I am currently 9 months post-partum with my 3rd and last baby. During my pregnancy I felt dreadful and had to be signed off work. My bloods were taken and my thyroid results was 'borderline'. This didn't meant anything to me at the time and my GP said that I was just pregnant and exhausted. Four months post-birth I became ill and could not seem to get better. I eventually went to the doctor and said that I felt similar to when I was pregnant and had COVID like symptoms. They treated me for an upper respiratory infection and also took my bloods as I mentioned that I'd had hyperthyroidism after the birth of my second 5 years ago.
The results of my bloods came back and my TSH was 36. And was clearly the cause of why I was feeling so terrible. I was given Levothyroxine 50mg and told to have my bloods checked in 6 weeks. Over the course of the 6 weeks my symptoms persisted but I could feel a slight difference. I made sure to research hypothyroidism and knew that I probably also had Hashimoto's from my symptoms.
After my last lot of bloods were taken my TSH was 6. And the antibody test confirmed that I had Hashimoto's and was told to up my medication by 25mg and retest in 3 months. This is the issue; 6 weeks post-testing and I am still having severe symptoms which are affecting my every day life and starting to affect my mental health.
I have psoriasis of the scalp, allergic reactions daily even after reducing inflammatory foods, fatigue and exhaustion, joint and muscle pain, my skin is dry and I have aged significantly, my hair has stopped falling out but I do not have any regrowth and a bald patch at the front of my head, my periods are horrendous and cause extreme mood swings and pain and I can not lose weight. I eat in calories deficit and I am putting on weight which is also making me feel horrendous.
When I discussed these symptoms with the GP they were brushed off and I am dreading going back again in 6 weeks time. I know my medication isn't working and I'm unsure if I have something else going on at the same time. I don't understand why I have to wait for a further 6 weeks and I have to go back to work next week and I know it's going to make me ill.
I am looking for some advice as to how to handle my medical care. I feel gaslit and under supported. I'm 38 and the idea of living the rest of my life like this is actually terrifying.
Thanks for reading.
Written by
GippyKiyYay
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Book next blood test for 6-8 weeks after increasing dose
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)
Has GP tested vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels.
If not get these tested
Plus you also need coeliac blood test at diagnosis of Hashimoto’s
I have no had any of the other tests you've suggested. Am I allowed to request these from the GP? From my understanding of your post I am entitled to ask for vitamin and coeliac as per NICE guidelines?
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.
Teva is lactose free, but contains mannitol as a filler instead of lactose, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Mannitol seems to upset many people, it changes gut biome
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
I have no had any of the other tests you've suggested. Am I allowed to request these from the GP?
Have you seen recent blood test results?
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.
This currently only applies in England, not across the whole of the UK. Nether Scotland nor N.Ireland have released an NHS app for patients. (Scotland supposedly due in December '24.) Wales has an app, but only for booking appointments, repeat prescriptions and amending personal details
75mcg is probably the hardest dose to cope with. It’s high enough to lower TSH further, but not high enough dose to offer much support
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
Just to add - all thyroid hormone replacement options need ' good fats and calories ' in order for the thyroid hormone T4 - Levothyroxine to build and convert in the body into T3 which is the active hormone that runs the body - much like fuel runs a car -
and currently you are likely with too low a level of T3 to run your body as the well oiled machine - you knew it to be and once was -
as it is too low a level of T3 that causes all the symptoms of hypothyroidism -
one of which is a slowed metabolism and an obvious symptom is weight gain -
By eating a calorie deficient diet your body has ' sensed you have gone into starvation mode '
so switched to storing food rather than using it to power you up - and it's a bit like having been switched to off - as no matter what you do - the weight builds up and your symptoms get worse.
In order for any thyroid hormone replacement to work well and be fully utilised and converted into T3 in the body we do need optimal levels of core strength vitamins and minerals -
and these four key building blocks are ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D which have been covered in greater depth already.
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 as per NICE Guidelines
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
Hi, I can see you’ve had many replies from people with more experience and knowledge of Levothyroxine than me.
My personal problem arose from being put on statin and Levo at same time after a stroke. They should have got my levels right before giving statin as Hypothyroidism will show high cholesterol levels.
The exhaustion I had turned out to be the statin, not an inadequate dose of Levo so when was Levo increased I then had very high blood pressure; a side effect of over or under dosage. I also went from 11st 7 to 10st.
I had to stop and start each one to work out what was causing what. I’m no longer on statins, using diet, exercise and polyphenols.
Trying 50mg Levo (I was on 100). and feeling my way from there.
You’re situation sounds terrible and I wish you all the best in finding a resolution. Unfortunately the members on this forum understand thyriod issues more than most if not all GP’s.
Your situation also sounds pretty unsetting and stressful also.
I am extremely grateful that pages like this exist and that the moderators take the time to reply to everyone; not an easy task but it is 100% needed when these types of diseases are overlooked and people are made to feel like hypochondriacs for asking for support. It's scary and incredibly demoralising.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Help with Blood results please Have underactive thyroid and Pernicious Anemia - newish diagnosis
Urgent advice please 🙏🏼
Ttc with high tpo antibodies 
Please help - feeling unhinged 
