Stress management/support

Hello all!

Am feeling rather sorry for myself this week. I've had a really stressful time of it at work which has resulting in me quitting because it wasn't getting better.

Everything came to a head and it all got a bit tense.

As a result my levels have plummeted and I'm really symptomatic again. I'm having to rest for hours in the day and go to bed at 8pm. We're ordering takeout a lot because I can't cook. Kids are just watching TV all day. I'm crying a lot too.

The stress at work was unavoidable so I'm really looking for ways to manage the impact of stress on my thyroid.

What does everyone else do?

[tattybogle]

Sorry you 're having such a hard time. Which levels have plummeted ?

[Hidden in reply to tattybogle]

9th March:

TSH: 0.32

T4: 17.5 (12-22)

T3: 6.8 (3.1-6.8)

4th April: Same rangesTSH: 0.51

T4: 17.6

T3: 5.9

14th April: same ranges

TSH: 1.85

T4: 15.8

T3 not tested. Ordered another test that included thyroid. I wasn't specifically looking to test as I'd done a TFT so recently and didn't want to pay extra to include T3. Wasn't expected the results to be so different so wish I'd paid now!!

I say plummeted. Thats probably dramatic but it feels dramatic given how I was in March to how I am now.

[tattybogle in reply to Hidden]

i see ... yes TSH is surprising .

Shame about the fT3 ... Sod's Law ~ " when you don't really need it , even the NHS will do it without asking .. but when it would be MOST interesting you don't have a result ..."

Is latest test done with same lab .... blood taken similar time of day & same gap from last dose ,as the other tests ?

are you still on 90mcg NDT ? ... it's interesting that fT3 was already so much lower in april.... perhaps 90mcg is not quite enough and it's slowly crept up on you ?

ie. not such a sudden plummet , but the result of a few months of not quite enough . fT3/4 falling gradually ....and then TSH finally goes higher in response ?

just thinking out load and not had a cup of coffee yet .. so could be talking out of my ass

[SarahJane1471 in reply to tattybogle]

You never talk out of your ass tattybogle 😉. Would a stressful situation cause fluctuations in TFTs?

[tattybogle in reply to SarahJane1471]

Thankyou

honestly i don't know if it does... but i do know stress is not good for anything and will leave you feeling physically and mentally wiped out afterwards.

I have of sort of CFS/ME type 'post exertional fatigue' problem (utterly knackered and brain dead the day following the exercise lasting for 2-3 days only relieved by complete rest)......and i noticed years ago that a massive argument with a teenager, or some other acute stress like next doors car being set on fire .... actually kicked it off worse than a day of doing too much in the garden would.

[SarahJane1471 in reply to tattybogle]

Snap. That’s exactly what happens to me. Thanks tatty x

[Marz in reply to SarahJane1471]

Stress can lower B12 levels - I have read. Have you been tested along with Folate - Ferritin - VitD ?

[SarahJane1471 in reply to Marz]

Yes all good

[Hidden in reply to Marz]

This is interesting actually because I've just recently started feeling like I've got a hair wrapped around one of my toes. Dr Google says its neuropathy so perhaps my B12 has dipped a bit too low.

[Marz in reply to Hidden]

If you are supplementing, further testing will be of little value. I inject weekly as I have neuropathy from mid-calf to my toes. Had my Terminal Ileum operated on at 27 and now 75 - no-one mentioned B12 to me - 😕

[Hidden in reply to Marz]

I do supplement but haven't for a month because I ran out! I'll restart and see what impact that has on the sensation.

I just can't fathom how there can be so much incompetence in the medical field! I mean, I get one person can only know so much but there just doesn't seem to be an fail-safe plans anywhere!

[Marz in reply to Hidden]

Read today's Blog from Dr Malcolm Kendrick - it may help you understand how medicine works ! He once spoke at a TUK Conference ....

Which B12 supplement do you take and how much ?

[Mamapea1 in reply to Marz]

Yes Marz an excellent explanation from Dr K today...he's on top form as usual. How I wish he was my GP! I don't seem to have an NHS one at all now. I can't stand listening to the utter garbage they talk...it drains what little life I have left right out of me! *sigh* 😔 x

[Marz in reply to Mamapea1]

So glad you saw his Blog today. Yes the Spoon Theory is very much in action these days ! X

[Hidden in reply to tattybogle]

Yes, I do all my tests under the same conditions. Always fasting and between 7:30 & 8am.

I agree that my levels are settling and that's bourne out in my symptoms but I also have the same feeling you describe. Stress of work has definitely heightened my symptoms because I feel much much worse than I have done with similar levels.

Looking back I can also see that stress has exacerbated my condition certainly pre-diagnosis. I've never managed well with stress and always dipped or had 'depressive' episodes during and/or immediately after.

Some stress can't be avoided - like cars being set on fire! - so I wondered how others manage it.

[Marz in reply to Hidden]

Uijay breathing ? Worth a look ....

[Incoguto]

Sorry to hear it Witchinghour. First of all, I would increase Armour.

It sometimes takes couple of months and more for it to be absorbed and then your body needs more, judging by your levels including TSH. Stress isn't great, it can make your levels fluctuate. Normally at times of acute stress TSH is suppressed. I think your problem is that your dose is too low. This is a high TSH to have with Armour.

Second of all, I would buy reishi mushroom extract of really good quality and drink it. It's excellent for me for stressful periods, now I take it daily. Mushrooms extracts suppose to lower antibodies as well.

In the meantime, the least pressure you put on yourself the better.

I am giving notice in my job tomorrow, they have laid hundreds of people off, I ended up doing 3 peoples work and I'm anxious and exhausted.

Sometimes we need to do it to get our health back on track.

I sympathise x take care

[Hidden in reply to Incoguto]

Hi Incoguto,

I'm sorry to hear your job is stressful too! I've stayed in the role far too long really but the scales have finally tipped and now the loss of income is a less stressful proposition than staying!

It's so unfair when companies make such dramatic cut backs without considering the impact on the remaining staff.

I have just increased my dose by 1/2 grain, which is probably a bit much in one go but I've done it now. 😂 Hopefully that will help.

Does the mushroom extract taste of mushrooms? I'm willing to give most things a go but mushroom flavour turns my stomach! I'll google it too. Thank you!

[Incoguto in reply to Hidden]

Completely understandable, this means it was time to go, and it's the same for me, need to go ASAP Well done! It's good you have increased, see how you are, hopefully you are tolerating the increase well. For me it's always bumpy the first few weeks.

It doesn't taste of mushrooms, it is an earthy and mild flavour, I recommend it. You can have it in your tea or coffee as well. I would try reishi specifically.

[humanbean]

Have you ever had your cortisol tested with a saliva cortisol test?

Both low and high levels can make stress incredibly difficult to cope with. And there is a lot of overlap between the symptoms of low and high cortisol so you can't just guess based on a symptom list.

The best tests are :

regeneruslabs.com/products/...

gdx.net/uk/product/adrenal-...

Make sure to read other tabs, additional resources etc where available.

For info on discounts and how to order from Regenerus and Genova see this link :

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Personally, I would go for Regenerus rather than Genova because Regenerus deals directly with the public, Genova don't. Genova makes customers jump through hoops to get their results.

[Hidden in reply to humanbean]

I haven't. I will look into it though. I've often wondered if I ought to and the impact this stress has had on me isn't really sustainable so perhaps now is finally the time to do it.

Oh how I wish I had a sympathetic GP. It's all starting to get a bit expensive now...!

[Imaaan]

I'm sorry that you're going through so much.

Whenever my life gets overwhelmed I force myself to slow down and start practicing self care. What has helped me the most is relying on my religion to get me through the difficult times. I use adaptogens as well which included dgl and ashwagandha.

Quitting is never easy but I'm glad you decided to put yourself first. I hope it brings about more rest in your life and you're able to recuperate. Wishing you better health