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
Can anyone advise please: hello , I’ve been... - Thyroid UK
Can anyone advise please
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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
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
The brand is accord , also can I take my other medication before test , but not Levothyroxine
What other medications ?
Do you normally take levothyroxine on its own well away from other medications or vitamin supplements
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
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.
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.
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Thyroid U.K. website just updated…..I have edited my original reply to include updated links
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.