Hashimoto's and insomnia

[Soxakita]

Anyone else struggles with insomnia especially whilst in a flare-up? My doctor has said that insomnia isn't a typical symptom of Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and will only prescribe drowsy antihistamines to help me sleep. Does anyone have any tips or supplements to help with this? I've tried sleep hygiene and magnesium to no prevail.

I'm exhausted during the day but still can't get any shut-eye then a night I'm energised and anxious. I'm only sleeping 5hrs every three nights which is exacerbating some of my symptoms such as restless legs, and muscle and joint pain and I'm at a loss of what to do.

[Imaaan]

Whenever I'm having a hypo flare up or changing doses my sleep gets affected. I've found combining valerian root 600mg and magnesium glycinate to be really helpful

[Lulu2607]

Hi. Could it be low vitamin d? I am suffering with insomnia and poor sleep at the moment and my vitamin d is still a bit low but I'm taking supplements. It's important to keep an eye on vitamin levels. Particularly so for people like us with autoimmune diseases. We really don't feel well at all when they are not optimal and personally speaking I am very quickly affected by less than optimal vitamin and iron levels. Many others on this forum will advise you on this better than I can, but it might be worth checking as poor sleep is associated with low vitamin d amongst other things, eg muscle and bone pain etc which you describe. I hope you get some relief from your symptoms as I know it's all too easy to get caught in a downward spiral which it's hard to pull out of. Refreshing sleep is vital to health.

[jrbarnes]

I was taking some chelated magnesium powder 30 min to and hour before bed and that stuff really knocks me out but the pill form doesn't have the same affect on me. Also chamomile tea makes me drowsy before bed. Last resort is some of those effervescent night time fizzy tablets for colds but I only do that if I'm desperate for sleep.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change

Test early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test, last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Poor sleep is common hypothyroid symptom

You will also need iron and ferritin levels retested 3-4 months after starting on iron supplements

Did you get B12 and vitamin D tested and have you had coeliac test yet

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

For me my sleep is more settled now my vits are top of range. Plus a few diet changes, have you experimented with giving up sugar,dairy, gluten? Looked at FODMAPs? I discovered that my evening nibbles and what I eat for dinner can give me jumpy legs and my gut can keep me awake. Dark chocolate is now a lunchtime treat and onions or garlic need forward planning. Eating later than 7-8pm will mean I’m churning away and that apparently seems to affect my ability to drop off or go back to sleep if disturbed. Good luck, it’s totally exhausting 🌱