Thyroid

[catmama1692]

Hi everyone! Hoping you can help me, I've had coeliac disease for 4 years, on my recent blood test review it's been flagged that I've got an overactive thyroid. All it says is wait to be contacted by specialist (no time frame ) and that's it, no other information. Just wondering what actually happens when you're contacted?? Do you go in for more blood tests? Do they put you straight on medication? Google hasn't really enlightened me so thought it might be worth asking here

 

[monga]

Hi everyone! Hoping you can help me, I've had coeliac disease for 4 years, on my recent blood test review it's been flagged that I've got an overactive thyroid. All it says is wait to be contacted by specialist (no time frame ) and that's it, no other information. Just wondering what actually happens when you're contacted?? Do you go in for more blood tests? Do they put you straight on medication? Google hasn't really enlightened me so thought it might be worth asking here

They'll assess you first through blood tests and examination you'll then get an ultrasound and MRI scan they may start you on medication depending on how severe it is .

 

[knivesnflowers]

also, does anyone have experience with low thyroid symptoms, okay thyroid blood work but other abnormal results? they have only tested my thyroid levels for the past few months but did a fbc this time. i have high lymphocytes, high phosphorus and low folate. they did a mono test in the lab and that was neg, and i'm getting more bloods done next week but i think this combo has been causing my symptoms (assuming low folate means high homocysteine). now down a MTHFR mutation rabbit hole ...

update(ish) - no answers for now but the new bloods were for coeliac, parathyroid, vit d, renal profile, another fbc and another three mono tests. does anyone have experience of these issues alongside hashimoto's or general hypothyroidism? thank you!!

 

[ChampagneBox]

I should have asked for advice before I bought some insurance…anyone who had thyroid cancer, did you declare it on holiday insurance? I’ve only had a hemi so still have half and waiting for my completion which is the 20th September. I’ve bought some travel insurance but haven’t declared my cancer. Should I have? Not on levothyroxine or anything

 

[KINGAA]

Random question, my going through tests. Do I have to take medication if it comes back I have it. I’ve been having symptoms for a year? Someone I know is on meds for it and another said you don’t have to as once you’re on them that’s it. just mixed messages.

 

[Bidscavan]

Random question, my going through tests. Do I have to take medication if it comes back I have it. I’ve been having symptoms for a year? Someone I know is on meds for it and another said you don’t have to as once you’re on them that’s it. just mixed messages.

U usually get meds so they can try regulate it. I'm still on meds five years later but I have associated heart problems so will always be on neomercazole

 

[mcfeez]

Random question, my going through tests. Do I have to take medication if it comes back I have it. I’ve been having symptoms for a year? Someone I know is on meds for it and another said you don’t have to as once you’re on them that’s it. just mixed messages.

If your thyroid is not functioning correctly youll need medication, especially if you are having symptoms. Some people who are borderline I think don't have to take it but will be monitored as they may need to start at some point.

Women when they get pregnant if they have thyroid issues they were previously not medicated for usually have to start when pregnant

 

[xbxbx]

So I’ve gone ‘back to basics’ with my thyroid meds after a discussion with my new GP and specialist nurse.

Long story short.. sort of. (I’m sure I’ve spoken about it at length previously), I have hypothyroidism and 75micrograms was my consistent meds for years but at my yearly blood test it showed that my meds needed to be upped so I was put on 100micrograms. I hated it, had horrendous side effects, was pretty much on a constant downward spiral until I made the decision to come off the meds completely. Terrible decision, I know, but my old GP was refusing to lower it back to 75micrograms and was telling me I just needed time to adjust (almost 9 months had passed at this point).

That GP practice closed down and I’m now somewhere new and between the GP, nurse and myself we’ve decided to ease myself back onto levothyroxine at 25micrograms for a week, then increasing to 50micrograms for a week and then 75micrograms for 1-3 months depending on how I feel and then going from there.

I’ve had hypothyroidism for over 15 years and have never really paid too much attention to it, I take my meds in the morning and get on with my day. However, after everything that’s happened this past year and how horrific I felt at some points I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do to help support my thyroid apart from taking my meds? As much as I love the internet it can be very confusing at times. Some sources say fibre can negatively affect the thyroid while other sources say to increase fibre, some sources say to eat all the leafy greens and others say to limit intake as they affect iodine consumption, some sources say avoid gluten but others say gluten has no affect on the thyroid..

My question is: aside from medication, have you added or removed anything from your diet or lifestyle to help support your thyroid and have noticed an improvement in how you feel? I’m not trying to lose weight or gain weight, just looking for an improvement in my overall health. I have PCOS too but thankfully that seems to be under control with the mini pill.

 

[dinosaursideways]

So I’ve gone ‘back to basics’ with my thyroid meds after a discussion with my new GP and specialist nurse.

Long story short.. sort of. (I’m sure I’ve spoken about it at length previously), I have hypothyroidism and 75micrograms was my consistent meds for years but at my yearly blood test it showed that my meds needed to be upped so I was put on 100micrograms. I hated it, had horrendous side effects, was pretty much on a constant downward spiral until I made the decision to come off the meds completely. Terrible decision, I know, but my old GP was refusing to lower it back to 75micrograms and was telling me I just needed time to adjust (almost 9 months had passed at this point).

That GP practice closed down and I’m now somewhere new and between the GP, nurse and myself we’ve decided to ease myself back onto levothyroxine at 25micrograms for a week, then increasing to 50micrograms for a week and then 75micrograms for 1-3 months depending on how I feel and then going from there.

I’ve had hypothyroidism for over 15 years and have never really paid too much attention to it, I take my meds in the morning and get on with my day. However, after everything that’s happened this past year and how horrific I felt at some points I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do to help support my thyroid apart from taking my meds? As much as I love the internet it can be very confusing at times. Some sources say fibre can negatively affect the thyroid while other sources say to increase fibre, some sources say to eat all the leafy greens and others say to limit intake as they affect iodine consumption, some sources say avoid gluten but others say gluten has no affect on the thyroid..

My question is: aside from medication, have you added or removed anything from your diet or lifestyle to help support your thyroid and have noticed an improvement in how you feel? I’m not trying to lose weight or gain weight, just looking for an improvement in my overall health. I have PCOS too but thankfully that seems to be under control with the mini pill.

I found selenium helped. I started taking it on the basis it may improve T4 to T3 conversion. I don't have a thyroid (hyperthyroidism that never responded to medication so I had a thyroidectomy). Since they only monitor T4 levels when you are hypo, I wondered whether my T4 to T3 conversion was subpar and that may be impacting my mood. After I started taking selenium daily, I ended up having to drop my levothyroxine dose because I was symptomatic and my levels showed oversupplementation. I also half heartedly do the autoimmune paleo diet (in that, there's quite a lot of overlap with FODMAP which I tried for my IBS and through trial I've worked out what foods I'm better off excluding and those seem to be on both lists).

After my thyroidectomy I was stable for years. Then it all went a bit whacky. Maybe stress/hormones/ageing. My dose was dropped slightly and I developed bradycardia. Dose was increased back again and I ended up with all the hyper symptoms again. So now I alternate between 2 different doses and with that and the selenium and AIP/FODMAP I have some kind of balance.

 

[nefariousnellie]

For those with hypothyroidism, how did you broach it with your GP?

I’m 30 and have had symptoms of hypothyroidism for maybe the last year or so, some of them much longer. I feel so low energy all the time, I eat well most of the time with the odd treat day and takeaway etc but on the whole I’m quite good but weight isn’t coming off barely at all when I am calorie counting and exercising and then I end up in a slump for a couple of days because I’ve got nothing in the tank. I get solid sleep most nights and wake up knackered. My sex drive is barely there and I just think bloody hell I shouldn’t feel like this!

Thyroid issues run in my family so I suspect this may be the start of something, but I really don’t want my doctor to dismiss me. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[shadowcat5]

Does anyone have difficulty with breathing or shortness of breath? I have been told I have asthma but the inhaler is not working at all. Hypothyroidism runs in my family and my mum mentioned today that my shortness of breath could be that. Just wondering if anyone had any experience

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

Does anyone have difficulty with breathing or shortness of breath? I have been told I have asthma but the inhaler is not working at all. Hypothyroidism runs in my family and my mum mentioned today that my shortness of breath could be that. Just wondering if anyone had any experience

I had considerable shortness of breath with an overactive (hyper) thyroid. It can also be an symptom of an enlarged thyroid (goiter). Not sure about underactive (hypo) though, sorry.

 

[shadowcat5]

I had considerable shortness of breath with an overactive (hyper) thyroid. It can also be an symptom of an enlarged thyroid (goiter). Not sure about underactive (hypo) though, sorry.

thank you. I am really struggling. My salbutamol inhaler is not working at all. I’m tempted to phone 111 but I’m not sure what they’ll do

 

[monga]

thank you. I am really struggling. My salbutamol inhaler is not working at all. I’m tempted to phone 111 but I’m not sure what they’ll do

Yes it can be ,also a feeling of being smothered , if you're really hypo your whole system will be slower including your heartrate .

 

[shadowcat5]

Yes it can be ,also a feeling of being smothered , if you're really hypo your whole system will be slower including your heartrate .

according to my Fitbit my resting heart rate is 72, my bpm is 81 although I can’t breathe properly so make of that what you will

 

[monga]

according to my Fitbit my resting heart rate is 72, my bpm is 81 although I can’t breathe properly so make of that what you will

My mum used to complain of a smothering feeling that’s how she knew when her meds needed upped it’s to do with the muscles if they’re not getting enough hormone they get sluggish

 

[shadowcat5]

My mum used to complain of a smothering feeling that’s how she knew when her meds needed upped it’s to do with the muscles if they’re not getting enough hormone they get sluggish View attachment 1619358

Smothering is not far off. I would say like I can’t get enough air in my lungs. Like the air isn’t reaching the bottom. It’s hurting my neck , chest and back where I’m straining to get air in.

 

[monga]

Smothering is not far off. I would say like I can’t get enough air in my lungs. Like the air isn’t reaching the bottom. It’s hurting my neck , chest and back where I’m straining to get air in.

Yes . Deff get a TFT done ,have you got any other symptoms ? like nail /hair issues , periods , gut , there's so many things besides muscle weakness that you don't put down to thyroid .

 

[shadowcat5]

Yes . Deff get a TFT done ,have you got any other symptoms ? like nail /hair issues , periods , gut , there's so many things besides muscle weakness that you don't put down to thyroid .

nails and hair are okay besides my hair gets oily quickly these days but I moved area recently so it could be water supply thing. My old area was soft water but not sure about here. Periods are a weird one cause I take a mini pill so I don’t get periods besides the spotting. My gut is pretty good, tmi I usually go 1-3 times a day but I’m vegan so I eat a high fibre diet naturally.
ETA: thank you for replying. It’s really helping me

 

[cocochino]

Random question, my going through tests. Do I have to take medication if it comes back I have it. I’ve been having symptoms for a year? Someone I know is on meds for it and another said you don’t have to as once you’re on them that’s it. just mixed messages.

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, but the doctor told me my levels weren't that bad so I decided not to go on medication. I was going through an extreme amount of stress at the time which saw me bedridden with mono and triggered my thyroid issues, so I decided to make a lot of life changes. I cleaned up my diet, started exercising more regularly, and most importantly... I removed toxic people from my life that were causing me stress.

I hardly notice the symptoms anymore because I'm in a good place mentally. It's a struggle keeping weight on though... I feel like I'm constantly eating.

So I guess it depends on how bad your levels are, and the severity of your symptoms.