Extreme coldness

[Sallie66]

I have under active thyroid. For two years I've been feeling extremely cold. At home I have heating on and Im still so cold. When i have a shower or bath i don't seem to feel the warmth of the water. I ask my GP, if it was to do with my thyriods and she said I don't think it is and said it's just you. I'm taking 75mg thyroxine daily. I'm 56yrs old and was diagnosed at 13yrs old. .

I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the extreme coldness but two years ago my lovely husband passed away from cancer miss him so much. I know grief / stress can cause so many problems as I know as im also seeing heart specialist. Before I lost my husband I felt the cold but it has got so much worse. Any advice most welcome. Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So sorry for your loss. Yes grief and stress could be making your physical symptoms worse. But you could be under medicated and on too low a dose of Levothyroxine

75mcg Levothyroxine is only one step up from starter dose. How long have you been on this dose?

Do you always get same brand of Levothyroxine?

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

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 GP to test vitamin levels

Very common for vitamin levels to drop as we get older, (especially B12) or if under medicated and still hypothyroid.

What vitamin supplements do you currently take?

Do you know if the cause of your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease?

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

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

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

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

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Add results and ranges if you have any

Or come back with new post once you get results

[Marz]

Have posted a Reply on your post of two years ago. I mentioned how your GP may have wrongly reduced your dose and caused you to become unwell. Also some of your symptoms could be due to B12 - perhaps you need your injection more often than every three months. Are you taking drugs for the Reflux ? Again this could be causing absorption issues including the Levo/T4 you take - hence you need a bigger dose. Feeling the cold is a common thyroid symptom...

Please obtain copies of your test results ASAP so members can make suggestions.

[Sallie66 in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz

I daily take 75mg thyroxine tablet each morning.

Ive been taking a complete vitamin B complex . I take one tablet at night time

I have B12 injections every 3mths.

I stopped taking my reflux tablets a few years ago as i avoid the foods and drink that set it off.

Here are some recent blood test..

My last Thyriod blood test was on

9th December 2019, TSH (ON T4 RX)

Serum TSH level Result 3.19 miu/L Normal range 0.35-4.78 (Normal)

7th August 2019

Serum Free T4 level Result 15.8pmol/L Normal range 10-20 (Normal)

7th August 2019 B12 AND SERUM FOLATE.

Serum vitamin B12 Results 477ng/L Normal range 200-900 (Normal)

Serum folate Result 11.6ug/L Normal range 2-17 (Normal)

6th March 2019

Serum TSH level 6.2miu/L 0.35 - 5.5 Results (Abnormal).

[Marz in reply to Sallie66]

Will get back to you tomorrow ... have a shocking cough - the shivers and a temperature !! Shared by one of the grandkids !!

[Marz in reply to Sallie66]

Your TSH is too high and may be better around 1 when being medicated with Levo. SlowDragon - above - has given good advice above about the extra tests required.

How do you take your Levo/T4 ?

Better to take your B Complex earlier in the day as some B vitamins can be stimulating...

[Sallie66 in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz,

Hope you are feeling better.

I take my thyroid tablet when i get up in morning. The make of the levothyroxine is called Actavis 50mg

MercuryPharma 25mg.

I take B vitamin during day now.