Shock, upset and flare up of hashimotos thyroiditis

[alibongo]

I wondered if anyone is kindly able to offer advice please. I recently lost my dad suddenly a month ago. I was able to carry on working for a 3 weeks, though I was upset, I was able to physically work. However last week because it was his funeral I went downhill on the Monday suffering with an enormous 'flare up' as it was becoming more real. My boss said to take the rest of the week off. On the day of the funeral on Thursday my 'flare up' symptoms had subsided and also on Friday. However yesterday and today I feel worse again. I just feel like sleeping and sleeping again, I am having trouble with pains in my hands and feet, no energy, feeling very weak. I am wondering how I can help myself get better? I am on a gluten-free diet, dairy free and take supplements :-

Magnesium citrate 100mg (3 tablets daily)

Selenium 200ug

Omega 3, 6 and 9

Vegan multivitamin and mineral

On the whole I do not experience many 'flare up's since following the above changes. However, you cannot control things that happen in your life and this recent 'flare up' is immense.

Many thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So very sorry for your loss

Suggest you make an appointment with your GP

Talk things over and get full thyroid and vitamin testing done

Stress, grief and anxiety can all affect thyroid levels

Always test thyroid early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Multivitamins never recommended on here

Better to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually and only supplement what’s necessary

Are you vegan?

[alibongo in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply. I do take the same brand of levothyroxine and I'm on 150 mcg dose. i'm not a vegan as most of the diet is mainly wheat, soya based which I cannot tolerate. Thank you for very much for your advice. Will take it on board.

[shaws Administrator]

First of all alibongo. I am sorry that your Dad suddenly and unexpectedly died, so this will have been an enormous shock to you and all your family and friends..

I think the reason you don't feel so well at present is due to the sudden shock of your Dad's sudden and unexpected death.

The fact too that you kept on working and sometimes that is to make us feel 'not so shocked' but a sudden demise within the family will cause symptoms of loss and it will take at least six months just to accept that your dad has died, If he didn't suffer that's a benefit to think of and it takes about 12 months just to come to terms of your dad's demise.

When we have a sudden shock to our system. we have to allow time to heal and hold us together. I believe it takes at least six months just to accept a sudden death within the family and you also must have time to grieve but you will eventually come to terms that you've had a good Dad and you'll always have good memories of him.

I send my condolences as I know what it is like to lose our parents or close family members..

[alibongo in reply to shaws]

Thank you so much for your reply. Yes I am wondering if it is now shock I am suffering with. I had to keep on going with work, looking after my family as the funeral was one month after my dad passed away. I now feel it has hit me. I will now just have to take it one day at a time. I'm just struggling at the moment physically and would like to get back to work tomorrow but may not be able to as I feel so weak. Time sounds the greatest healer and appreciate it will take a while.

[shaws Administrator in reply to alibongo]

It is one of the biggest losses, i.e. to lose Mum or Dad, sister or brother - no matter how old we are. Or to lose a child,

[alibongo in reply to shaws]

Yes you think you're prepared if it's your parents, but realise that it's not the case at all.

[shaws Administrator]

Yes - losing a parent - no matter how old we are, affect us badly but we don't realise it at the time.

It can take quite a few months to come to terms with our loss.