Does anyone here have an underactive thyroid?

DrFluffy

gingababe wrote: »

Tomsmom, thanks for that, very reassuring, will have to pop to the pharmacy for that book. I can look at a cream cake & see the scales go up but I have always been the same so I know that I have to be sensible & watch what I am doing. Just one more question, I need to take iron tablets, due to my iron levels being low, does it matter when I take the iron tablet in relation to my thyroxine tablet? Sorry if this is a silly question.

Thanks again
Gingababe

Iron affects the uptake of thyroxine from the gut, so you should leave at least an hour between. Take your iron with orange juice (as this increases the uptake of iron).

I *think* you should take thyroxine on an empty stomach anyway, so I would take that first, wait and hour or two, then take your iron.

I'm 99.9999999999999999999999% sure the above is true! That said, if you pop in to your local pharmacy, the pharmacist will be able to advise you.

DrFluffy

Edit = nope, c'est vrai! Huzzah! My revision MUST be going well (*prays to the great god of finals*)

http://www.familydoctor.co.nz/index.asp?U=conditions&A=6159

hyroxine tablets should be taken on awakening at least 30 minutes before eating. Some bran or fibre foods may reduce absorption. Iron tablets and antacids should not be taken at the same time as they will also reduce absorption.

Also, see Patient.co.uk (a REALLY good patient info website)
https://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068762/

The treatment is to take levothyroxine (thyroxine) tablets each day. This replaces the thyroxine which your thyroid gland is not making. Most people feel much better soon after starting treatment. Ideally, take the tablet on an empty stomach (before breakfast). This is because some foods rich in calcium or iron may interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine from the gut. (For the same reason, don't take levothyroxine tablets at the same time of day as calcium or iron tablets.)

melbury

Hello again TomsMum and Happy New Year to you.

I am still on 125mcg of Eltroxin per day, but can't seem to shift the excess weight - why is this? I thought once you were stabilized the weight started to go. Feeling really despondent about this, I have really cut down my food intake, but not losing any weight.

Also, my hot flushes have returned with a vengence. The sage capsules seemed to eliminate them early last year so I stopped taking them and eventually they came back. Tried taking the sage again, but did not work a second time.

Do you think it is time to try the natural progesterone cream?

TomsMom

I'm not sure if we're allowed to carry on this discussion now after seeing the warning at the top of the page about discussing medical conditions, if the thread gets closed/post gets deleted you can PM me.

melbury wrote: »

I am still on 125mcg of Eltroxin per day, but can't seem to shift the excess weight - why is this? I thought once you were stabilized the weight started to go. Feeling really despondent about this, I have really cut down my food intake, but not losing any weight.

Have you been keeping a record of your test results? Do you feel as though you have reached a point where you have no other symptoms? Most people, once stabilised on meds should return to their normal weight. People are different, some lose weight easily, some struggle. Do you exercise? If everything is stable, and you are happy with where you are meds-wise, I would discuss the weight issue with your GP. If all else fails you could get Paul McKenna's I Can Make You Thin :rotfl: . I've just got his I Can Make You Sleep, early days but I am quite impressed so far. £5.49 at Amazon, free delivery!

Also, my hot flushes have returned with a vengence. The sage capsules seemed to eliminate them early last year so I stopped taking them and eventually they came back. Tried taking the sage again, but did not work a second time.

Do you think it is time to try the natural progesterone cream?

Ooooh, I wouldn't have stopped taking the sage! By all means try the natural progesterone cream. It wont do any harm and may well help, but give it a good trial. If you find it helps I would continue with it.

melbury

Thanks TomsMom,

I was all set to order some natural progesterone cream and then read an article that implied using it coudl cause breast cancer, which put me off somewhat.

What is the best make to try?

I haven't had my thyroid levels checked since last August, must admit didn't both to go for my November check.

TomsMom

melbury wrote: »

Thanks TomsMom,

I was all set to order some natural progesterone cream and then read an article that implied using it coudl cause breast cancer, which put me off somewhat.

What is the best make to try?

I haven't had my thyroid levels checked since last August, must admit didn't both to go for my November check.

Please go and get your blood tests done again then you can compare with your previous results. You may still need an increase in your meds. It really is important if you want to reach a place where you are back to normal health and happy. Only you can tell you GP how you are feeling, not the test results.

I use NatPro. It doesn't contain parabens or PEG. Don't know if it's the best. ProGest is another one but it does contain PEG. I used to use Serenity but there was some confusion as there were two Serenity makes, each slagging the other off, and I didn't know which was the genuine one so I stopped buying it. DO NOT BUY ANY THAT SAYS IT IS FROM WILD YAM, it needs to say USP (United States pharmaceutical grade) or natural progesterone.

melbury

TomsMom wrote: »

Please go and get your blood tests done again then you can compare with your previous results. You may still need an increase in your meds. It really is important if you want to reach a place where you are back to normal health and happy. Only you can tell you GP how you are feeling, not the test results.

I use NatPro. It doesn't contain parabens or PEG. Don't know if it's the best. ProGest is another one but it does contain PEG. I used to use Serenity but there was some confusion as there were two Serenity makes, each slagging the other off, and I didn't know which was the genuine one so I stopped buying it. DO NOT BUY ANY THAT SAYS IT IS FROM WILD YAM, it needs to say USP (United States pharmaceutical grade) or natural progesterone.

Thanks for the information, what are parabens and PEG? Also, why is wild yam bad? That sounds a very natural product.

I did go for my blood test a couple of weeks ago but haven't been back for the results yet - GP off on a jolly! Perhaps I need putting up to 150mcg to get some weight off?