Not getting much sleep

[2Poppins]

Hi. I have had my right half of the thyroid removed in Dec along with 2 parathyroid glands. The glands were removed due to calcium problems. Papillary cancer was found in right half but enclosed. Left half was removed in Jan this year as a precautionary measure. Have been given all clear. Since being on Thyroxine my sleep has been awful. Still trying to get levels corrected. Was wondering if anyone else had problems with sleep?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum 2Poppins,

It sounds like you have been through an awful lot recently. I’m so glad you’ve reached out to this forum- we are a friendly and supportive group and are here to help.

So we can offer better advice, can you share your current thyroid medication & dosage, plus blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

In the first instance, do ask your GP for the above tests. We don’t recommend supplementing key vitamins without testing first (and sharing results with us).

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Personally I’ve found taking magnesium early evening helps me unwind and sleep better. I take magnesium glyciinate as I’ve found this gentle on the stomach, but there are different types that other members prefer. If you put ‘magnesium’ in the search facility in this forum, you will see many posts on this, eg healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[2Poppins in reply to Buddy195]

I was started on 75mcg of Thyroxine but had palpitations after 2 days. Was changed to 50mcg but this was too low. Then 75mcg and 50mcg on alternate days. The Consultant at 6 week check up said to change it to 75mcg every day as Tsh was a bit high ( apparently the Oncology Dr would prefer it to be 75 every day) but if problems occur to change to 75mcg for 2 days and 50mcg for 1 day but this isn't enough as I feel my body isn't working as quickly as it should. Having Iodine treatment in June as a precautionary measure.I feel maybe it should be 75mcg. Having blood test today

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to 2Poppins]

What brand of Levo are you taking? Is it always the same!?

[2Poppins in reply to Buddy195]

Have kept to the same brand as they changed it to start with but I got it changed back to the original but my chemist doesn't do that brand so have to go to different chemist.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 2Poppins]

Which brand is it you prefer?

[2Poppins in reply to SlowDragon]

Crescent Pharma Ltd

[2Poppins in reply to Buddy195]

Have got some magnesium. Took it for a couple of evenings but will give it another try. Also bought magnesium spray for sleep.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to 2Poppins]

some people like magnesium salts in the bath too…

[2Poppins in reply to Buddy195]

I have heard that. Maybe I will give that a try. Thank you

[pennyannie]

Hello 2Poppins and welcome to the forum :

It might help forum members if you care to share your thyroid blood test results and ranges as then we have facts to work out from and can help you better understand why your sleep is not as beneficial to you as i once was.

Do you have on-line access to your primary care medical records - as ideally we need to see your TSH + T3 + T4 results and ranges - and what dose T4 - Levothyroxine you are taking.

T4 is a pro-hormone which needs to be converted in your body into T3 which is the active hormone that runs your body -

and in order for the body to utilise and convert well the T4 into T3 we do need to maintain optimal levels of core strength vitamins and minerals - especially those of ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D -

so if you haven't any readings of these - suggest you ask your doctor to run this full, advanced thyroid panel for you and we can advise where in the ranges your optimum levels most likely sit - and this also applies to your TSH + Free T3 and Free T4 readings -

as most NHS ranges are too wide to be sensible and when trying to recover one's health after major surgery we need all the co-factors to better health being optimal and not just in a range somewhere.

If your doctor is unable to run the necessary blood tests for you - Thyroid UK - the charity that runs this patient to patient open forum have a page dedicated to private blood test companies who can -

and then most forum members start a new post with the results and ranges and receive back considered opinion and advice as to the next best steps back to better health with their doctor's assistance, or by themselves , which ever route is the most appropriate.

thyroiduk.org

[2Poppins in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you. As soon as I get the blood tests results from today, I will post them on the forum.

[pennyannie in reply to 2Poppins]

Maybe ask - what is being tested - and ask to include a TSH + Free T3 + Free T4 + the vitamins and minerals - ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D ?

Ideally it's suggested to take the T4 - Lexothyroxine after the blood test - so leaving around a 24 hour window from your last dose -

and it should be a fasting blood test by around 9.00am

so we may have missed the boat for today - but never mind - just get as much of the above tested as you can.