Can anyone advise please

[Prosecco1997]

hello , I’ve been diagnosed with under active thyroid, but I’m confused, started on 50 levethyroxine then 75 , now for 9 weeks have had strong heart beat pulses in neck , a realy bad chocking feeling and exhausted, colder than normal , bloods say normal at 4.6 ? Doctor was not going to increase meds , but I had to say I realy needed them to be increased due to how I’m feeling , so now on 100mg , I realy feel like I need more after six weeks Has made a slight difference, but choking and gagging is awful , also my walking has become effected , and I feel like I’may drop sometimes , has anyone else had these symptoms? Due to have bloods done again tomorrow, should I not take my levethyroxine until after my test ? I accidentally took an extra dose last week , next morning felt like a new person , but trying to get doctor to increase is a no no , any advice would realy help Thankyou

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which brand levothyroxine are you taking

Are you taking on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

No other medications or supplements within 2 hours

Some like iron, magnesium, vitamin D not within 4 hours

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)

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

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/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

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

[Prosecco1997 in reply to SlowDragon]

The brand is accord , also can I take my other medication before test , but not Levothyroxine

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Prosecco1997]

What other medications ?

Do you normally take levothyroxine on its own well away from other medications or vitamin supplements

[Prosecco1997 in reply to SlowDragon]

I take these medications 2 hours after Levothyroxine, mini pill , flecinide and bisoprolol also hrt gel , was just wondering if I could take these , before test ? Then thyroid medicine after

[Prosecco1997]

I take these medications 2 hours after Levothyroxine, mini pill , flecinide and bisoprolol also hrt gel , was just wondering if I could take these , before test ? Then thyroid medicine after

[meme]

Take your Levo 24 hours before test. Insist on free T 3 and free T 4 as well as. TSH being tested. Test should be in an empty stomach before 9 am. Water only and no Biotin ( a B vitamin) for a few days before. Get a copy of your results.

[Prosecco1997 in reply to meme]

do you think it would be ok to take all other medications now my bloods are at 10.40

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Prosecco1997]

Yes

[meme in reply to Prosecco1997]

Yes, but get an earlier appointment next time.

[Polaris]

Just wondering if vitamin B12 was checked as this is maybe affected by other medications and often comes along with thyroid disease?

Tests are not usually reliable though as the symptoms, which usually creep up very slowly over time, are severe fatigue, dizziness, proprioception, sore tongue, etc. etc.

Four in our family have both thyroid disease and Pernicious Anaemia/B12, deficiency only discovered through gene testing, etc.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Thyroid U.K. website just updated…..I have edited my original reply to include updated links

[Hidden]

Some people (me inc) do not have something called Intrinsic factor, which enables Vitamin B 12 to be obtained from food, or supplements. If a blood test flags pernicious anaemia, Intrinsic Factor is absent. No supplement will work-it has to be a B12 injection every 10-14 weeks for life. Make sure you have this tested when you have your bloods done.