Feeling overwhelmed.

[jolbrit]

I've recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I'm trying to find out more but am overwhelmed by the information. I haven't received any information from healthcare, and am still waiting on an endocrinology appointment. Can anyone suggest the best place to start.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

jolbrit

Can anyone suggest the best place to start.

Here.

And ThyroidUK's main website has lots of information, start here:

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

Then come back with any questions and we can help.

Just a few suggestions to start with.

* Take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with a glass of water only, no tea, coffee, milk, etc, and water only for an hour either side, as absorption will be affected.

* Take any other medication and supplements 2 hours away from Levo, some need 4 hours (Vit D, magnesium, calcium, iron, HRT, oestrogen, PPIs, anti depressants).

Also, always advised here, when having thyroid tests:

* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day.

In fact, 9am is the perfect time, see first graph here, it shows TSH is highest around midnight - 4am (when we can't get a blood draw), then lowers, next high is at 9am then lowers before it starts it's climb again about 9pm:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.

* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the test - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Certain foods may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.

* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.

* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.

**

How long have you been diagnosed?

What dose of Levo are you on?

What are your current test results? If you don't have online access to them then ask the receptionist at your surgery for a print out. In the UK it is our legal right to have a copy of our results.

We advise keeping a record of our test results, always doing the test under the exact same circumstances each time for accurate comparison. Make notes of how you feel on your dose, if your dose is changed and how you feel after the change in dose. This is invaluable information if your GP wants to change your dose and you know you feel well where you are or you don't feel well on the new proposed dose.

It's important for thyroid hormone to work properly that we have optimal nutrient levels so we suggest getting key nutrients tested and supplementing if necessary where levels are sub-optimal. The following need testing:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

If ferritin is low then an iron panel to see if you have iron deficiency and a full blood count to see if you have anaemia.

[Ragerty]

Good Morning

I just wanted to let you know that you have come to the right place for help and support. I too was over whelmed when i first got diagnosed and although a lot of my family had hasimotos it was a daunting place to be as everyone has an individual experience of how it effects us.

I read all the information on Thyroid Uk and joined this forum i read and read posts and i learnt a lot. I posted and got lots of support and advice. So my advice would be post any questions that you may have and somebody who is very knowledgeable will pop up and answer and if you still are unsure ask again. I have found everyone so helpful and supportive.

I also joined the local thyroid Uk support group we meet once a month over zoom. I enjoy these meetings as we have our little gang of advice suggestions and support. Where about are you in the country?

You will feel over whelmed at the moment but once youve digested the information and follwed suggestions you will be more confident. The fact that i realised i was not alone was the biggest relief for me.

So rest assured that you have come to the right place x

[Hedgeree]

Hi jolbrit,

Welcome to the forum! You have come to the best place for information and support! 😊

Are you in the UK? It would be useful if you put where you are located.

SeasideSusie and Ragerty have given you great information to start off with. I know from my own experience how easy it is to get overwhelmed but take your time and read through any links provided at your own pace.

Best wishes.

[pennyannie]

Hello Jolbrit and welcome o the forum :

Don't worry, it is overwhelming especially when you have that brain fog and find it difficult retaining information.

Just try reading other posts and answers, as funnily enough information does resonate and your thyroid jigsaw puzzle starts to take shape.

If you go into Thyroid UK = who are the charity who support this amazing forum thyroiduk.org you can read further on all further related ' thyroid 'information.

This is best place to be, I fell in by accident, around 7 years ago, researching low ferritin.

I now try and give back where I can as it's a patient to patient forum and there is a vast amount of information and knowledge on here and forum members are here to help you of your next best step back to better health.

We all start off having to get the appropriate thyroid function blood test run which sadly seems not to be readily available on the NHS and longer and if your doctor is unable to process you request there are private companies on the Thyroid UK website who can - some even offer a nurse home visit to take your bloods and this is the first step as once we see the results and ranges you will be given considered opinion.

[Gcart]

this is the most knowledgable and importantly the kindest place to be for any help/advice you may need ,

Best wishes

[SarahJane1471]

yes it is totally overwhelming at first . But you are in the right place. Keep reading everyday, a little bit at a time and you will slowly get your head round all the terminology. Understanding your illness will mean you can advocate for yourself.

Welcome

[serenfach]

I know it is overwhelming. Try this (I am working on my car at the moment, so thats what brought it to mind). Your car is low on oil, and beginning to stop functioning. The thyroid affects every cell in your body, just as oil does to an engine. Your low oil light is flashing. You add a bit and the oil light goes out, but may not stay out, just as your body takes in the Levo. You up it a bit until the the light goes out (it takes a while!) and the engine (your body) runs as it should.

The frustrating thing is you have to wait around 6 weeks between "top ups" to get the levels right. The worst thing is that most GPs are not mechanics and go by the book, but your body has not read the book.

This forum saved my life. Its brilliant! Sending a hug, and hope this helps.