Hi,
I was diagnosed in March , my levels were 100, and now are finally normal however I do seem to get a fuzzy sensation across the top of my head and ears which is strange, it's like a fuzzy sensation over the top of my head and pain in my ears. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?Initially I thought it was all related to stress but I don't think it is.
Sometimes it happens if I drink caffinated drinks...has anyone else experienced anything similar ?
Welcome to forum
Was TSH thyroid stimulating hormone - 100?
What is you daily dose ? Do you alway stay with same brand of levo?
What are your current results?
TSH, FT4 & FT3. If just TSH tested that is not reliable.
Were your thyroid antibodies tested? TPO & TG antibodies
They sensation you describe may be related to a nutrient deficiency.
Have Vitamin D, B12, folate & ferritin. Often low when thyroid low.
Hi,
My TSH level was 100.00mu/L on the 12th of April 2022.
They also tested my serum free T4 level and it was 0.7 pmol/L .
These read on 20th July;
; T4 - 15.0pmol/L
& TSH 1.55 mu/L
They tested on the 5th May;
Serum Thyroid peroxidase AB and this read 397.0iu/ml which is abnormal . I haven't had a test for this since - do I need one?
They did test Vit D, 25OH, on 12th April and it read 45nmol/L which is abnormal and they haven't tested again since. They also tested Serum Ferritin which was 36ug/L (normal)
Are there other tests I need to request?
I am taking 100micrograms of Levothyroxine and the brand is Aristo.
Thank you so much for your advise !
FT4 15.0. - What is the range for FT4. Ranges vary between labs but looks in range my most ranges.
Has FT3 ever been tested? FT3 is the more active hormones.. Levo must be converted in the body. If nutrients are low it might mean although your FT4 is nicely in range you FT3 can be low.
Most feel well if TSH around 1 and FT4 in top third of range. FT3 at least half way through range.
Are your hypothyroid symptoms improved / resolved?
Thyroid peroxidase 397.0iu/ml is abnormal high? This confirms autoimmune thyroiditis also known as Hashimoto’s.
The immune system attacks & destroys the thyroid cells and the substances released into your system which shouldn’t normally be there are being “cleaned up” by the antibodies.
It does not need to be re-tested as antibodies can fluctuate greatly and not alway correlate to thyroid function and symptoms - it is useful for diagnosis.
Gluten often hidden issue with Hashis - this then affects absorption- do you have any stomach problems?
There is test for gluten allergy not for intolerance.
When you test, fast overnight, book draw early in morning, delay dose until after draw. Avoid biotin week before, it’s know to skew result by interfering with testing process. This show higher TSH lowest FT4 & gives most consistent results. Was this how your tests were done?
See if GP will test nutrients mentioned and FT3 on next thyroid function first. GPs seem limited to test FT3 & vitamin D especially. If GP or Lab unable to test there are private options to fully test.
Hi,
FT4 normal range is ; 11.1-22 . My last reading was 15.0 (so not quite top third range)
I cannot see any tests on my patient records fro FT3 being tested, I will enquire about this.
They did tell me that the immune system had destroyed my thyroid cells but didnt say i had Hashimotos. - They said I was about 8 weeks from a coma so it was extremly severe. Does it make a difference now that I am on medication? I saw that people can be at more risk of other health problems with Hashimotos? - is there anything I can do to prevent other conditions?
I don't have stomach problems. The problems I have noticing are related to my head/ brain/ ears.
I haven't been working full time yet, i have just changed jobs after being signed off for 3-4 months following aquiring this and I'm about to start a new one in a few weeks. I have noticed I get fatigued and struggle to focus I can become really slow this happened when I was on my feet for a few hours doing a hospitality job. I have a constant flat mood and no sex drive. So i would say I do still have some symptoms .
I didn't mention I was also tested for ; GFR calculated Abbreviated MDRD and it was abnormal 53ml in May , I havent had a test since .
They also tested serum creatine which was 104umol/L which was abnormal which i also havent had tested since.
Also Serum albumin was 54g which is abnormal and I havent had tested since. Not sure what any of these mean.
so just to confirm, I should enquire re T3 levels being tested and
Vitamin D, B12, folate & ferritin? And thyroid anti bodies ? Is there anything else?
Thank you so much
FT4 normal range is ; 11.1-22 . My last reading was 15.0 (so not quite top third range)
That 35.78% of the range. Ask for increase. Did you start on lower dose? Usually it’s increased by 25mcg per day and once a new continuous dose has been taken for 6 weeks a retest needs to be done. Is this how treatment has been approached so far?
GP likely to say lab won’t test FT3 unless TSH & FT4 abnormal but if you’re still having symptoms worth asking.
What other conditions concern you? I do know that having any autoimmune condition increases the predisposition of developing others. Others may have opinions on ways to combat this but it’s not something I’m very knowledgeable about.
In uk doctors rarely refer to Hashimotos. They sometimes use the term “autoimmune thyroiditis” but ignore the autoimmune aspect (that can’t be treated directly)
The treatment deals with the resulting low hormones by replacing what’s missing.
You haven’t added range to GFR, Creatine & serum albumin. Doctors will normally look at these results in context of the other blood results. I’m not sure about what level is concerning. Speak to your doctor they can likely reassure you.
No need to repeat antibodies. Ideally FT3 can be tested, to see if levo is working well, so along with FT4 & TSH.
Yes test - Vitamin D, B12, folate & ferritin. These need to be optimal (which is not same as any where in range). GP will “tick off” anything that’s within range even if very low.
Edit just see you added vit d & ferritin Results these are too low. Were you given / advised to take supplements?
When you say ask for an increase do you mean in my levothyroxine? - To bring my T4 levels up slightly to the top third range?
My dose was increased every month from 50mg - 75mg then to 100mircograms over 3 months.
Do you think I could just start taking B12 etc and see what happens?
Also is it common to get nerve damage considering what i have been through- with it becoming so extreme so fast, as I have expereinced getting pains in my body when I feel stressed/ am hearing emotionally difficult things that I may relate to. Like tingles and shooting pains. I never used to get that. I did have quite extreme psychological stuff I to deal with along with all the other symptoms when I acquired this and I wonder if that high state of stress did that to my body/nerves or if poss B12 deficiency is related to these symptoms. I haven't had them more recently in the last month I just wondered if othrs had reported anything similar.
Yes. 25mcg Levo increase per day. Same pattern as before. Because your TSH was so severely high you have been increased quite timely, instead of a few months apart. Often GPs think once TSH in range “job done” but to be adequately medicated you need to ensure TSH lower part reference range FT4 higher (but preferably not over)
Be mindful you have found a brand which suits, often increases are managed by adding a different brand and that’s often not ideal. Less brands manufacturer 25mcg pills. - Teva brand upsets many for example.
Has B12 been tested? Best to test first & see if and how much supplements you might need.
These may be still be hypo symptoms, perhaps compounded by deficiencies
No my B12 has never been tested.
Thank you so much for all of your advise and sharing infomation, I feel in a much better position to have a conversation with the doctor and get my health needs met.
😊👍
Hi abirose,
Your GP should be re-testing your Kidney function again round about now. One off abnormal results are quite common, and can be caused by dehydration/eating a big steak/excercise amongst other things. Do you have access to previous results to see if there has been a sudden drop, or a steady decline?
I had liver function tests on the 12th April when they did a full blood test and again on 5th May none before or since. The serum albumin read the same on both dates 54g/L (NORMAL RANGE - 35-52) so maybe I need to ask for liver function tests again?
Hi was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid at the age of 18... I was also diagnosed with diabetes and liver disease the same time so I was hit hard and trying to manage all 3 diseases at once.
I'm 34 now. I caught covid jan 2021... was really ill and was in hospital with blood clot on lung and in need of oxygen. I then had long covid... this sent my thyroid and diabetes out of control! Within 10mths I ended up with cirrhosis of the liver. My health is declining fast... still under investigation but because if my autoimmune diseases this may be reason why liver is starting to fail. I've been put upto 150mg levothyroxine and becoming insulin resistant due to damage of my liver.
Underactive thyroid disease isnt nice... you loose motivation, feel tired all the time, low mood, unable to function, muscle aches and can gain weight. Your doctor is doing the right thing by increasing your dose as you need to start off small dose and work way upto the dose you need. Once your stable you'll need bloods every 3mths just to make sure your still stable.
The pins and needles your referring to: dont be alarmed as I'm just being cautious and from experience... ask your gp to do bloods to be tested for diabetes as usually some people can have both diseases. Through my diabetes I developed nerve damage ( neuropathy) and issues with my eyes. Also request LFT ( liver function test) just to make sure your liver is ok. These are just common blood tests.
The fuzzy sensations could be caffeine intake. I dont drink coffee but do drink energy drinks and I also get the sensation. This is why I mention to get tested for diabetes because I cant tell which symptom goes with which disease. It may be that your body is adjusting to the new medication.
If you ever want to chat about things please dont hesitate to message me as I've been dealing with underactive thyroid for 15yrs. Sometimes it improves and by losing weight it also reduces my dosage... other times I catch 1 virus to the next which makes me poorly that my dosage needs to be increased again. It's a nightmare! This is a long life health condition which can be managed via medication. It is for the rest of your life but it shouldn't get in the way of you having a normal life with right dosage but it may vary over the years.
I hope this helps. Please get tested for liver and diabetes though. I know it's my superstition but I'm now living on time. All the best lovely.
Hannah ❤
Pressure to top of Head
Still feeling under the weather and light headed also affecting ears.
Burning and tingling sensation in my arm, leg, feet and sometimes at the back of my lower head
Heartbeat/whooshing sound in ears
