First post

[hooper]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and am finding it extremely interesting! I was diagnosed hypothyroid six years ago after the death of my husband and put on 75mcg of levothyroxine a day. Although my blood tests come back as 'normal' everytime, I am still feeling awful most of the time. I went to see my doctor last week and asked her if I might feel better on natural thyroid or T3 etc. She was very angry with me and said she didn't know what I was talking about and couldn't prescribe anything but T4. I asked her what hypothyroidism I had and she just snapped at me saying "they're all the same"! I'm thinking of changing my doctor. Meanwhile I'm interested in taking my meds at night time instead of the morning as instructed. How do I go about moving the dosage from the morning (7am) to an evening? Should it be done by gradually moving the dose to an evening or just done straight away? If I do it straight away wont I feel ill during the hours I will be without it (dont feel that good in the daytime anyway!)

Reply to this

[helvella Administrator]

At one extreme you could skip your morning dose and defer it to bed-time. At the other extreme you could take two doses in a day. But maybe take half a dose in the morning and full dose that bed-time? Or something like that.

Mos people who have reported seem to have switched over OK.

And please do get your actual blood test results in numbers and reference ranges. 'normal' is not good enough. The difference between being at one or other end of the range can be dramatic.

Have a read here about how to access your medical records:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/NHS_In...

Rod

[Pink_Bear]

Hi Hooper

You don't say whether you've ever been tested for other conditions like vitamin B12 or vitamin D deficiency? thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm... gives a lot of info on the subject. I struggled when I was just taking levothyroxine, but once my endo identified I also had vitamin D deficiency and started me taking a daily supplement I have been so much better. I also take my meds at bedtime and have done for over a year - it suits me.

Your GP sounds a nightmare and totally lacking any empathy for the way you feel - not a good situation, you need someone to help and support you. If you don't feel you could have a productive conversation with her about why you are feeling so awful then I would definitely see about changing GP.

Good luck Mary

[Duchy82]

Welcome! When i switched from morning to night i took a full dose in the morning and a full dose at night without any adverse effect, it was the best thing i have ever done, i feel so much better during the day and sleep much better during the night i hope it will do the same for you.

I would suggest you try a different gp from what you describe she is not particularly helpful, try a different gp in your surgery and if that is not successful try a different surgery a good gp makes a lot of difference, since changing my gp i have never felt as great and im fully in control of my treatment.

as rod suggested get you blood results from your surgery and as mary said get b12,vit d and possibly iron and folate tested as deficiencies in these can make you feel just as ill.

Get well informed by reading the info on the thyroid uk website and be sure that there is always a listening ear and great advice and support available on the forum.

Good luck getting yourself well.

[hooper in reply to Duchy82]

Thank you so much for your concern and advice. I shall certainly follow it through.

Best wishes to you!

[ellarose1234]

I switched, just waited until following day and then instead of morning took it at 11pm. So much easier than having to worry about food and other medication etc. I feel much much better and have even managed to increase my dose where before I had palpitations. I sleep like a log and hopefully my TSH will be down at next blood test. Temperature still low though at 96.8. Am used to legs like blocks of ice during the day .

[Heloise]

hooper, I'm so sorry about your husband. Stress is such hardship on our hormones and no wonder that you became hypothyroid. You've already received better advice here than that pitiful, pitiful gp. Ellarose seems to have a good plan for the switch. If you keep reading the blog, you'll see all sorts of ways others have found to the top of the mountain. It would be a lot easier if you have a good gp or endocrinologist. Some have even gone private. Dr. Skinner and Dr. Peat have helped many others. At least you know you have other options.