Im working myself into a frazzle re AZ vaccinne due Sat, Currently been trialling again adding T3 to my now greatly reduced NDT and my symptoms are still the same ie chronic gut inflammation and fatigue.
All the other requirements are good B12,Folates, Vit D, Stomach acid, Iron all in range........but now due to personal circumstances and the pandemic i have elevated morning cortisol for the first time.
Meds taken split doses 1/4 grain NDT + 12.5mcg T3 latest results
Am Cortisol Saliva 34.6 (6-21) the other 3 all in range
I understand that the more T3 added in the lower the T4 goes, is that correct,? but now my TSH is back in range.
Previous efforts with Endo advice last year was to take 1 grain NDT and i built up to addindg 7.5mcg T3 ,this pushed TSH well below range (Endo not happy) FT4 mid range and FT3 well above to 13.5 and i felt odd, with slightly reduced gut problems but very jittery.
Is it ok to have a very low T4 ? I am afraid of the vaccine in case as i am so weak i might not tolerate it too well. Am DIO2 + with Hashis and get odd reactions to things as a result.
If anyone can reassure me i would be very grateful, im trying my hardest to keep it calm......gotta get that cortisol down.
Every best wish G.
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Gillybean1
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There is no tellling how you will react to the vac. I have many health problems and did have side effects from it but nothing to drastic, however my daughter who is very fit and has no health issues had an extreme reaction and was very ill. So it could go either way for you 🤷♀️
How kind of you to respond so quickly, thank you. Glad you are ok now and your daughter i hope?
I guess i will just have to park my fear somehow...its weird, i have never felt like this, so out of control, this will be my first outing to another building in a year of shielding.....which i had not realised is a suprise stressor in itself. I barely recognise myself these days.....from social person to recluse........well im focusing on the positives...never had a problem with vaccinnes in my life, so thats a positive, just got to seperate it from my feelings of being so let down by the NHS for years prior to self diagnosis of this illness.....hmm thats a tricky one to forget.
But have fought so long to get a better quality of life, so this will just be another stepping stone to help....
FWIW I felt anxious too about heading out to the vaccine centre after a year of being a virtual recluse. So I can well understand you’re stressed even about the event itself. Ditto your fears around potentially making yourself feel worse than you already are.
I had my AZ jab on Tuesday this week and found it a surprisingly uplifting experience (I know, weird, right? 🤷🏻♀️) The folks manning the centre were lovely, all smiley and nothing too much bother. I found myself smiling more than I had done for ages. I came home feeling like I’d had a good morning out (sad). Both me and my husband, who had his at the same time, said, “why can’t the NHS be more like this normally?”
I told myself in advance I was probably going to feel crappy for a while afterwards. Last time I had a flu injection it wiped me out for at least a week. In the event, I was more tired and achy than usual. It seemed to hit from around 4am Wednesday when I woke with a headache. But by Thursday I was feeling okay. I just kept telling myself it was a small price to pay for the hopeful benefit of getting some quality of life back.
The Husband is newly diagnosed as hashis and recently started on medication which means we can be pretty certain he is also under medicated. He has asthma, gout, allergic rhinitis all year round to the point where he has lost his sense of smell... and he got the AZ jab yesterday morning with no side effects.
So under medicated hashis and a pile of other allergies (rabbits. Seriously. It’s hilarious, he can’t stop sneezing if he’s within 100ft of a bunny🐰!) all worked out OK. I guess he figured he wouldn’t do great with COVID with all that lot, so he’s probably more at risk from COVID than the jab.
Some people do just fine with low fT4. I think it is a personal thing... I agree that you look a touch under medicated but wouldn’t be sure where to go. If they were my numbers, I’d be adding levo(!) but that doesn’t help us really, given that I’m not you! I guess a small increase in NDT will move up T4 and T3. People say that adding T3 can drop T4. I don’t know if it is the same for everyone though. I am awaiting a test to find out what - if anything - it has done to my numbers. I think I’ve gone all weird and that upping T4 has actually dropped my T3 as I feel quite hypo at the moment. But maybe it was the antibiotics...
Thank you for taking the time to reply. You made me smile re the rabbits, poor hubby, best tip is to get him on a good pro biotic from a health store, i found these dampen down those odd scewed immune reactions by producing more good gut flora,i used Optibac, but there are many other equally good ones.
My NDT was much higher previously but that limited how much T3 i could add, so its all a trial, adding some back in tomorrow would take 14-28 days to build up ,and that would push my T3 up and out of range,and back to jitters, so i would have to reduce again.
I guess i will just have to see what happens re vaccs and not be such a big baby on Saturday.
I didn't know it at the time, but I was suffering acute kidney injury (due to blood pressure meds) when I had the vaccine. I did know that my vits/mins were all low as recent coeliac dx. On the evening of vaccine day I shook like I was holding a pneumatic drill for about 5hrs, and could not get warm for about 24hrs, but many have said exactly the same. I did wonder ...If I'd known about the AKI would I have postponed it, but then it hit me that in my poor state it was the sensible option.
I would suggest that you have food and liquids to hand in case you feel unwell afterwards, but that's about it really.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Oh yes, i think you were wise to take it hearing your story. This shaking that many have experienced is quite alarming, i guesss its about heat and temperature control, was it shivering? What stops it? paracetamol, ?warm drinks or just rest and time?
I will have paracetamol on hand +antihistamines, although not taken those in decades.
You have been far kinder and more reassuring than my Gp, i guess they are overwhelmed.
I just rode it out, but probably should have taken some paracetamol. Hedgeree has given some excellent advice, and really its only a day or two if you do have a bad reaction, and remember most people don't so your odds are good that you will be fine.
Oh, I would also suggest that if you sleep on your side, have the jab in the arm that you don't sleep on - I didn't. 🙃
I had the AZ vaccine yesterday. Not sure if this will help but this is my experience.
I didn't get much time to think about it as I had a phonecall from the surgery the day before then the following day I had the jab.
I was extremely nervous as I have problems with anxiety. Also I'm still not diagnosed with a thyroid condition and my FT4 is usually around 10 (below range).
I've also had strange reactions to different food stuffs and preservatives/sulphites in food so I was feeling very nervous. Also not particularly good with needles!
Try to make sure you're well hydrated, get some sleep and try to eat before you go for your vaccination. All difficult when you're feeling anxious.
Do try to do what you usually do to calm yourself, whether that's slowing your breathing or using affirmations, whatever works for you, try to do it.
The person doing the jab was really good they put me at my ease and asked what my concerns where. If you have a needle phobia unless it helps you to see the needle I wouldn't look as it is a very long but fine needle as it has to go into the muscle!
It's best to try to relax your arm as much as possible, difficult when you feel very anxious. Surprisingly I hardly felt anything at all ☺
Afterwards they just say you're free to leave but if you are worried about any immediate reactions there will be a place for you to sit for 15mins (or there should be!)
I felt very tired later that evening, my arm has been a tiny bit sore today but I've been lucky to just be able to sleep and rest since I had it done. So far I've felt fine just like I'm getting over the very end of a virus; mostly tiredness.
If you look at the pinned posts to the right of this post, 'Thyroid disorder and Covid -19 vaccination what was your experience' you can read how it went for others.
There's also another pinned post 'Autoimmune conditions (Hashi's/Grave's) and the Covid 19 vaccination.
So kind of you to reply so quickly, thank you. And yes you have reassured me.
Sleep is a real problem, and gut flares a nuisance,but yes i will eat before and i am always well hydrated.
I probably would have been better at a big vaccs centre, more open spaced, kinder folk and more relaxed, .....unfortunately my GP practice are pretty uptight and brusque, i guess they are all exhausted.
I had my first dose of AZ at the end of Jan and was fine, had a sore arm for a few days and felt a bit 'off' that evening but no real issues. Was (and still am) undermedicated but don't think it made the jab worse.
From the people I know it seems to be quite random who gets side effects but trying to stay calm and reduce anxiety is key I think.
And Brreeathhhh i keep telling myself! Im a bit miffed with myself for getting so anxious....never had a prob with vaccs in the past, its just feeling so unwell for so long and not achieving optimum meds yet, is not the best starting point.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, im glad you did ok with it, take care too,
Yep absolutely, deep breathing all the way! I do know it's a lot easier to say than do, I felt pretty jittery beforehand too and can't put my finger on why...as always, don't think the thyroid helps! I've definitely been more anxious since mine went wrong anyway.
Sure it'll all be fine and it's a good feeling afterwards to feel somewhat protected!
Hey I too felt a bit nervous as these days I have a pile of conditions that Ive acquired in the last ten years.....but sudden phone call for jab all done beofre I could think much!! I had a bit of a sore arm and felt tired the next day. My healthy fit son who is very active and does loads of running on the other hand was laid up in bed for 2-3 days!! Both of us said wed rather have the jab then Covid....... so yes breathe deeply and slowly and think about the protection and the reduced fear you will feel from having its protection. Line up the paracetomol and take that after the jab. Arrange if you can a chill day to relax in.
By the way your endo should be going on your thyroid hormone ranges and how you feel, NOT TSH......... My fab endo (sadly retired now) told me and my GP that so long as the thyroid hormones are in range you do not need to worry about the TSH. In my case my TSH is always supressed at 0.02 but thyroid hormomes in range. I am on a ndt. Hope that helps.
I am still new to hypo and am not fully medicated yet (numbers are good, but some symptoms still persist). I also am low on Vit. D. I had the AstraZeneca vaccine on Sunday and had chills overnight, a headache and sore arm. Nothing too bad at all, and I'm so glad that I'm vaccinated, because I was really worried about getting COVID. The headache only lasted for about 12 hours and the shivering for about half an hour. My arm is still sore though, but getting better. Good luck with yours. I'm sure that you'll do well, and getting COVID would most certainly be worse for you!
Hi Gillybean.I am also very under medicated and to parrot what many have said above I had the jab with no side effects whatsoever, yet my other half who is a very fit cyclist was ill for a few days.
Maybe our systems are used to a whacking. 😁 Good luck. Take a deep breath. They are so well organised in the venues it is unbelievable. Literally in and out. X
Hi, sorry you are feeling so anxious about the jab. I am fairly newly diagnosed with over active thyroid and symptoms have been all over the place including panic attacks, never had one before in my life. As far as your recent results are concerned being a novice at all this I have no idea what they all mean. All I can say is after my body reacting badly to my thyroid racing I was expecting the vaccine to knock me for six. I had the jab two days ago and have had no reaction at all. I am 57 and know many people my age and older who have had various side effects and just as many who have had none at all. The worst of which have been one felt a little nauseous, others felt weary, headache for a couple of people but really nothing dreadful. I am talking of a lot of people too. Please try to get it in your head that the vaccine is the start of opening the world up for you again, going to get the jab must be scary after shielding for so long. However please understand that the the places where they give the vaccine are so well set up and the precautions for everyone’s safety are paramount. I have lost friends from this killer virus in their 50’s as well as a few older relatives of friends, the vaccine is making a huge difference to outcomes. No one is going to make you feel better and less worried about going I know but with regard to having the vaccine they ask you on a form before you go in if you have any allergies, they only seem concerned if you have severe allergies that can affect your breathing. Before you know it we will start to get our lives back, it’s been so very easy to become a hermit I know myself, but I’m so looking forward to seeing everyone again. Take care 😊
Given that covid has a 99% survival rate (and I’m guessing you’re not elderly as you’re getting it now) why bother?
Save yourself any anxiety and side effects and politely decline the vaccine... you’ll almost certainly get side effects of some kind, you almost definitely won’t die from covid so.... 🤷🏼♀️
I have had AZ and have underactive thyroid. No issues. My husband had shivers for about 4 hours about 5 hours after the shot.
My friend having full on chemo, had the vaccine.
There are loads of helpers there (literally every step of the way), I would explain that you are nervous and ask if you can wait until you feel happy to leave. There is always at least 1 doctor on the spot.
There is a separate thread which if someone could point to, where lots of people outline what they had and how it made them feel (beyond my technical expertise)
There is a separate thread which if someone could point to, where lots of people outline what they had and how it made them feel (beyond my technical expertise)
Gillybean1,Please take a look at the figures and comments on our forum poll, from people who have actually received a vaccination. Hopefully this will help you to make your decision. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
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Advice on dosing. 
FT3 has lowered but TSH and FT4 stayed the same.
Should I worry about T3 being above range?
Pooling on ndt
On combined t3/t4. FT4 and FT3 at bottom or out of range but increasing the dosage is barely raising the blood test results, TSH suppressed
