Maybe about a year ago I mentioned to my doctor that I seemed to catch every cold etc that was in the vacinity. She said "Of course you do - you've got an underactive thyroid!" I was stunned - I thought that would stop once I was on levothyroxine. Is she right?
My manager is trying to put me on a written warning because I've been off sick too many times - with colds and virsuses which all seem to hit me harder and more often than other people. If I can prove it's due to my thryoid then I can stop the written warning as I am covered by the Equality Act 2010 and its disability-related sickness then.
Please help. If I'm sick more this year I could lose my job.
Are there any articles I can point him at? Because if I show him a list of symptoms he'll say I'm being treated so it doesn't apply.
Many thanks for your help.
Yours, desparately.
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isisis
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I had the same problem several years ago and when I said it was due to my under-active thyroid they sent me to the occupational doctor for confirmation. Unfortunately this doctor said it was not connected so I was put on a warning but fortunately I had a long spell of being well so it didn't come to anything.
Dr Peatfield's book 'Your Thyroid and how to keep it healthy' on page 62 mentions poor resistance to infection.
I didn't have this book at the time otherwise I would have shown them it.
Firstly I would book an appt with my GP and explain the situation, asking him/her for written confirmation that your thyroid condition will make you more susceptible to infections and viruses. If you get no joy from your GP I would ask him to refer you to an endo for clarification of the issue. If your GP is unwilling to help then I'm afraid the only way to go would be a private endo as I doubt if your company would take any notice of information found on the net, they would want a GP/consultants letter at the least.
Have you tried phoning the job centre for advise - if they cant help they would certainly have phone numbers of other organisations that could and maybe contact your local CAB to see what they say about the situation.
I wish I could give you the answer or point you to a page, I too have suffered with illness due to an under active thyroid, if I get a virus it drags on for what seems forever. I have recently started taking B12 and has helped me no end, I feel so much better, it might help if your not taking any. You just want to feel well so you can do your job, I suppose I was lucky in the sense I was bank staff working in the NHS, but I do understand, do more research and see what you can come up with, if GP's dont understand, it is difficult, good luck.....
I'm sure this isn't going to be helpful to your present situation, but maybe for you over-all health. Have you had your adrenals tested? You are more likely to be victim to recurrant infections if your adrenals are fatigued. Have a look at this :
Getting your adrenals sorted out would also help your hypo because the body can't use thyroid hormones without the adrenal hormones. They're all linked.
I can totally understand where you are coming from. I too, suffered from every cold and bug on the go, gastro-enteritis too....you name it.
Like someone else said, I demanded a vitamin check from my doctor after joining this site. At first, like when I initially thought I had a low thyroid, my doctor was reluctant. I did get a vitamin test and I'm low in B12 and Vit D.
I've been getting Vit B12 injections now for about 5 months and things are appearing better. Also, I've tried to make major changes to my diet, I drink less alcohol and try to be healthier with excercise and more fruit and veg.
It is a nightmare though as I feel like I hit my head of a brick wall when talking to my doctor about my low thyroid. Now though they are trying to find out why I'm not absorbing vitamins correctly.
Hope this helps.
Julian
I am the same, it's one thing after the other. Had three viruses, high temperature aches etc. Then I had norovirus. I had a flu jab too. I never used to get anything hardly, so think it must be related to thyroid issues. I eat healthily, take vitaminD and B12. Have you been tested for cealiac, that can stop you absorbing vitamins. I have terrible stomach issues and am thinking of cutting out gluten in my diet to see if it helps.
Also get your white blood cell counts checked if they haven't already. If they are low that could show you have reduced immunity and explain why you are getting sick all the time (ie not making it up)
Also try Selenium supplements.. Wassen do Selenium ACE which is a good product to support your immune system.... Dr Peatfield's book also recommends a hefty vitamin C boost as well... If you take both one Selenium Ace and a 1000mg Vitamin C every day for 2 weeks and you're STILL getting infections then stop wasting money on them... they will work by then if they're going to... grey is right, low adrenal reserve is probably to blame but trying to get a GP to have a rational discussion with you about that seems as improbable as if you asked him to organise you an exorcism... Good luck
Many thanks to everyone for your comments, I really appreciate it. I will see if my GP will write a letter and ask for a referral if not. The company is referring me to occupational health but I've had experience of that in the past and usually it seems my company gets the service it pays (little) for, so I'd rather go the GP/specialist route. In the meantime I'll start on the vitamins.
Please see your GP before taking suppliments as these can cause more harm than good if your body doesn't actually need them. If you are unsure tell your GP what you intend to take and ask for his input. You might want to add that you are so desperate to feel well again that you are hoping the suppliments will help.
My doc is like Ur on a journey I'm like I'm gonna get sack he's no connection and I know has to b by the way I'm sick getn tummy bugs now my work will think I'm lying
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