Does anyone else suffer badly with breathing problems and wheeziness with hypothyroidism? I have had mild asthma but it’s always been under control, however lately I’m so short of breath and wheezy constantly. My peak flow is still 500-600 so I’m not sure i agree with my doctors when they keep telling me it’s asthma and upping my inhalers (that are doing nothing).
I’ve been diagnosed officially after literally just over 6 years and have started Levothyroxine two days ago!
Shortness of breath and puffiness is an undermedicated symptom.
Extremely common especially if iron or ferritin are low
First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
Link re access
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
How much levothyroxine are you currently started on?
Which brand of levothyroxine?
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
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
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 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 vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just 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...
Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...
If you add results from diagnosis and say what dose prescribed ....
I got an asthma diagnosis just a couple of weeks after my (official) hypo diagnosis. I was given a brown and a blue inhaler. I've used the blue occasionally but it doesn't help in the way I'd expect it to so I'm unconvinced I have asthma.
I feel like I have an elastic band around the bottom of my lungs like I just can't get the air in deep enough, if that makes sense!
What are your iron levels like?
Yes! I am a wind instrument player and my breathing becomes so shallow when undermedicated.
Ah yes. SOB will make playing a wind instrument tricky!
I find any level of exertion leaves me breathless at the moment it's infuriating! Husband can tell where I am in the house just by listening for the huffing. 😂
I feel exactly like this! I was diagnosed with pleurisy in March but it all seems to have gotten worse around that time. I wondered if my thyroid tsh levels had just got worse since that. I get out of breath on walks or washing my hair.
It's wildly frustrating but at least take comfort in knowing you're not alone!
I've been taking the preventer inhaler morning and night but tbh, I think a low dose of steroids to the lungs would help anyone improve their lung capacity, asthma or no asthma.
I'm taking iron tablets not because my iron levels were very low so maybe that will help too!
I don’t think my iron levels are low, or at least they were in the normal range a few months back. I suffer mainly with the shortness of breath, major tiredness and coughing occasionally but really wheezy with it. Oh and my throat gets very horse, needing to clear it a lot ect.
This could also be an inwards growing goitre. It certainly was with me.
Whatever it is be sure to take great care as you may become susceptible to pneumonia.
Could I ask how your inward-growing goitre was diagnosed? Did it affect your breathing and comfort while lying down? I'm beginning to wonder whether this has been my problem over a long period.
Oh no idea what that is! I’m so new to all this and my docs haven’t been great with it all.
I found the preventers caused my lungs to dry and it became more difficult to cough up the phlegm. It would then lodge in my throat and I would be coughing and coughing to clear it so that I could breathe properly. Before I started the preventers I only used the ventolin (quick acting reliever). With only the ventolin the phlegm came up easily; was moist and went down my throat just as quickly as it came up from my lungs - no getting stuck.
It’s annoying as my inhalers have been increased twice in the space of 5 months i started with brown and blue then went up to symbicort 100, now symbicort 200, I’m assuming it wouldn’t matter what I’m on if it’s more thyroid related than asthma?
Get allergy and intolerance testing done. If you have positive results change your diet. I recently suffered after being over medicated with breathing issues. Think my lungs were temporarily affected which made me food sensitive. After eliminating foods that were causing allergies.. hey presto I’m well again many weeks later. Also check the fillers and additives of any medications and change any that have said aggravations in them. Could be lactose or citric acid or E numbers . Good luck
I have mitral valve prolapse in addition to Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. They are frequently seen together. The prolapse can cause shortness of breath when you are active/exercising.
And I get shortness of breath when I am underdosed.
Breathing trouble 
Gut problems and lethargy.
