- hi im new to this group

[marianne47]

ive been uat now for 17 years.been taking levo @125mcg and 100mcg alternately for a good while now.ive noticed i have had real bad headaches and sinus problems for a number of years but have only just put it down to medication. my eyes are extremly dry { had opticians appointment today }and the optician has told me its the medication im on for the thyroid,my question is if the levo can dry the eyes out so much can it also dry the sinus out hence the pain and headaches. thanks in advance

[greygoose]

Levo isn't 'medication' in the normal sense of that word. It is thyroid hormone replacement - synthetic, but and exact replica of the hormone made by your thyroid. So, if thyroid hormone dried out the eyes and sinuses, everyone on the planet would have dry eyes and sinuses. And, that's just not the case. I don't think your optician is right about that. More likely that it's a hypo symptom. Or that you have another condition - Sjorgren's Syndrome - that often goes with hypothyroidism - especially if you have autoimmune thyroiditis because Sjorgren's Syndrome is also autoimmune.

Headaches and sinus problems can also be hypo symptoms.

[marianne47 in reply to greygoose]

many thanks for the reply, i have an endo telephone consultation on the 8th march and i want to be clear with my questions i want answered. i have so many other symptoms that i thought were related to menopause but after being on hrt for 4 months and no change ive come to the conclusion its not meno its thyroid related . the sinus and headaches and dry eyes are so bad now 😢😢

[greygoose in reply to marianne47]

When did you last have a blood test? Do you have the results and ranges? If so, post them here. Sounds like you're under-medicated.

[marianne47 in reply to greygoose]

im having a blood test on friday asked for by the endo, my last results were done by the dr and i wasnt tested for the t3

[greygoose in reply to marianne47]

They rarely test for FT3. But, what were your TSH and FT4?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to marianne47]

but after being on hrt for 4 months and no change ive come to the conclusion its not meno its thyroid related . the sinus and headaches and dry eyes are so bad

Common on HRT to need dose increase in levothyroxine

Thyroid levels should have been tested 6-8 weeks after starting on HRT

Obviously essential to test vitamin levels too

Sinus is often dairy intolerance

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you know if cause of your hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

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 at least annually

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to also 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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

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...

Dry gritty eyes can be a symptom

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[Lynsie1]

Hi, I discovered it was an ingredient of the tablet that had the same effects as you, in my case it was the lactose, that has been sorted and the difference is great.

[KittyAO]

Just a thought are you on Teva levothyroxine? Gave me headaches which I never suffered with before. Some people cannot tolerate Teva. Good luck with sorting yourself to feel better.

[ssbook]

I've had the same problem I've been working through! Tried four different medications thinking it was the brand. Blood work in perfect range. Synthroid was bad. Missed a week of taking it due to Covid closures and dryness subsided! Dr. switched me to Armour, now dry mouth is back with a vengance! Awake in the middle of the night typing this now. Dr. has requested bloodwork again.