Fatigue

[fiftyone]

Can anyone help? Feel constantly tired,after 7 hours sleep. My eyes look as though they are half closed from the moment I wake up. GP examined me, looked at my health record and medication levels and said there is nothing he can suggest. My vitamin/mineral levels are normal. Has arranged a lung xray but doesn't expect anything to be wrong. Why am I so washed out all day for the past few months. I have no particular worries on my mind. Can't concentrate, affecting my social life. Often just want to lie on the armchair.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at your profile

It’s not clear if you are on any levothyroxine?

You are on Metformin - this lowers TSH

And Omeprazole - a PPI - this lowers vitamin levels

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Suggest you get full thyroid and vitamin testing

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and……if on levothyroxine …..last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG 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

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

thanks for info. I am well medicated on levo 175mcg daily for past 15 years. Have had relevant blood tests. January 10 had iron infusion, having B12 injections every 8 weeks. Doctor can't find anything obviously wrong. Wonder what has been missed?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fiftyone]

Please add most recent results and ranges

TSH, Ft4, Ft3, folate, Vitamin D, ferritin and B12

Do you always get same brand Levo at each prescription

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)

What’s the cause of your hypothyroidism?

If autoimmune are you on strictly gluten free and/or dairy free diet

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

i have no idea why I am hypo. I asked the doctor if I had hashimotos. She had no idea!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fiftyone]

Have you ever had both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested

If not get these tested via Medichecks or BH along with TSH, Ft3 and Ft4

What was most recent vitamin D and folate results

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

vitamin D 99.5

folate 11.9

(autumn 2023)

[TiggerMe]

Could it be that your Vit D has crashed?

[fiftyone in reply to TiggerMe]

no good levels of vit D

[SlowDragon Administrator]

presumably your iron/ferritin were deficient if you qualified for iron transfusion

How long ago since you started B12 injections

As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

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

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

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)

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

yes I take a B complex tablet. Don't have my B12 tested every time. Had my folate checked. Was quite normal last time, though it had been lowish but within range

[RedApple Administrator]

fiftyone, did you see this post the other day? Might be relevant. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...