Where do I start?!

[LeanneLifts42]

Hi everyone! I’m new here and have a new diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

I’ve been looking through the posts and am very much in the early stages of learning!

Bit of background…. I’ve had symptoms for around 3 years I think. I believe it started after a COVID infection as I haven’t felt right since, thinking I had long COVID. I’ve felt exhausted, had difficulty concentrating and poor memory. I also have had a gradual weight gain of around 2 stone despite calorie counting and being a lot more active than before. In November I developed heel pain which a physio had said was plantar fasciitis. None of the exercises/supports etc have worked. I had two chest infections in Feb and March which resulted in blood tests on 31st March (results below).

Since the beginning of March, things have felt harder (more exhausted) and I noticed my ankles and wrists swelling a little (watch/socks got tight and leave imprints). Last week I’ve had some loss of sensation in my finger tips.

It looks like all of these symptoms could be due to hypothyroidism which initially I was relieved about-until I learnt how difficult it can be to control!

I started on 50mcg of Levothyroxine at the beginning of April but after a discussion with GP yesterday, he’s upped the dose to 75mcg.

The GP has said to keep an existing appointment to see them on 29th April (not seen anyone in person yet) and to keep the already booked blood test for the day before (at 4pm). He’s requested they take T3, T4, TSH, FBC and thyroid antibodies.

From the reading I’ve done, I’ve requested Medicheck bloods (full hormone, thyroid and vitamins panel and cortisol swab test). I’m waiting for them to contact me for an appointment-I selected the nurse visit.

Will post bloods below!

[LeanneLifts42]

serum ferritin 167 ug/L (30-148)

serum b12 482 ng/L (197-771)

serum folate 4.4 ug/L (3.9-26.8)

serum TSH 6.42 mu/L (0.27-4.2)

Serum free T4 10.4 pmol/L (12-22)

These are the only bloods I had at the time (normal U&Es and LFTs but raised neutrophils on the FBC-I had a chest infection. This might also explain the raised ferritin level). Realised I think I was taking multivitamins at the time of this test also so I’ve stopped them for now in anticipation of the next blood test so I can see what’s what).

I’m really keen to be proactive and get on top of this as much as I can so any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated. Thank you ☺️

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to LeanneLifts42]

welcome to the forum

Folate is low

serum folate 4.4 ug/L (3.9-26.8)

No vitamin D either

Hopefully going to be tested at next test

ALWAYS test early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Which brand of levothyroxine was 50mcg

Have you got same brand for 75mcg …..is it 50mcg plus 25mcg ….or a 75mcg tablet

[LeanneLifts42 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for your reply.

Vitamin D is on the next test. I haven’t heard from Inuvi to schedule the appointment for private bloods yet. I’m hoping they contact me after the Easter break. I’ve not used them before so not sure how quick they are to organise these things.

I hadn’t thought about the brand of tablets. They are different-the 50mcg is accord and the 25mcg is Teva.

The 50mcg came from the Asda pharmacy as I had them prescribed by an OOH GP. The others were from the practice and were added on yesterday to up the dose. I’m hoping that I will have the same brand when I get a repeat from the practice next time.

[Calceolaria in reply to LeanneLifts42]

What did the doc say about swollen ankles and wrists?

[LeanneLifts42 in reply to Calceolaria]

Nothing-that was when he said I should add in the extra 25mcg. I’m starting to wonder if I’m going a bit mad and wondering if I am imagining things. It seems like I’m getting a new symptom every few weeks at the moment. Is this normal at the beginning of treatment?

[Calceolaria in reply to LeanneLifts42]

Not all brands do 25mcgs, Teva is one, Wockhardt another. Vencamil now do 25mcgs. I take 50 of Accord, 25 of Wockhardt with no problems but we are all different! You’re not going mad, we’ve all been there! The experts on here will ride in shortly and you’ll get good advice and support. Early days for you.

[LeanneLifts42 in reply to Calceolaria]

Thank you ☺️

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to LeanneLifts42]

Just be aware that Teva brand upsets many people

So if you notice any issues try cutting Accord in half to get 25mcg

Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets

Alternative 25mcg tablets

vencamil - lactose free and mannitol free

Wockhart

Mercury Pharma

Crescent

[LeanneLifts42 in reply to SlowDragon]

That’s good to know-thank you. I’ll keep an eye on any side effects.

[helvella]

More information here:

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

All current UK levothyroxine products

[LeanneLifts42 in reply to helvella]

Thank you 🙏

[AKatieD]

Suggest you try to rearrange the appointment for blood test to first thing in morning before you take your T4 (make up some excuse) and if necessary the follow up in person. As SlowDragon said we always test early am, but g.p. would not consider this important.

This gives you a consistent baseline level to measure your T4/ TSH at lowest point of the day. Later in the day and after taking your T4 meds, your levels will be higher and g.p. may say they look fine even if you aren't.

Then try to do this consistently and you will be removing some of the natural daily variation that can make interpretation harder.

[LeanneLifts42]

Great tip, thank you. I’ll phone them on Tuesday 🤞🏼