I have been diagnosed with hashimato about 4 months ago (triggered by pregnancy) I am on 100 mg of levothyroxine and all my blood work is within a good range (TSH, T3, T4, B17, cholestrol, are all ok, Vitamin D is slightly low). However I have recently been experiencing some serious side effects such as chest pain (at certain times of the day), sudden heat flowing through my body, burning sensation on my skin and palpitations. When I told my Dr. about chest pains she said it is probably psychological but she gave me a low dose of vasoxen to regulate my high pulse. My pulse and blood pressure are now in a good range. The dr. response didnt satisfy me so I went to a cardiologist who gave me an effort, EKG and ECHO and more blood tests and said they were all fine. He gave me more tests such as a contrast echo and contrast CT but told me they wernt urgent. These side effects are really worrying me. Is there anyone else who has experiences a simillar issue?
Hypothyroidism: I have been diagnosed with... - Thyroid UK
Hypothyroidism
Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start.
Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.
Often low vitamin levels can give us extra symptoms on top of being hypo. Low ferritin/iron are frequent culprits for chest pain and palpitations.
I'd recommend you get full thyroid to include antibodies + vitamins blood tests. Make a new post when you have the results.
When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...
Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.
It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.
Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.
Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo just prior to blood draw can show a falsly elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.
These are my results
results
Your TSH is above 1 so you have room for an increase in Levo. Its really not good enough just testing TSH as that is not the full picture at all. If you can find a private blood test to do a full thyroid panel - TSH, FT4 & FT3 it would help to see all those results to know what is going on.
All your vitamin levels are low. Can you get tested for coeliac ?
Your ferritin is very low, in the UK that would be deficiency. Can you get a full iron panel done which would show if you are able to take an iron supplement. That will be causing you heart rate issues and if you address your low ferritin level then you will be able to get off the nevibolol.
Vitamin D, you need a loading dose of D3. Can you see your doctor about this?
B12 - do you have symptoms of B12 deficiency? The reference range for B12 is very wide and cut off point too low. theb12society.com/signs-and...
If you do then you should discuss this with your doctor for further tests for Pernicious Anaemia.
If not, then start with a methyl B12 sublingual spray or lozenge for a week, then add a good B complex. Once you run out of the separate B12 just continue with the B complex.
cytoplan.co.uk/vitamin-b12-...
amazon.co.uk/Better-You-Boo...
This B complex has all the right vitamins at a not unreasonable cost for 90 days supply(also contains folate). Once B12 is good you can stop the stand alone B12 and just continue with the B complex.
amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...
No result for folate.
Vitamin D, you need a loading dose of D3. Can you see your doctor about this?
Vitamin D is 25 ng/ML = 62nmol
Not 25nmol
So it’s low ….but doesn’t require loading dose
want to improve to around 40ng/mL
thank you very much for your reccomendations. I have started a loading dose of D3 50000 once a week for 8 weeks. I go to see an Endo tomorow and will ask her about the Ferritin and B12
I went to the endo she just reduced my levo to 75 one day of the week and 100 the rest and gave me B12 tablets and told me to not panic so much. I dont know if it will do the trick...
Somehow I doubt a reduction in Levo will help you.
What strength and type of B12 are the tablets?
You need to do something about your ferritin. Ideally getting a full iron panel done before thinking about supplementing. In the mean time Start eating chicken livers or pate a few times a week and up your red meat intake.
How long have you been on 100mcg
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
Please add actual results and ranges from latest test results
Always test early morning, last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
As you have Hashimoto’s are you on gluten free/dairy free diet
If not get coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on gluten free diet
Just over 3 months. I live in cyprus and as far as I understand they call all hypothyroid issues Hashimato's. The doctor didnt mention anything about gluten and dairy. The brand available here is called Leviteron. I had a baby 7 months ago. My TSH levels were a little high so I was prescribed 25 mg of levothyroxine. I took it during pregnancy and was ok. After pregnancy the doctor told me to continu taking it for 2 months then to stop taking it for 1 month so we can see what my real (out of pregnancy hormones) issues were. When I stopped taking it my TSH raised to 85 which was dangerously high. Then I had an ultrasound and was diagnosed. Now I have been taking levthyroxine for just over 3 months and TSH, T3, T4 seem in balance. I have recently lost 3 kg. However my blood test still show that the levels are within the correct range.
You need to get your hemoglobin, red blood cell count, etc. done because your ferritin is low. Even though your iron panel looks okay.
Any chance you have thalassemia trait? (I don't know if you are a native of Cyprus or you are a Brit living there.) The reason I ask is because regardless of iron status, someone with thalassemia trait will have a low hemoglobin and that can result in a heart that is trying hard but beating too fast.
Another question I am wondering about is if ı can stop taking the nevibolol in the future if I want to have a second child. Or is the risk too high? should I give up on the hope of another baby in the future?
Why are you taking nevibolol?
Gp perscribed it because i had slight chest pain and high pulse.
Which are both symptoms of low ferritin
Beta blockers need weening off very carefully/slowly
are you taking daily vitamin B complex and daily B12
Remember to stop vitamin B complex 5-7 days before any blood test
Instead take a separate methyl folate
Look at increasing iron rich foods in your diet to improve low ferritin
Red meat daily, liver or liver pate once week etc etc