hello, I’m new here. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease and am taking 75mg of Levothyroxine. My doctor recently messaged me at the start of December saying finally my levels are within a normal range, however I still feel really low. I’ve gained weight which I’m struggling to loose, I’m so tired and I just feel so low and tearful.
I’ve only been taking the correct dose of medication for a few months, will I start to feel better soon? Also should I be taking supplements and changing my diet since receiving this diagnosis?
Any help would be much appreciated, thank you
Sophie
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SophieJ1
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So we can offer better advice, can you share blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:
TSH
FT3
FT4
Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)
If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:
Please do not supplement before testing key vitamin levels & sharing results with us. It may be worth having a look at Medichecks advanced test, as there is currently 20% off in January.
I, like many other members, only felt well when both thyroid medication and key vitamins were optimal. It’s important to remember that when GPs say ‘normal’ or ‘within range’ this may not be the same as optimal.
Do keep posting if you need further advice or support. We are a friendly & helpful forum! 🦋
Positive TPO indicates your thyroid issues are auto immune, aka Hashimotos.
Have you ever had a coeliac test?
Many members with Hashimotos, myself included, have hugely benefited from being gluten- free. It is certainly worth a GF trial for a couple of months to see if this helps you. Some members like to have coeliac test prior to a trial. I’m not coeliac but am certainly gluten intolerant and would 100% not touch it again (as my digestion issues fully resolved by adopting GF).
Top patient to patient tip for blood tests is to take Levothyroxine AFTER the blood draw and ensure that the blood draw is before 9am (as this gives highest TSH reading/ which GPs often regard as the holy grail when medicating)
GPs invariably only test TSH and FT4. I recommend you look to test FT3 and key vitamins privately if not available through your GP. This will ensure you have a complete picture of your thyroid health.
Many forum members (myself included) test privately and then post results in the forum for advice and support. It is advisable to read posts on completing a home test kit if you choose to test privately, as a finger prick draw can appear rather daunting (but you get more proficient in time if you follow forum tips!)
1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:
people with any of the following:
persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms
faltering growth
prolonged fatigue
unexpected weight loss
severe or persistent mouth ulcers
unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis
autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis
irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)
first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease.
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances.
Most common by far is gluten.
Dairy is second most common.
A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing
Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential
A strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and may slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial
With loads of vegan dairy alternatives these days it’s not as difficult as in the past
Thank you, lots of information there. I will ask if my GP is able to test for Coeliac disease before I try a GF diet, if not I will pay for a private test to see where I’m at. So far since diagnosis for Hashimotos I have not changed anything and have not noticed any of my symptoms improving. From what I have been reading it seems diet is key for improvement, I just wasn’t sure where to begin. Thank you for your help and suggestions
The only results I have are these which were taken in September, this is when they changed my dose from 25mg to 75mg
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality some GP surgeries still do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose or brand change in levothyroxine
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
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)
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
If GP is unhelpful
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
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