Breathing trouble

[Bobbobby]

I’m having difficulty breathing still. My pulmonologist did many tests and said it’s not cancer or copd but I’m still having trouble. He gave me spiriva which seems to help some. I have hypothyroidism and am getting my dose correct now. Any thoughts on what it could be? I’m being sent for a sleep study as well, can that show COPD or anything that standard tests would miss? This is greatly affecting me and I’m having trouble functioning.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bobbobby

Low iron/ferritin can cause breathlessness. This was discussed when you asked this question a few months ago:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Bobbobby in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. I remember. My doctor kept dismissing that idea. I was looking into other options. I will push it further when I see him next. It’s been tough with the COVID getting out these dsys

[LotiRamjet]

I have breathlessness sometimes that just comes on for no reason. I have lung issues, which weren’t causing it at present, so I went to an allergist. He tested me - bless him! I didn’t know it, but I’m slightly allergic to my most treasured service dog. I wash her blankets and have her groomed often and my breathing issue has stopped -

[Bobbobby in reply to LotiRamjet]

I went to an ear nose and throat doctor last year who did allergy tests and said that I don’t have any but I think the tests might have been corrupted possibly. I might have an issue with my nose because it’s often stuffy and they had serious trouble getting the camera in it. I also have gerd too. I don’t know if that’s relevantl

[Hidden]

I notice from a previous thread you say : "My endocrinologist says he's not familiar with breathing trouble from a thyroid"

He is a rotten endocrinologist if he admits to this. Poor breathing can be caused by a goitre that is expanding inwards and squashing your airway as I know very well. As you seem to have seen a number of doctors about your problem, this is unlikely to be the cause, but you need to eliminate it.

Bad breathing can cause pneumonia and that is a killer. I had 3-4 cases of pneumonia in 1989 before I saw an ENT consultant who recognised the problem straight away and I was in hospital the same day.

It can be very dangerous as it is possible for the airway to suddenly collapse under pressure if left for too long. That is why they placed a tracheotomy kit right next to my bed.

[Bobbobby in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I told him I was still having it and he said it’s probably my thyroid and once my levels are normal it should go away! A complete contradiction of the last time I said it and he said it wouldn’t be the thyroid. I need to find a new primary to test my ferritin and iron levels because I moved recently. I have a sleep apnea test set up next because the pulmonologist says that might show something

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you had thyroid ultrasound scan

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Being under medicated can cause breathing issues

As can low iron or ferritin

Or goitre

[Bobbobby in reply to SlowDragon]

They’ve said no to vitamin testing. I’m going to push the issue next time. My tsh is 18. I’m still going up on my tirosint. I’m at 75 mcg daily and it will raise to 100 after my next blood test. My endo previously said thyroid doesn’t cause breathing troubles but now he’s saying it does.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bobbobby]

Suggest you test vitamins privately

TSH of 18 means you are extremely hypothyroid

Are you taking levothyroxine on empty stomach

Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking, if any ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bobbobby]

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin (doesn’t include folate)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Possibly cheapest option for getting all tested via DIY finger prick test

TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

[Bobbobby in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I usually take it in the am and try and eat 40 minutes later. I’ll push it back more. It’s hard because I have a small child and often have to eat when he does. Unfortunately I am in the states and not the U.K. So I can’t utilize those links but I do appreciate the help. I’ll look into private testing.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bobbobby]

Insist on testing iron, ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D

Come back with new post once you get results