I was wondering if I could get some information on feeling queezy on levothyroxine.
After dipping under the T4 range, in and out for 3 years, I finally got my GP to prescribe low dose Thyroxine 25mcg, based on my symptoms.
I'm on day two and have noticed I feel queezy after taking it and this morning my stomach shot off some pains.
What was most worrying though is I had a big resurgence of my sleep apnoea lady night and woke several times with my breathing affected and feeling like my heart had stopped. I dont know if thyroid issues are linked to sleep disturbances? Last night was frequent and very daunting at the time trying to regain breath and composure. This has been happening to me for years, since I was a teen and I'm 42 so it's not new to me.
I add that my thyroid when it pulled back up went to from 10.4 to 13.9 (12-24) T4 and the TSH 2.6 to 3.4 (0.4-6) yet I have many thyroid symptoms including tinnitus (just saw a few recent posts) My sensitivity to sunlight seemed better on day 1 of levothyroxine.
I was put on folic acid for low ferritin (barely low) I've taken a weeks worth.
Ive taken the Levothyroxine on it's own before any food, at least l 1/2 hour to 40 mins.
Any advice or feedback very welcome.
The rest of my vitamins and minerals tested were in the good range.
Test printedout by GP's reception did not include ranges so I took them over the phone.
Thank you in advance.
Katie.
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What brand of Levo are you taking? If it's Teva then that brand has caused adverse reactions in many members. If it's Northstar 25mcg then that is made by Teva so will the the same tablet.
If it is Teva or Northstar 25mcg (Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg are made by a different company) then tell your GP and ask for a new prescription. You could discuss with your pharmacist but they wont be able to issue more tablets without a new prescription.
I was put on folic acid for low ferritin (barely low) I've taken a weeks worth.
You wouldn't be given folic acid for low ferritin. Ferritin is iron. You'd be given folic acid for low folate level, folate is a B vitamin.
You should take your Levo 2 hours away from any other medication and supplements (some need 4 hours).
Are you drinking much water with your levo? I've found increasing the amount of water helps with some stomach issues (i don't feel sick but it i do get a stomach ache sometimes) but as SeasideSusie says fillers in the medication may not agree with you
Thank you slow dragon I will make the switch to night time. I've had very bad diharea this morning after the stomach cramps. The GPs reception printed test results and antibodies were minimal, very low (sorry print out is in hubbys car)
Lots of burping and nausea happening here
I checked its 25mcg dose so yes, likely to require more.
Would you know when I could start to feel a lift in energy please?
He read out ferritin as under but it was minimally under. Sorry the print out is in hubbys car. All other values were within normal. I'm 42. I'm in Surgical Menopause 3.5 years now and have Gel Estrogen as my HRT.
I've went out of range 10.3 out if (11-22) T4 at least three blood tests though they eouldnt treating previous as it got back up into 12 or 13 level when retested. I've been pushing for Levothyroxine for 3 years. Multitude of symptoms.
Which brand of levothyroxine of levothyroxine is it
Many people find different brands are not interchangeable
Teva brand upsets many people, though if lactose intolerant, it’s frequently by far best option as is lactose free
What’s your diet like ….eg are you vegetarian or vegan ?
Do you suspect lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance
Starting on such small dose can make symptoms worse initially
Burping is likely due to low stomach acid and poor gut function….extremely common when hypothyroid as we get low stomach acid, this leads to poor nutrient absorption and low vitamins as direct result
Come back with new post once you get results out of husband’s car
We need OPTIMAL vitamin levels
Ferritin and folate at least half way through range
Serum B12 over 500
Vitamin D at least around 100nmol
Very common to need to supplement to improve
But always get tested first
Your legally entitled to copies of your blood test results and ranges
Easiest way is to register for online access to your medical records and blood test results…..assuming your surgery offers this
In theory all surgery’s should offer access since 2016 ….in practice many don’t yet
Always keep good records of how you feel at each dose
Always get actual results and ranges after each test
Spreadsheet with results over time can help see trends in levels
Retest 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
Always test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
That's Brill advice thank you so going by my ferrotin I'd be low there.I will get the rest of the results posted up later on today
I've pouded the porcelain
"Wokhardt" POM is the Levothyroxine branding and sais it contains lactose.
I am not celiac, I am not gluten sensitive either. I am fine with dairy and dont particularly have foods to avoid, unknown to any allergies; Yet I've been having problems enjoying a glass of wine I feel like its metabolizing differently and I feel "edgy" and I often get awful diharea the next day on alcohol and yellow stools, so have been avoiding alcohol completely.
I am an Endometriosis sufferer and fo feel a recurrence of bowel Endometriosis. I'm pathologically diagnosed post Operatively with extensive bowel and urinary/Pelvic Endometriosis and of the rectum, I have no feminine organs left at all. Diharea may be the Endometriosis reocurring.
I tested negative for ANCA and anti nuclear antibodies.
I've been feeling very sick for a very long time and my husband has recently had to come out of work to do the minimum hours possible as we went to universal credit benefits, he needs to look after my 7yr old son and I who are both disabled.
I have lost alot of my mobility and
Rely on mobility aids.
This 25mcg of Levothyroxine is hopefully a starting point for me.
I've even been hiding from that grey daylight as it's been hurting my eyes yet I'm great in the sun.
Recurrence of mouth ulcers are woeful.
I've just saw my June 24th blood test had level of 'Active B12'as 57 on range of (25.1 to 165.)
Endometriosis and autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s) often go together
So it’s important to test thyroid antibodies
Only change one thing at a time
So adding one supplement, or changing dose or brand of levothyroxine
Otherwise you can’t see what’s causing issues or improvements
Presumably folate result was below range as GP prescribed folic acid
Once you finish folic acid prescription
Suggest supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial. This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Thorne Basic B is a recommended option that contains folate, but is large capsule. You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule
Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of weeks)
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
If serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
REMEMBER.....very important....stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results - eg vitamin B complex
Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord
Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets
Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but Accord doesn’t make 25mcg tablets
Thank you so much for all that information. I will get the print out from my hubbys car when he returns from work, just incase there are other values in there like TPO etc. I had 1 Private test on June 24th with a Consultant who was looking at general bloods and the Thyroid TSH and T4 were on there as 2.39 (0.27 - 4.2) and 10.3 on (12-22) free B12, 57 of (25.1 - 165)
No other Vitamis. Blood cells, red and white profiles were normal and no anti nuclear antibodies or ANCA. Getting these results followed up took several attempts with GP.
I currently take no supplements just this folic acid that's been a weeks worth now and the 25mg Levothyroxine.
I've been pretty bad with diharea today and believe this is probably the Endometriosis. It is a fortnight since the last bout and that's been presenting as a pattern.
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
REMEMBER.....very important....stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results - eg vitamin B complex
Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord
Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets
Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but Accord doesn’t make 25mcg tablets
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