I have been struggling with working night shifts and have researched this. What I have found out is that while taking Levothyroxine medication it isn’t best to work nightshift. Nightshift working upsets not only your body clock but almost every system in your body. So for me personally I can’t take a rest/sleep before starting my first night shift, so that alone exhausts me. My next problem is that I can’t switch off and sleep during the day. Then I have to get up and go to work a 12hrs night shift alone, already exhausted and fatigued so it’s a struggle both physically and mentally. Also I was told years ago at my GP surgery that I should not be working night shifts while on Levothyroxine (I’m on it for life as I had radioactive iodine treatment as originally I had hyperthyroidism when I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease.)
When at my most recent visit to my GP surgery we had a new GP and I’d spoke about the challenges and difficulties I face trying to work nightshift. He pretty much shrugged his shoulders and said “if everyone was signed off nightshift, half of the workforce would be off”. Well I’m sorry but half of the workforce do not have thyroid problems.
This is what I meant about not being listened to. Perhaps if they could go through the treatment like I did and go to my work for a night shift then they might have a better understanding of what I struggle with.
“Everyone struggles with working night shifts but it’s well known that it’s even harder for people who are taking Levothyroxine.”
Written by
DCS1208
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I used to be able to do nights without too much difficulty when i was much younger and before i became hypo.. but i suspect it would REALLY mess me up if i tried it now.... it's not a good thing to do to the body anyway, even if there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
i agree .... take that GP's thyroid out, give em "one little white pill a day" and see how well THEY manage night shifts.
I get heartily sick of people who don't have a thyroid problem telling us we 'should' be able to manage 'this' , and we 'shouldn't' be having any problem with 'that' .... im my opinion , they 'should just shut up' unless they have walked a mile or two in our shoes.
I’m sure GPs get special training in “how to be dismissive” and some are much better at it than others. If you need a Doctor’s note for your employer to sign you off night shifts, try another GP at the same surgery. I second tatty’s proposal but I would go for a much cheaper option to save the NHS money for T3 for us - a nice high dose of Carbimazole for a few months just to temporarily reduce their thyroid hormone level sufficiently so they know what it feels like.
RAI is a slow burn but ultimately you will become, or are, totally reliant of thyroid hormone replacement.
RAI is also known to trash vitamins and minerals and no thyroid hormone replacement works well without optimal levels ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D :
Do you have any blood test results showing a TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 from the same blood draw?
T4- Levothyroxine is a storage hormone and basically inert - and the body needs to be able to convert the T4 into T3 which is the active hormone that runs the body and it is low T3 that causes all the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
If in primary care you have just being monitored and dosed on the yearly thyroid function test this is a very limited test which basically is a waste of time.
We do need more information to help better understand where you are in all this and you can read around Graves Disease on the Elaine Moore Graves Disease website -
www,elaine-moore.com
I too went through RAI for Graves Disease back in 2004 - details on my profile page - just press the icon alongside my name.
I have a good understanding of thyroid and Graves’ disease. When I was treated in Little France Hospital in Edinburgh I was treated by Dr Anthony Toft. ( he was HM Queen’s GP) He gave me his book to read about thyroid diseases. It was very interesting and thyroid disorders can be associated with other autoimmune diseases. I found that it made a lot of sense as my granny ( she had 10 children) never had thyroid issues but had suffered from Pernicious Anaemia. ( it was discovered just in time for her) .Three of my granny’s daughters (out of 4) took Graves’ disease. One of their brothers took late onset diabetes (insulin dependent). I was the first of the grandchildren to take Graves’ disease.
I was unable to go to the research website with the link? 🤷♀️. Can you please elaborate about my having had RAI treatment? I’d like to know more about what they have found out. I have only been prescribed Levothyroxine Sodium tablets. No T3 or T4 checks as far as I’m aware, only annual blood checks for thyroid levels.
I did feel that the new GP in my practice had little understanding of what I have and how it can affect my ability to work night shifts. Not even sure if he was fully aware that I had RAI treatment and my body completely depends upon my medication in order to function.Not very helpful as I wouldn’t complain if everything was fine.
I just noticed that the doctor seems worried with the countries economy( “half of the workforce would be off”), but his job is only about your health. The workforce is not his concern! He’s not a politician or an economist. Is your health unreasonably negatively effected by working nightshifts? That’s the only question he needs to worry about. But from your description of his dismisive-ness, I suspect he doesn’t know and isn’t very interested in giving it more thought.
(Sorry I’m not able to help with your question. Maybe another doctor as others have suggested. )
It is true lots of people struggle with working all night and trying to sleep during the day its not normal sleep pattern for humans…. Have you tried dark out curtains I had to use these when I work nights or I couldn’t sleep and maybe some ear plugs if your overly sensitive to sound.
Have you tried splitting you levo dose taking 1/2 before work and half towards the end of shift? Their is no simple solution doctors don’t care about thyroid struggles.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Recognising Hypothyroidism as a disability at work
Hypothyroid treatment not working
Hypothyroidism and time off work
How long do people usually have off work with hypothyroid?
Exercise with Hypothyroidism 
