Underactive Thyroid

Its like your describing my life here. I too have had an underactive thryoid but didnt pick up on it untill a few years ago..... I think I had it long before I was diagnosed. I to take 100 mg of thyroxine and have the same side effects.I sometimes drink a can of rebbull or coke which seems to give me a bit of energy. Try taking regular half an hour naps every so often before you go to sleep at night. Sorry I am not much help... not really good with the old advice.

Hope this helps

Any tips will be gratefully received.

Hi Open Waves,

I don't think the question can be answered from the information you've given.

Although a good starting point would be a holistic life audit. IMO these can't be solved by taking this or that because it could be a number of factors that will help.

The 2 biggest factors are exercise and diet, but a holistic audit will take all factors in to account to help find a solution.

Namaste,
Myarka.

Hi Open Waves

Although you are taking thyroxine, may I suggest you get you doctor to check your T3 levels too (s/he may be reluctant to do so! but insist). You still seem to be showing symptoms of low thyroid and you may not be converting the inactive T4 (thyroxine) into the active form T3 (triiodothyronine). For that you need certain vitamins and minerals to activate the enzymes. Are you taking a multivit/min supplement with all the full range of minerals?

It is also better to reduce your intake of (especially raw) brassica vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnip, swede, radish, spring greens, kale, etc) and avoid millet too. These interfere with thyroid metabolism.

You can find out plenty of info on [url]this link[/url] and [DLMURL="http://www.thewolfeclinic.com/newsletters/2004/thyroid_solutions.html"]this one [/DLMURL]is also helpful for info and for testing yourself. From the library, books by Dr Barry Durrant-Peatfield are very helpful and explanatory.

Having had this problem myself, I really feel we are let down in this country by the lack of understanding of this increasingly frequent problem and how it can destroy the quality of life. In the past it was possible to be treated with animal thyroid extract which contains a full range of thyroid hormones - that has now been replaced with artificial levothyroxine which does not cover the full requirements, and if conversion is not happening too then 'fings just don't work'!!! I only got sorted by Dr Mouton from Belgium who has clinics in UK - he's given me my life back and I can't thank him enough!

Let us know about your T3 levels when the results are back.

All the best

Caroline

Hi CarolineN,

Thank you for the information. I was last tested (by a blood sample) back in March and I was told to stay on 100Mg. At the time I mentioned that I still have symptoms of an underactive thyroid but doctors said I am on the right dosage. Is this the same as having my T3 levels taken?

I do question how much the medical professionals in this country know about this condition as I feel it is really affecting my life as I get older. I will do a google search and see if I can find any information about Dr Mouton.

I just do not seem to have much of a life. If I have less than 8 hours sleep, I suffer the next day. Generally I am bright in the morning and as the day moves on, I start to wilt. I am currently taking multi-vitatmins as well as my thyroxin but I also suffer low blood pressure so tend to feel light headed a lot.

Thank you everyone for your help and advice

Marina

Hi Marina

I'd go back to your GP and say that while your T4 levels are fine, it is inactive and can they check it is being converted in the body to the active T3 form please. Normally they will just test TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone which is produced by the pituitary to tell the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine) and T4, which is thyroxine. (If he won't do it then press to see a consultant.)

When T4 is not converted into the active T3, you remain with enough T4 circulating in your blood but it cannot do anything.

If you get no joy from the GP/consultant, then you could opt to see someone like Dr Mouton www.gmouton.com , Dr Durrant-Peatfield who has doctors who run clinics around the country see [url]this link [/url]or there is [url]Dr Sarah Myhill[/url], but she is based in Wales. Obviously there are others, but these I'm familiar with and trust.

When I went to see the local consultant endocrinologist, he said 'Your T4 levels are fine, so what's the problem?' - I had just handed him a list of symptoms in which I had some 19 out of possible 25 symptoms seen in people with hypothyroidism - I was so angry 😡 that it was with some difficulty I didnt clou't him one!! I just got up and walked out. I'd waited 6 months for the appointment and wasted most of a day for that comment.

Then I attended a lecture on thyroid problems by Dr Mouton where he covered all my symptoms - so I booked in with him at once! He's been brilliant. Under him I tried various herbs and supplements first but to little avail, so I'm now on T4 and T3 and finally I've got my life back :).

My advice is be persistent. List all your problems and check them against lists provided in literature on thyroid problems and take a couple of copies with you to each consultation (one for him and one for you!) - mention whether they are getting better or worse in the last few months.

Wishing you all the best

Caroline

Thanks Caroline, I have made an appointment with my doctor for later in the week.

I also developed an underactive thyroid and being a nurse went fully armed to the gp.
I attend the gym regularly and eat a healthy diet but found i was getting so tired i could not be bothered .
I really didnt want to take thyroxine so have been treating myself herbally , ive been taking L-tyrosine, taurine , starflower oil and nutri thyroid supplement with great effect .
Ive my energy back , menst cycle back on track and hair n skin glowing again .
I think sometimes its a hit or miss and you need to find what works for you if you dont want to go the usual route ie GP.

I really didnt want to take thyroxine so have been treating myself herbally , ive been taking L-tyrosine, taurine , starflower oil and nutri thyroid supplement with great effect .
Ive my energy back , menst cycle back on track and hair n skin glowing again .
I think sometimes its a hit or miss and you need to find what works for you if you dont want to go the usual route ie GP.

Hi goldilocks

Yes this was the route we tried - it works well for some, but not me, sadly. Glad to hear you are feeling so much better now.

I have posted about weightloss with thyroid problems here.

Cheers

Hi Goldilocks,

Taking all those different herbal supplements, did you notice any weight gain/loss? I might have to get myself over to the health store.

Thanks

Hi Marina

I'd go back to your GP and say that while your T4 levels are fine, it is inactive and can they check it is being converted in the body to the active T3 form please. Normally they will just test TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone which is produced by the pituitary to tell the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine) and T4, which is thyroxine. (If he won't do it then press to see a consultant.)

When T4 is not converted into the active T3, you remain with enough T4 circulating in your blood but it cannot do anything.

If you get no joy from the GP/consultant, then you could opt to see someone like Dr Mouton www.gmouton.com , Dr Durrant-Peatfield who has doctors who run clinics around the country see [url]this link [/url]or there is [url]Dr Sarah Myhill[/url], but she is based in Wales. Obviously there are others, but these I'm familiar with and trust.

When I went to see the local consultant endocrinologist, he said 'Your T4 levels are fine, so what's the problem?' - I had just handed him a list of symptoms in which I had some 19 out of possible 25 symptoms seen in people with hypothyroidism - I was so angry 😡 that it was with some difficulty I didnt clou't him one!! I just got up and walked out. I'd waited 6 months for the appointment and wasted most of a day for that comment.

Then I attended a lecture on thyroid problems by Dr Mouton where he covered all my symptoms - so I booked in with him at once! He's been brilliant. Under him I tried various herbs and supplements first but to little avail, so I'm now on T4 and T3 and finally I've got my life back :).

My advice is be persistent. List all your problems and check them against lists provided in literature on thyroid problems and take a couple of copies with you to each consultation (one for him and one for you!) - mention whether they are getting better or worse in the last few months.

Wishing you all the best

Caroline

Hi CarolineN,

Do you have contact details (address, email) that I can reach Dr Mouton as I went to my Doctors for a blood test and my thyroid levels came back normal and they refused to test my T3 as this is only done if my Thyroid test comes back abnormal.

I went back to my Doctors and they put me in for a blood test to check my iron store levels as the doctor was saying, that low iron can give me some of the underactive thyroid symptons such as loose of hair, cold hands/feet etc. I am at my wits end.

Any advice/help you can give me, will be gratefully received.

Thank you

Marina

Hi CarolineN,

Do you have contact details (address, email) that I can reach Dr Mouton as I went to my Doctors for a blood test and my thyroid levels came back normal and they refused to test my T3 as this is only done if my Thyroid test comes back abnormal.

I went back to my Doctors and they put me in for a blood test to check my iron store levels as the doctor was saying, that low iron can give me some of the underactive thyroid symptons such as loose of hair, cold hands/feet etc. I am at my wits end.

Any advice/help you can give me, will be gratefully received.

Thank you

Marina

Dr Mouton's website seems to be unavailable right now - I'll PM you with deatails. Dr Durrant-Peatfield also runs clinics around the country - the links are in the earlier post.

Wishing you the best of health

Hi Everyone

I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid in 2000 and have recently read that the time to take medication for best absorption is either 2 hours before breakfast or 4 hours after the last meal at night - my doctor has never mentioned this to me :confused: I normally take my tablets and then munch on my cornflakes about 30 minutes later 🙂

Also I've been taking a few supplements lately (wheatgrass and spirulina - I'm a veggie so like to make sure I get all my vitamins); I take these about 1 hour after thyroxine, and as I've been experiencing my pre-diagnosis symptoms (dizziness, headaches, extreme tiredness) I'm thinking that some of these may be stopping the thyroxine working properly.

Would be grateful for your thoughts.

Jackie

PS Its a lovely day in the West Midlands

Hi Everyone

I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid in 2000 and have recently read that the time to take medication for best absorption is either 2 hours before breakfast or 4 hours after the last meal at night - my doctor has never mentioned this to me :confused: I normally take my tablets and then munch on my cornflakes about 30 minutes later 🙂

Also I've been taking a few supplements lately (wheatgrass and spirulina - I'm a veggie so like to make sure I get all my vitamins); I take these about 1 hour after thyroxine, and as I've been experiencing my pre-diagnosis symptoms (dizziness, headaches, extreme tiredness) I'm thinking that some of these may be stopping the thyroxine working properly.

Would be grateful for your thoughts.

Jackie

PS Its a lovely day in the West Midlands

Hello Jackie

First of all may I suggest that you get your Dr to retest your thyroxine levels - something may have changed - take with you a list of symptoms and how long you have had them.

There are some things that may help - i will PM you

Hi Caroline

Thank you for your post.

I have had my thyroid checked in the past few months. The doctor first said it was underactive again and increased my medication, after which my symptoms started. My follow up blood test showed my thyroid was overactive so I am now back on my original thyroxine level (for about 8 weeks now).

The doctor has said the various symptoms could be due to my body readjusting, its just frustrating having to wait to get back to "normal". I take the supplements to make sure I am not missing any vitamins but don't want to be taking them at the wrong time which may stop the thyroxine working 🙁

Jackie