hypothyroidism night shifts, help

[Fishface90]

I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid about 2.5 years ago, I am on 100mg of levothyroxine.

I have been up and down over the last few years, sometimes feeling good and sometimes feeling bad. I have had regular blood tests which the dr says is within the normal range.

It has been easy for me to not take my condition seriously, I take my medication and get on with life.

I have been working night shifts for the last 6 months and it has recently become harder for me to function. I and so tired all the time, my skin is so dry. everything feels really hard.

Has anyone had experience working night shifts with thyroid problems, has it had an effect on you?

I have thought about getting a private test but what happens if your results show you need more/less medication, do drs take these seriously?

Thanks in advance

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Do share results of all blood tests with us Fishface90 so we can offer better advice (include ranges as these can vary between laboratories). Ask your GP surgery for a copy if you don’t have online access to your results (you are legally entitled to these).

I feel empowered by testing my thyroid levels, antibodies & key vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D) privately as I have a full picture of my thyroid health. I share these with both my (private) endo & NHS GP & (through following advice on this forum) am able to explain to my GP why I need levels to be optimal/ ensure I receive sufficient medication. My GP is now happy for me not to have thyroid testing at the surgery, as long as I email in a copy of my private test results. However, other members report that their GPS are less supportive.

Look to test:

TSH

 FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you can do this privately;

 thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[Fishface90 in reply to Buddy195]

thank you for your advice. I do not have any results to hand at the moment but I am waiting for a private test and will post the results, any advice is hugely appreciated.

I now know I need to pay more attention to my health. I had no idea that all these things contribute to thyroid health.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Fishface90]

Neither did I until I joined this forum & started reading posts Fishface90. Through following forum advice , I’ve managed to regain my health. Im always thankful for the help & support I’ve received from the TUK community 🦋

[Thyroid17]

Hi, I do believe night shift affects thyroid. My annual GP thyroid bloods had been taken and were good, did night shifts and felt awful. GP checked bloods again and phoned with results stating no more night shifts as affecting thyroid. I was fine when I returned to days (took a few weeks to bounce back). Occupational health at work ‘reasonable adjustment’ so days only now. Good luck.

[Fishface90 in reply to Thyroid17]

I am glad you got it sorted. Thank you for your reply

[Imaaan]

I used to work until 10pm and for some time 11pm for a year. It wore me down to the point that I got really unwell. Ended up having to quit . Working at night was one of the worst mistakes in my life and i deeply regret that i put my body through that stress. Also have sleep apnea so I'm sure that was contributing to my downward slope