Hi, here are my most recent bloods via Thriva. Bloods were taken first thing on Monday morning and my last tablet Levothyroxine tablet was taken 24 hours prior.
I am now on levothyroxine 100 micrograms, TEVA brand. I have tried all the brands and nothing makes a difference.
I currently have severe fatigue, for over 3 months. I also have brain fog and a swollen throat with a light rash. Very dry skin and severe constipation and abdominal bloating. Weight has crept up to 67kgs.
My GP has carried out all manner of tests but nothing is showing as abnormal. I have asked for a referral to an endocrinologist and now have an 18 week wait.
i have been trying to keep fit and go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week and walk my dog 2 or 3 times a day.
I have been following a gluten free diet, low salt, low fat, low sugar and tried to eat more protein.
I am taking:
BetterYou vitamin D+K2
BetterYou vitamin B12 1.200ug
Nutrition Geeks Glycinate 3-in-1
Horbaach pumpkin seed oil 3000mg
Nutrition Geeks Collagen Glow up
Pro-Ven biotic for women
I have just ordered some total amino boost tablets by Swiss BioEnergetics a coenzyme support, as these are supposed to help with the T4 to T3 conversion. Time will tell if these help.
I don’t know how else to try to improve things. I am struggling at the moment. 😔
Is there anything you would suggest I do differently?
Thank you 🌸
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GeorgieandBlu
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Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose and may need 2 per day and/or may need separate methyl folate couple times a week
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay
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
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)
I normally use 2 spray pumps of the BetterYou spray for both Vitamin D and B12, before I have breakfast. I shall change to after my breakfast and check the nmol for the vitamin D, as I am unsure whether I am taking enough.
I’ll buy the Igennus B complex, having smaller tablets is better as there are so many to take. Thank you for discussing the various options.
I told my GP that I would have to stop talking vitamins with biotin a few days before taking blood, as it affected the results and this new information blew her mind. She had no idea that this was the case. Hopefully she will inform others.
I told my GP that I would have to stop talking vitamins with biotin a few days before taking blood, as it affected the results and this new information blew her mind. She had no idea that this was the case.
Hi, it would be better to have the Vitamin d after your main meal, preferably a meal containing fats such as oily fish, this helps the vitamin to absorb better.Yes your folate is low, trying the Thorne brand is a good idea, it raised my folate from 3.4 to 13.6 .
Hi Missreva . I use the same vit D spray as GeorgieandBlu . I thought as it bypasses the gut it didn't matter when you use it and it doesn't need the usual fatty meal requirement that the tablets do. Is this not right? Perhaps SlowDragon could clarify about using the spray as I use it in the morning on an empty stomach? Many thanks.
Thanks Lulu 2607, in not sure to be honest, I always thought vitamin d needed fat too absorb.You could be right about the spray, I have always used it after my main meal and it did take a while to raise the level.
Well, there's no mystery, you're grossly under-medicated and all your nutrients are low. Hardly surprising that you feel bad. I imagine you need an increase in dose. But let's check one or two things first:
- How do you take your levo: on an empty stomach, at least one hour away from food or any drink other than water? And at least two hours away from supplements/medication?
- How do you do your blood tests: early morning - before 9 am and fasting, leaving a gap fo 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood draw?
Are you taking magnesium with your vit D? It won't help you if you don't.
Are you taking a methylated B complex with your B12? All the Bs work together and need to be kept balanced.
You're not doing yourself any favours by being on a low salt/fat diet. Your adrenals need salt and will malfunction without it. And the body needs fat. Eating fat does not make you fat so no reason to renounce it.
And, given you're thyroid hormone levels, you are over-exercising which will just make you more hypo and exacerbate your symptoms.
So, apart from getting your doctor to increase your dose, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself.
Hi greygoose, I take my tablets at night a good 3 or 4 hours after eating with plenty of water. I prefer this time of day as I have other tablets to take in the morning and don’t want them interacting.
Bloods are done before breakfast around 7 or 8 am before medication or tea/coffee. I stop taking any biotin 3 days prior, testosterone and levothyroxine at least 24 hours prior.
All vitamins are taken in the morning before breakfast.
I was told by my GP to follow a low salt and low fat diet because I have high cholesterol. So much information is contradicted when you are going through the menopause and have a thyroid issue. I really don’t know what to do.
I have felt so awful this week, I haven’t gone to the gym, I don’t have any energy.
I was told by my GP to follow a low salt and low fat diet because I have high cholesterol.
High cholesterol is directly linked to low Ft3 ……not diet
Adrenals need plenty of salt
I take my tablets at night a good 3 or 4 hours after eating
last dose levothyroxine should be 24 hours before test (not 36 hours if you skipped a night)
As 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
High cholesterol has little to do with diet - and certainly nothing to do with salt! Fat and cholesteroll are two entirely different substance and do not magically turn into the other when you eat it. The usual cause of high cholesterol is low T3. And your T3 is much too low.
One thing you have to come to terms with is that doctors know absolutely nothing about nutrition. But imagine they know all about it because they're doctors. Never, ever take nutritional advice from a doctor - it could kill you! (And I'm not exaggerating, low fat diets can lead to thoughts of suicide.)
I would suggest that what you do is follow the nutritional advice on this forum, and ask your doctor for an increase in levo for starters.
Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists
Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations so that might eventually transfer to NHS
I’m in the South West and saw an endocrinologist a couple of years ago. I paid to see him privately as my GP refused to refer me.
I didn’t get much out of the appointment. He didn’t agree with any of the comments made on this forum. He looked at my bloods and said they were ok, increased my meds to 75mg and that was that.
Thank you for the list and information on Vencamil. I will try and see an Endocrinologist further afield, they might be better.
I haven’t tried a dairy free diet but have naturally steered towards almond milk, coconut milk as I have slow tolerance to dairy milk.
Thanks for all the information, I will have a read through now.
SD I would be interested myself why you are not recommending much of the Almond Milk? And is the Oat milk not recommended for patients who need to stay away from Gluten?
Thank You SD. It's interesting that drinking Almond Milk is not a problem. But eating Almond or anything with Almond flour is very difficult for me to swallow. I guess it's the Hashi acting up. Thank you for clarifying it .
When taking T4 - Levothyroxine it is generally encouraged that the TSH is kept under 2 with many of us feeling better when it is actually under 1 and towards the bottom of the range ;
Your TSH is at 2.92 and needs to lower - which will happen if you increase your T4 medication.
We generally feel best when our T4 is up at around 75/80% through its range with the T3 tracking just behind at around 70% through its range :
Currently your TSH is too high at 2.92 and your thyroid hormones both too low in the ranges as your T4 is only 38% through with your T3 tracking at 25% through the ranges :
Have you asked your doctor for a dose increase in Levothyroxine ?
Your cholesterol level will reduce automatically once you are optimally medicated as it is too low a level of T3 that causes all these symptoms of hypothyroidism which includes high cholesterol
Were you aware you have Hashimoto's - a thyroid Auto Immune disease ?
Many forum members follow the research and suggestions of Dr Izabella Wentz who has this AI disease - thyroidpharmacist.com
No thyroid hormone replacement works well until your core strength vitamins and minerals - those of ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D are up and maintained at optimal levels -
Just for reference -
I know I need to maintain my ferritin at around 100 - folate at around 20 - active B12 125 ( serum B12 500++ ) and vitamin D up at around 125.
I wasn’t aware that the TSH was high, none of the doctors have commented about it nor have they suggested an increase in medication. My GP won’t increase my medication until I have seen a specialist. She said she didn’t know enough about the Thyroid to be able to increase my medication. She said the bloods were normal. I told my GP I wasn’t feeling great and that something needed to be done, as I couldn’t carry on as I have been.
I have been told on this site that I have Hashimoto’s but not sure how to deal with it. I’ll have a read through the link you posted.
It’s good to have an overview of what healthy levels should be for vitamins C, D, ferritin and folate. I’m going to print these and give them to my GP and stick a copy on my fridge. 🤗
Well those levels work for me - as a rule of thumb we need a good 50% through the NHS ranges as some are too wide to even be sensible.
With Hashimoto's the most obvious symptom is transient hyper type episodes as this AI disease attacks and disables the thyroid - with you becoming progressively more hypothyroid.
With Hashimoto's members tend to need to first get checked out for celiac disease and pernicious anemia as stomach problems and ' leaky gut ' issues common with this AI disease - and many find they feel better refraining from processed foods, gluten, wheat, dairy, even if found negative when having checked for food intolerance.
Thyroid uk the charity who supports this patient to patient open forum hold a lost of patient recommended thyroid specialist -NHS and Private - maybe get this list if you are to be referred to an endo as there maybe one on the list who we know of as being sympathetic and knowledgeable - just email admin @ thyroiduk.org or complete the form on the Thyroid uk website where you can so much more information on ' all things thyroid ' :
So many GOs haven't a clue so educating yourself (and them) is vital for your own thyroid health. I just told my GP what Thyroid UK said and she followed the advice! In the a penny, in for a pound!!
Be wary of pea protein, it causes us to bloat. Have you got pain or niggles from your spleen? If you see a therapist your spleen meridian could be checked?
I have pain everywhere! Tricky to work out whether it’s thyroid, menopause or something else.
I am under the care of a Rheumatologist. I have been seen by Physio’s, chiropractors, Chinese practitioners, had immunotherapy, taken a cocktail of drugs and nothing works.
So I muddle through and find ways to live with the pain.
Hi, as the others say get your vits to optimal, especially your vit D & also your t3 is low, my thyroid symptoms only got better when my vit d got to 150 and T3 got to just over 6. Also projestorone really improved my thyroid symptoms but oestrogen & testosterone made them worse, although I get sense everyone is different with sex hormones and their impact on thyroid. I recommend trying liothyronin T3 & trying another private doctor, then once you're on the right dose your GP can then prescribe it for you. I wouldn't wait on NHS endocrinologists, I had 2 different ones and they both dismissed my thyroid symptoms when I was very ill, I found them even less helpful than my GP. Thyroid uk have a list of private practitioners and you can also ask people to private message you on here for recommendations. Hope you feel better soon.
have you tried 30-50 mg zinc with 2 mg copper? I take it daily cause coffee deplete vitamins out of the body. Im trying to cut coffee now for a while and eat mostly plantbased too so maybe I can detox for a while. But I still take supplements.
Thank you Alayah80, I take a multivitamin but not zinc & copper, I will look into how this can support me.
Coming off coffee is always tricky. I have tried and failed. I found reducing and having sugar free and going gluten free periods so much easier. Good luck with it. 🌸
Check out Solgar's Beta Glucans as contains zinc, copper, selenium, vits A, D+C,garlic+elderberry. It's for immune support (I don't use as a multivitamin or use daily, may twice a week)+carried me through COVID with no jab (+no COVID infection)+helps build your immune system to fight infection+inflammation. Just a thought
Hi there, I had awfully high cholesterol the same as yours. In fact results very similar. I was left undermedicated for a long time. Once I was medicated right with T4 my cholesterol came down to normal. Cholesterol is so important it makes our hormones and myelin.
If your doctor is recommending you go low salt and low fat he really does not know what he is talking about. You need plenty of good quality the grey unrefined Celtic sea salt use in cooking and 1 or 2 grains of it on your tongue every time you drink a glass of water. You need the refined sea salt because it has all the minerals in it we need apart from iodine. Your swollen throat could be chronic dehydration at a cellular level and under medicated thyroid.
Good fats burn fat and speed up your metabolism. We need to ditch all seed oils, nasty stuff, that includes rape seed oil, canola oil (both the same), sunflower oil, soy oil, all the manufactured oils. Eat real grass fed butter, ghee, raw cold pressed coconut oil, lard, beef dripping and cook in these oils too. A teaspoon of coconut oil after each meal burnt 8lbs of fat of me in the first week. After 2 weeks up it to 2 teaspoons after every meal. Our body needs good fats, be aware not to take the coconut oil after 5 or 6pm as it energises and can keep you from falling asleep (I made that mistake). Also another point about coconut oil it can help a sluggish thyroid, I think you will find plenty on the net about it. Your skin will start to look really nice too.
Thank you Katherine1234, I currently eat butter and Olive oil and will be adding the Celtic sea salt to my diet. I don't have a gallbladder and struggle with eating large quantities of fat but I will try adding the coconut oil to my daily regime.
I hung onto my gallbladder, it was a fight, the pain! I knew it was a vital part of the digestion system so resisted all their attempts to whip it out. If I was in immediate life threatening danger I would have had it out. I had so much inflammation in it and wall thickening, only 3 stones but lots of sludge. I had to spend 3 days drinking 1/2 a glass of pure cold pressed grapefruit juice with 2 tablespoons of olive oil (real olive oil). That was so yuck but the pain and inflammation went in 3 days! My scans show everything is ok now.
There is a new school of thought now it is on some NHS websites to not cut back the fat if you have had your gallbladder out. Remember the media days of telling us low fat and low salt everyone was having gallbladder trouble after that. You need the sea salt to make good strong stomach acid. If you do not have a gallbladder you need good digestive enzymes and HCL with your meals, and bile salts about 30 to 45 minutes later. Dr Eric Berg on youtube has a lot of information on this on for people without a gallbladder. I had to take the digestive enzymes, HCL and bile salts as my gallbladder was not working and making bile. I remember having very pale poops All good now I do not need to take them.
Raw cold pressed coconut oil is good as it does not need the liver to digest it. The thyroid loves it too.
My friend is on this regime now and feeling better, she was stuck to the toilet 50% of the day after having her gallbladder out, as soon as she ate she had the most awful loose poop. She was not absorbing any of her good fats and her thyroid went bust She is now hypothyroid
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I hung onto my gallbladder, it was a fight, the pain! I knew it was a vital part of the digestion system so resisted all their attempts to whip it out. If I was in immediate life threatening danger I would have had it out. I had so much inflammation in it and wall thickening, only 3 stones but lots of sludge. I had to spend 3 days drinking 1/2 a glass of pure cold pressed grapefruit juice with 2 tablespoons of olive oil (real olive oil). That was so yuck but the pain and inflammation went in 3 days! My scans show everything is ok now.
SWOLLEN GLANDS THROAT/NECK
Swollen glands, general fatigue and unwell
Vitamin D3 and Levothyroxine
Hypothyroidism and/or general pituitary dysfunction and bulimia (pathophys experts help!)
