Unwell

[Shenka]

Was diagnosed several years ago with hypothyroidism. Started to gain weight during lockdown but also fluttering heart and backache. I simply don't feel well

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine?

When were levels last tested

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 and thyroid levels and antibodies

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)

[fuchsia-pink]

You are probably on the wrong dose ... do you have any recent blood results to post?

Then the lovely people on the forum can help you.

SlowDragon has told you the full blood tests you need - the more blood results you can give, the more help you will get.

Good luck x

[Jodypody]

Sounds like you’re needing an increase. Same thing happened to me but I self medicate so it’s easy for me but sometimes takes me a while to cotton on. Your body changes all the time and so does your dose requirements

[Shenka]

I know my body and it isn't well. I'll have to contact gp but how?

[Marz in reply to Shenka]

SlowDragon above asked you lots of questions. If you can give some answers it is possible we can help you more ...

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Shenka]

Shenka

I'll have to contact gp but how?

Nobody here knows what arrangements your surgery has in place.

At my surgery if we have a problem we phone them and they tell us whether or not we can go to the surgery or whether we can have a phone appointment. Surely the best thing is to contact your surgery and see what they say.

[klr31]

What dose do you take and what are your blood test results showing?

Karen

[Shenka]

Sorry folks. I need to phone gp and see what's happening. I suffer from depression and the isolation of lockdown has made me very withdrawn. Please don't judge me

[Shenka]

I take 125 levothyroxine but constantly have to increase. I have autoimmune thyroiditis

[Shenka]

So frustrating when you have to convince gp that you need blood test and are proven right