How many of you are like me, struggling with your underactive thyroid this Winter with the cold, along with the cost of living?

[Lotus-Blossom]

Even though I wrap up in thermals, my body still feels as cold as ice on the inside along with my skin.

[FallingInReverse]

I don’t see any blood test results in your profile or your past posts.

It’s true that as you optimize your thyroid hormone levels and key vitamins your core body temperature will increase and you will feel warmer.

That being said - a plug in heated blanket is my new favorite thing! While sitting getting work done and especially at night in bed. Really does the trick and makes me very happy. It’s below freezing temps where I live for weeks now and no end in sight!

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thank you for your reply and thanks for your advice. 😀

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

welcome to the thyroid forum

Are you diagnosed as being hypothyroid

If yes….

How much levothyroxine are you taking

Do you have recent thyroid and vitamin results from GP you can add

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

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you.

Yes, I am diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

75mg

I had my thyroid test last year around Summer / Autumn, I never thought about asking about a vitamin test I will definitely bring it up with them next time.

Thanks for the advice about when it is best to have a test done and what to do for next time. I have written it down, thank you very much, a big help. 👍

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Lotus-Blossom]

Suggest you see GP and list your current hypothyroid symptoms

see list here

request GP do new thyroid test including Ft4 and Ft3 now and including vitamin levels

Book early morning test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

75mcg is quite a low dose levothyroxine. Only one increase up from starter dose of 50mcg

Do you know roughly how much you weigh in kilo

Unless you’re a very small/light, most people will need higher dose levothyroxine of at least 100mcg

Always ask for copies of your test results and ranges

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for getting back with this information, I will write it down.

I am a healthy weight as I'm 10 Stone 4 Pounds which is 65.31 ( I love healthy eating and movement).

I forget that I can ask for copies in fact I'm going to ask them for my recent copy of my last results, again thank you. 👍😀

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Lotus-Blossom]

First step

See what most recent results show

guidelines suggest that at 65 kilo you’re likely to need approximately 100mcg Levo per day

Guidelines are typically 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight per day

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/levot...

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Adults usually start with a dose between 50 micrograms and 100 micrograms taken once a day. This may be increased gradually over a few weeks to between 100 micrograms and 200 micrograms taken once a day.

Some people need a bit less than guidelines, some a bit more

TSH should always be below 2 on levothyroxine

gponline.com/endocrinology-...

Graph showing median TSH in healthy population is 1-1.5

web.archive.org/web/2004060...

Comprehensive list of references for needing LOW TSH on levothyroxine

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

If symptoms of hypothyroidism persist despite normalisation of TSH, the dose of levothyroxine can be titrated further to place the TSH in the lower part of the reference range or even slightly below (i.e., TSH: 0.1–2.0 mU/L), but avoiding TSH < 0.1 mU/L. Use of alternate day dosing of different levothyroxine strengths may be needed to achieve this (e.g., 100 mcg for 4 days; 125 mcg for 3 days weekly).

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

The optimal daily dose in overt hypothyroidism is 1·5–1·8 μg per kg of bodyweight, rounded to the nearest 25 μg.

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to SlowDragon]

Wow, thank you for this information ( I'll write it down and transfer it to my email as well). Thank you.

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Lotus-Blossom]

Whoops

Forgot to add list of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. 👍

[greygoose]

Hi Lotus-Blossom, welcome to the forum.

This is why so many hypo patients increase their dose in winter - if they're able - to cope with the cold. Do you think your doctor would increase your dose temporarily? Can't hurt to ask.

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. 😀

I had no idea that Doctors could increase my dose in the Winter. I can't believe with years of having this condition ( Going back to the 90's) they never told me this. I will 100% bring this up to them, a big thank you for letting me know. 👍😀

[greygoose in reply to Lotus-Blossom]

I don't suppose they know they can do that, either. I think the people that do it are either self-treating or have a secret stash of levo that allows them to.

Or, they reduce their prescrbed dose in the summer, because they don't need as much in the heat; and then put it up to their full dose, or more, when it gets cold. But, they do not tell their doctors what they're doing, because the last thing they need is having their prescription reduced in the summer. When a doctor reduces a dose he is very, very reluctant to put it back up again.

[Hypopotamus]

I was always very cold while on thyroxine. It was only after I switched to NDT that I started feeling a bit warmer. Even now I 'tog up' during the winter months, make sure that I do plenty of exercise, indoors and out, and at the end of a shower, I turn the water temperature to cold for 1-2 minutes. The last one really gets me glowing for a few hours.

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to Hypopotamus]

Thanks for sharing your experience with me.

I'm like you as I'm passionate about Movement and Healthy Eating. Good for you going into cold water I couldn't do it, I don't like cold water ( I find warm / hot water comforting). I'd end up screaming the house down if I went into cold water. LOL 😂

[helen_m]

Hi there,

I try and increase my levo levels a bit in winter. Usually half of a 25mcg tablet is enough for me.

My other fix for staying warm in the house is an electric throw that I have over me every day. This combined with warm socks or slippers keeps me toasty warm. Its the best thing I've ever bought, and is not as expensive as heating a room or a whole house.

Helen x

[sparkly in reply to helen_m]

I second you on the electric throw. Mine stays on sofa all year round, looks good too

[crystalcat10 in reply to sparkly]

Another heated throw addict here , mine is faux fur and from lakeland . use it every day .

[sparkly in reply to crystalcat10]

Yep, faux fur here too. Looks great draped on sofa. I wish these had been about years ago. Would have saved a fortune on gas bill 😂

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to helen_m]

Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

I own a heat pad too, but I don't want to be glued to it as it would be impossible to get things done around the house. But I have heard of these heated hooded blankets as I'm tempted into buying one for myself.

Again thanks for sharing your experience with me.

Lotus x

[Ukie]

Hi Lotus Blossom, I hear your pain! In a centrally heated house I’m currently wearing a vest, long-sleeved thermal top, t-shirt, 2 jumpers, thermal long johns and joggers, with a wooly thing at my neck. I’m 6 weeks into finally getting T3, so I will warm up when I’ve had my breakfast. Layers is the answer, and exercise as already mentioned. If I get chilled through after sitting too long, the only thing that helps (for me) is a coffee with Tia Maria in it.

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to Ukie]

Thanks for sharing your experience with me. I could do with more Thermal's what I have isn't enough. I bet the Tia Maria takes off the edge. LOL 🤣

[sparkly]

The cold is something I've lived with for years. I've always had electric blankets, Dreamland is the make I now use as very quick at heating up , 2 minutes and you can feel it.I now have an electric thow by the same company for my sofa. It's soo good and heats up within minutes too. It far better and cheaper than sitting with the fire and heating on as I use too.

I know initial cost of purchasing can be expensive but this will help both night time and daytime trying to keep warm.

Until you are near your optimal dose of thyroid medication you will feel cold.

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to sparkly]

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I do have a heat pad and I have a thermal blanket. Thank you for your understanding.

[healthkiwi]

Yes, badly affected. In fact was keeping heating off or very low (live in very old cottage in country, no mains gas) and now feeling quite ill. Can't keep my core temperature up. Basal temperature can be as low as 35.1, even in the afternoon! Pulse is fluctuating, from slow to racing, even when sitting still. After any attempt at light exercise I am wiped out for a day or two and my joints and muscles ache all over. Emotionally low, withdrawn, mentally unable to get on.

Realised last week I'm probably undermedicated, "result: Misery" (Mr Micawber's shortfall of sixpence). Finally body and mind have ground to a halt, and have been to see GP to check there's nothing more sinister going on. Awaiting full blood results, and have just increased my NDT by 1/4 grain anyway. Stupid of me, I should have made an increase at the beginning of winter.

Oh, and I got another oil delivery and am having the heating on a bit more.

[Lily905]

I've always felt the cold, well before I had thyroid problems. One of the reasons I moved from the North of England to the South is because it's warmer & not as windy. I have two Boots hot water bottles which I use day & night. If you put a hot water bottle on your tummy it warms you up quicker. I wear Primark thick fleece thermal leggings. 2 pairs of long M&S thermal mens long socks. M&S thermal mens T shirt, M&S thermal mens jumper & a thick fluffy jumper or cardigan. Men's M&S thermals are warmer then womens & they are longer in length. Recently I've discoved long thermal bootie slippers which really makes a difference. When I go out I wear a faux fur hat, thermal coat & a long blanket scarf. In the past I've been so cold I've worn a wooly hat when I'm at home & even when I'm in the bath or shower if I'm not shampooing my hair. One thing I've noticed is people born during the summer months don't like the cold & people born during the winter months have zero problems with cold weather.

Best Wishes

[CatsofCatford]

I have an infrared cushion which has been a game changer for me, it produces the most lovely kind of heat that never gets too hot but just seems to radiate through you. Not sure if I can mention the make but you can PM me if you want to know. It was quite dear, but I wouldn’t be without it now, this is its 3rd year of service. It’s saved a lot of arguments about what temperature the central heating should be set at too!

[Wua13262348 in reply to CatsofCatford]

I like the sound of that . Do you think the infra red cushions and throws would burn a leather sofa and chair?

[CatsofCatford in reply to Wua13262348]

No I don’t think so. They never feel particularly hot to touch, yet the heat seems to get deep inside you.

[Kimmi01]

hello - yes I’m always alway freezing and I’ve spent the last few months in thermals with jumpers too. M&S do a fab range of thermals and fairly cheap, I buy a few each year and now have a nice lot to keep me going. They help with the back and shoulders especially but I do still struggle with what feels like my frozen bones radiating cold outwards.

Me wearing cuddly sweatshirt - still freezing

[malancy]

I am not always cold but the Winter months get to me. I layer up and have hot water bottles, two at a time. My game changer was when I moved 15 years ago. The house has night storage heaters and my lounge is now my bedroom. The storage heaters heat up over night and help to keep the room warm. I wear a vest,fleecy pajamas, dressing gown and bed socks. I have a 15 tog duvet and a blanket on top of that and I do sleep well. The only thing is towards the later part of the evening the heat has gone so I'm back in bed with hot water bottles. I hate having to stay anywhere where there is no heating over night as I get so cold and can't sleep. This has been a problem for 20 plus years.If the indoor temperature falls to less than 19/20 degrees Celsius I feel chilled to the bone.

[Choc_Cream]

Hello Lotus Blossom,

Im sorry to read you’re struggling with the cold at the moment. I am wondering if you’re taking any iron or vitamin supplements? I have suffered from the cold previously - if my core became cold it would take ages for me to warm up.

Since taking iron, vitamin D, omega 3, magnesium and vitamin B12 - 95% of my coldness has subsided and I feel much better in myself…worth a go if you’re not supplementing?

Good luck as it’s awful being cold xx

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Choc_Cream]

Always test vitamin levels BEFORE starting any supplements and retest regularly

[Choc_Cream in reply to SlowDragon]

this goes without saying…

[Lotus-Blossom in reply to Choc_Cream]

Thank you.

I do have a history of low iron ( since my I.C.U experience). I am already on Vitamin D, Omega 3 fish oil and Magnesium but I will also look into Vitamin B12.

Thank you for your kind words and for this advice.

Tell me about it, I feel like the Snow Queen from Frozen, next I'll be singing "Let it go." LOL

xx

[Choc_Cream in reply to Lotus-Blossom]

You’ll get there ❤️ it might take some time but hang in there.

Not sure where you’re based in the world - I am in the UK and use a brand called “Better You” for Iron and VitB12. I’ve tried tablets in the past and they’ve not worked for me, these two are sprays which you spray directly into your mouth. I used to be symptomatic but no symptoms anymore!

Fingers crossed you have a good experience 🤗

[Charlie27612]

My husband got me a plug in electric throw, its lovely.The only thing I could do before that was a bath and hot water bottle 😊