Thyroid

[bourb0nbiscuits]

Hi! I contacted my midwife today and she's referring me to the area midwife that specialises in endocrinology issues and she's contacting the specialist to get me seen sooner

I’m glad to hear this, a colleague had an underactive thyroid ( pre pregnancy) and she had lots of appointments with the Consultant as well as midwife during the pregnancy.

 

[monga]

So I’m just over 3 weeks post hemithyroiectomy, starting to feel a bit lethargic. Not sure if it’s because I’ve been out of routine for so long and just adjusting to getting back to work and stuff or if I should be asking for a blood test to check my levels? I also weigh myself weekly and every week since the op I’ve put on a few lbs, but again it might be because I’ve been eating a lot of shit food. Should I be contacting the specialist nurse or my GP if I’m worried? Nothings been said to me about a blood test since the op

It's usually about 6 weeks before you'd see a change your bloodstream would have enough hormone to cope .

 

[monga]

one thing i'm surprised about with my hashimoto's is the lack of check ups for the nodules / goitre?? it's been five years since my first and only ultrasound but even when i've enquired about a follow up scan due to symptoms i've just been told they're not really a thing...

I’ve only had one ultrasound and one mri on mine I think it’s just to make sure it’s not cancerous and only a hormone issue.

 

[Padfoot]

hi everyone! didn't know there was a thread for this! but I've been on levothyroxine(?) 75g for years now because of my under active thyroid, last time I went to the docs for check up all my levels where fine and I do feel it! I definitely felt the heat in the UK last year before going on these tablets you would of seen me in a jumper as I was always cold! I hope everyone manages to get the tablets they need/want for this!

 

[Beth1980]

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.

 

[Bidscavan]

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism five years ago. Prescribed neomercazole and beta blockers. Also discovered I have an afib heartbeat so am on blood thinner for life. Went between hyper and hypo until this time last yr when the docs seem to have got the dosage right. Have had stable levels since that so they have gradually reduced neomercazole but I get blood tests every three months to check. My vitamin levels were all over place so am also on vitamin d and iron. Thyroid problems are

 

[monga]

Hi xbxbx. I'm so sorry you are struggling like this. I too feel like the "numbers" on your blood tests aren't taken overly seriously and even if you do have symptoms they need to be severe. I've been on medication for mine for 10 years now and repeatedly get told my numbers are borderline (they've have been changing over recent years, dr has admitted this) - I still have the dry skin and hair I had when I was originally told I had hypothyroidism and my weight although under control is higher than it ordinarily would have been. Despite this, I've repeatedly been told my doctor won't budge my medication unless I decide I want to get pregnant - then he says we'd need to do a more thorough review. I too would love referral to a specialist. My mother sees the endocrinologist regularly for hers (although her issues are hyper rather than hypo) and has had much more in depth discussions around her thyroid health.

They only refer you if you're hyper as there's more indepth investigations take place my mums had it for years and has never once been referred to endo .

 

[mcfeez]

Anyone been on levo for over a year and only just developing period problems? I think my period might be here early this month but it’s over a year since I started levo after TT so I don’t know if it is thyroid related or not…

Do you get your levels checked regularly? Perhaps you need a medication adjustment. I was getting mine checked fairly frequently first year on levothyroxine I think.

 

[knivesnflowers]

got diagnosed with hashimoto's at 14 after being originally tested for lupus! had every symptom and my thyroid hormones were so low that apparently a myxedema coma wasn't too far away if left unresolved. over 5 years later and i'm on 100mcg of levothyroxine as of about two months ago but i still feel like shit tbh. developed insomnia from swapping pain meds that just weren't right (was on circadin for a while when i was 16 but apparently not allowed now) and it hasn't got any better with the increase in levothyroxine which it usually would. hair has become a lot dryer but scalp oiler, and a sudden curl pattern below my ears when the top section no longer holds a curl. i haven't had an ultrasound since around 6 months after diagnosis despite requesting one when i had chronic hives in march 2020, suspecting myself that they were autoimmune related but at the height of the pandemic so i guess i'll never know. all the shit that comes with it (pcos etc) all have the same symptoms so makes them 10x worse but i guess that's what the free prescriptions are for!

 

[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

 

[mcfeez]

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

A little bit but my hair was always been quite dry and thinner prior to being diagnosed. If its quite dramatic and noticeable I'd speak with your doctor about checking your medication dose is right.

I've noticed slight swelling in my ankles but nothing really bad! Getting through to the doctors is ridiculous isn't it. The other day I was number 33 in the queue at 8am! Mental.




Has anyone struggled to lose weight/put weight on thyroid related?

Weight was the primary symptom for me. I gained quite a lot despite no changes to lifestyle. It took a few years but I did manage to get it under control and took a good lot of the weight gain off. 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.

 

[knivesnflowers]

my mum and i are both hypo (mine is also hashimoto's) and she's noticing more hair loss too! she's on oestrogen patches after a full hysterectomy so isn't ruling that out as the cause either. just ordered her some biotin and coconut supplements on amazon, the vitabright brand with 365 capsules. the reviews look good so hopefully they make a difference!

 

[lemonlime]

I have Hashimoto's, I've been on medication half my life Pretty used to the whole thing by now. I have hypothyroidism as a result which means all kinds of annoying stuff but I think I'm managing okay. I go to annual/biannual check-ups and get all the usual blood tests for it as well as the ultrasound imaging to check the thyroid gland and possible nodules.

 

[knivesnflowers]

yep hashimotos here but i was told that when i was diagnosed rather than later on and was referred to an endocrinologist. i'm on levothyroxine but it has never absolved my symptoms, just sort of levelled them out. i was given an ultrasound on my thyroid a few months after to check for goiters (have them) but haven't had one since, this was early 2017.

 

[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.

 

[unfinishedsentenc]

Thankyou! It actually ended up being yesterday, no idea why I was told the 7th on the phone haha it was okay, not the best thing that’s ever happened to me but not the worst either x

Awh bless, I only realised after I sent the message and read the thread lol! anyway put your feet up and have a speedy recovery pet

 

[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.

 

[DownBelow21]

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

 

[Beth1980]

It is a relief to know it is not just ' in your head' so to speak and realise the enormous amount of symptoms it causes.
In the UK it is not really talked about as an illness and being medicated is seen just as a replacement so all is then ok. At the beginning of the year I joined a thyroid group on Facebook and just reading the posts lifted a weight as I realised I wasn't lazy, exaggerating everything etc.
Good luck for Monday.

 

[knivesnflowers]

Sounds familiar I have Hashimotos too and still have a lot of symptoms but when brain fog/ forgetfulness began to again affect my job I couldn't ignore it. I am only on 75mg now and the GP that did listen and diagnose has retired so I feel like you,we are just left to get on. So sorry you are not being properly medicated.

same for you too it's shit when there's a diagnosed reason for how you're feeling (thyroid) and they still explain it away with stress/weight/hormones as if it's not their job to still do something about those too! when first diagnosed i was sent to another trust and it was literally less than two weeks between bloods and appt - would love to know where that urgency has gone
---
double post but just remembered my lymphocytes were slightly high on my full blood count - 5.28 when upper limit is 4.00. surely this is the hashimoto's aspect of the hypo flaring too? will definitely be ringing now