy was effecting my absorption levels. The t4 was slightly down but everything else was ok. Also don’t underestimate the effect of surgery. It took many months for my energy levels to begin to go up and even now, I have days when I just need to sleep.

[rose49 in reply to Mummychicken]

Thank you i will ask for the test. Thank you as well it really helps to know the tiredness is probably just normal. I have had a lot of blood tests today but not the thyriod. Many thanks again. Di.

[MariLiz]

After this kind of surgery there is every chance that your B12 levels will fall. Do get a full blood test for B12, ferritin, folate and VitD. You can post the results on here for more advice.

I have found that although I hadn’t had surgery, my B12 had lowered enough to cause me very severe symptoms. Extreme tiredness, loss of balance, numbness and pins and needles.

[rose49 in reply to MariLiz]

Thank you i went to the doc today and he has done all those blood tests. I have had a lot of pins and needles and numbness so will post when i get the results. Many thanks it really helps.Di.