I've had insomnia since having thyroid issues (even before medication) on and off for years. Recently, since last year it has been constant and extremley distressing. Mostly falling asleep ok but waking a few hours later EVERY night.
I have asked tons of advice and followed many suggestions.
Ear plugs (definitely helps with a husband who is a noisy sleeper) but not enough to cure insomnia!
Valarian root/Magnesium an hour before bed. Helps a little. Instead of being fully awake at 3am, i feel dozier and can drift in and out of sleep. I tried not taking it for a few nights and the fully awake feeling returned. So helped - but not enough for me.
Taking levo at night instead of in the morning. Made no difference to me. Did help others.
Done a full thyroid Blue horizon test which revealed low folate and ferritin and deficient Vit D. Also T3 still on the low side.
I'm working on the vitamins but early days. Will test again in 3 months.
Tried various HRT's, BHRT creams, NHS Patches, now on pregnenolone 25mg and have been for 4 weeks. Apart from sore breasts Insomnia continued.
I tried adding another 12.5mg of levo and I got horrible hyper feelings despite having some hypo symptoms too. I was freezing cold, particularly hands and feet yet edgy and nervous stomach, weird palpitations so may indicate Adrenal issue. Not done anything yet as i've just discovered this.
Bought Barry Peatfield's book. Nearly finished - highly recommend and have more advise to follow from him.
However - the one thing I hadn't tried and wasn't convinced (sorry) was fully gluten free.
By Monday this week I finally gave in and went completely gluten free not expecting much from it and certainly not quickly.
By Wednesday I was sleeping through the night without getting up even for the toilet! This is Monday and I've had 5 nights, undisturbed sleep.😱😱😱. I haven't had 2 consecutive nights sleep since way before Christmas and I haven't not got up for the toilet since I turned 40! (6.5 years ago). Unbelievable. Of course there is the very, very small chance that pregnenalone has just started to work but I'd find this highly unlikely. It's only 25mg and i've been on it for nearly 4 weeks with no change whatsoever and more hormonal issues than when I was on proper HRT.
Brain Fog is pretty spectacular since going on this despite the claims that it helps memory. I've been wondering if I've got dementia at times this last month! SO bad.
I thought I would share this Gluten Free result incase there are any other insomnia sufferers out there. Someone on here told me 80% of hypothyroid patients had over all improvements on Gluten Free so I finally thought it was worth a shot. I am shocked by this result. I have been tested for celiac and it was fine so it never occurred this would make much difference.
I am so grateful for all the advice and i've still got a lot to work on but I feel so positive about going forward. Thank you
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Glad to read you can sleep through the night again:
Brain fog is a very common hypothyroid symptoms - do you have any Free T3 and Free T4 readings and ranges.
Yes, Barry Peatfield's book was one of my rocks, and still is, with a common sense explanation and approach as to how to solve issues.
No thyroid hormone replacement works well until your core strength vitamins and minerals are up and maintained t optimal - do you have results of ferritin, folate. B2 and vitamin D ?
Were you diagnosed Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroid disease ?
Was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Yes
How much levothyroxine are you taking
100mg but tried extra 25mg every other day and felt hyper. Funny heart rate, edgy and wired. Anxious stomach. At the same time - hypo symptoms of feeling cold. Thinking adrenal issue.
Your results suggest you have room for dose increase in levothyroxine
Vitamin D far too low
Now got 5000iu and 100mcg Mk-7 K2
How much vitamin D are you currently taking
Are you taking daily B12 and vitamin B complex
Yes just bought Thorne Basic B and also Meythl Folate 400mcg. Not taking the Folate daily as it's already in the Thorne Basic B but taking it 2-3 times a week extra. Have 4 squares of 100% dark chocolate every night and forcing pate and red meat twice a week 🤢 Lots of green leafy veg, Vit C, sardines, raw nuts and many other things I used to avoid!
And lots of iron rich foods to improve ferritin
I know it'll take a while but glad I done the test to see how low I was.
you perhaps need a separate B12 alongside vitamin B complex …rather than extra folate
Adding separate B12 initially until serum B12 gets over 500 (or Active B12 over 70)
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and a separate vitamin B Complex after a week
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and continue separate B12
How other member saw how effective improving low B vitamins has been
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and a separate vitamin B Complex after a week
After a week? Does this mean just take the drops alone for a week then add Basic B?
100mg but tried extra 25mg every other day and felt hyper. Funny heart rate, edgy and wired. Anxious stomach. At the same time - hypo symptoms of feeling cold.
Was 25mcg same brand levothyroxine as 100mcg
Did you try adding the extra 25mcg at separate time away from 100mcg
Or initially try adding only 12.5mcg …….cutting 25mcg in half to get 12.5mcg
We generally feel at our best when our T4 is in the top quadrant of the range as in theory this then converts to a higher level of T3 at around a 1 / 4 ratio T3/T4.
You will find it easier to increase your dose of T4 once your core strength vitamins and minerals - those of ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D are up and maintained at optimal levels.
I now aim for a ferritin at around 100 : folate 20 ; active B12 75++ ( serum B12 500++ ) and vitamin D around 100 :
Another ' rock ' for your collection - many forum members on here who have Hashimoto's find the research of Dr Izabella Wentz helpful - thyroidpharmacist.com
Like you, I was astounded at rapid improvement in symptoms on strictly gluten free diet despite negative coeliac blood tests and zero gut issues
….in my case it was the inability to walk more than 50 metres at a snail’s pace. Within days I saw significant improvement and dramatic drop in underlying “anxiety” …..and brain fog slowly lifted after 9-12 months gluten free.
Keep working on low vitamin levels
Retest thyroid and vitamins 6-8 weeks after any significant change…..eg on starting gluten free diet
Ah yes! There's the GP putting me on a 24 hr heart monitor at Christmas. If only he looked at my bloods properly 🙄. My heart acts very weird from time to time.
Fantastic! So pleased for you. I went GF three years ago. Now I wish I'd done that earlier but like you was resistant to the idea. Eventually I became poorly which in desperation forced me to try. Hey presto new me! I too sleep much better but for me my shape has changed too.Am sure once you can get your other areas of vits minerals up your uptake will be better & you will be able to increase your levo.
By the way if splitting your 25mcg levo tablet & taken daily is still too much, try splitting it & taking it alternate days. It maybe you need to stagger your increase even more slowly..
I was hoping that having gone GF I wouldnt need to top my min vits up once my gut was healed. That hasn't proved to be the case..... But I did need to lower my NDT by a small amount.
I'm gluten intolerant so no longer bloated round waist....flat tummy! A specialist told me I carry the coeliac gene.... but as I went GF a year before I saw him it's too late to test for coeliac. If I eat any gluten am sick. Not prepared to go back on a gluten diets for weeks so he can check that one out!!
This is good to hear. I will look forward to a flat tummy! I tried taking the 25mg every other night but i'll try splitting too. Id like to see my T3 go up. Thanks
Can't guarantee a flat tummy unless you too are bloated from gluten intolerance. You might just feel a lot better though.... wouldn't that be great too. 😊 All takes time.... No instant fixes but you already know that.... Lol
wow I feel like I am talking to a twin. I too have a very bad sleep issue. It's like a light switch just can't turn off. I have RLS so I take klonopin which helps...but it is addictive and I feel possibly unhealthy so I want to get off of it. I have tried every herbal supplement under the sun! So thanks for posting about the gluten. I have Hashimoto, RLS and something causing internal vibrations so it is time for me to address possible inflammation caused my gluten although I normally don't have obvious issues from it! I will let you know if I too can have better sleep! Keep me posted as a fellow insomniac!
Thyroid2468 I had no obvious symptoms either and no obvious gut issues. I've even been tested for coeliac and it was negative. Doctor was trying to find out why I moan so much! That's why I was so resistant and didn't expect a thing from it. I slept again last night and my period is due this weekend. The week before my period would usually mean there was no point on me putting my jammies on and getting into bed. No chance of any shut eye! Im still shocked and boring the hell out of my friends! Please try it - all of you
I never thought I was crazy, but it is nice to read (sorry for you, tho) someone else feels internal vibrations. Mine are not all of the time, but I am, keenly, aware when I do have it. Seems to bother me more late evening & bedtime. Though I could chock that up to paying attention to it as I am always in motion
yup, mine are 24/7. but yes, if I am moving around during day they aren't noticeable. I have been to a rheumatologist , endocrinologist and 3 neurologists and no one knows what they are...they want to just put my on higher dose of pregabalin for RLS...but I am trying to explain to them the pregabalin doesn't help with them at all. what have your docs said?
Since mine is notable in the evening, I have been known to pop a couple of ibuprofen and that settles me down, completely. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory so I must have something causing some inflammation; what, I have no idea. I'm not ready to go the GF route!
PS....I have never mentioned the internal trembling to any dr, My poor dr., not to mention endo has me coming in armed w/info, Sometimes, I think they need a break from my researching & anecdotal info! With this issue, though, I don't even know where to start It does not interrupt my life, my sleep, yes, but IB is a huge help. So for now.....
google in "why my body feels like it's vibrating on the inside.....answers run the gamut of magnesium deficiency ( my $$ is on that) to MS to anxiety, etc. Sorry for fractured replies as it's near bedtime here in US and brain is slowing down--
I am the google queen and yes saw some of the reasons, but don't seem to have enough symptoms for further testing of MS, etc. I will try the ibuprofen...I sometimes use aspirin. agree it is inflammatory. if I learn anything (being tested for inflammatory markers this week). I am in US too...Let's keep each other posted on private messaging so the rest dont have to listen to our vibrating bodies! lol
Have either of you tried starting a post with 'Internal vibrations'? You never know, it may be yet another thing that happens to more people than you think with hypothyroidism or another autoimmune thing.
Certainly many of us suffer from the 'internal vibrations' often when adding or increasing T3 and it seems to be down to lower cortisol levels, I've managed to rid myself of them since supporting my adrenals
Hmm... it felt like my bones were vibrating as opposed to a shiver, if I were to rest my weight on my hands for instance it would increase an internal buzzing sensation.
Since getting my cortisol saliva results I've been using Adrenavive and Pure Encapsulation Adrenal to alleviate this and stabilise my temperature
Very interesting to read Eeyore100's response to your ? For me it is like a very low wattage of electricity throughout my body. A few times, in the past when I've felt some health issue could be adrenal related, I did do a 4pt saliva test - came back w/good #s So reluctant to keep shelling out $200 every time I think it might be adrenals
Have you looked at adrenal cocktails? A shot of Vitamin C (Orange juice), Potassium (cream of tartar) and salt which are all needed by the adrenals, there are various other additions or options 🤗
No I haven't; thank you for the heads up! My potassium was just under average as reflected in Feb. bloodwork, and I've been adding more potassium rich foods. I did purchase Celtic salt late last fall. Whether it was psychological or not, I did feel a difference when salting. Previously, I avoided adding salt to anything, Food does taste better with salt!
I'd not given it a thought as I thought it was just something strange to me that was not easy to articulate. Here you, go, though as someone else has chimed in with the issue thx!
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