Can thyroid meds affect asthma?

[66olives]

Hi, has anyone found that levothyroxine exacerbates their asthma? For the last 6 weeks or so my chest seems to be getting tighter. I now have an annoying cough and having to breath shallowly.

I was taught Russian relaxation and breathing techniques at 35 yrs ago to control it. Not used medication in 25 yrs. But feel like I may have to ask gp to prescribe something. (Before anyone asks I am double jabbed and tested neg via pcr yesterday.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts you were on 75mcg levothyroxine

But dose was reduced to 50mcg

How long since dose was reduced

Being hypothyroid, especially after inappropriate dose reduction can bring on tight chest, low vitamin levels and especially low ferritin

50mcg is only a starter dose levothyroxine

Most people when adequately treated will be on at least 100mcg levothyroxine per day

Guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight is 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight

So unless very petite, most people will need at least 100mcg levothyroxine per day

What were actual results and ranges on last test

Getting FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing done 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Your B12 was very low on last post

Have you had full testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting on B12 supplements or injections

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH (which is all most medics look at)

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 with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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 all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

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

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

[66olives in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. That would explain things.

Just waiting for 3.5wk mark on new meds then getting FULL thyroid blood test privately.

I have asked the surgery for a different GP, but not heard back yet. I will force that issue so I can discuss results with new GP. Hypothyroidism isn't the only issue my current GP misdiagnosed.

I have another few days then I will order the test. So I can do it on Monday 2nd. I have dates noted/alarmed in my dairy and I have read the recommendations.

You people are so helpful. I really appreciate the advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 66olives]

If doing home postal kit, only test early Monday or Tuesday morning

Minimum 6-8 weeks ideally after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Avoid testing in heatwave as bloods likely no good by time reach lab

Stop any supplements that contain biotin a week before all blood tests

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid phases, so that might explain very low TSH

Or low TSH might be due to very low vitamins

[66olives in reply to SlowDragon]

I will do it at 6 weeks then. Need them to be correct. Thanks.

[CaroleM-A]

You’re not on Teva levothyroxine by any chance? My asthma was really bad when I was taking that brand with chest tightness and a persistent cough, which cleared up when I was given a different brand. It was only reading about Teva on here that I joined the dots up

[66olives in reply to CaroleM-A]

I thought I was still on Teva which I had 75mg, but now on Northstar., 50mg. Feel absolutely terrible but cannot get a gp appointment at present.