Hypothyroidism: I have been diagnosed with... - Thyroid UK

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Hypothyroidism

Leviteron profile image
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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?

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Leviteron
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21 Replies
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

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.

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toJaydee1507

These are my results

results
Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toLeviteron

results

results
Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toLeviteron

I have also updated some of my info. I am currently taking levothyroxine 100 mg and nevibolol 2.5 (for the high pulse)

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toLeviteron

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.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toJaydee1507

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

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toJaydee1507

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

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toJaydee1507

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...

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toLeviteron

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.

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toJaydee1507

My iron is 96 range 50-170Ubc 173 range 70-310

Tibc 269 range 120-480

Transferin saturation 35.7 range 12-40

Also my rbc is slightly high but hemaglobin is wothin range.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toSlowDragon

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.

gabkad profile image
gabkad in reply toLeviteron

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.

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply togabkad

Hiya my RBC is slightly high, hemaglobin is within normal range. I am not a native I am a Brit.

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron

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?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLeviteron

Why are you taking nevibolol?

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toSlowDragon

Gp perscribed it because i had slight chest pain and high pulse.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLeviteron

Which are both symptoms of low ferritin

Beta blockers need weening off very carefully/slowly

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toSlowDragon

I was on the lowest dose 2.5 mg ( half a tablet) she told me to start taking it on alternate days. Its only been 5 days now. So i missed 2 days and today im due to miss my dose but im not sure as my palpitations are uncomfortable

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLeviteron

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

Leviteron profile image
Leviteron in reply toSlowDragon

I also have numbness in my left arm sometimes...I am taking b12 1000mg only. Should i take a b complex Aswell? And is it dangerous to take without first checking blood test? I read somewhere that overdosing on b9 is dangerous.

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