Insomnia

[Trina64]

Has anyone had insomnia with their hypothyroidism? I am tired most of the time, but don't sleep well. Did optimizing your thyroid levels help?

I am on an APAP, but it hasn't been life changing like ev8eryone said it would be. I am lowering my pressure to see if that helps because i wake with syomach pains after the little sleep i do get.

I am almost 2 weeks on 37.5 mcg T4 and 5 mcg. I have an Rx to test TSH, T3., and T4 in 4 more weeks. I feel very hypo, but then it could be me sleep apnea not being treated correctly.

I have has many things tested and not deficient in anything although some small improvements could be made.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

It sounds like you're hypo and/or you have low vitamin levels. We need OPTIMAL vitamin levels for our thyroid hormone to work properly. Being in range isnt good enough. What were your latest results for ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

Are you taking any supplements, if so what?

Sleep problems are very common in hypothyroidism are common and getting both vitamin & thyroid levels right does help.

As someone with sleep apnea myself I would recommend talking to your sleep clinic about the issues you're having with it. Its not a good idea to make adjustments yourself.

[Trina64 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I don't have a sleep clinic or anyone overseeing my sleep apnea. I did the sleep study and got a machine and was basically told hood luck. This was 5 years ago.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Trina64]

Things are pretty different in America to how they are in the UK. You could join a sleep apnea group or call the machine manufacturer for advice. Many machines have apps so you can monitor yourself how you are doing.

[Trina64 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I am in a group, plus watch a lot of videos. Thanks!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I am almost 2 weeks on 37.5 mcg T4 and 5 mcg.

Do you mean 37.5mcg Levothyroxine and 5mcg Liothyronine

Retest thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after any dose change

Test early morning, around 9am and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours before test

If taking T3 - day before splitting as 2 x 2.5mcg - half dose waking and half dose 8-12 hours before test

Please add vitamin results and ranges

[Trina64 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks! I will be testing in 4 weeks.

[arTistapple]

I find that a relatively good nights sleep is as good as my not yet optimal thyroid meds. Jaydee1507 was helpful with info about using the CPAP machine which I am trying again. It’s no picnic but with a new mask that just covers the nostrils; so far has been a bit of a game changer. Not an outright game changer but a noticeable change. Something no-one told me about was air swallowing, which of course makes you wake with a bit of ‘belly’ trouble. Much less of a problem with this mask. We do get checked in the UK so we do have a chance to discuss problems. I found these people very helpful. Do check the internet for info about your machine as Jaydee1507 mentions in her post. The dryness in my nose and mouth is my present problem using the machine. Never been a problem till now because I was previously unable to use it with the full mask (claustrophobia issues). I am off out today to get a saline nose spray to help combat that. Something else I was not told before starting is that you do not have to use it the whole night nor do you have to use it seven days a week. Do have another look at using your machine as best you can - never thought I would be saying that!!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to arTistapple]

I can't tell you how happy your update makes me. You do need to know that I did struggle in the early weeks of using CPAP but I was so hell bent on improving my sleep and daytime tiredness I struggled on. This is very common for the majority of people starting out on CPAP to have various issues that can always be resolved by different masks, pillows, adjustments to the machine by the sleep clinic etc. I recommend joining a sleep apnoea support group for tips, lots on Facebook.

Do you have a humidifier for your machine, ask clinic for one if not ? That resolves many dryness problems for many.

Keep me posted, I'm excited for you.

[arTistapple in reply to Jaydee1507]

I already have a humidifier that I totally forgot about. It’s completely separate from the machine but I will ask next time about something for the machine. I see the pillows for the new mask have to be changed quite often too. I have another appt in a few weeks but the carrot for me is getting my driving license back; which the woman I saw was pretty sure that would happen. However I still think it’s a hormone thing affecting my sleep big time though. Onwards! Thank you Jaydee.

[Trina64 in reply to arTistapple]

It has been hard to tease out what is sleep deprivation and what is in adequate hormones. I have been on CPAP for 5 years and did okay until recently. I don't know what is going on. I am going to try a new mask tonight. I have not missed one days since I started this. I had to go through a lot of masks until I found one that works and now it seems to not work very well. I have no idea why. I just need some good quality sleep. I am sure everyone around me wishes I would get some too. We just keep working at it until we get the results we need to live the best life we can.

[arTistapple]

We do, don’t we. You are so right about teasing out the difference between sleep deprivation and adequate hormones. I am so with you there. Never realised you were an old hand.

[Trina64 in reply to arTistapple]

Which mask do you use? I am using the Resmed N20 AirFit, but trying the Resmed N20 AirTouch tonight. It has memory foam to seal the mask instead of silicone. I have tried full face, pillows, and nasal and the nasal seem to the best for me.

[arTistapple]

Mine looks like the Resmed Airfit N30i nasal but honestly I can’t be sure as I have thrown away the packaging. I was just so relieved I was not going to have to use the full face mask I was overjoyed. There was a red band at the top of the packaging but I think that referred to the size. Good luck for your experiment.

[Imaaan]

I have sleep apnea and take magnesium glycinate with valerian root to aid in my sleep. It doesn't knock me out but it helps.