So cold at bed time

[Bibisbibi]

Hello every one.i had my right thyroid removed 4 weeks ago due to a small cancerous nodule. I am not in any medication apart HRT and some vitamins. The last 2 nights,no matter how many duvets and blankets I use while I sleep,it doesn't help me from been so cold.i even wake up looking for more blankets or ways to get warmer. And on top of that ,my digestive system doesn't seem to work and I gained 2 kgs.Is it related to thyroid?I also have hashimoto's. Many thanks for reading my post and sorry if it's a bit long!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

You simply MUST get tested - even if it is less than six weeks. And act on the results.

[Bibisbibi in reply to helvella]

Helvella many thanks

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bibisbibi]

I'd request the GP to give you a blood test today.

[Julesboz]

I had a hemithyroidectomy in November. I was not diagnosed with a thyroid condition (although my thyroid has always been sluggish) but 3 months down the line my thyroid function hasn’t returned to pre op levels, in fact it’s got worse. I’m now taking Metavive 1. I was told by my surgeon that thyroid function can take a temporary dip after surgery and then recover itself but for others it won’t recover. If I were you I’d insist on some post op blood tests!

[Bibisbibi in reply to Julesboz]

Julesboz thank you so much for your reply.i know the consultant has written to my gp about blood tests but I don't know for how soon.i might need to do them private.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Surely with no thyroid medics should start replacement thyroid hormones straight away?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

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

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

New NICE guidelines

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...

1.3.6

Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.

BMJ clear on dose required

bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m41

[Bibisbibi in reply to SlowDragon]

Slowdragon thank you.Apparently they didn't want to give me any medication since I still have half thyroid and said it should be ok.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bibisbibi]

So if you have half left ....they do usually wait to see if it recovers

Bloods should be retested 6 weeks after operation

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

Do you have hashimoto’s as well?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bibisbibi]

Just seen you already said you have hashimoto’s

Makes it more likely to need starting on levothyroxine

Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten intolerance. Second most common is lactose intolerance

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find strictly gluten free diet reduces symptoms, sometimes significantly. Either due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)

Trying strictly gluten free diet for 3-6 months

If no noticeable improvement, reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing via Medichecks....ideally at 6 weeks if you can wait that long

[shaws Administrator]

When you are having a test for your thyroid hormones, you may already be aware of the procedure. Just in case you aren't this will give you optimum results:-

The earliest possible blood test, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of thyroid hormones (if on them). TSH is highest early a.m. and drops throughout the day but many doctors are unaware of this and the reason why it is recommended to get the earliest blood draw.

[Bibisbibi]

Thank you all.i have requested a reply through my gp with my symptoms so I'm awaiting for their response. If they don't anything to help I will do blood tests private. Do you think it's better if I first do vitamin checks and try to wait as much closer to 6 weeks for thyroid bloods?why does someone need to wait that long if not on medication? Are the results going to be more realistic if I wait 2 more weeks?

[milkwoman]

I would be lost without my electric blanket at night keeping me toasty warm. I put it on about 15 mins before I get into bed so things are already warm.

Could you get an electric blanket?

[humanbean]

Invest in an electric blanket, or a hot water bottle (or two).

Personally I prefer hot water bottles.

When I had an electric blanket I would sometimes fall asleep with it on and wake up pouring with sweat. I often wondered if I sweated enough whether I might end up electrocuting myself - I simply don't trust them!

[Bibisbibi]

Oh dear!I have an electric blanket but my body doesn't seem to get warm when I start shivering. It's the first time this ever happened to me.Now my arthritis has flared and today I feel so tired I haven't left the couch.