Anyone out there?!

[RobinRosieDibs123]

Had half of my thyroid and two parathyroid glands removed last August. Now taking 75mgs of levothyroxin daily which means my levels are ‘correct’. However, I have awful joint pain and fatigue and cannot lose weight despite daily exercise and intermittent fasting and contact colds etc all the time. Really sick of myself but don’t know where to go for help.

[greygoose]

Hi RobinRosieDibs123, welcome to the forum.

75 mcg is a very small dose for someone without a thyroid, so I doubt you are 'correct'. But, do you have a copy of your last blood test results? If so, post them on here and let's have a look. If not - and you live in the UK - just ask for a print-out at reception. It is your legal right to have a copy.

Do you know if nutrients have been tested - vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin? Low vit D can cause joint pain, and it's very likely to be low when you are hypo.

[RobinRosieDibs123 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for replying. Sorry should have said half of my thyroid removed. I take a vitamin D supplement but I’m not sure if the other things you suggest have been tested. I’m not due for a re test for another six months though.

[greygoose in reply to RobinRosieDibs123]

OK, so how much vit D are you taking? And are you taking it's cofactors: magnesium and vit K2-MK7? Vit D won't do much for you without magnesium.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Teva is currently only brand that makes 75mcg tablets

Teva brand upsets many, many people

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change….not 6 months

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Are you male or female?

Why were 2 parathyroids also removed as well as hemi thyroidectomy