Hypothyroidism- please share what has helped you.

[NormasArse]

Hi, I’ve just been diagnosed with an under active thyroid, but I’m wavering about taking thyroxine because it’s a lifelong thing.

I do feel crappy all of the time. I sleep more than I’m awake, and after a day at work, I’m often too tired to drive straight away, and need a nap in the car first.

My neck feels constricted and I have all over body pain. I’m also concerned about the rise in my cholesterol.

When I’m not working, I try to walk and swim every day (some days are a write off though).

Alcohol is a complete no now- it makes me really tired, and often sick. That’s not a problem though- I can live without it easily- it’s just showing that something has shifted within me.

My concern is- what if it were suddenly become unavailable, or we moved away from the NHS?

Is there a natural way to get my thyroid to work properly again? Or at least something that means my dose would be minimal?

TIA.

Eating 1 or 2 Brazil nuts per day is also supposed to be good for thyroid function/conversion. But don't exceed 2.

I've been on Levo for some years now. Honestly, it's the best thing I've ever done. I had so many random/odd symptoms that cleared up within weeks of starting eg dry skin on shins, really itchy ears...plus the biggies like extreme tiredness, insomnia, brain fog...all so much better now I'm on the meds.
Please follow your doctor's advice. This won't get better on its own. Your thyroid has, for whatever reason, stopped working properly. Meds will help you feel better and enjoy life so much more.

I've been on it for 6 years. Absolute game changer. You can't kick-start your thyroid, or eat better to get the same effect. Nothing you can do will replace the hormones, other than medication.

Changed my life!

Can I just ask, for those of you who have the condition, what were your symptoms before you started medication?

I can barely function at the moment (pain, nausea etc), but the most worrying symptom is how irritated I feel. It’s impacting on my relationships, and my work. Is that something you remember happening?

Can I ask what dosage of Levothyroxine pp are on? I still don't feel great on it and am wondering if the dose ( 50 ) is too low?

@Appalonia My daughter has been on 75 micro grams since the beginning.

I have been on 50mcg for 6 months. I weigh 70kg and I feel
awful

This is interesting, what did the private doctor put you on instead?

Ive been taking it for thirty years. I only realised recently I was meant to be taking it on an empty stomach! My dose has been lowered because apparently I’m over medicated now but I feel awful. Weight gain, puffy face, tiredness and feeling depressed.

That’s the starting dose so it sounds like it needs to be increased.

Your doctor needs a kick up the bum. It's a synthetic hormone that replicates the function of the natural hormone that you are not making enough of. For the vast majority it is very effective and has no side effects.

Please subscribe to The British Thyroid Foundation. They are a fab charity. Give them a google.

I developed Graves in 1990. (Overactive, which rarely responds to drug therapy alone). Once I was euthyroid, I had a sub-total thyroidectomy which I knew would render me hypothyroid but hypo is easier to deal with, because levothyroxine exists.

I took 100mcg of levothyroxine from late 1990 until 2017 when it was increased to 112.5mcg post meno. It works op. I got married in 1991 and had my children in 94 and 98.

You'll probably get regular blood tests for the first year or so and then annually thereafter. As a bonus, you'll get free prescriptions for the rest of your life.

Good luck, I've been necking the stuff for 35 years and haven't had any issues.

I would guess either a combination of levothyroxine and liothyronine (T3) or one of the NDTs (naturally desiccated thyroid), Erfa or Armour. I take levo (25mcg) and Armour.

I did really well on just levo for many years, but then struggled to get it right for quite a while. When I seemed overmedicated, it turned out I actually had too much T4 but my T3 was low as I was no longer converting the levo into its component parts properly.

It's a common diagnosis - I was diagnosed at 39 and know several others in the same boat. I was (and still am 5 years later) asymptomatic - was picked up on blood test as I was planning a pregnancy. Started taking levothyroxine immediately. For most people, yes it's a life long medication. But it's not addictive - I mean if you decide you want to be unmedicated you can stop taking it (but it's generally an effective medication and I don't know anyone personally who has chosen to stop using it).

Why are you wavering? You have been told what it is and how it will help so go and get it!

@NormasArse
How old are you? The reason I ask is re the irritation….not uncommon during menopause. Could also be that you need some HRT too?

@oneoneone how much does your armour cost? And yes it’s v annoying no T3 on NHS

I would like to know how to get this investigated.

Why would you waver about taking thyroxine?

In terms of sorting it out naturally - if you have autoimmune hypothyroidism (ie anti bodies) you could try following the paleo auto immune protocol diet but note that it’s insanely restrictive and also for life. And it might not work. But if you are really determined not to take it you could try it and see.

You get free prescriptions but either way thyroxine is generic so wouldn’t be expensive.

I started with severe hand and feet pain, weight gain despite eating very few cals, constantly cold, exhausted, irrationally anxious, thinking hair, difficulty sleeping but also over sleeping.

within 6 weeks of starting medication all symptoms improved. Further improvements came as I optimised the meds and I feel best with my TSH quite low, nearer 0.2 than anything higher

Absolutely. We’re fortunate to live in a day and age where you can have a disease which is easily treatable and where medication is free on the NHS.

Would you mind saying what you now take privately? My auntie had this, but wasn't diagnosed until she'd had a few different blood tests. I don't know if that's normal.

I've been on 75mcg for ages (it's actually 2 tablets).
My other symptoms were fatigue (I'd actually gone part time), feeling cold, weight gain, upset stomach and a weird feeling in my throat.

I get why you are reluctant to start on meds-I delayed it as well, because of my anxiety and having to go on meds for the rest of my life. I finally started on it but I'm not expecting any improvement until I get the meds at the right dose. There might be minimal improvement on energy levels so far. I've not noticed any side effects which is a relief, but then I'm on a fairy low dose (50mcg)

Symptoms were kind of vague-lack of energy, depression, cold intolerance, Raynauds. I was only really suspicious I had it as my nana did. My TSH was around 10-I was/am very used to feeling crap, my energy levels were definitely getting worse though.

I delayed it as well, because of my anxiety and having to go on meds for the rest of my life.

I think it's really important to reframe this. The odds are about 99% that you will have an under active thyroid for the rest of your life regardless of whether you take the medication or not. All the medication does is bring your levels up to as close to normal as possible.

If you do not take the medication, this is your future (AI result)

If you have hypothyroidism and don't take medication, your body's metabolism will continue to slow down, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and feeling cold. Untreated, it can cause serious health problems, including an increased risk of heart disease and high cholesterol, infertility, and a life-threatening condition called myxedema coma in rare cases.

Why would you choose that over taking what's essentially a supplement with few side effects?

Thank you so much. I didn't really understand the difference but have been on meds for 3 years since thyroid cancer and hashimotos.

Synthroid. That is what works for me.

I pay for the name brand so that I get a consistent dose from a single manufacturer instead of whatever generic my pharmacy is stocking that month. Switching manufacturers with thyroid meds can cause issues with keeping your tsh steady.