since a couple days ago, I’ve had extreme fatigue, feeling low and a very bad headache. I just went for a walk with my mum and I felt horrible. I got hot flushes, fast heart rate, shakiness, covered in sweat and weakness. Now I’m laying on the couch, exhausted. There’s no way that hypo can cause you to feel this way! I felt like I was going to collapse. These symptoms are making me very scared! My b12 is low- ish (around 350 (200-900)) and my folate was lower end. I’ve started b12 menthyl sublingual and methylfolate in a good b complex. I also do have pcos and my sex binding glob is out of range, very low.
I feel like I have something sinister going on. This type of exhaustion is scary…especially when I feel this way from a simple walk
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Angie10116
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So sorry you are feeling unwell- and on Christmas too.
Having low in range B12 is definitely not going to help - good you are supplementing. Most of us have to supplement continuously, monitoring along with thyroid hormones to keep tip top. D with cofactor M2 MK7, Magnesium and B complex are in my armoury. I am taking a small dose of selenium too.
I expect you have seen the info at some point - if not shout.
So what were the results (with ranges) from your last thyroid panel? Date and time?
Did you follow protocol advised here to get consistent, representative results?
What are you currently on with regards to thyroid medication? Are you on anything else?
There are bugs doing the rounds at present and having an autoimmune condition can mean we get hit harder than others. The headache thing makes me think back to how I felt when I have had Covid and also food poisoning.
They don’t sound classically thyroid but sometimes when you have a few things going on it’s a process of elimination.
oooo try to keep hydrated whatever the problem is and if you can get some electrolyte drink the sort cyclists mix up from powder a bit of that will help generally. Just don’t drink too much and certainly not a sugar loaded energy drink like monster. Those gave our nephew fatty liver disease as if he had been boozing for years and he is tee total 😱
Taking D3 helps the absorption of calcium from food and Vit K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed/ away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.
Not for a long time! I’m planning on going to a private endo next month and maybe they can test it. Can my symptoms be thyroid? I always think the worst… it’s crazy that thyroid can cause all these things
I would 100% test levels before seeing a private endo. Having the results to hand will allow a ‘what next’ conversation to take place. Blood tests at private hospitals invariably cost more than via Medichecks/ blue Horizon
Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested to see if your condition is auto immune (aka Hashimotos)? If not, I would check these, alongside TSH, FT3 and FT4 plus key vitamins
Wonderful! Thank you very much. I might have to do 2 separate ones, one for vitamins and one for thyroid, but I’ll keep an eye out 😄 thank you, have a lovely evening
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
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with Graves or Hashimoto’s
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)
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
I am extremely sensitive to changes in thyroid medication and have to increase or decrease super slowly or I get a raft of adverse symptoms (palpitations, fast pulse, tremor, high anxiety). I only adjust by 12.5mcg, alternate days at first until well tolerated.
Vitamin K1 is the most common form, found in foods such as green vegetables. It is important for clotting of the blood.
Vitamin K2 is a different form of Vitamin K: If we take Vitamin D3, that may increase the calcium in our blood. Some people take Vitamin K2 (either the MK7 form and sometimes the MK4 form) to try and make sure the increased calcium in the blood gets directed to the bones and teeth, and not to places we don't want it, such as the coronary arteries, which can cause coronary artery calcification.
(Not everyone believes that Vitamin K2 will have this effect; I think there is a lot of research going on about Vitamin K2 now).
Everything can contribute to a greater or lesser extent- don’t rely on doctors- they just read off the sheet literally they have not a clue about nutrition . When everything is running smoothly, thyroid hormones and vitamins and minerals, it’s like an orchestra playing beautifully. However, the string section of an orchestra could potentially drown out a badly played violin (compensating) but if the pianist goes off on one like Les Dawson the overall effect could be much more obvious.
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
When I recently overdid B12 I felt horrible for a week and it really upset my sleep for about a month. Only just settling into reasonable sleep pattern. Or is it the Christmas wine that’s responsible?!!😳
I’d stopped taking my B12 complex for about 4 weeks in preparation for an MMA test after which I resumed with a B12 injection (1000mcg). Although I felt fine I couldn’t sleep because I could feel and hear my erratic heartbeat pounding in my ears
When B12 deficient it’s usual to take a B12 complex for the balance of all the other Bs. This balance was now missing so my logic was to reintroduce the B12 complex which comprises of B12 x 500mcg plus all the other Bs in various quantities. Mistake. I felt dreadful
It’s a couple of months on and I now feel good and I’m sleeping better. I’ve since reintroduced the B12 complex and I alternate with 1 and 2, daily. Seems to be fine and I’ve noticed the odd tingling sensations in my legs and feet (this is what prompted having the injection) have subsided
Last few days I’ve added methyl and adeno drops in a litre which I sip throughout the day
Yes, hopefully all settled but my point to you was that perhaps at 1800mcg daily, that might just be too much for you at the moment. Some people can tolerate a lot more than that, some of us less. B12 has energising properties and to go from having low levels available to you to suddenly dumping high quantities into your system, may result in a lot of systemic over-activity. Just a thought
Obviously I couldn’t do anything about the imjection but I stopped the oral supplement for a while then resumed on a double dose and so far things remain settled
I believe my D was 60-65, apologies don’t have range. My ferritin was “in range” but I didn’t get to see the results unfortunately. When I get the private bloods done I will include these tests also
For good health almost every cell in the body must be flooded with T3 In a constant and adequate supply.
If T3 is low then metabolism slows down resulting in lethargy, chronic fatigue and always feeling tired: Even if you've had a good night's sleep, a slow metabolism can make you feel tired more frequently.
Being hypo can absolutely floor you!
At my lowest I could barely function
No vit D result...most likely also too low...
but Charley-Farley has already referred to the importance of optimal core nutrients
Full thyroid test includes...
TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin and thyroid antibodies TPO and Tg.....hopefully those have all been tested.
The results should point to the way forward.
Post any results you have and members will advise.
Don't worry, I expect correct medication will improve how you feel.
Hi Angie,I agree with Dippy Dame, it might be a conversion problem......so getting a full thyroid panel really important.. If this is the issue check out whether the Endo is T3 friendly. Many aren't.
I definately had crashes as you described until I went onto a combination medication..
I also have Graves that’s stable snd have these symptoms. I think for me it’s CFS/ME made worse by Covid vaccine/covid. I have had to rest twice a day and pace myself or else I’m bedridden for a week or more. My heart rate goes up and I get short of breath just walking around the house.
Hello. It’s not covid as I also have other symptoms, anxiety and feeling low ect.. I’ve been feeling progressively worse for a couple months now. Thanks for your reply though!
Also it’s worth getting your ferritin tested if you’re doing bloods. A GPs idea of in range means it can be right at the bottom and you could be feeling awful but they’d say it’s fine!
I don’t have covid. I’ve had these symptoms for over 2 weeks now, getting worse, also with mental changes ( increased anxiety and feeling low). I get triggered by someone mentioning covid as it adds to my health anxiety. I have low folate, b12, I’ve recently changed my thyroid dose, and I have pcos to my hormones are all over the place. So it’s more likely one of those. I was just looking for some reassurance really, not getting diagnosed with covid :(. I did do a test and it’s negative.
With PCOS you could be experiencing hyperinsulinemia. If you have been eating Christmas treats, then it can explain your symptoms. Try to start your day without sugary foods or anything carbohydrate that is easy to digest. If you start the day like that, you won't have cravings and you are less likely to want to eat more foods like that. See if you feel better that way.
Thank you. It may be that. I’m going to the doctor because I feel awful today. I feel like I can’t function. Weakness, extreme headache and very bad fatigue. Hopefully get some answers
Limiting carbohydrates is crucial, as is balancing them with protein, fruits, and vegetables. Limit sweets: Sugar management is essential for treating PCOS and symptoms of insulin resistance. Limiting or avoiding sweetened beverages, desserts, and other forms of added sugar is advised for patients.
That all depends on how your blood glucose is tested. The best way to find out is to do a glucose tolerance test. The super nasty 5 hour one will give you the answer if you become hyperinsulemic and after 3 hours your glucose goes very low. Then you get hot then cold and shaky and weak.
If they only test your fasting glucose and your HbA1c it might not sound alarms. However, with PCOS and an out of control eating habit, oftentimes HbA1c will indicate borderline diabetes.
Since you already know you have PCOS, your doctor might put you on metformin and also provide you with information on dietary changes.
I did, it came back as 209 nmol/L “ For the Roche assay expected values at 06:00 - 10:00h are 133-537”. I can’t remember what time I had this blood test done, but I know it was early morning.
That is on the low end. However, before you concern yourself with cortisol it is important to know that once optimised on thyroid treatment, any other hormones that have been impacted may resolve on their own.
Besides, I would never make a decision n just one test as hormone levels fluctuate quite a bit in certain circumstances.
Finally, in case you are not aware, blood serum tests does not necessarily rule out low cortisol levels but only endocrinologists can carry out other tests. Though, many people on the forum have private saliva tests. I can not comment on these, but I am skeptical.
Overall, it’s very hard not to panic, and you’ve only been on your new dose for some weeks. These things take time to settle out. Make an assessment after a sustained amount of time on your new dose.
Oh ghosh so sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell.
I can't offer any advice as such but how you feel is similar to the situation I was in myself last Christmas. Feeling weak, generally unwell, fast heart rate, blood pressure rise, flushing hot in the face and I couldn't stop shaking. It was a horrible time and feeling.
Cut the story short I found out I actually had Hashimotos, was deficient in folate and probably deficient in Active B12. Afer seeing private Endo etc it seems I had a Hashi flare and too much Thyroxine in my body so went into a Hyperthyroid state for a while, possibly brought on by being low in Vitamin levels. My GP was useless and didn't have a clue hence I went private as I felt so ill.
People on here who know more than me will give you good advice, as they did for me last year. I am ever grateful for that.
I do wish you well and hope everything settles down for you as I am sure it will soon.
I’m so sorry to hear that you were soo unwell last year, but I’m happy you’re feeling better. It’s crazy the way thyroid levels can make us feel, isn’t it!
I’m also very grateful for these lovely people 😊 have a lovely evening and look after yourself 😄
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Why am I feeling worse not better?
I fear my body has changed for the worse since starting levothyroxine 
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