NERVOUS !: Does anyone else feel nervous & shaky... - Thyroid UK

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NERVOUS !

Petf profile image
Petf
34 Replies

Does anyone else feel nervous & shaky on their levothyroxine ?

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Petf
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34 Replies
Simplyred57 profile image
Simplyred57

Only when I took Teva instead of my usual brand .

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

That can be a symptom of under or over medicated. I have had it when I was hyperthyroid and suffered for many years when I was hypothyroid and undermedicated.

Have you had recent blood tests?

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to Lalatoot

Yes - they said 75mcgs is just right- but the higher levels seems to make me very shaky & nervous- so I’ve cut it down to 50 mcgs , before I have a nervous breakdown !

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Petf

Petf

What was the brand? Was 75mcg made up of 50mcg and 25mcg - so different brands?

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to SeasideSusie

2 x 25mcgs of “MercuryPharma” or 75mcg of “Teva” - as I say I try to stick to only 50mcgs , as I’m rather shaky & nervous 😟

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Petf

Petf

Have you always felt like this regardless of your dose and brand? Or have you ever felt OK on a certain brand?

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to SeasideSusie

I’ve always felt a bit hyperactive & anxious- but since thyroid medication it seems to have gone in “overdrive” & I’m having a job to cope , I always feel so much better with a couple valiums or alcohol - but I know this isn’t the answer, & have stopped both , but it’s horrible !

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Petf

Petf

So what is your diagnosis?

What were your test results that gave the diagnosis?

Have thyroid antibodies been tested?

You say that your immune system "ate" your thyroid. How do you know this? What tests were done? It sounds like Hashi's and with Hashi's you can go through false hyper phases as well as hypo phases.

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to SeasideSusie

My doctor told me when I was first diagnosed - from a blood tea ( about 10 years ago ) that my immune system ate my thyroid , & on a recent CT scan - they accidentally found legions on both adrenals whilst checking out my tummy

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to Petf

( blood TEST )

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Petf

Petf

My doctor told me when I was first diagnosed - from a blood tea ( about 10 years ago ) that my immune system ate my thyroid

So it sounds very much as though you were diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease, aka Hashimoto's. Symptoms and test results fluctuate with Hashi's.

What are your current test results?

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to SeasideSusie

And how do you stop the false hyper phases ?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Petf

Petf

And how do you stop the false hyper phases ?

You can't. They have to run their course.

When the immune system attacks the thyroid (which is what Hashi's does), the dying cells release a lot of thyroid hormone into the blood and this can cause TSH to become suppressed and Free T4 and Free T3 to be very high or over range. These are called 'Hashi's swings'. You may get symptoms of being overmedicated (hyper type symptoms) to go along with these results that look as though you are overmedicated. The hyper swings are temporary, and eventually things go back to normal. Test results settle back down and hypo symptoms may return. Thyroid meds can be adjusted slightly at these times if necessary, but will need readjusting when hypo symptoms return.

Hashi's isn't treated, it's the resulting hypothyroidism that's treated.

Some members have found that adopting a strict gluten free diet can help, although there is no guarantee.

Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks.

You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily is said to help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies. It's essential to test Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin and address any problems. You are welcome to post these results, including reference ranges (plus units of measurement for Vit D and B12), for comment and suggestions for supplementing where necessary.

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to SeasideSusie

Oh thank you S Susie , the vits , gluten-free diet & supplements might help then , I shall try that- antihistamines seem to settle me down a bit as well - but I don’t suppose they’re very good for anyone though - shame there is no “cure” for when I’m manic - but this advice has been very helpful, I will try it , & do deeply appreciate your time & effort with me Susie ! 👍

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to SeasideSusie

P.S - I have some Selenium 200mcgs - is that the same thing as fore mentioned Selenomethionine ?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Petf

Petf

It depends on what form it says your selenium is. It should say on the bottle.

Avoid selenite or selenate forms.

Yeast bound selenium and l-selenomethionine forms are fine.

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to SeasideSusie

Oh Brill , thanks Susie - yes it’s yeast bound !

Marz profile image
Marz

Not much info on your Bio 😷 Could be caused by low nutrients or even an adrenal issue. Hashimotos ?

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to Marz

I’m not sure Hashimotos - I know my immune system “ate” my thyroid , & I’ve just been found to have legions on both adrenal glands for which I have to have further tests for...

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to Petf

Sounds like Hashimotos. Thousands of posts here to help with Hashi's - diet- supplements etc. So your symptoms could be linked to the lesions on your adrenals. Private Testing for the 24 hour Saliva Test could be helpful to check adrenals- not done in the NHS.

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to Marz

Thank you Marz, I will look up the hashis diet , & look into the cost of private saliva test - thanks again - great, I’m so sick of feeling so anxious, it’s driving me potty !!! 😳👍

funny12 profile image
funny12

You have regulate the doses for yourself so you don’t take too much. This can cause you to feel nerves.

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to funny12

Thank you Funny12 - will do, it’s just that when I lower it - I put on so much weight !

funny12 profile image
funny12 in reply to Petf

I skip one or two days a week and that helps me to lower the overall effect. Ask your doctor if you can lower the strength as well.

Tara_Jane profile image
Tara_Jane

If your thyroid results are optimal then it sounds very much like your adrenals to me. Might be time for a 4 point cortisol test. If it comes back all high start supplementing with adaptogens. Holy basil is my fave for lowering cortisol.

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to Tara_Jane

Hi Tara Jane , thanks - yes I do have legions on both adrenals , & am going through tests at the moment - I will get some basil - do you recommend any other herb/vitamin or supplements ? -I am often a nervous wreck unfortunately !

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to Petf

& is it really called “holy” basil 🌿- or is that just what you call it ?

Tara_Jane profile image
Tara_Jane in reply to Petf

Holy basil or tulsi!

draxe.com/nutrition/adaptog...

Tara_Jane profile image
Tara_Jane in reply to Petf

All of the adaptogens are worth a go! Tincture is always preferable over capsules. You take them in water and be prepared - they taste gross.

My faves are definitely holy basil and ginseng (Siberian & panax). If you are having trouble sleeping, valerian. If you are really struggling and your mood is awful then kava kava. It’s a root with calming properties. (It had a lot of bad press because of a bad batch that affected the liver decades ago so don’t be put off by that.)

🙂

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to Tara_Jane

What is an adaptogen ? I will also try Kava kava-definitely Holy basil - Thank you for being so helpful TJ !

Tara_Jane profile image
Tara_Jane in reply to Petf

The proper name is adaptogenic herbs. They are healing plants.. used all through history on different continents. It’s actually pretty interesting to read about. They are incredibly effective.

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to Tara_Jane

BRILLIANT ! Now you said tincture instead of capsule - does that mean liquid form - or a tablet that’s dissolved in water , Sorry to be a nuisance !

Tara_Jane profile image
Tara_Jane in reply to Petf

Liquid. No trouble at all. Someone may as well benefit from my experience. 😉 Just make sure your thyroid results are in the optimal range too because being unbalanced can certainly cause anxiety.

Petf profile image
Petf in reply to Tara_Jane

You’re a STAR 🌟 Tara-Jane , thank you so much !

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