St Johns Wort: I am taking 75 levothyroxine... - Thyroid UK

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St Johns Wort

illustrator60 profile image
6 Replies

I am taking 75 levothyroxine, struggling with my newly retired husband at home (I work from home) .. for this 'adjustment' period I got some St Johns Wort which I used wonderfully whilst my children were small (mummy's holiday tablets!). On reading the contraindications, which are long, I see that thyroid medication is included.

Does anyone know if this would be safe to take for a month, during the settling in period, as my nerves are shot and it's been a difficult few weeks.

Alternatively, can anyone recommend another similar herbal remedy to take the edge off my mood.

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6 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

welcome to the forum

More likely you are not on high enough dose levothyroxine

75mcg levothyroxine is only one step up from starter dose

When were thyroid levels last tested

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

being under medicated for thyroid frequently results in feeling tired, but wired…..adrenals try to compensate for lack of thyroid hormones…..leaving your edgy and exhausted

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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

have you had thyroid antibodies tested?

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)

please add most recent thyroid and vitamin results if you have any

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 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/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

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...

humanbean profile image
humanbean

I've never taken St John's Wort myself. My treatment of choice is 5-HTP, which is available over-the-counter and online without prescription. I've written about it here :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Read the replies I got to what I said about 5-HTP as well.

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

I’ve steered clear of St John’s Wart with Levo. As others have said, first ensure thyroid levels and key thyroid vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and Vitamin D) are optimal for you (remembering this may not be the same as simply ‘within range’) For me, Bach Rescue Remedy works well when I’m unsettled, plus taking a daily magnesium supplement (For me, magnesium glycinate is best for my stomach, but other types are available). Mindfulness and Pilates also help me relax/ breathe better which aids my anxiety.

megarub profile image
megarub

I stopped using St John's Wort for all the reasons others have given.

I use a homeopathic combination when I'm anxious or stressed [which for me def includes big changes in my home/work space].

Helios Homeopathy [they're online] make up a remedy for me. They have a homeopath who offers simple 'first aid' input - I identify, say, three features of my anxiety [eg fear, anger, situational stress], talk to them and they make up a remedy. Which is gently effective for me, along with exercise.

arTistapple profile image
arTistapple

My husband worked abroad for many years. Unbeknownst to me I was at home with a rampant case of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Whilst he was away I was hanging on by a thread, thinking that when he retired all my symptoms would somehow be better. Both of us were looking forward to his retirement. He was going to stretch my canvases for me and be my ‘technician’. However what happened was not pleasant. His health initially was terrible. So my health remained on the back burner at this point. He is much better now thankfully because frankly I have made his life hell. Honestly, hypothyroidism only diagnosed less than two years ago and I am still working on it. When I told my American friend what had happened, she says in the USA there is a joke “Who was first to file for divorce?” It’s obviously a well known outcome over there, when one of the two are diagnosed with hypothyroidism and I can’t say I am surprised. My husband hung on in there; whilst I was willing to let it all go, after nearly fifty years of a happy marriage. I am not saying your marriage is under the same pressure. Maybe my experience is not at all comparable but …. Get your meds as balanced as possible following the above advice. We just can’t operate with our meds in flux.

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