I am now six months into my treatment for Hypothyroidism, but my tiredness levels are still fluctuating. Despite my most recent blood test showing my TSH levels as normal, I am yet again experiencing chronic fatigue. Why is this happening if my levels are normal?
The Tiredness Persists
At the end of September, my GP changed my levothyroxine dose from 25 to 50 micrograms. Although I did start to feel better on the
A couple of weeks ago, after having my TSH levels tested again, I returned to see my GP. I was very surprised to find that my levels are in the normal range. Because I was still feeling tired I had expected to find the levels were still abnormal. Due to this, I shared my concerns with my GP. As a result, she arranged for me to have further tests to rule out any other issues.
A Return To Chronic Fatigue
In the last ten days since I saw my GP, I have declined rapidly. I’m back to feeling utterly exhausted and my mood is completely flat. This means I am struggling to do all the things I need and want to do, such as moving forward in self employment and in my OU studies. I am also concerned because Chris and l are off on our first holiday together this weekend and I’m worried I am going to feel too unwell to enjoy it.
Fluctuating Fatigue levels
My fatigue levels have fluctuated like this before. It happened the first time after surgery, last August. Similarly to now, my levels had been normal, and I was feeling better, then suddenly I was exhausted again.
I assumed the fluctuation was due to the upheaval of recovering from surgery. Therefore, my GP ran another blood test. The results confirmed that my levels had returned to the abnormal range and It was for this reason I had my Levothyroxine increased to 50 micrograms.
The Effects Of General Illness On Hypothyroidism
I have been searching for a reason as to why the same thing, a sudden increase in fatigue after receiving a normal blood result, has happened again. Perhaps it is because I was unwell a couple of weeks
Over Exertion And Hypothyroidism
It could possibly be that the extra tiredness is due to my doing too much, however, I don’t feel I have been overexerting myself, I am pretty good at balancing things and I’ve mostly been at home writing, which hasn’t felt like hard work. Perhaps I need to reassess my definition of exertion in light of my under active thyroid?
Hypothyroidism And Anxiety
Although this extreme fatigue is new, It is common for me to experience intense tiredness after high anxiety. A couple of weeks ago, I spoke at an Open University conference in Brighton which was a high anxiety event. Additionally, I then had an Open University tutorial in London last weekend and ended up getting lost in London, which triggered a bit of a panic. My additional tiredness could be a result of these events. However, this exhaustion does not feel like an anxiety hangover. On the other hand, it is possible, because of my underactive thyroid, that I am now experiencing my anxiety differently.
Hypothyroidism and Bladderwrack
I am begining to wonder if none of the above are to blame for the fluctiuation, then only one thing remains. That thing is Bladderwrack. About a month ago, a number of people recomended I try it. I did some research and it seemed to suggest that Bladderwrack could help to stabilise my thyroid. Therefore, because I like to use natural remedies whenever I can , I decided to give it a try.
However, with this increase in tiredness again, I went back online and looked more deeply. The results this time found nothing but negative reviews! Why didn’t I see these the first time around!
Additional Blood Tests
The new research I found about Bladderwrack has made me decide to stop taking it. I am hopefull that stopping it , will improve and balance my tiredness levels.. I have just had my blood levels tested again, and they results showed nothing abnormal. My GP has therefore decided to slightly raise my Levythyroxine to 75 microgram, to see if this sorts things out. Hopefully this, combined with not taking the Bladderwrack, will mean I see am improvement.
I welcome any comments from those more experienced in this than I!
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I ask myself this all the time. However I stopped taking medication as the side effects we’re brutal for me
Oh really? How do you manage your hypthyroidism without medication, if you don’t mind me asking?
I am just trying to maintain a well balanced diet and keep active. Recent blood tests have shown the thyroid to be okay. However medication is the better option and I have felt really poorly in the past so had to go back on them.
I need an alternative to levethyroxin as the side affects are simply to much for me and the weight gain is brutal
Its such a difficult illness to deal with isnt it! I am feeling better on the slightly higher dose but still more tired than I should be!
I was on 75mg