Thyroid question

[Mikkie]

Hi lovely ladies, quick question. So last year my tsh was 4.8. I was going to do fertility treatment but read the levels needs to be 2.5 or below. So my Dr referred me to endocrinologist who checked my neck etc and refused to give me Thyroid medication. As she said I haven’t got any symptoms. In the end i got Thyroid medication from fertility clinic. So had it for a few months and decided to check my levels again which I booked in for blood test in June. My tsh levels were 0.23 so I thought ok let's stop the medication as I hate taking tablets for no reason, as in I'm not in any pain . Anyways went holiday over the summer, didn't take Thyroid medication with me. So I recently did my blood test for Thyroid and its 4.7 so I'm back on taking the tablets since this week. But I've noticed in the evening the left side of neck hurts,like as if I've twisted a nerve there which I haven’t. Do you think its the medication effects? As just for fertility I'm taking it otherwise I wouldn't. Really appreciate any help and advice.xx

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Firstly Levothyroxine is a hormone, not a medication. It directly replaces what your own body should be producing. No side effects unless you take too much or sometimes some brands don;t suit some people. What brand have you got?

Hypothyroidism can cause many kinds of aches and pains amongst other things so it's more likely the condition itself that's causing you pain or possibly the brand. Continue to take the hormones and it should go but it could take weeks now you have stopped taking it. For best results you need to take it on an empty stomach and wait an hour before eating or drinking coffee.

The reason your TSH was 0.23 was because you were taking the levothyroxine. That's a good thing, best keep taking them. 🙂

[Mikkie in reply to Jaydee1507]

HI may thanks for the quick response. Yes I take it 40mins before breakfast. But its strange as when I don't take it my neck is fine. I'm upstairs but will tell you the brand tomorrow. I'm sure it was the same when I was taking it before.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing 6-8 weeks after starting levothyroxine, or any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested for autoimmune thyroid disease or coeliac blood test

Unexplained infertility is frequently linked to low thyroid levels

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 just 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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

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...

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Before considering TTC thyroid levels need to be stable and vitamin levels optimal

verywellhealth.com/infertil...

.

Pregnancy guidelines 

thyroiduk.org/having-a-baby-2/

gp-update.co.uk/files/docs/...

See pages 7&8

btf-thyroid.org/Handlers/Do...

Also here - dose increase in levothyroxine as soon as pregnancy test confirms conception 

cuh.nhs.uk/patient-informat...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Low ferritin, low thyroid levels and miscarriage 

preventmiscarriage.com/iron...

Low iron and hypothyroid 

endocrineweb.com/news/thyro...