I recently got diagnosed with under active thyroid (June 2020) started medication end of June beginning of July. I’m feeling low, this is a real change for me I feel like I’m not me anymore. Sounds weird but I’m not sure if it’s connected to the medication. I don’t know much about under active thyroid. My doctor didn’t give me any info, due to covid I was told over the phone and didn’t question enough as i was taken back by it all.
I’m currently experiencing irregular bleeding and I’m wondering does the medication cause this? Any help would be great. Thanks
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Samantha_1988
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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 and thyroid antibodies if not been tested yet
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
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.
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) ...
Very important to have optimal vitamin levels too as this helps reduce symptoms and improve how levothyroxine works
In addition to SlowDragon 's excellent advice, I would add:
*always get a copy of your blood results - you are legally entitled to them and don't need to give a reason - though it's usually easiest to say "for my records" or to register for on-line access. Then you know exactly where "in range" (or outside range) you are and what has been tested
*I have had some success with my GP in getting the proper testing she recommends by saying that these are the tests recommended by Thyroid UK. If you don't ask for these tests, your GP will not do them - especially not the nutrients, which are really important - they'll just do TSH and, if you are lucky, free T4 and this really isn't enough.
Can I also recommend a good rootle around the hypo section of the main Thyroid UK website, to learn more about an under-active thyroid? Also have a look at helvella 's excellent glossary [saved in "pinned posts"] to get to grips with the terminology
This is a kind, helpful forum so please ask about anything you are unsure of x
I agree with previous posters the best step is to track your own blood test results. Get into habit of obtaining your test results and checking what has (and hasn’t) been tested and learning how to understand them.
It can take a little while to set up but if your practice offers online access (many UK areas should) sign up ASAP. Then you can you view full GP records, including test results and referral correspondence. A further step is required to enable full access which has to be requested and processed, but having full access is extremely useful. I can now view all my results straight away without having to involve any staff and waiting a few days for a print out.
In the meantime obtain a print out via reception & don’t accept verbal or handwritten results. Ranges vary between labs so you need an accurate copy with the full information.
You also might find it helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms, make a note of any supplements you take and other medications.
Thank you all, I’ve just spoken to the nurse they said I’m due another blood test. I asked for my TSH levels and they said in June my
TSH was 9.4 and my T4 was 10.8
Then in August my TSH was 3.46
I have been told they will do more bloods next week as I’m due it and then I have to wait for gynaecologist there’s nothing more they can do or say.
I feel like I’m always pushed away, so hopefully the gynaecologist will actually do something this time cos I’m at my whitts end I’m 32 and the clock is ticking.
Last time I’ve seen the gynaecologist they wouldn’t do anything they said I definitely haven’t got endo as I’m not in pain or anything but this time I’m going to push and push as it’s 10 years or more since I first seen the gynaecologist and nothing has changed 😩
50mcg levothyroxine is a starter dose & you should be retested after 6 or 8 Weeks, again after a dose adjustment or change of brand (do you always get the same brand?)
GP is glancing at in range TSH without considering your symptoms or wellbeing, or the importance of adequate replacement being essential for conception. You are under medicated.
Can you ask to see a different GP at your practice?
I did get re tested after 6-8 weeks and they said my levels were fine. I’ve not actually seen a doctor or spoken to one I keep asking to speak to a doctor and all they do is get a nurse to ring me back. It’s so stressful all they say is you need to see the gynaecologist there’s nothing more we can do.
I’m fairly new to the forum and my knowledge is very limited but I speak as a fellow sufferer stuck on 50mcg Levo for months last year. once your’e being treated with Levo your TSH should be under 2, so you are still too high. Levo should be titrated as tolerated in 25mcg steps with the guidelines of increasing Levo 1.6mcg for each kilo of your weight. On these grounds they should be giving you a dose increase. Nothing to lose by requesting to speak to GP and politely but firmly saying that according to Thyroid uk (don’t mention this forum) you believe there are several reasons why you need to trial a dosage increase ahead of seeing the gynae.
I’m trying to get my next dose increase and I can see I’ll have a similar battle. Good luck to you.
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