Thyroid

[mcfeez]

Hoping someone with experience can help me here...
My partner and I have been struggling to conceive for a while and I've had this thought at the back of my mind about me possibly having an undractive thyroid. I had a blood test in 2020 and my serum TSH was 3.76. I don't really know what I'm looking for but I've read it should be under 2.5 in pregnancy. I'm going to contact my doctor anyway but is there a chance this is what's stopping me getting pregnant? I would say I have all the symptoms of an underactive thyroid.

I know my doctor mentioned needing to bring mine down if I wanted to conceive - but I think that was more due to pregnancy health rather than to actually conceiving (though I could be wrong!). I'd get in contact ASAP because it can take a while for them to start medicating, they like to check bloods repeatedly with 4/6 week intervals sometimes to get a solid baseline of your numbers.

 

[monga]

Thanks , I’ve not had any advice about when to take it, just from found out about the caffeine from googling I think I’ll try at night too will be easier than avoiding food & tea 🫖

Have they not checked your levels after your treatment to see how much they’ve fallen? Maybe they need to increase your dose?

 

[Hairraiser]

Whenever I’ve had my medication changed my consultant would always say get a repeat blood test in 6 weeks.but its hard to tell how a natural fluctuation takes? If just go back if you’re not feeling any better.

Yeah I think il see how I get on, and perhaps go back after Christmas.

 

[DownBelow21]

Its my opinion that even now medicated my body isn't the same as it was before i.e. its more difficult for me to take weight off now.

I'm finding this the same with me, seems easier to put on but a nightmare to lose. Literally seems impossible

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

had some bloods done on monday, and as of feb my TSH has jumped from 0.97mu/L (same in oct 22) to 3.4mu/L. i know it's within the normal range of <4 but with hashimoto's i'm sure it's meant to be lower. also can't find my T3 or T4 results anywhere on the app with my others but surely they've tested them too? no antibody results either but no idea if they're routine or not ( although i think they should be with autoimmune conditions!)

there's a note on the TSH to say no action needed, would i be a pain in the arse if i rang up on monday to talk it through with a dr?

My thyroid problem isnt auto immune but if I were you, I'd ring. That's a huge jump in 12 months. Yes, I know it's technically within range but given you have Hashi's it's worrying.

My GP/lab only tests T3, T4 and antibodies if the TSH is out of range. Unfortunately even if they tick the box for what to test, it will still be rejected by the lab of the TSH is ok. My consultant tested everything but I'm not under him at the moment

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

Can I ask how do you all differentiate between the TSH being out of range and a Hashimoto flare which when ended may bring the levels down without an increase in levo?
Last year I had to really explain and beg for an increase and this year my annual results were out of range, comment was no further action, I had no energy to question this but now I am rock bottom.
If it is a flare up I can try to 'sit it out' a while longer, or could it be just adjusting to winter, I did have the peri menopause thrown at me last year and it could be contributing but the doc didn't want to follow up on that either.

Surely, even if it's 'just' a flare, your GP should be working with you to adjust your meds for optimum wellbeing?

Peri could thrown things out hugely too. Could you ask for a second opinion? Is there a way you could fund a one off private GP appointment?

It just seems crap that you've got to live like this. There must be another way.

Thinking of you.

 

[knivesnflowers]

finally had my appointment to talk through bloods and she actually recommended upping my meds?! like i didn't even have to push it. was quite refreshing tbh but i had all my talking points prepared incase it was pushed back. starting 100+25+25 tomorrow til i run out of 25s and get the new script. will book bloods in the new year and ask if they'll do T3 and T4 tests too with it being a new dose but wish i had results from now to compare.

also asked if the elevated lymphocytes were related to the hashimotos / high tsh combo and she said no which surprised me, but also said she'd read up on it which was refreshing too!

 

[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

 

[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.

 

[monga]

I’m so glad I read this! I’m currently overactive and I am always cold!! I never even linked it to this and I’ve been on and off since 2015 I spend half of my day shivering

It’s the old hypothalamus is screwed up lol , everything be’s out of sync .

 

[monga]

These are the normal ranges

 

[monga]

Thank you for the link. You sound like you've had a really bad time. Weirdly my eyesight has worsened too but my eyes are quite sore so could be llinked. I actually have a vague memory of that happening years ago too.

I don't have Graves, mine's multi nodular. However, I don't know about you but I've had enough already. My symptoms are not as bad (yet) as they have been previously but it's still not fun. I have a tremor anyway which I'm convinced was triggered by the period of time the thyroid was badly overactive without treatment and it being overactive now is worsening that, which is affecting my work. I'm fed up but I don't see an awful lot of fun in the future if the other half of my thyroid is removed and I'm on thyroxine for life. Sorry for the grump! Hope you are OK.

I hope you're Ok it's crap x it's just another waiting game trying to get it right again .I hope they'll refer you for surgery if you feel that's the option you want to go down although this damn pandemic is holding everything up .

 

[Ticketyboots]

Hypothyroid taking levothyroxine - has anyone noticed hair thinning at all?

No, I am the opposite. My hair was thinning, dry papery skin on legs. Mine was diagnosed on a wellwoman blood test. Since taking 150 of Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism my skin is back to normal and my hair is thickening up.
Was your hair thinning to begin with?

 

[Hairraiser]

Yes they won’t do anything unless the readings abnormal , you can only hope it drops below borderline for them to give you anything.

Do you think I’m best to go back in a couple of months, I wonder how often they can change?

 

[lexle]

Have they increased it gradually over time for you? My doctors are so reluctant to increase mine, it’s so frustrating

Yeah, so I started off on 50mcg and they increased by 25mcg every few months until I ended up at the level they were happy with. I fluctuate between 125-150mcg now. How long as it been since you had half removed?

 

[bourb0nbiscuits]

I had surgery. I was told RAI wasn't an option because I was so young. I'm surprised they would consider leaving you on carbimazole long term, when I was on it I was told staying on it forever wasn't an option because of the risks/complications. I had a total thyroidectomy, if you have any questions about that.

I’ve been on and off it over the 4 or maybe 5 years can’t remember exactly. Im thinking of having the RAI because I’ve never had an op before, I’m quite scared of having anaesthetic I know that sounds pathetic

Yeah fine! Slightly sore mouth a week on but apart from that it was fine

Oh good , hope that settles soon

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

I hope you're Ok it's crap x it's just another waiting game trying to get it right again .I hope they'll refer you for surgery if you feel that's the option you want to go down although this damn pandemic is holding everything up .

Thank you. I don't think I have much choice. I think my windpipe is deviated again unfortunately.
Thinking of you and hoping you're back to full health soon.

 

[mcfeez]

Don't know if you are on medication but it seems the NHS (if you are UK based) only tests T4 if TSH is out of range, I have never had T3 tested and antibodies seems to be a one off test if positive.
Earlier this year I had to battle for an increase in Levothyroxine as symptoms had returned but bloods were in range ( top end) next blood test after increase showed I was over range so proved I was right.
NHS guidelines say they should go off symptoms and Thyroid UK recommend a TSH around 1 if on treatment, so I would definitely call your surgery and have all your symptoms etc ready to tell them.Hope you feel better soon.

Wow really? My TSH was around 5 last time my doctor discussed my results with me but said he wouldn't be keen on upping medication dose unless I am trying to get pregnant

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

That’s all really helpful, thanks! If you don’t mind me asking, Did you have stitches or staples?

Do you know, I'm not entirely sure, sorry. Internal stitches with external staples rings a bell but I don't remember having to go and have anything taken out so maybe it was all stitches. Sorry, that's not very helpful is it.

 

[Hairraiser]

The bone cold feeling is awful. Although my thyroid became overactive, there was a period of time after I'd given birth where my symptoms swung massively between hypo/hyper. I'd be so cold my nails and lips were blue and I'd be falling asleep sat up, in the middle of the day. I took my temperature once during an episode and I was into the hyperthermic range. It was a really horrible time so I hope you get some help with it.

Wow that does sound awful is it better and under control now?
Thank you so much. I don’t know if I’m being dramatic here but it’s really affecting my marriage.
My husband is completely sweating his tits off while I’m sat here shivering with blankets, hot water bottle etc. I beg to turn the heating on and we argue about how expensive it is and how the house is already boiling. I just worry so much about my son being cold and if he feels the cold like I do.
My hubby reassures me daily that my son is lovely and toasty warm. I think I’m driving him insane keep going on about it….
I wish I could just relax but I just struggle so much