hi everyone, I’ve been on Levothyroxine for under active thyroid for just over 4 years, I have developed breathlessness when walking and doing the smallest of things in the home. I feel this built up gradually but bad this last 3 years. I am having investigations, ie: lung function, scans X-rays etc not finding anything definite yet. I’m wondering if it’s the thyroxine that may be causing it? Anyone else have symptoms ?
Thanks
Sounds more like you need a full up to date thyroid testing. TSH, T4 and T3. You may need an increase in your medication. GP will be extremely unlikely to do full testing. You probably need to think about private testing.
Breathlessness can have a number of causes. Allergies, infections, heart issues, lung issues, iron deficiency, anxiety, the list is long and various.
Have you had your iron tested recently? Low iron and ferritin (iron store) can cause breathlessness, as your body won't be able to produce enough red blood cells that transport oxygen around the body, hence you easily can get out of breath, as your heart needs to beat faster to meet demand. I would get an iron test and if this is low, you need to get further testing to check for iron deficiency anaemia.
Anxiety can cause rapid breathing and hyperventilation, making you breath faster. Low thyroid hormones are connected to anxiety levels, so it would be good to test your thyroid hormone levels. If your levels are not optimal, this would need addressing. If the GP is not willing to do a full thyroid function test (TSH, T4 and T3), there are a number of private companies that offer testing. Low levels of thyroid hormones, and especially T3, can cause anxiety amongst a whole host of other symptoms, so it would be good to see if your thyroid hormones are in a good place or not (I suspect not).
hi Tina-Maria, thanks for reply, I have a full blood count done every other month for my polycythemia, presume iron maybe is tested in with that, I’m having another test next month along with thyroid check.
Ah okay, polycythemia can be a cause for the shortness of breath - are you under the care of a haematologist? If you are on treatment for that, this may need to be reviewed / adjusted?
Yes, I see the oncologist every other month at Bath hospital, I have a blood test for every appointment, and seems they are all at acceptable levels. 😊 I’ll bring up the breathlessness at my next appointment….thanks x
No worries, however I would ask the oncologist perhaps to have a look at these 'acceptable levels', they may be acceptable to him but they may not be optimal for you? Just a thought! 
Hope you get to the bottom of this.
Welcome to the forum
How much levothyroxine are you taking
How long at this dose
Which brand is it
Do you always getting same same brand at each prescription
Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking
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 ferritin frequently causes breathlessness
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
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
ALWAYS test 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
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
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
In days before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70
Low B12 can also cause breathless on even minimal exertion. Check those vitamins!
Thanks, I am taking a vit B12 supplement 🙂
So was I, for years, and still my B12 went down, over 3-4 years to deficiency level! Are you taking your B12 sublingually? Personally it seems I have developed an absorbancy problem, having gut issues now, still awaiting more tests to identify cause. Meanwhile I'm now on sublingual B12 (Igennus- 3 types in one tiny dissolving tablet). I hadn't bothered to check vitamins for a few years - big mistake. Like so many other things, the effects of anno domini on your body's functioning sneak up on you.
Any connection between Thyroxine causing Sensitive teeth?
Too much thyroxine causing terrible stomach issues
Change of thyroxine brand. Could it be causing difficulties? 
is t3 causing my hair loss 
