Hypothyroidism help!

[WallyOct1]

hello, I have not long found out I have hypothyroidism. T4 4.1 T3 1.5 TSH 87.1 along with Hashimotos and Vit D deficient.

I’ve started on medication (50mg) and I feel so ill. Far worse than I did before. My biggest issue is feeling sick and not being able to manage my sugar levels. I feel like I’m having to eat constantly but with no desire to actually eat anything, but if I don’t I feel like I will either pass out or be sick. Has anyone else experienced this because it’s the one symptom I don’t see many people speak about?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.

You had a very high TSH and your body has been in coping mode for quite a while I would think. It can be quite a shock for the body to suddenly be getting what it needs.

Levo replaces your own thyroid hormone production, it doesn't top it up. In the early stages of treatment this can mean feeling worse for a while before the improvements begin to happen.

Try eating whole foods as opposed to processed foods and cut back a little on carbs which many find hard to digest and use well whilst hypo. Increase protein.

In the mean time its essential to test all of your key vitamin levels and supplement them to OPTIMAL levels as we need this for our thyroid hormone to work well.

Has your GP started you on loading doses of Vit D?

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins.

Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.

It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.

Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.

[WallyOct1 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you for your reply. Ferritin level was fine, didn’t get B12. I was told vitamin D was low but not sure if there’s different types 🤷🏼‍♀️ was told to take 3000 IU daily. My thyroglobulin was 437 and peroxidase 387 so very high so most definitely Hashimoto. I’m just massively struggling with the feeling sick and having to eat. I even struggle waiting 30 minutes in the morning after taking the medication before I can eat as I feel like I will pass out.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to WallyOct1]

Exactly what was your ferritin level?

Ask GP to test B12 & folate. Likely they are low.

If you're in England I'd highly recommend getting the NHS app where you can ask at GP reception to see your results on the app.

3,000iu vit D is OK but you need to retest in 4 months. Vit D should be retested twice a year until you know how much you need in each season.

With positive antibodies it would be good to try a strictly gluten free diet which helps symptoms for many.

Your thyroid levels were very low and TSH very high. Nasty symptoms are pretty much inevitable but they will improve over time.

Try and experiment a bit with your diet to try and find out what makes things worse. Many find high carb foods don't help at this stage. Try eating all non processed foods.

[Sleepman]

I would go back to Doctor.. Ask about Adisons and adrenal issues.

Some people it seems need these sorting first.

You could get gluten /celiac blood test before trying to do without gluten. Did you have stomach problems before taking 50mg of levo?

It did not show in my bloods. To be honest, I do not think it really matter if you cannot tolerate it.

You do not get free prescription bread these days.

I would have been waiting a year for nhs to do an endoscopy ... I just went gluten free. My stomach healed.

After being gf for a while, I found I was hashi too, with similar numbers on bloods to you.

Be kind to yourself it will be several months to get better.

If your doctors are rubbish, this group are amazing and have helped me so much.

10 to 15 % do not thrive on levo alone and you will read their stories on here. Do not let it scare you, just know if it is more complicated you will get help.

Levo T4 turns slowly into T3 the active hormone you body needs. I take a little T3 now as well and it dropped my blood sugar when I first started.

[Lottyplum in reply to Sleepman]

Here Here! This group is amazing and life saving for sure!