PLEASE HELP

[mindymo]

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism several years ago. I was given Levothyroxine but the first time I tried it there was large spots appeared around my neck/throat. I told my GP and they said it was coincidence. I just felt unwell when taking it. I also suffer from chronic asthma and just feel so desperate!! I just feel am at the end of the road and cannot continue in this way!! I also have acid reflux which really exacerbates my asthma and caused Barrett’s Oesophagus. Am worn down and tired of fighting. Can anyone help with this please?

[greygoose]

Hi mindymo welcome to the forum.

Are you taking levo now? If so, how much? Do you have any blood test results to share with us?

If you are hypo you absolutely have to take thyroid hormone replacement of one sort or another. You cannot be healthy without thyroid hormone because every single cell in your body needs it to function correctly.

Asthma can be a symptom of hypo, as can acid reflux. Your acid reflux is more than likely due to low stomach acid - the symptoms are the same as for high stomach acid. This is due to low thyroid hormone, T3. And it will not get better unless you raise your level of T3 by taking thyroid hormone replacement.

To be able to help you we need to have more information:

- blood test results and ranges

- have your nutrients been tested: vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin?

- has your doctor given you anything to relieve your symptoms?

- how long you stayed on levo and how much were you taking?

- how did you take it?

- how did you do your blood tests?

When we have the necessary information I'm sure members will be able to give you plenty of advice, guidance and suggestions for improving your symptoms.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Welcome to forum

How much levo are you prescribed?

Doctors tend to assume hypothyroidism is easily treated & once on treatment & blood test seem to be in range symtoms are unrelated but this is not always the case and your replacement levels might not be quite right yet.

You could also have reactions to ingredients of certain brands of levo causing the rash for example, so ask to stick to a brand which suits.

Do you have access to your results? Either online or you can ask for printed copies of your results & lab ranges.

For full results you need -

TSH

FT4

FT3

Have thyroid antibodies been tested? TPO or TG antibodies.

Also important Folate, ferritin, B12 & Vitamin D be tested?

If nutrients are low which is common with hypothyroidism it can result in difficulty tolerating levo & low FT3. FT3 is not always tested so often this is misunderstood by doctors,

Some have difficulties but things can improved by checking what’s being tested. Many use private finger prick testing to get a complete picture. This can ensure you can work on any nutrient deficiency and adjust replacement to optimal level.

[Kimmi01]

Hello I’m not an expert but Teva brand gave me a nasty rash over my face neck and chest, amount other nasty side effects. So I’m thinking you might be reacting to fillers they put in the tablets. Someone on this site has done an amazing job of putting together a list of different thyroxine providers, I’m sorry I can’t remember how to get to it (I have very bad memory issues) but I’m sure someone will. Good luck

[helvella Administrator]

The make of levothyroxine might be important for you.

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines - UK

The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrixes for levothyroxine tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK. Includes injectables and descriptions of tablet markings which allow identification. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK-licensed products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), British National Formulary, NHS Drug Tariff, etc. PLUS how to write prescriptions in Appendix F.

Now also includes latest pricing information from dm+d..

Also includes links for anti-thyroid medicines (but not product details).

Direct link to PDF:

📄 dropbox.com/s/bo2jzxucgp9hl...

Direct link to blog:

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

[Dgoebel]

Hi, I am so sorry you feel so unwell. Maybe you can ask your doctor to prescribe you Armour thyroid or NP thyroid instead of synthetic one.

If he doesn't, try to find another doctor

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Dgoebel]

Dgoebel, Unfortunately no brand of desiccated thyroid (NDT) is available on prescription through our NHS here in the UK.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Dgoebel]

I appreciate you are not in the UK and the comment was meant well. But the likelihood of anyone getting prescribed any desiccated thyroid in the UK is vanishingly small. Even if people go private, the lack of any approved desiccated thyroid product in the UK works against the possibility.

[PixieElv in reply to helvella]

I am taking NDT prescribed by a private Endo and never had any issues ( 🤞) sourcing it. That means I pay for both Doctor and medication. NHS will only prescribe and pay for Levo

Happy to DM the name of Endo and the pharmacy that dispenses.

[Bearo]

Does you brand of Levo contain lactose, mannitol or acacia? Some people cannot tolerate some of these additives.

Teva seems to be the one causing most problems but reactions are down to the individual. (I’m ok with it)

Vencamil Levothyroxine has none of these additives.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Very important to get FULL thyroid testing especially if you are on steroid inhaler for asthma as this may lower TSH

How much Levo are you currently taking or how much were you taking if you have stopped

Acid reflux is extremely common hypothyroid symptom

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO are high

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older

For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Also VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

What is reason for your hypothyroidism

Autoimmune?

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)

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

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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...

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

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

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