Living with thyroid.

[W051101]

Hello everyone. Can anyone tell me if your thyroid makes you feel really weak in your chest bone? I was diagnosed of thyroid in 2017. And since taking levothyroxine 100mg I swear I feel really weak in my chest bone's and neck.

Thank you🤔

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Welcome to forum

Your exact description of a weak chest bone isn’t something Ive come across before - But feeling tired & weak in general & shortness of breath are very common thyroid symptoms.

Are you adequately replaced? 

100mcg of levo might be adequate if your a extremely petite, most require more.

  What are your results?  Do you have access to your medical record?  Online access or printed copies of results that include the lab ranges.  

For full thyroid you function you need TSH. FT4 FT3.  TPO & TG antibodies, also important to test folate, ferritin, B12 & Vitamin D.

Often GP only look at TSH which isn’t reliable as it’s an indirect measure of thyroid hormones. See what’s been tested, post result & we can advise further.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

Hi and welcome,

I definitely have some unusual neck and shoulders stuff going on. I’m not sure it’s all thyroid related, I have old injuries, decades of poor posture and occasional desk duties that make everything sore. Yoga can make it all sore too.

I don’t have the weak chest bones feeling though. Is that more your ribs or your sternum (the one down the front between your boobs)?

Have you optimised your vitamins and had regular testing for your Thyroid hormone levels? I’m also on 100mcg (66kg) and need to test again in about 5 weeks to see if this new dose is optimal (I don’t think it’s quite there). Getting my B vitamins and ferritin up by eating liver once a week has really helped.

I hope sharing this info helps a bit. 🦋💚🦋

[W051101]

Thank you for your reply.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

100mcg isn’t a high dose

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When did you last get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

Low iron/ferritin can make chest feel “tight”

ALWAYS get actual results and ranges after each test

Do you know if cause of your hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

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 tested

plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

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...

[W051101]

Thank you for the information.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to W051101]

come back with new post once you get vitamin and thyroid results