Hypothyroidism and neurological conditions - Thyroid UK

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Hypothyroidism and neurological conditions

annca1 profile image
14 Replies

Hello, My health has deteriorated since running out of Armour Thyroid some months ago. I moved onto Thyroid S to compensate, but it doesn't really .I am still taking 40mcg T3. However, I am experiencing multiple transient neurological symptoms, such as numbness of face and limbs, tingles etc.

I have seen papers showing low T3 and high T4 implicated in some neurological conditions. But as both T3 and T4 are now below range, and the doctor who caused it said that was fine, I would appreciate info or links to any evidence of both low T3 and T4 causing neurological problems. Ann x

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TSH110 profile image
TSH110

This one clearly states both thyroid hormones are involved in neurological function so I deduce from this lack of either will have an impact ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

annca1 profile image
annca1 in reply to TSH110

Brilliant! Thank you! Exactly what I need! Sorry about all the !, but very excited. But it is very sad that although we can say, 'told ya', we are still damaged x

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to annca1

Once we know that the majority of GPs are ignorant about how to bring their patient back to good health if hypothyroid it is time they were taught by their patient who would recommend what they should trial if not improving and be symptom-free.

annca1 profile image
annca1 in reply to shaws

We wish! I think there is an agenda that is contrary to patient welfare. In Devon, where I am, the CCG are employing pharmacists to identify patients on T3, also ndt with the intention of having their medication withdrawn. My medical notes suggest it is happening in our practice. Elsewhere, on another forum, someone was told by a pharmacist that there were incentives paid.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to annca1

That's awful news as it is very clear indeed what they want to happen. They do not give a hoot of how a patient who has a dysfunctional thyroid gland feels on their dose.

I am aware that many doctors/Endocrinologists seem to have been told not to prescribe NDTs or T3 and I think it was those 'at the top of the tree' made these decisions. It just goes to show how determined they to put all of us on levo only and I am one who gets awful severe palpitations on it. Only T3 resolved my symptoms. I was given levo when first diagnosed but it gave me such severe palpitations (particularly during the night). The cardiologist also couldn't figure it out but when T3 added to T4 the palpitations was reduced and on T3 only palpitations ceased.

Thyroiduk was set up by Lyn Mynott due to the problems she was having and I would contact her to see how you could also set up a similar site in your area.

annca1 profile image
annca1 in reply to shaws

Thanks Shaws. Louise who is experiencing the same as me with our surgery has set up a group. We are working together to fight this. There is another Devon group also.

You are so right, the intention was to put us all on levo, despite the harm it caused us. The pharmacist in our surgery who seems to be instrumental in this, even admitted that the symptoms I experienced on levo were the same as those if I had no treatment. I recorded her.

arTistapple profile image
arTistapple in reply to TSH110

TSH110 thank you for guiding us to this paper and it’s a more easily read one.

arTistapple profile image
arTistapple

annca1 Ignorance or deliberately obtuse? I will thank TSH110 for us directing to this paper.

annca1 profile image
annca1 in reply to arTistapple

Hi, it seems to me that there is only one reason for this decision affecting me and others, by a doctor I have never spoken to. He's tried to fob me off with various false reasons, all of them discredited. And yes, this paper is indeed very helpful, and will be included with my complaint to the GMC.

annca1 profile image
annca1 in reply to annca1

Oops, not very clear ... The excuses and false reasons were for stopping Armour.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to annca1

I think you are doing the right thing as those patients who had restored their health on NDTs (Armour etc) to be removed by 'supposed to be' specialists who obviously know nothing at all about how people respond or don't respond to levo. I, for one, could not as it gave me awful palpitations.

A GP I know phoned to comment on my blood test. He told me T3 converts to T4 and I said "I am sorry but you are wrong and it is the other way around, i.e. T4 should convert to T3."

No wonder some of us cannot improve when GPs (even some Endos) seem to not understand how the thyroid gland actually works.

annca1 profile image
annca1 in reply to shaws

Don't you despair! All we can do is keep on telling them facts. But really, why should we need to? I counted the number of medication for diabetes, and gave up after 60, and those numerous HRT preparations that are being tailored to individual needs. (I am diabetic and on HRT). So why are all hypothyroid patients expected to thrive on levo? I think this is a Human Rights issue, as we are clearly being deliberately discriminated against.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to annca1

I have just read the following and found it interesting and also that exercise can help. There are times when those of us are not on an optimum dose or a replacement hormone that doesn't restore our health and this is a link of another's 'journey'.

everydayhealth.com/thyroid-...

annca1 profile image
annca1 in reply to shaws

Thank you, it is encouraging. For me the message is not only find the doctor who will help you with right meds, but also be willing to make necessary life-style changes despite discomfort in doing so.

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