How to have more energy with hashimotos

[BananaHammock23]

I have hashimotos hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed when I was 16 and have always been for my reviews and my thyroxine has slowly increased to 175mcg over the past 17 years of being on it.

Recently I realised I've never really had any energy. Not when I was a teenager or in my early 20s, and most certainly not now in my mid 30s with two young kids.

I seem to have a perpetual lack of energy that's getting me down. I have no get up and go or stamina, and I feel like it's going to impact my children as they get older when I just feel too lethargic to do anything.

I'm overweight but have no energy to exercise. I eat a balanced, varied diet with lots of fruit and veg. I take my medication everyday and always stay on top of bloods to make sure I'm on the right dose.

What can I do to improve my energy levels? Does anyone have any experience?

Hi, I have Hashimoto's too. I found levothyroxine just made me feel worse. I ended up seeking help from a private thyroid specialist and discovered that not everyone feels well on levo.

I don't know how much you know about the thyroid - but it naturally produces hormones called T4 and T3. When you have Hashimoto's your body can't produce those hormones properly so it's replaced with medication. However Levothyroxine is synthetic T4, it doesn't contain any T3. The idea is your body should be able to convert some of the T4 into some T3. But not everyone's body does that correctly.

In those cases, taking some T3 can help, but GPs don't prescribe it. It can be difficult to get T3. An endocrinologist can prescribe it if your GP will refer, or an easier option is a private doctor like I've done.

Check out the Thyroid UK Healthunlocked forum - there are SO many people in similar situations on there, and some super knowledgeable moderators who have helped me learn a ton about thyroid health (and how badly it's treated on the NHS) x

Thanks so much @Echodaisy7 - I get bloods done by Medichecks semi regularly and my T3 levels look fine. Will definitely check out the Health Unlocked boards, and I'm not adverse to seeking private help either. Tbh I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner!

I feel like I've had this daunting realisation over the past few months that I've just never had any energy. I have always had an 'excuse' is working too hard, partying too much in my 20s,

Woops posted too soon! Between my career, social life and children I've always found a way to explain away this lack of energy but actually when I really look at the majority of my adult life, everything has been a slog and a struggle and I just want to feel better.

How are your folate, ferritin and vitamin D levels, OP? Thyroid problems often go hand in hand with vitamin deficiencies. Have you been tested for coeliac disease?

All of these things are covered by the excellent posters on the Health Unlocked forums, like a PP said.

Sorry for assuming you may not have known about T3! Unfortunately many people are unaware. My T3 levels looked ok too, but I take NDT now and honestly it has made a difference. I'm not fully well yet, but it's improved many things. My doctor even suggested that eventually if I'm not fully well on NDT, we could try T3-only therapy, which is controversial and unusual, but works for some people. There's no one size fits all for thyroid health (although the NHS thinks there is)

Above poster who mentioned vitamins is correct too. Very common to have low vit D, iron etc with hypothyroidism.

Agree with others about the vitamins, I take iron, D, and B complex daily because it's so easy for them to drop.

I also recently became one of those people with Hashimotos that can no longer tolerate gluten (had to give up dairy a few years ago) and giving it up has done a lot for my energy levels.

Just thought I’d update this thread as a I feel like I’ve finally managed to boost my energy levels after years of feeling ‘meh’.

I started a keto diet in January and stuck to it to the letter. My energy has sky rocketed - I’m sleeping better, waking up better rested and feel like I have my get up and go back. A pleasant side effect is losing two stone, which has definitely helped too! I’ve also been taking some multivitamins called Heights which made a big difference, and also take a bovine collagen supplement daily but not sure if that’s doing anything beyond making my hair and nails better!

Hi @BananaHammock23 I just came across this post as I was looking for info on Hashimotos and diet. My main symptoms are lethargy, brain fog and aches and pains. My endocrinologist thinks that because my levels are now fine on medication then a diet wouldnt make any difference but I am willing to try anything! Are you still finding it successful? Could you share what you eat / have cut out? Thanks.

Hey @teentantrums- yes still at it! I’ve now lost almost 3 stone and still feeling great. It’s been life changing. Google keto and there’ll be loads of advice on the diet. I basically cut out all carbs and sugars, aim for high fat and mid protein in my diet. Regular day might be yoghurt and fruit or avocado and eggs for breakfast, lunch and omelette or cottage cheese and ham with salad and then for dinner it’s usually salmon or chicken breast in the air fryer with veg. I have berries and peanut butter for dessert if I fancy something sweet! Snack on nuts and cheese. It’s really working for me and I feel better than I have in as long as I can remember!

Thanks for sharing your improvements through the keto diet. It's made me want to look into it!
Well done on the weight loss - it's so much harder with hypothyroidism.