Underactive and drinking

[Billy2023]

Hello I have underactive thryiod, on 100 mg of Levo and have been diagnosed as under for about 8 years but think I've had it for a lot longer. Is there any evidence that binge drinking throws your thyriod symptoms out? I try and limit my drinking to once a week. When I do drink I drink 10 to 14 units which I know is too much. However I feel all symptoms of underactive thyroid following 48 hours. Is that my thyiod or am I just suffering hangover effects like any other person although I am convinced I feel worse than my friends and I tend to get breathlessness in the afternoon and evening.

[Trina64]

I don't know if there is an answer other than anecdotal evidence. If I knew something was making me feel bad, I would stop it.

[Billy2023 in reply to Trina64]

Thank you. Unfortunately with drinking it's not so easy as that but I do agree. It's a cost that I have to pay by sound of it for drinking. At least I know I can look at trying to cut down.

[Trina64 in reply to Billy2023]

Hopefully over time you can get to where you enjoy a little without having such a drastic effect on your hypothyroidism.

[tattybogle]

i can't drink any quantity anymore without feeling pretty horrible for the next couple of days... i used to be able to drink plenty and not feel any worse than anyone else did .

But now i can't.. if i have more than 1 very small drink i get a hangover feeling just as bad as if i'd stayed up partying till 5 am .

i can get away with half a pint , and i can nurse a very small glass of brandy for the evening ,, but any more than that and my body tells me very clearly that it doesn't like dealing with alcohol anymore .

Several other people on the forum have commented that they can't take alcohol like they used too ,, so yes it's possible it's a hypo thing.

[Billy2023 in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you. Its annoying isn't it!!

[tattybogle in reply to Billy2023]

yes ... much cheaper though .lol

[McPammy]

you are probably suffering a big hangover due to your body struggling to deal with clearing up. Check your thyroid levels. Make sure you are correctly medicated. Also check your vitamin levels b12, D, folate and ferritin. If you have good thyroid levels along with vitamins then this will certainly help.

[Billy2023 in reply to McPammy]

Thank you.

[Suzi_]

I don’t have experience with alcohol as I only drink a glass of wine at the weekends, that also am trying to cut back..

U may want to cut back on alcohol and see if u feel better.

I have been on levothyroxine 50 mcg for a while,my endo did add 5 mcg of T3 liothyronine that I am no longer taking.

U may also want to your endo about alcohol & it’s effects u r feeling.

Good luck!

[Hidden]

Hi Billy2023.

I reckon your suspicious are correct.

To me, 48hrs suffering a hangover is not the average.

But I can only go by my experience with being drunk twice in my life (many, many years ago) and recovering one time within 12 hours and the other time in less than 24hrs (I hadn't eaten before).

After those two occasions and years later, was a very light drinker (rare 1-2 glasses wine with a meal) but noticed over a year ago that it didn't make me feel good.

In hindsight, my thyroid had been deteriorating for the last two years. And accompanying the hypothyroidism was kidney and liver function being affected. Assume this accounts for the new effects from alcohol.

So, I stopped.

Realise that it is different for others, particularly when a night out drinking is linked to socialising.

[Billy2023 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I really appreciate your message. Yes unfortunately stopping drinking isn't easy when you mentally rely on it. But more evidence I have regarding my thyriod and drinking the more ill be inclined to stop.

[Imaaan]

Hi there,

I dont drink to due to religious reasons so cant give you any personal accounts on how it would affect me. That said, I've watched the lives of a few family friends destroyed from alcoholism. I noticed you mention that you binge drink and mentally rely on it and I'm sure you're aware that it's a slippery slope. Hopefully you find some support system to help you stop for good. Maybe speak to your doctor and see what type of support you can receive??? All the best.

[Billy2023 in reply to Imaaan]

No you are right. But i would be 100% ignored by health service as I keep it in check by only drinking once a week, if I can. But I'm surrounded by drinkers who see my drinking as moderate! But mentally yes, I rely on it. The only thing I want to do is tell my kids not to drink and at 16 and 18 years old they aren't interested in drinking so I'm happy. But I do envy you. I would love to have a culture where heavy drinking wasn't the norm. Problem is as well my partner is a heavy drinker. 14 to 20 units every night. I have considered ending it so I can concentrate on being t total but I also love him. He also won't accept it, his drinking. I've tried to ask him not to drink but he always delays it. Says another night, another day. I guess this is for another forum but with regard to my thyriod I can see drinking is not helping!!!

[Imaaan in reply to Billy2023]

Like you said drinking is definitely not helping your overall health including your thyroid unfortunately. Hopefully you tap into your inner strength to kick it to the curb before hitting rock bottom. I'm rooting for you. Your environment isnt helping with your sobriety and I do hope you find the courage to distant yourself from anything that tempts you back to drinking.

My 2 family members eventually stopped and became completely sober . I do hope the same for you.

I briefly looked at a previous post where you shared your thyroid labs. I didn't scroll through the replies but I can't imagine that your free t3 wasnt flagged as low. If you haven't started t3 or ndt, I would seriously consider it since it would help raise your levels. As you optimize your vitamin, mineral and thyroid levels , your overall health will steadily improve hopefully.

Sometimes taking meds like antidepressants or anti anxiety can help balance mood as one means off alcohol. Just a thought but maybe that is something you can discuss with your doctor.