Recent Diagnosis Hypothyroidism - Normal Symptoms??

[Thy14]

I’ve recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and about 4/5 weeks ago started 50mg of thyroxine.

For about 2 months I’ve been feeling really dizzy, to the point I have to stop what I’m doing and lay down and sleep it off, and also headaches. These symptoms usually kick in early/mid afternoon. I’m also reguaary feeling quite out of it and spaced out.

Are these symptoms others have had, and should my thyroxine be having more of an effect by now??

I know they slowly increase dose so that could be why. Thanks x

[greygoose]

These are quite common hypo symptoms. But, the dizziness could be caused by low B12. Have you had your nutrients tested: vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin?

should my thyroxine be having more of an effect by now??

Well, no. You're not taking enough for it to have much effect. 50 mcg is just a starter dose, and you should have been retested six weeks after starting it and increased it by 25 mcg. If your doctor hasn't done that, nor said anything about retesting, he's being negligent. So, I would get back to him, if I were you.

When you go for a retest, make sure that you get an appointment early in the morning - before 9 am - and fast over-night. Leave a 24 hour gap between your last dose of levo and the blood draw. This is a patient-to-patient tip, not to be discussed with medical staff.

[thyroidmom84]

I had dizziness and headaches when first diagnosed (and sometimes still). Greygoose mentioned B12, I noticed a significant improvement with dizziness after supplementing with B12 (I had a confirmed deficiency).

[Rosie2m]

These are very similar to my symptoms, since I have started treatment it’s a lot less than it was but if I have a busy day then I start from wobbliness/disorientation and headaches which seem to be worse if I’m outside and it’s dark... I’m hoping when my dose is increased from 50mcg that it will finally eliminate what is left of these symptoms. I also suffer from being spaced out or not quite with it, again it has lessened but not enough to say I feel good yet. Hopefully with optimal vitamin levels and a dose increase we will both feel a lot better xx

[Darceymay]

So Sorry to hear this, i feel for you. Yes it is the norm unfortunately, as you will possibly not be on enough thyroxine yet. Your body has had to cope for a while without a major engine source. You are right they start you off slowly and build every couple of weeks from there. Some people get a bit of a reaction because all of a sudden your body is starting to get what it needs.

My advise to you would be, listen to your body. Hopefully, you have an open minded GP who treats your symptoms of under active and not ruled by blood test. Always ask for whole screening TSH is not reliable, so T4 & T3, FT4 & FT3 and you will get TSH too. You will possibly get push back from your GP asking for those, (costs) but this way you can check that your body is converting properly. Should you struggle to feel fully well, you and your doctor are more able to pin point an issue. Good luck, be kind to your body. I tried telling myself, I had just had a long term plaster cast removed and now I was having to build the muscles again. It is very hard when it’s an invisible disease, we seem to put unnecessary time scales or pressure on ourselves.

You may not be doing this, my assumption could be way off, it comes from good intent, look after yourself. ☺️🙏🏻🙋🏻‍♀️

[108Optimist]

So it had started before you ever took exogenous thyroxine.

Do you feel the symptoms when you are lying down/seated/standing? Is there any relationship to position? Is there any relationship to the days activities, or what you have eaten? For instance, I don't know what you are doing all day before the symptoms begin, or if you eat a large carb based meal before hand, or are hungry. Do you get short of breath? Any history of a cardiac condition in your family? Do you have any other conditions such as High blood pressure, anaemia and on? Do you take any other meds and when did you start taking those? Etc etc. A lot of things resolve with treatment. If you are concerned, alert your doctor.

[Sallyplum]

Hi, it is common to have a low adrenal function simultaneous to having a thyroid problem. I would suggest you look into what is termed adrenal fatigue. Taking vitamins and minerals can support the adrenal glands enough for them to resolve your symptoms.

It would be appropriate to support your adrenal glands ahead of taking/starting thyroid medication. If these symptoms of dizziness haven’t resolved I would suggest you slowly stop the thyroxine support adrenals for 2 weeks then restart thyroxine building up slowly as before.

Adrenal fatigue is not recognised by you GP it Endo therefore you’ll need to go this one alone, but plenty of info on the net.

I took these;

Magnesium

Vitamin c

Vitamin E

Vitamin B complex

Vitamin B5 separate to complex

May also need potassium

I also drink 1/4-1/2 tsp sea salt diluted in small amount of water then drink a whole pint of water after that.

Keep hydrated through the day with water not dehydrating other drinks.

Best of luck.

[Sallyplum]

Oh and yes Vitamin B12; tho doesn’t support adrenals specifically is commonly depleted due to hypothyroidism. B12 is a vital vitamin tho you need very little of it with HypoT your stomach doesn’t produce enough gastric secretions- hydrochloride acid and intrinsic factor- to enable the breakdown of food and particularly protein and depleted intrinsic factor means B12 not absorbed even if it was made available.

Sublingual or intramuscular injection is how to get B12 into your body.

I’d also suggest taking HCL with Betaine with your meals this supplements HCL. Look up how to increase this supplement and then eventually you will be able to decrease it too; but learn how to do this. Look on the net.

Happy for you to come back to me if you need further info.

Best of luck.