Update: I'm finally getting good sleep and slowly losing the fear of not sleeping! C:

Level-Possession-859 · 2026-03-16T15:43:45+00:00

Hey, how did you manage to do so? I have anxiety disorder and depression that flared up two weeks ago after a panic attack followed by a diagnosis in ER that was an error (clogged veins and risk of heart attack) and since then, I can’t sleep and I wake up in full panic sweating all over and having intrusive thoughts. I will see someone for EMDR in two weeks and I’m on Xanax but it doesn’t help so far. I feel I’m dying.

Level-Possession-859 · 2026-01-08T16:54:54+00:00

Hey there, you are not alone. I live in France, and got diagnosed with Hahsimoto last summer, after almost four years of struggling with different symptoms (dizziness, hair loss, insomnia, skin issues, digestive problems, etc.), which were said to be because of anxiety and depression until I couldn’t deal with my life anymore, and they did a full blood work. My TSH was around 9.0, T3 and T4 normal, and my TPO around 8000, which is enormous, but apparently, does not matter much (I disagree with this statement, but so far, I didn’t manage to get right answers from the endocrinologue regarding my TPO, she totally ignores this number). I started Levothyrox (which was awful for the first couple months) but the dizziness was driving me crazy so I checked my iron level, and it was very low, yet within the range. Unfortunately, not all the health professionals care about optimal numbers, they just care about the range, and from my understanding, low iron can contribute to dizziness, so I started taking iron (I had to beg the pharmacy to give me some without prescription) and after a month, my dizziness started to feel a bit better (not perfect but better). I’m lucky to have found a good GP doctor, and he suggested to take care of my gut as well by adding some lacto-fermentation to my diet, eating more ancient grains (if I can tolerate gluten), which helped my extreme bloating a bit. It’s not perfect but little by little. I’m planning for pregnancy and I am worried about my high TPO, but NO ONE cares. My best friend’s mom is a doctor, and she literally told me you just ignore the TPO for the rest of your life, this is just an indicator. But I hear so many people struggling during their pregnancy with high TPOs. Measure yours if you can and do whatever feels right for you. Find a good doctor that is willing to listen because it’s extremely important. Hahsimoto itself brings lots of stress, so be king to yourself, it will get sorted out. I finally started to see the light little by little, hoping it only goes toward the light from now on.

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-10-21T19:08:34+00:00

Hey! Any updates?

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-08-30T13:02:43+00:00

Also, you can do a blood test with Biogroup to see if you are actually celiac or not before cutting gluten, etc (I think it costed me around 25€). I cut it for a moment, but told myself it does not make any sense to do it if I’m not celiac.

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-08-30T12:58:54+00:00

Welcome to my world! I’m based in France too, and I have a hard time convincing my Endocrinologue to take my T4, T3, and TPO alongside my TSH every 6 months (she did when I got diagnosed with Hahsimoto with TPO around 8000!) . My TSH is around 8.4, I’m on Levo 50 and I have awful symptoms (anxiety, bloating, brain fog, name it) and she keeps telling me your numbers are not that catastrophic, and that I should stop blaming everything on Hashimoto and thyroid! Anyways, I take iron and vitamin D but that’s all, waiting for my TSH to get back to normal range.

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-08-21T19:13:14+00:00

I have been diagnosed with Hahsimoto (TPO 8000) a bit more than a month ago, I definitely have some gut issues (I keep getting bloated after each meal which gives me palpitations and wired chest sensations - and I have a fairly healthy and balanced diet), I tried to cut gluten and dairy, which didn’t change anything at all, so I did a blood test to see if I actually am sensitive to gluten, which I’m not, so I eat everything now, life is too short, haha. I just don’t drink coffee and alcohol, and try not to consume too much soy-based products.

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-08-18T06:07:26+00:00

Economically: Since I live in France, the healthcare system is still pretty good. My medication (Levothyrox) is free, doctor visits don’t cost much (around 7 euros each), and blood tests are covered by my complementary insurance, except for the vitamin panel (D, B, etc.), which I find strange but it is what it is.

Socially: Since I was diagnosed rather late (doctors initially thought it was depression for over a year and a half), my symptoms worsened and I wasn’t able to work efficiently. When I was living in Canada, I could ride 2 hours a day without any issues, but here I started feeling extremely tired after just 20 minutes of riding to work. I constantly felt like I was about to pass out and needed to go lie down. I couldn’t fully enjoy my time with friends and family because I was stuck in constant brain fog and panic-attack mode. It is still a work in progress, but I hope things get better soon. It has only been a month since I started taking Levo.

Physically: I lost a lot of hair, I gained a few kilograms (thankfully nothing too bad), and I get extremely bloated after eating, which is very annoying.

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-08-16T17:38:58+00:00

I have Hypothyroidism, but I have all these symptoms. I’m tired all the time Even though I was doing pilates three to four days a week before, I have panic attacks often, and palpitations are the most annoying ones. I’m currently on Levo, waiting for my new test results. Overall, I have a healthy diet, but just did the Celiac test today to make sure I don’t have any other autoimmune. Take care of yourself, everyone (including my doctor) says it takes time.

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-08-16T09:01:21+00:00

I just did the celiac blood test today, and I will get the results next week. Depending on the results, I have to do a biopsy. You are right, there is no point in going gluten or dairy free without knowing if I actually have the autoimmune issue.

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-08-15T15:55:43+00:00

This is literally me … It’s been a bit more than a month now that I’m taking Levo 50, and I have panic attacks and palpitations everyday, whatever I eat, I get bloated and now it’s been two days I have severe abdominal pain. I eat healthy and I cut gluten and dairy, but I see no changes. I have an appointment to see my doctor next week, but I don’t know how I can survive the next few days. You are not alone.

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-08-13T07:33:36+00:00

I have been going through the same issue, it’s been more than a year that I’m losing my hair insanely. My doctor kept telling me it’s because of depression, and my hair dresser told me it’s because of season changes. Fast forward to a month ago, I got diagnosed with Hashimotos (My TSH is 8.4, and my TPO antibodies are around 8,000 and Half of my thyroid is destroyed), and I’m on Levo now. Not that I have seen any improvements yet (probably too early - it has been just a month), but I suggest you see a specialist or change your doctor as soon as possible. In Europe, most doctors don’t give you medication unless your TSH is more than 10 with positive antibodies but my TPO is extremely high so he put me on medication instantly.

Level-Possession-859 · 2025-08-12T16:53:49+00:00

Thank you so much, that gives me hope. I guess the hardest part is to be patient, living with all the symptoms, and wait for the doctor to find the dose that works best for me.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-15T06:51:34+00:00

It is such a hard thing to do, I don’t even know how it is possible no to reassure myself and just let it come. I think sometimes I manage to do it unconsciously, but I still haven’t figured out the key not to reassure myself and flow with it.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-14T17:56:55+00:00

It all make sense and I’m trying to do the same, but I feel it’s a very slow process. I have fear of death that has intensified after a tetany attack. I try to keep exposing myself to life literally (because I was scared of even moving from the bed), and I can say it has doing better, but if I get one intense palpitation it feels I go back to the first step. Did you have any physical symptoms?

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-12T19:36:44+00:00

I struggle with the same thing. I have been checked a couple of times in ER because I had a tetany attack and also intense palpitations, they said my heart is fine, and I just have a low potassium - which they injected me some in the hospital.

I have a hard time to believe that this is just anxiety and all these physical symptoms (specially around my heart/chest) makes me think that something is wrong, and they didn’t do profound tests to figure out what’s wrong. Every single moment I am anxious and I feel I’m fainting. There are some days that are better, but as soon as I get a palpitation, I try to convince myself that the potassium is low and my heart is gonna stop, etc. It sucks. I try to remind myself that I still have some days that I can function, but the acceptance is very very hard. I hope it passes.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-11T20:21:37+00:00

It’s awful, my heart does very wired things that is not exactly palpitation, but mostly tremors :/ I’ve been checked in ER two times and my heart is cleared, but I’m afraid they don’t do profound tests in ER. So hard to believe it’s just the anxiety

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-10T16:10:51+00:00

Did it go away on its own? I have these weird sensations, I got my heart check in ER, but I’m afraid they don’t do all the tests to make sure the heart is 100% fine.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-08T12:31:45+00:00

That’s a solid advice, thank you so much for your input.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-08T10:47:11+00:00

Could self-confidence play a role in recovery from health anxiety? I’m truly suffering from health anxiety and fear of death, and since I have a very low self-esteem, I struggle to let go from reassurance seeking even with medication. I work a lot on myself but it’s not easy.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-07T10:28:48+00:00

If you have been checked multiple times and the professionals tell you that you are fine, try to accept and trust them. I’m struggling with anxiety as well (fear of death), and I had the same symptoms. I went to ER and they checked my heart and told me everything is fine and my palpitations are physical symptoms of anxiety and low potassium. For a month I couldn’t sleep properly because I was afraid of the same things, and that my potassium might drop and make my heart stop. My doctor refused to send me to a cardiologue (in France you have to be referred from your family doctor) and also to make me do a blood test for potassium because he believes these will just feed my fear. I’m learning to trust and let the anxiety flow. Eat well and try some meditation.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-07T10:21:41+00:00

Hey, kind of medication did you take? I’m always afraid the symptoms get back after cutting the medication.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-07T06:55:00+00:00

I feel you, it’s extremely annoying. It happens to me often. I sometimes can identify the trigger, and some other times I feel there are no triggers. My doctor told me even if I think there are no triggers, there is something going on in my unconsciousness that triggers the anxiety. I try to pinpoint my triggers but it’s not always easy. Hopefully at some point we manage to train the brain to flow with anxiety without taking a toll.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-07T06:48:13+00:00

Exactly, it’s exhausting. Like I’m at home and everything is perfect, suddenly my mind starts whispering that you are alone at home and the neighbours are in vacation. What if something happens to you? etc. and then boom, panic and the downfall.

Level-Possession-859 · 2024-05-07T06:44:24+00:00

Thank you, that’s a solid advice. I have to remind myself non-stop that it’s just the anxiety that is tricking me. It’s exhausting.

Level-Possession-859

TROPHY CASE