My head feels like I've had a sleeping tablet the night before its been 25 years now I've tried everything from the healthshop and nothing works .can anybody help me
Why since 1996 does my head feels like I've had... - Thyroid UK
Why since 1996 does my head feels like I've had a strong sleeping tablet the night before
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Abetriffs
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48 Replies
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SeasideSusieRemembering
Abetriffs
Welcome to the forum.
As this has been going on for so long, have you discussed this with your GP and what has he/she said?
This is a forum for people with thyroid conditions. There is nothing in your profile or your post to say you are diagnosed with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. I am hypothyroid and have not experienced what you describe.
Any members who have experienced something similar may respond but I'm wondering, if you don't have a diagnosed thyroid condition then another health related forum on HealthUnlocked might be more helpful. It might be worth you looking at the directory of other communities:
healthunlocked.com/communities
'About 4 in 10 people with an underactive thyroid also have sleep apnea (5–10). Hashimoto's can usually causes a type of sleep apnea called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurring when the throat is swollen and inhibiting breathing.' (I have underactive thyroid and also sleep apnoea),
Good reason for the OP to see his doctor then. And we still don't know if he has hypothyroidism, he's not responding to replies.
Interesting! I have an underactive thyroid corrected with thyroxine .(hopefully??!). I sleep v.badly & feel permanently tired. I have. Fitbit watch & this shows oxygen levels drop at least once almost every night...so wondering if I too have sleep apnea?!!
But are you optimally treated?
No idea...given up on GP service here!
That’s not unusual which is why so many of us take our health into our own hands 🤗
Could be all sorts of things, including hypothyroidism but the condition that first springs to mind is sleep apnoea.
What tests have you had done? If it’s a medical condition it’s unlikely anything from the health food shop will make any difference.
Had test for thyroid said I'm ok so that's that as far as they concerned.trying everything of internet but nothing works
So are you taking levothyroxine?
What thyroid tests have you had?
Please add results and ranges
I was hoping to get on it but my blood test came back negative. I've got all the symptoms of underactive thyroid don't know what to do next
You are legally entitled to copies of your actual results and ranges
Come back with new post once you get copies
(Likely only TSH tested on NHS)
Or get full testing privately
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
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 .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
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
Thriva also offer just vitamin testing
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...
Omg .you are truly amazing thanks for all this il have to write this down an take to doctors no il go private il check them links and keep reading your reply
I had a similar condition for decades. Then I wondered if my blood sugar level went low overnight. I tried taking a small glass of fruit juice with a little salt dissolved in it, before bed time, and started waking up feeling a bit better.
Thanks that's something to try
SlowDragonAdministrator
Test your vitamin D level too
Il up my vitamin d and see what happens thanks
Always test vitamin D twice year
Don’t just increase without testing
Come back with new post once you get results
Thanks for that
Hi I feel like this every day for the last 29 years when I was diagnosed with m.e. Fibromyalgia/cfs - I started thyroid meds 3 years ago (hypo) and nothing’s changed for me. I’ve also tried many supplements and haven’t found anything to help this feeling of being drugged. I really feel for you and hope you find answers x
As your last blood test showed TSH at 11.6 not surprised you feel awful
TSH should be under 1 for majority of patients on levothyroxine
But I know all this sweetheart and it all sounds good on paper But I can’t tolerate my meds so I’m stuck in a no win situation. I am trying so, so hard I’m worn out and can’t take another increase in my dose.
So your endocrinologist should be looking at helping you ...not leaving you languishing
Have you had bloods tested after increase to 67.5mcg levothyroxine
Have you tried strictly gluten free diet?
This will be my first blood test since the increase. My endo won’t see me until may next year - She blames All my symptoms on cfs she is not concerned At all and is happy with my progress she wrote to my Dr and I have a copy of the letter she wrote here. yes I am gluten free
Lucky you if you have an endo. you're obviously not in UK. My GP OKs my bloods when they are out if range.. so I upped my thyroxine to 150mcg
I am in U.K. and get T3 prescribed on NHS alongside levothyroxine ....after enormous battle.
Couldn’t have made progress without fantastic help and knowledge on here....plus regular full private blood tests, private DNA tests and private endoscopy
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
Always stick with same brand of levothyroxine
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?
I take a Healthspan multi vit&min tab.+vitD3+Omega 3,6&9,& turmeric as I have had 3torn meniscus (sports injuries!!) so have v painful knees!! I am also thinking going back to CBD oil. Self medication seems to be the only way forward with our GP practice..all v.young GPs who all seem to be part time
I had a private endo.but his main interest was diabetes...he put me on DHEA .which was a disaster.
I can usually tell my thyroxine levels...ifI have too much I have heart fluttering in the night..too little..I get very constipated...they don't appear to monitor my repeat medication ordered on line..so changing dosage of thyroxine & my BP med. goes unnoticed. I had uterine cancer op.in April & hospital noticed the medication differences & that my bloods needed doing & 'instructed' practice.. but practice only did TSH...no Vits or anything...so I plod on!!
Which is why it’s essential to test levels yourself privately .....if you want to improve your health
You can’t guess
How do I do that
I've just lost my reply to you...must get dinner now so will respond later
Lol ok thanks
Hi Slow dragon
I was all set up to do my bloods privately...but realised I felt too weary at the moment to 'battle' with the GPs For the last 3nights I have been trying the recommendation to reset your circadian rhythm by going to bed 1am & up at 7am... for 3weeks...So think I'll sort my sleep out first as I only been having 4hrs+ / night ..so permanently tired...(hence the attempt to reset the sleep!!)...we are also trying to sort the house to put it on the market...so I'll plod on & get my bloods etc done when I'm more like my old self!!
Thanks for your help.
Low Ft3 causes insomnia
Low vitamin D too
Recommend you put yourself nearer top of the “to do” list!
Thanks SlowDragon...Think my D3 must be OK taking supplements for it..but low T3???! The burning question!!
Thanks🤗
How much vitamin D and when last tested?
I take a High Strength 4,000 iu capsule& 48mg NE as part of the Multivitality Healthspan multi vit/mineral per day.
It's ages since I was tested for D3...I was at one point about 5years ago low & GP prescribed Vit D3 supplement...then tested & said it was OK.
What vitamin supplements do you suggest I take.I've just ordered magnesium.vitamin d..vitamin b12 .anything else
You should ALWAYS test first
Vitamin D
See my first reply at top of post for private testing
B12, folate, ferritin and B12....
High Slow Dragon.
Just found my last test results: Clinician viewed05 Aug 2020
Serum free T4 level : 17.3 pmol/L [7.5 - 21.1]
Thyroid function test : Serum TSH level 0.13 miu/L [0.34 - 5.6]
Below low reference limit
.
My test results on: 27 Feb 2020 were:
Serum free T4 level 20.3 pmol/L [7.5 - 21.1]
Serum TSH level 0.08 miu/L [0.34 - 5.6]
VITAMIN D Serum 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 level 87 nmol/L [60.0 - 150.0]
MY GP was happy with the levels...but...I was SO tired and weary & constipated I upped my thyroxine from 125mcg to 150 mcg. I still feel pretty awful...and on researching online it indicates that I could now be HYPERTHYROID...I cannot understand that as I don't feel it at all!!
Do you think I'm Hyperthyroid now? If so I will reduce my thyroxine...
I have tried to get a GP appointment a for blood tests & b) to see a GP...but hung on phone for ages and a voice said "we are busy ring later"or go online...I tried the other day to do an e consultation but it's not how the e consultations used to be (I used it to pick up my uterine cancer when practice ignored my symptoms for 2 years...and it was brilliant but now you have to tick boxes...and it said I needed to ring the hospital emergency number....so I left it and tried to book an appointment at GP practice!!)
Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate
You likely have low Ft3
Also need folate, ferritin and B12 tested
Was this test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Results do NOT suggest hyperthyroid, they show you are on 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
Do you have Hashimoto’s
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
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)
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
Thriva also offer just vitamin testing
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...
Come back with new post once you get results
Hi I’m in London uk and have a nhs endo who speaks to me like I’m an idiot and spends 15 mins telling me about her holidays abroad lol
Email Dionne at Thyroid U.K. for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists.
NHS and Private
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
gponline.com/endocrinology-...
Replacement therapy with levothyroxine should be initiated in all patients to achieve a TSH level of 0.5-2.0pmol/L.
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.
But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
(That’s Ft3 at 58% minimum through range)
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor
please email Dionne at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
The aim of levothyroxine is to increase dose upwards until Ft4 is in top third of range and Ft3 at least half way through range (regardless of how low TSH is) ...important to have optimal vitamin levels too as this helps reduce symptoms and improve how levothyroxine works
Thanks for your reply
Thanks there's someone out there like me thort it was just me .my bodies not tired just my brain
Hi. I always felt at my worst in the morning. I now take my Levo at bedtime rather than the morning and it has helped. The symptoms haven’t gone completely, but better than they were
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK
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Thank you!
Hi and welcome. It’s likely that you are not optimally treated. At times I have felt the same. If you want to please post your history of results and we can share our experiences and the research that we have mined in order to help you on the road to wellness. Many of us have to do that ourselves. Our medical professionals have let us down, self medicating and monitoring is well within our capabilities. Many Thyriod patients do not have a complicated condition, it’s complicated by professionals who just don’t listen.
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