Hashimotos, normal tsh, still exhausted

[Shefhan]

I’m recently diagnosed with hashimotos, but been medicated with levothyroxine for past 6 months. TSH now at 1.5. But I’m exhausted again. By 3pm I want to go to sleep. Headaches, brain fog, feeling low. Should I push for a higher dose? Currently on 50mcg.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes - up to 75mcg daily

Retest again in another 6-8 weeks

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

If GP won’t increase push FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

when were vitamin levels last tested

Have you had coeliac blood test

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Shefhan in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the thorough response. I had a private thyroid antibodies and vitamin test back in March. Vitamins were fine.

all subsequent blood tests (think I’ve had 3 or 4 now) have been first thing and tsh has gone down from 13+ to 1.5. Had a recent endocrinologist ordered full thyroid blood test. Autoimmune markets still high which led to Hashimotos diagnosis.

No coeliac blood test but I’ll see if I can get that done.

Thanks.

[arTistapple in reply to Shefhan]

I found that my TSH reduced very quickly on commencing thyroid meds. It takes quite a while to actually feel better though - even if TSH is considered normal. It’s the levels of the hormones which are more indicative of ‘where you are’, off course and more importantly how you are feeling. TSH indicates very little in the wellness stakes.

[ChickieBaker in reply to arTistapple]

Hope it's O.K to butt in on this conversation but I've been wondering how long it takes to actually feel better. Last time I was on a 3 month trial my TSH went down of course but symptoms didn't change. How long before digestion and energy get better ? I'm currently on 75mg but expecting to get an increase in 6 weeks 🤞Thanks.

[arTistapple in reply to ChickieBaker]

I will try to be diplomatic here. It’s completely individual. You may eventually find at some point you are ‘stuck’ and may need to try a combination of levo + T3 for example. A lot may depend on how long you have been ill. I think I have been ill for a very long time and found it takes longer to get well. However this is not always the case. As I say it’s an individual response to the hormones. Allow yourself time, watching your symptoms. Take notes to remind you and review them. Put all your blood tests together on one piece of paper so you can review alongside your notes. Find ‘natural’ remedies to take alongside your levo for stuff like reflux, constipation etc. Natural remedies mostly will not interfere with the progress of your replacement hormones (levo etc). One thing I would add is don’t try to run before you can walk. I have made this mistake, as many do, in our hurry to get well!

[MiniCooperS in reply to ChickieBaker]

I was on Levothyroxine for 15 years and decided to try gluten free. It made such a difference to the brain fog and stomach issues, I haven’t been diagnosed but if I don’t check things and they contain gluten, I notice my stomach reacts very quickly. It will take a few weeks but for me after 6 months I felt so much better. Good luck.

[ChickieBaker in reply to MiniCooperS]

Thanks, I’ve been gluten free for nearly 2 years and unfortunately hasn’t made a blind bit of difference to the bloating or constipation. Even tried dairy free and that didn’t help 😩 Maybe the Levo will eventually help 🤞

[arTistapple in reply to ChickieBaker]

Magnesium citrate for constipation. It’s sold as ‘Calm’ I think. You will find it on Amazon. Definitely helps the constipation, calms my stomach. Introduce veg and protein smoothies. Pears, walnuts, medjool dates, spinach, allegedly a problem with thyroid meds but the other benefits for me over ride whatever that might be. Mix it in something like a nutri bullet or vitamix using hazelnut milk. Mess about with the amounts to taste. Sometimes I need more protein, sometimes I need more carbs.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to arTistapple]

You may be thinking of KalmAssure which is often recommended. (NaturesPlus)

[ChickieBaker in reply to arTistapple]

Yes I’ve tried Calm years ago and no matter how little I take it tends to send me the opposite way 😱 I’ve been working with a great nutritionist/naturopath and my diets pretty good but I’ve had digestive problems for many years so not a quick fix unfortunately.

[arTistapple in reply to ChickieBaker]

Yes the only thing that has truly helped me in that department is introducing T3 and I am still having huge problems with the meds. So not yet optimal, which seems to be where it’s all at!