Still trying to digest everything from my December diagnosis of Hashimoto’s and advice given. Instead of adding to my previous post I thought it better to begin a new one to incorporate my blood results that several of you kind people requested. I still cannot fathom that I need to take medication for ever . And I still query that my high antibody reading could be due to LC, psoriasis, Slovakian cough in August, Covid again in September, followed by bad cold and cough in November and still suffering congestion. Excuse my ignorance if I am incorrect! Just desperately trying to evade this diagnosis. Will be booking repeat bloods for later this month . Thank you for caring and sharing your expertise, it does help
Thank you! I did check my results entry, obviously brain fog is still an issue though I thought it might be improving! I have only had the one test , which is this result, recently and this was because of a neck scan. But was also taking b and d vits daily. A year or so ago I had an abnormal thyroid result and when checked six weeks later it was normal again. I was being treated for LC . I started the hormone on 21/12 . My tum is a little upset and I’m still having some weird symptoms that I’d assumed was my LC . Will these symptoms go away? I’m booking my next thyroid test as dr said to do after four weeks so your advice on additional tests and how to test is very useful.
I notice on the link you sent me that if over fifty you are meant to start on 25mcg to avoid cardiac problems (!) , I’ve been started on 50 mcg. A little worried by this…
My tum is a little upset and I’m still having some weird symptoms that I’d assumed was my LC . Will these symptoms go away? I’m booking my next thyroid test as dr said to do after four weeks so your advice on additional tests and how to test is very useful.
50mcg only standard STARTER dose
(25mcg if over 65 years old )
Typically symptoms improve a little 4-6 weeks after each dose increase
Then as your body gets use to that dose, symptoms start to return….indicating ready for next increase
Typically not worth retesting until 6-8 weeks
TSH is slow to respond
As you get nearer final dose …..leaving 10-12 weeks
Eventually likely to be on something around 1.6mcg Levo per kilo of your body weight
LC is long covid from May 2020. Many similar symptoms which are aggravated by infection so a little difficult to untangle . If I hadn’t had neck scan I would’ve assumed bad reaction to recent viruses and recent re infection ( though my dr is good at outruling other conditions but I maybe would not have bothered them ). At least, till I felt as if I was crashing completely, which was how I was beginning to feel.
I have teva levathyroxine liquid. Is this ok?
Will my body settle on a specific dose at some point?
I don’t always get on well with ‘medicine ‘ so assume keeping an eye on things, and dr had consulted with endocrinologist so assume it was their advice to test after four weeks.
Is the increase slow so you don’t have a hyper reaction? Though do you have a hyper reaction when you have a thyroid attack?
Sorry, for so many questions. I feel like I’m looking at a many pieced jigsaw and have only managed to find one tiny part!
I’m no good with tablets. I’d also read somewhere that liquid is better absorbed ? I just wondered if there were any ingredients in the liquid that were not so good?
A year or so ago I had an abnormal thyroid result and when checked six weeks later it was normal again.
That's because you have Hashi's. Results fluctuate but the trend is down to hypothyroidism. Your thyroid is slowly being destroyed by the Hashi's, and cannot regenerate.
My tum is a little upset and I’m still having some weird symptoms that I’d assumed was my LC . Will these symptoms go away?
Depends if they're caused by low thyroid hormones. They might not be.
What is LC?
I notice on the link you sent me that if over fifty you are meant to start on 25mcg to avoid cardiac problems (!) , I’ve been started on 50 mcg. A little worried by this…
No, that's not correct. Starting levo at 50 mcg won't cause cardiac problems. They start you on 25 mcg if you already have cardiac problems. Otherwise, it's 50 mcg. So, don't worry about that.
Thank you! So each time the thyroid is attacked it releases lower amounts of thyroid each time ? So maybe if I wasn’t taking Levothyroxine my results may be normal again in four weeks? But my symptoms would be even worse on the next attack?
LC is long covid which have had to varying degrees since May 2020. Infection rattles it and many symptoms are similar. Till August I’d felt the best I’d been since before I first caught it. (Had three times). I’d read some research that there is a strong link becoming apparent between LC and subsequent thyroid issues.
Sorry to keep firing questions but I value the thoughts and opinions of the forum’s lived experience to help me understand and hopefully worry less
I understand your reluctance to initiate treatment but thyroid replacement isn't drugs, its the same hormones as your body naturally produces, exactly the same, except its made in a lab.
I guess the pertinent question is how you feel with those results? Are you experiencing any symptoms? With FT4 levels that low many people would be struggling with fatigue and other hypo symptoms.
No one can force you to take anything you dont want to, as a mentally competent adult you have carte blanche to accept or refuse any medical treatment.
As Slow Dragon says your hypothyroid appears to be autoimmune, as most people's are. So its likely your thyroid will continue to be under attack from your immune system. And its also likely that at some point you will need to consider thyroid replacement. But that choice is of course yours.
In the meantime testing and if necessary improving your vitamin levels can help improve thyroid function. And many with autoimmune hypothyroid find going gluten free very helpful as it can lessen the autoimmune attacks.
Thank you! I don’t usually take anything and have often had odd symptoms when anything has been necessary. I do try and avoid where possible. However, I also don’t wish to be irresponsible and started 50mcg on 21/12 but a little anxious as I still am feeling my way with the diagnosis to try and understand the implications and what is the best way to proceed and maximise my chances of being in good health. I’m not very good with not having full understanding yet I’m trying not to exhaust myself as feeling overwhelmed in addition to quite a few unpleasant symptoms . Dr has agreed to test my vitamin levels and I will probably try gluten free at some point but am trying just to see what the hormone does to me , if anything, first. Is it the autoimmune attack that is causing my symptoms , and will I always have these now?
Its not the autoimmune attack, its the low thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones control so many bodily functions that when they are low that is what makes you feel wretched. Your FT4 was very low so no wonder you had some odd symptoms.
Hypothyroidism is a pretty insidious condition for most people. It can take years for it to develop. And as we feel worse we tend to blame it on stress, poor sleep, overwork, ageing or other factors. A lot of members spent years feeling pants before getting diagnosed.
I think Thyroid UK has a list of around 300 symptoms that are to do with the thyroid misbehaving, so it can have a huge impact on your health.
I've never tried gluten free although I very rarely eat bread, pasta, cakes or other foods containing gluten. I cut it out due to IBS. So cant advise you on the pros and cons but there are other members who swear by going gluten free.
Thank you! Does this low FT4 ( is this my amount of thyroid?) mean I’ve had this condition for some time or has it just suddenly dropped? And with the hormone will these symptoms go away and not have caused any damage?
Thyroid hormones are FT4 and FT3, FT4 ( Levo is synthetic FT4) is a storage hormone that the body converts into the active FT3. FT3 is used by so many functions in the body, it helps to control energy levels, metabolism ( why many hypos struggle with weight) cardiac function, brain function, temperature.
In theory correct levels of FT4, aka Levo should in turn convert into good levels of FT3, however some people this doesnt work so well. So they might end up with high levels of FT4 but low levels of FT3, we call this poor conversion.
This can be affected by low vitamin and mineral levels, which is why the forum emphasises the need to keep key nutrients at optimum levels.
Low stomach acid, common among hypos can affect absorbption of Levo, or poor gut function. Its another reason Levo should be taken on an empty stomach and nothing but water for an hour afterwards. Making sure any vitamins and minerals are taken well away from Levo, especially iron. Oestrogen products need to be taken well away, so birth control or HRT.
I would say its likely you've had this for sometime as yours is autoimmune. Some people do get a form of temporary hypo, sometimes after a virus or having a baby, and once their system has settled down their thyroid goes back to normal
.But yours is under attack from your immune system mistakenly thinking its a foreign body and there is no way to prevent this once the process has started. Its not reversible.
So all you can do is to take the thyroid replacement as it replaces that which your own would make. It doesnt top it up, it takes over, once you are on a high enough dose.
Your own thyroid function will effectively cease as the pituitary gland will sense there is enough thyroid hormone in the body and will stop sending out the TSH message or thyroid stimulating hormone to the thyroid asking it to make more hormone.
Your TSH will drop as there is no real need for it anymore and your levels of FT4 and FT3 should increase and those are what relieve symptoms. Your thyroid is damaged because of the autoimmunity, some have scans of thyroid and find out its often atrophied or shrunk right down and incapable of maintaining enough output for health.
Having low FT4 can make you feel rubbish and it can take time and dose tweaking and the closer you get to your final dose the more fine tuning you might have to do. Some will only increase by 12.5mcg or even less rather than the usual 25mcg.
A rough guide and its only a guide is weigh yourself in kilos and times it by 1.6mcg, this will give you an approximate amount. So if you weigh 60 kilos your rough guide to eventual Levo dose would be 96mcg rounded up to 100mcg daily.
However dosing is very individual and we need what we need. Some need more, some less. The idea being a restoration to health and abatement of symptoms. You shouldnt suffer any permanent damage by having low thyroid hormones but its important to get started on treatment and continue getting to your desired dose.
Being hypo not only makes you have unpleasant symptoms but left untreated can have serious implications for heart health and cholesterol levels among other things.
Thank you so much, that is a really clear explanation! I have arranged for a blood test to check my levels again next week, before 9am and no levo dose beforehand. I have also stopped my b and d vitamins . I’m having everything tested that has been suggested on here but receptionist said FT3 and coeliac was not on the list (FT3 had been agreed on previous call). Said will ring if any problem with this being added to list so hopefully it has been accepted. I have been waiting for 30 mins after taking levo before I have a cup of tea.
I love a hot drink in the morning so morning dosing isnt an option for me. Instead I keep my tablets next to the bed with a bottle of water and when I get up for a wee in the night I take them then.
A lot of members also prefer bedtime dosing. There is some evidence to show that taking Levo at night improves absorbtion. This might be something you could try.
Thanks, I had read some research on night dosing. I love my cuppa with a book in the morning and am loathe to give it up , hence I wait 30 rather than 60 minutes which is manageable with my usual early morning pootlings. And hoping this is enough of a gap for it to do its work. The chemist said not to take on a night as has caffeine in so would disturb my sleep. I can’t see it in the ingredient list but maybe it’s listed under a different name? I do sometimes get a strong ‘buzz’ later on after taking it, especially if I go for a swim (which is interesting too, as I don’t eat till after?). I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I felt so wide awake at night . Is worth a try if tests don’t show a strong uptake . Though I’m wondering if worth having another test in four weeks before increase dosage if needed ?
Sorry what has caffeine in, Levo? That's not something I have ever heard of. Maybe someone more knowledgeable could verify that.
I have Fibro and could write a book on insomnia and yet taking Levo in the middle of the night has never adversely affected my sleep. There is evidence that having good levels of FT3, which Levo converts into, aids sleep.
That’s what chemist said, I can check again when collecting next prescription. I usually sleep like a baby (odd expression…) ! Recently , I was waking quite frequently and wonder if that was a symptom of low thyroid ? Am more settled now but still a tad congested which makes me dry so need odd sip of water that disturbs a little.
Before diagnosis, I had severely impaired sleep. One of the first improvements I noticed on taking levothyroxine was improved sleep. As the dose was titrated up, so my sleep improved further.
I had been falling asleep, and waking a short time later. Then unable to get back to sleep for hours, if at all.
I now sleep well almost every night. And the odd night I don't, well, I don't put that down to thyroid hormone.
And from the very start, I have always taken my levothyroxine at bed-time. When I started, the idea of taking at bed-time had been published and discussed a bit, but it was not usual.
I am very good at taking my levothyroxine every night. But if I don't (maybe I am expecting a test in the morning), I sleep less well. And in the past, the very odd time I forgot literally at bed-time, I'd find myself waking up and realising something was wrong, taking it then, and sleeping the rest of the night.
We are all different. Your experience might be very different to mine.
But if a pharmacist told you it contains caffeine, they deserve to be struck off! Caffeine would always be listed as caffeine. There is no levothyroxine product I have ever heard of which contains any other active ingredient like that. (Only levothyroxine and liothyronine or levothyroxine and iodine within Europe and UK.)
If they just said that it acts like caffeine, well, my experience is that is just as untrue.
You can check whether they are still saying it. And you can check the ingredients for every UK make via my document.
helvella's medicines documents (UK and Rest of the World) can be found here:
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines
helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.
This link takes you to a page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones.
The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrix for tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK.
Thank you for letting me know re caffeine and also sharing your experience. Glad to hear you are sleeping well. I have a prescription working its way through the system so I shall check (it was my other half that picked up my first one but he was adamant that was what was said!) and discouraged me from taking it at night.
I cant see anything about Levo containing caffeine on Dr Google, maybe the pharmacist was warning you from taking the two together as caffeine can affect absorbtion of Levo.
'I still cannot fathom that I need to take medication for ever.'
It may be helpful for you to get your head around your recently new diagnosis/health issue, if you're mindful that it is thyroid hormone replacement and not medication that you'll be taking.
SlowDragon has given you lots of relevant information and you could work your way through that. It'll stand you in good stead. 😊
Thank you! Sorry, I’m still kicking against this currently but have also acquiesced reluctantly , though I know I should be , and am thankful, for all advice and hormone! I do appreciate the support and am making notes to try and fully understand and what to request from dr . I’m not reading too much at moment as trying not to frighten myself too much as not feeling particularly brave currently and am quite emotional which I understand can be one of symptoms?
Yes just take your time and read other members responses and information when you feel able. You're bound to feel emotional so just be kind to yourself; it can be overwhelming at times.
The forum has many members with much personal experience and will make many relevant suggestions for you.
Rather refreshingly it sounds like you may have a helpful GP which is brilliant. Something that some members here do not have!
I found it a massive relief when I was eventually prescribed levo as it took many years for my issues to be taken seriously; my symptoms were always put down to mental ill health and were continually dismissed.
Thank you and so sorry to hear that you lacked support for so long which must have been awful. And thanks for your understanding. I veer between a lukewarm acceptance, scrabbling for knowledge, then feeling overwhelmed and miserable. I try to continue with my normal daily activities but physically don’t feel too normal , and yet really don’t want to indulge too much in self pity but my emotions don’t always agree. It feels a strange and disjointed time and I’m so looking forward to feeling back to normal again, and really hope this is a realistic expectation?
And I still query that my high antibody reading could be due to LC, psoriasis, Slovakian cough in August, Covid again in September, followed by bad cold and cough in November and still suffering congestion.
No, I'm afraid they couldn't. That's not how antibodies work. They are very specific and don't go around attacking just any old virus or body part.
Your high antibodies are TPOab and they are specific to thyroid. And, they don't even attack anything, like most antibodies. They just come along, after an immune system attack on the thyroid, and clean up the traces of TPO that leaked into the blood during the attack. That is why they are tested to indicate Hashi's. They wouldn't be high due to anything else.
Thank you! So these antibodies are actually doing a good thing by cleaning up something harmful which has been caused by an autoimmune attack on thyroid? So if these are high it means a lot of harmful ‘bits’ have been released and I assume it is these that have caused me to feel quite unwell with various symptoms currently? What are these ‘bits ‘ that are being released? What is TPO please? I assume on my next blood test they will be looking for my antibody count to be lower? How frequent are these attacks that make one feel unwell and will all my symptoms go away again?
So if these are high it means a lot of harmful ‘bits’ have been released
Well, no, I wouldn't say they're harmful. They're just in the wrong place. They do not belong in the blood, that's all.
I assume it is these that have caused me to feel quite unwell with various symptoms currently?
No, not at all. It's the lack of thyroid hormone that is causing you to feel unwell. T3 is needed by every single cell in your body to function correctly. If they are not getting any, or not enough, then you will feel that lack as 'symptoms'. And these symptoms can occur anywhere and everywhere in the body where there is malfunction due to low thyroid hormone levels.
What are these ‘bits ‘ that are being released? What is TPO please?
TPO is a protein found in the thyroid that is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones.
I assume on my next blood test they will be looking for my antibody count to be lower?
No, there's no point once you have a postitive result which confirms Hashi's. The actuall level doesn't give you any extra/useful information.
How frequent are these attacks that make one feel unwell and will all my symptoms go away again?
The attacks don't necessarily make you feel unwell. What happens is, during the attack, the dying cells deposit their stock of thyroid hormone into the blood causing levels of FT4/3 to rise. This can actually make you feel better.
Before I was diagnosed, I was dragging my hypos body round, fat, tired and losing my hair when suddenly - for no reason that I knew of - I would rapidly lose the weight, my hair would grow and I'd have an abundance of energy. But, of course, it didn't last. Slowly, the excess hormone would be used up/excreted and I would gradually become hypo again.
For most people, though, they develop hyper symptoms, due to the excess hormones.
Impossible to say how frequent they are, nor how severe they are likely to be. It might just be a slight attack, or a huge one. I should imagine it varies from person to person.
Thank you! So everyone can respond differently. Does this mean now I am taking the hormone that if I have an attack I will be extra hyper? Do you stop taking the hormone for a bit till it’s more stable again? Though I understand being too low will continue to make me unwell. I have had trouble losing weight despite exercising nearly every day! I feel your pain! Although some numbness , breathing and joint pain I’m still exercising, but extremely gently . I assume this can’t cause any damage but I don’t know so?
Does this mean now I am taking the hormone that if I have an attack I will be extra hyper? Do you stop taking the hormone for a bit till it’s more stable again?
Not at this point, no. 50 mcg won't make an awful lot of difference to anything. But, possibly as your dose gets higher.
Yes, that is what we usually advise: if you feel hyper-ish symptoms, stop or reduce your thyroid hormone replacement (levo) until you feel hypo again. But, it's best to do this on your own because doctors understand NOTHING about how Hashi's 'works', and once they've reduced your dose you'll have a hell of a job getting it raised again when you need it.
I have had trouble losing weight despite exercising nearly every day!
The first thing to understand is that hypo-weight gain has very little to do with diet or exercising. It's to do with reduced metabolism. And it's more likely to be due to water-retention that lack of exercise. In fact, too much exercise will use up your calories, which you need to convert T4 to T3, making you more hypo and make you put on even more weight. So, I sould say, stop all that exercise. Just gentle walking until your levels are vastly improved.
And, by the same token, no low-calorie diets, either. No amount of dieting will get rid of water-weight.
I feel your pain!
Thank you. But it's ok, now. I'm not super-slim the way I should be - would be but for this damned disease - but I'm not carrying the extra weight I did at one point. Infact, I had the thrill of my life just the other day when my neighbour said to me 'oh, you're just a little thing. I could pick you up and carry you easily'. 🤣🤣🤣 Nobody has ever said such a nice thing to me before!
Although some numbness , breathing and joint pain I’m still exercising
Numbness - low B12?
Breathing pain - low iron/ferritin?
Joint pain - low vit D?
Vital that all nutrients are optimal because they can cause horrendous symptoms when they're low. Plus you need them optimal because if they're not, your body cannot use the hormone you're giving it.
Cut down on the exercising, you're using up all your scarce resources and making yourself worse.
Thank you! I find it hard to understand why all this information I’m being given has not been relayed by my GP practice? How many people must be having bad effects which could be prevented ?
I am still getting symptoms though only on 50 since 20/12 so assume that is to be expected, and today my legs and feet are really achey and sore. Will see if a bath helps.
Walking, which I love, is like wading through treacle at the moment as large part of legs and feet feel numb, (numb feet since LC unless I wear sandals with bare feet!). my hip has started hurting, particularly on steps and my knees feel like all my ligaments and muscles have turned in to loose elastic bands . Breathing also puffy. Mentally , I feel much happier after walk and apart from some increased stiffness I move better. Swimming really helps and also use hydrotherapy after. I do take it slowly. Fitness has been my priority with LC and I am loathe to let it decrease further. I’m not a gym bunny, I just want to keep my body working as smoothly as possible with ageing
I have virtually had to starve to lose weight and yet it can pile on so easily. I have noticed, despite it being Christmas, that the last few days my body does not appear to be putting weight on, even with Christmas treats. Am hoping this continues and with more usual healthier eating I may actually lose some? Lovely that you’ve had a complement. I have had the odd very hurtful comment about my weight gain
I do take B and D vitamins (when I remember). Had an extremely busy year so been a little hit and miss. Heard test not good as also picks up inactive vitamin but dr was not worried when I mentioned at the time and said the only nhs test on offer.
My ferritin was dangerously low for years but more recently has been ok
Thanks again for your help and I’m sorry to be such a moaning min
I find it hard to understand why all this information I’m being given has not been relayed by my GP practice?
Because they don't have a clue about any of it! Their 'education' in thyroid was scant to say the least. And as they were 'taught' that thyroid is no big deal and we're all a bunch of whinging, attention-seeking hypochondriacs, they don't have the interest to learn more since leaving med school.
How many people must be having bad effects which could be prevented ?
A hell of a lot, I should imagine!
I am still getting symptoms though only on 50 since 20/12 so assume that is to be expected, and today my legs and feet are really achey and sore.
You've only just started and 50 mcg is only a starter dose, so you can't realistically expect much from it.
Fitness has been my priority with LC and I am loathe to let it decrease further. I’m not a gym bunny, I just want to keep my body working as smoothly as possible with ageing
I understand, but you're now living with a 'new' body. Everything has changed and the normal rules no-longer apply. You have to adapt to it. This 'new' body cannot be expected to live up to your standards right now. Give it a break. Gentle walking and swimming are the maximum you should be doing until you get your thyroid hormone levels higher. Don't push yourself! That would be a terrible, counter-productive mistake.
I have virtually had to starve to lose weight and yet it can pile on so easily.
Not a good idea. Starving will just make you more hypo. You really must eat adequate amounts, both for the calories and the nutrients. As it is, you're going to have a hard time absorbing nutrients but starving yourself will make it ten times worse.
Am hoping this continues and with more usual healthier eating I may actually lose some?
If you eat enough, and optimise your nutrients and your thyroid hormone levels, you should lose some weight, yes. But, frankly, your weight is the least of your problems! If I were you, I'd just try and forget about it for the forseeable future.
I have had the odd very hurtful comment about my weight gain
Oh I've had plenty of them, believe me! I've been hypo since I was about 8, putting on weight rapidly, and no-one knew why. No-one was capable of thinking logically about it - least of all the doctors I saw. And some of them were the most hurtful! But even strangers in the street feel free to comment if you're over-weight. I've cried myself to sleep many a night, I can tell you.
I do take B and D vitamins (when I remember).
Did you get them tested first? And do you take their co-factors with them? A B complex with B12, and magnesium and vit K2-MK7 with vit D? They won't do you any good without, even if you do remember to take them.
Heard test not good as also picks up inactive vitamin
Are you talking about the serum B12 test? It doesn't matter. You just need to know that the result should be over 550. But you can get an active B12 test done privately. The vit d3 testing is fine.
Doctors know zero about nutrients, anyway. No point in mentioning anything to them.
And you're not a moaning minnie! lol It's natural to have concerns, It's a lot to learn, but you're going to be just fine.
Thank you! With LC my vitamin D crashed twice and was given some strong stuff by drs but not sure what was. Tested again when finished course and it was ok, but just found last test and it was 54 which on low side. Have nutravita d3 and k2 drops now, I only take one as don’t want too much and I think a subsequent test on taking this was 70+. I’m also taking H and B vit b complex and again take half suggested dose as it’s mega strong! I am getting these tested again on my next test. I definitely must have brain fog as arranged test for next week and should be week after, must change! Please can you explain what the difference is, if any, with what vits you’ve mentioned? I don’t take tablets.
Sorry to hear you’ve had such thoughtless comments .
I have been gentle swim today and not eaten till after therefore quite a long fast, but it really seems to help. Spoilt by Christmas chocolate consumption!
It's a mistake doctors often make! Give vit D supplements, retest and find levels good, tell patient they don't need to take it anymore! Wrong. If you're hypo, your level will just drop again. Supplementing when hypo is an on-going process. Just reduce dose to maintenance.
I’m also taking H and B vit b complex and again take half suggested dose as it’s mega strong!
Well, it might be strong - IF you can absorb the contents. But, it contains cyanocobalamin (B12) and folic acid, which are not best absorbed. What you need are methylcobalamin and methylfolate.
As a general rule on here we say don't buy from H&B. Their supplements are cheap and nasty - well, not the best, anyway. For a B complex, Thorne Basic B is better, or Igennus.
Please can you explain what the difference is, if any, with what vits you’ve mentioned? I don’t take tablets.
Please don't delay treatment because you don't want to take medication for the rest of your life. Listen to the advice here. I wish I'd known about or had the sense to consult this forum back on 2015 when I first had a diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism. I didn't feel too bad I reasoned - I was 'just getting old' - at 58!
Looking back, that year it was like someone flicked a switch in my life. 4 years later I had heart Arrythmia- atrial fibrillation- and high blood pressure. Trust me - you don't want these conditions- nor the high cholesterol we develop with hypothyroidism. Personal cautionary tale!
Thank you and I’m so sorry to hear of your health problems caused by this condition and hope there is some improvement for you . I have started the hormone on 21/12 though was frightfully torn between worrying of any harm that could be caused by taking the hormone, against any damage that could be caused by not taking it! Coupled with knowing nothing at all about hypothyroidism , feeling rubbish , and not wanting to be overwhelmed with too much information at once which I reckon most people here have had to face at some point too. I’m so grateful that I found this group straight away on the first day of my diagnosis , thank you!! After contracting LC in 2020 I am fortunate enough to know that a good support group is worth its weight in gold for health advice and positive support . I have so many questions and information is throwing up still more . Thank you for sharing your experience with me which helps me to realise that I have made the right decision in starting the hormone. I was getting a bit of funny fluttering which appears to have gone . Does the hormone prevent this condition from causing problems completely?
Glad it helped. I feel sad no-one warned me at our surgery. I only found out after I'd developed AF. A few palpitations or sense of fluttering I'd hope is now passing for you. Keep an eye on it as people do sometimes have AF and not know it. Not saying this is you though. As it happens I had a procedure where the ablate the veins in the heart where the rogue electrical cells hang out and it appears to have been successful. But my arrhythmia nurse and electrophysiologist were very keen for me to begin thyroid.treatment as soon as i could after that procedure had settled. And I'm glad i did. I do feel.better on all fronts actually. I suffer if I sleep badly, which may be par for the course, or it might be I'm not yet optimal. I do understand the challenge of 'something is wrong and I will have to take pills for the rest of my life'. I went through that too. In the end it's about finding a route that improves your quality of life.
You mentioned psoriasis. While psoriasis definitely doesn't cause hashimotos, they are both autoimmune diseases. It is down to your genes - if you have one autoimmune disease you are more likely to have more than one. I have both hashimotos and psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis and they run in my family. As others have said, start the treatment. It may take time to get the right dose but worth it in the end. It sounds like you have lots of health issues so it may help to take one out of the equation with treatment?
Thank you! I’m the only one in my family with psoriasis that I know of but people have pointed out that in previous times people may have concealed it. It’s ‘only’ long covid that has caused issues since 2020 but I was virtually back to my old self this summer (which was wonderful) before my multiple infections . These have triggered multiple symptoms, but maybe it was the Hashimoto’s ? Many other symptoms are similar . Will my symptoms clear up completely on the right dose?
Well we hope so, Levothyroxine is one of the most widely prescribed medications worldwide, there are millions of people on it, however as busy as this site is, I believe its HealthUnlocked busiest site, we dont have millions of members. Those of us on here tend to be those who for one reason or another havent had a straightforward thyroid journey.
But most people who start Levo get on with it well and are out living their lives, and not posting on forums 😆. There's every reason to be optimistic.
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Advice on my Daughter's results please...
Newbie…. Looking for advice, help on test results please🙏🏻
Please help with my results 🙏 
Hello new here I have my blood test results. Help please 
New Results: Please Help Interpret!
