Bloated Tummy?

[Aniba]

Morning everyone

Since taking Levothyroxine I have noticed my tummy area has changed, it looks as though I have a pot belly which is unusual for me and I feel I’m carrying more water in this area, I don’t feel bloated or is it a coincidence, as anyone else experienced this?

Many thanks

Aniba

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Very common, especially if under medicated

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

Which brand

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Looking at previous posts you have Hashimoto’s

Have you had coeliac blood test done

Are you on strictly gluten free diet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Aniba in reply to SlowDragon]

Was previously taking a split dose of 25mcg Teva, 3 weeks ago started on 50mcg Northstar split dose .

I have to split the dose due to having severe side affects to teva last year but from reading posts on here that may have been down to my body wanting more thyroxine.

I am tolerating it well and wondering if I should take the 50mcg in one dose at night.

Was tested for Vitamin D that was fine and take 1000iu daily

On a Gluten free diet, last blood test was in the morning and took meds 12 hours before

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Aniba]

Last dose levothyroxine should be 24 hours before test

Yes perhaps try taking Levo all in one go in a few weeks time

Suggest you get use to new higher dose first

50mcg is only the standard starter dose levothyroxine

You will need further increases in dose over coming months

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg are Accord

Northstar 25mcg is Teva

Teva brand upsets many many people

Extremely important to test folate, ferritin and B12 too

What was vitamin D result

Come back with new post once you get results

[Aniba in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you

[shaws Administrator in reply to Aniba]

I think it is a good idea to take your dose in one go as the hormones will saturate the T3 receptor cells and it then sends out 'waves' throughout the day.