every morning I wake up at 4 am. : About once... - Thyroid UK

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every morning I wake up at 4 am.

JannSimpson profile image
37 Replies

About once per week, I have internal trembling/heart palpitations and Insomnia. Regardless, every morning I wake up at 4 am. Some times I'm very hot. Most times I do go back to sleep.

I have checked my blood sugar and it's around 90 which I feel is ok. So no blood sugar problems. I eat grass fed beef or organic chicken with healthy carbs and veggies at dinner with a healthy fat. So, What could be causing this?

I see lots of people in my Facebook groups that have these symptoms, but no one can tell us the reason or how to address it. I have tried the adrenal cocktail and it didn't really help. I have been diagnosed with Hashimotos with ( now slightly) elevated Graves antibodies. I was on AIP diet and transitioned to Paleo and it has dramatically brought my antibodies down but not to optimal yet. . No gluten, refined sugar, dairy, grains etc...

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JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson
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37 Replies
JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson

Yes, I did have one in 2019. My nighttime cortisol was 1.2 (the reference range is 1.0-4.0)

This is what the lab said:

A.m. cortisol level appears adequate,Although the sub optimal diumal cortisol pattern is suggestive of early phase 1 HPA axis adrenal gland dysfunction.

Plus my DHEA was super low. My Doc just gave me DHEA and never said a word about my cortisol. I will have another one done ASAP.

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson

I started at 10 mg per day for about 6 months and saw no change. So I stopped. I'm afraid to go higher in dosage because it may cause hormonal problems, do you think? I haven't been tested since so I don't know if my levels increased or not. I've been battling so many things I'm afraid DHEA has gotten left by the wayside.

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson

Awesome. I'll definitely read it. THANKS SO MUCH!

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson

What brand do you recommend of both? I was taking pure encapsulations DHEA.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

If you have Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease this should be managed by endocrinologist, usually with block and replace

Email Dionne at Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists...NHS and Private

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

Are you currently taking any levothyroxine?

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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

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)

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-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...

Graves Disease antibodies test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

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...

Link about Graves’ disease

thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to SlowDragon

I'm actually in the US.

I take no medications at this time. I've significantly lowered my antibodies with diet and supplements in the last 2 years. This and FT3 not converting to FT4 just seems to be the last issues I'm having. My Last Labs were as follows:

TSH- 3.410 REF 0.450-4.500

Free T3- 2.3 REF 2.0-4.4

Free T4- 1.06 REF 0.82-1.77

Total T3 79.1 ref 80-200

TPO- 36 REF-34

TSI-2.54 REF - 0.00-.055

TrAb- 3.10 REF 0.00-1.75

ReverseT3-11.8 REF 9.2-24.1

Iron-74 REF 27-159

Iron Sat-21% REF 15-55%

TIBC-358 REF250-450

Ferritin-68 REF 15-150

Vit D-61.8 REF 30-100

TgAb-<1 0. REF 0-0.9

B-12-1003 REF 232-1245

Iodine-104.3 REF40-92

Folate-14.1 REF>3.0

The supplements I currently take are :

Omega 3, Selenium, whole food Vitamin C, B-complex, B12, Grass Fed Dessicated Liver, REMAG Magnesium, D3 and K2, Zinc, Saccharomyces Boulardi Probiotic,

FYI -I've upped my D3 intake to 10,000 IU per day. I stopped Biotin for 2 weeks before my Labtests and all were done fasting.

Plus I have back off of iodine.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to JannSimpson

Iodine is extremely controversial and not recommended for anyone with Hashimoto’s

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...

Vitamin D is already high. Likely need to reduce dose, not increase

Vitamin D at 40ng/ml is recommended

grassrootshealth.net/projec...

Taking too much vitamin D is not a good idea

chriskresser.com/vitamin-d-...

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to SlowDragon

Ok. Yes, I was very afraid to take Iodine. However, my levels were previously low and My doctor recommended it. I am monitoring it at this time.

Also, I follow Dr. Mark Hyman and read where he says Optimal levels ( functional medicine levels) were between 75 to 125 nmol/L (nanomoles per liter). Is this the same amount?

drhyman.com/blog/2010/08/24...

I will definitely look into it as I trust your advice as well as the doctors you reference. Thank you!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to JannSimpson

Your vitamin D test results are in ng/ml

Vit D-61.8 REF 30-100

61.8 ng/ml = 154nmol

Helpful calculator for working out conversion of ng/ml to nmol

endmemo.com/medical/unitcon...

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to SlowDragon

Yep I just did that math online. I agree it was high. I'll back off for sure. Thank you!

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to SlowDragon

However, as I read lower in Dr. Hyman's article he says this:

So here is my advice for getting optimal levels of vitamin D:

1. Get tested for 25 OH vitamin D. The current ranges for “normal” are 25 to 137 nmol/L or 10 to 55 ng/ml. These are fine if you want to prevent rickets – but NOT for optimal health. In that case, the range should be 100 to 160 nmol/L or 40 to 65 ng/ml. In the future, we may raise this “optimal” level even higher.

So I can probably still take 5,000 IU a day with K2 instead of 10,000 and be safe do you think?

Surgebinder profile image
Surgebinder in reply to JannSimpson

I have read that iodine should be taken with selenium to alleviate toxic effects of iodine, more so for us hashimotos but relevant for everyone really. Brazil nuts are a excellent source of selenium, very high in selenium, you only need around 1-3 Brazil nuts per day.

I have heart palpitations as well and they suck !

Hope you find a cure

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to JannSimpson

TSH- 3.410 REF 0.450-4.500

Free T3- 2.3 REF 2.0-4.4

Free T4- 1.06 REF 0.82-1.77

Total T3 79.1 ref 80-200

Ft3 and total T3 are both extremely low and TSH high within range

Looking like you need to start/increase levothyroxine

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to SlowDragon

Hi SlowDragon! Thank you so much for your input! I appreciate you all here.

I will most likely never take Synthroid or Levothyroxine, as it has too many fillers ( like Gluten) that people with hashimotos react to.

I've tried Natural dessicated Thyroid but they have recently changed their formulas and have also added fillers. If I try anything I will most liley try a medicaton that helps convert my T3 to T4 like Tyrosint and Cytomel. They are both additive free. Unfortunately the wrong dosage can make you feel hyper, so Im trying everything natural under the sun before I agree to take any medicines. Thanks again!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to JannSimpson

No levothyroxine or T3 ever contains gluten

Some brands do contain lactose

Personally I find levothyroxine and T3 by far the most effective

NDT doesn’t suit many people

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson

I go through my Doctor to get Pure Encapsulations brand but you should be able to find them on Amazon. Sounds good Paula. Thanks for your help.

jrbarnes profile image
jrbarnes

Hey Jann, I'm also in the US and have the same issue with waking at 4am every morning. I noticed your T4 and T3 levels are really low. Low T3 levels give me sleep problems and they don't go away unless you bring them up. Have you thought about trying some Levothyroxine and do you have symptoms like fatigue or fluid retention? I don't know how long you've had Hashis but if you don't want to take meds then make sure you keep an eye on your thyroid for any growths. I didn't take meds for years and ended up with a golf ball size growth and then a partial thyroidectomy.

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to jrbarnes

Hi Jrbarnes! Thanks for your reply!

Yes you are right! Im having a hard time getting these two to convert!

I will most likely never take Synthroid or Levothyroxine, as it has too many fillers ( like Gluten) that people with hashimotos react to. I dont have fatigue or fluid retention. I do have a stubborn 10 pounds that wont go away. I've have my thyroid checked several times and no growths so far. I also use Myrrh essential oil over my thryoid daily. Plus I eat an anyiflammatory diet. I beleive both of these help.

I've tried Natural dessicated Thyroid but they have recently changed their formulas and have also added fillers. If I try anything I will most liley try a medicaton that helps convert my T3 to T4 like Tyrosint and Cytomel. They are both additive free. Unfortunately the wrong dosage can make you feel hyper, so Im trying everything natural under the sun before I agree to take any medicines. Thanks again!

Ckosche profile image
Ckosche

I have all of the same symptoms let me know if you find out anything been seeking answers for over 10+ years NONE - sad

Hypnic profile image
Hypnic

Hi Jann, tradition Chinese medicine has a body clock that suggests at 4am your lungs are detoxing. Have you ever smoked or worked in a dusty atmosphere. Also have you cut out all caffeine and alcohol?

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to Hypnic

Yes I smoked for several years. I stopped about 11 years ago. I dont drink caffeine but do have an occasdional glass of white wine.

HashiFedUp profile image
HashiFedUp

I had insomnia when my t4 and T3 medication was slightly too high. Too much T3 in particular can cause insomnia so het your bloods done and see.

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to HashiFedUp

Hi!

Yes, Ive had my bloodwork done and my T3 and T4 are actually low and not converting. Im sure that and my adrenals are part of the problem. Im just trying to figure out what will get them to act right!! LOL

Clossy100 profile image
Clossy100

Exact same as me, like reading my own account. I have Hashimotos. I’m on a Paleo diet now. I’ve reduced alcohol intake to one glass of wine with a meal and introduced iodoral iodine. All these symptoms went one month after introducing the iodine.

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to Clossy100

Hi!

Thanks for your reply and Info! Thats interesting...I took Iodine for a while and actually started to feel and sleep better. However my levels got to high and I was told to stop. I cant get levels taken again for about 3 more months. I may try again ;-)

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon

I know some of it has been conspiracy for sometime, but I say, there’s no smoke without fire. People all over the developed world and for a number of years, are experiencing what you are experiencing and much of it is attributed to all the technology we’re all too accustomed to and are becoming too blasé about what really is causing us to be feeling odd; unwell; out of sync; sick; seriously ill; etc...etc... Mobile phones; all the household gadgets to deal with now like App’s on your phone for heating, turning your kettle on for a cuppa is now being controlled by a phone App; remote foldaway beds; the mobile phone towers and 5G that chucks out a mind blowing 60 Ghz of (EMF) Electro Magnetic Frequencies; enough to fry your brains if you stood next to a unscreened 5G tower that can also cause other body/mind malfunctions

But all this stuff in our lives is messing with our body’s natural rhythm or resonance that’s roughly 7.83 Hz which is the Schumanns Resonance of our planet earth which vibrates at exactly 7.83 Hz. If our body’s out of sync with that even slightly, all manner of things slowly develop: like your waking up at 4am etc... your internal body clock/mechanism may be all messed up despite having normal bloods, health diet etc... But our long term demise to our natural rhythm or Shumanns resonance will only heap more problems on ourselves the longer and deeper we go into the body’s rejection of this level of discord.

The more technologically advanced we become the more this disharmony will rare its not so pleasant head in all of us.

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply to Dickydon

Totally agree. I unplug everything before I go to bed At night and put my phone in a feriday cage. I was very upset when a smart meter was put outside my flat last month and since it’s been there the ringing in my ears has got a lot worse also cfs has got worse too.

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon in reply to Timetraveler67

Good measures Timetraveler67, but the smart-meter thing is a nuisance. Was that essential to have? As I’ve not heard good things with those SM’s.

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67 in reply to Dickydon

I had no choice as the landlords made the decision. I hate it being there I try to not dwell on it too much as I just get anxious. Thank you for your concern x

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to Dickydon

DickyDon, I don't doubt this at all!! I took the Router out of our bedroom and now Im going to put my phone and Ipad in the other room. I can use an old school alarm. Im just worried I may get an important call ( My mother-in- law is very ill) So I suppose it will be on the loudest ring possible!!

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon in reply to JannSimpson

Anything that reduces EMF electro magnetic frequencies or RF radio frequencies in you living space and certainly your bedroom. Obviously, don’t jeopardise any important call you may be expecting; but quite soon, you’ll notice the difference in your sleep etc...

healthkiwi profile image
healthkiwi

Hi,

I too have been having a spell of waking at 3.00 -4.00 a.m., drenched in sweat and feeling wired and panicky. I have (I think) identified a possible cause. I've always had disordered cortisol, from years of stress. Hot sweats and night waking not uncommon for me during this last year or so when my usual HRT disappeared for a year, but normal supply resumed months ago, and things settled.

However because there's no Thai NDT available I've been having to experiment this year with other solutions. Recently I've been taking Metavive, which has seemed OK for me. But....It's a very different product. Capsules of thyroid material, not hard coated compounded tablet, which I hadn't considered.

When i took Thyroid-s, it seemed to act as a slow release for me, so I just took 3 grains in 1 daily dose, before breakfast. This recent night waking and panic, together with daytime lethargy and mental fog, and wide awake at midnight, made me think of low cortisol. I searched and discovered Paul Robinson and his C3TM. I hadn't known about circadian rhythm and how T3 works. I was taking Metavive in same way as Thyroid-S,

For the last week or so, I've been taking Metavive in divided doses, 1st pre-dawn, then 2 more doses before 6 p.m. It seems to be making a difference - almost getting back to normal sleep pattern in the last few nights, no panic or sweats, and more energetic in the day. I'm getting more bloods done next week, to see what's what, but for me at least spreading the NDT dose seems to help.

Good luck.

Liyaelize profile image
Liyaelize

Thanks so much for this information. Been looking for it. Blessings

Hopinggh profile image
Hopinggh

Hello!

I wake up at 4:00 a.m.(ish) since i started levothyroxine.

I take my levo pill at that time and fall right back asleep.

Have a nice day !

Hopinggh

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to Hopinggh

Hi! Tyhanks for your feedback and experiences! I will most likely never take Synthroid or Levothyroxine, as it has too many fillers ( like Gluten) that people with hashimotos react to.

I've tried Natural dessicated Thyroid but they have recently changed their formulas and have also added fillers. If I try anything I will most liley try a medicaton that helps convert my T3 to T4 like Tyrosint and Cytomel. They are both additive free. Unfortunately the wrong dosage can make you feel hyper, so Im trying everything natural under the sun before I agree to take any medicines. Thanks again!

vocalEK profile image
vocalEK in reply to JannSimpson

I will most liley try a medicaton that helps convert my T3 to T4 like Tyrosint and Cytomel.

There is no medication that can convert T3 to T4. T4 is the "storage hormone" which must be converted to the active hormone, T3. This is done in your liver by removing one of the 4 iodine atoms from the T4 molecule.

Although there are some folks who take T3 only, it is more common for people to start on some type of levothyroxine (T4) and then see how well your body converts. If Free T4 is nice and high, but Free T3 is low, then some T3 medication is added.

I am not familiar with Tyrosint, but Cytomel is synthetic T3.

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to vocalEK

I actually started Tirosint 13.5 mcg about 4 months ago and no change in my levels yet. I'm hopeful but still struggle with internal trembling/ heart palpitations.

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