CKD Stage 3 and hypothyroidism. Anyone e... - Early CKD Support

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CKD Stage 3 and hypothyroidism. Anyone else?

Chelle1097 profile image
13 Replies

Hello everyone. I am 25 year old with CKD stage 3 and hypothyroidism. I was wondering if anyone else on this forum has both of these conditions and if so, did levothyroxine improve your GFR.

If it did improve ur GFR, how long did it take and what was your dosage please.

ps. I am also prediabetic

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Chelle1097 profile image
Chelle1097
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13 Replies
userotc profile image
userotc

There are various reports linking the 2 conditions eg link below, and Ive read on the kidney and thyroid sections of HU others that suffer both. Personally I'd try to improve/manage your health by natural means otherwise youre likely to end up on medication for both (poly-pharmacy), with potential issues eg side effects and drug interactions. It should also help with your pre-diabetes which is likely to be affecting your CKD at least.

I recommend seeing a qualified Nutritional Therapist for holistic treatment (diet/lifestyle) as body systems are inter-related. Take care.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/357...

Catpuss66 profile image
Catpuss66

what is causing your ckd? & your hypothyroid is it autoimmune? If it is you need to see a rheumatologist. The only thing you have control over is your pre diabetes might be worth cutting out sugar be careful with carbs ( anything white, pastry potatoes, pasta, biscuits all turn into sugar) levothyroxine not sure if that will have an effect on your GFR but you need it to function. You really need to see a specialist dietician who can advise ask you GP for referral.

RickHow profile image
RickHow

Hello. I am CKD stage 3 (sometimes 3a, sometimes 3b). I just started taking Levothyroxine (.25mcg) about 3 weeks ago. I am going to the doctor this Thursday for a blood test to see if this is changing my Creatinine/Egfr levels in any way. I am a bit concerned. Since starting the Levo I have had a significant decrease in the amount of urine produced daily, and my feet has swollen up to the ankle (so water retention and low urine output). But my doctor tells me it takes 4 to 6 weeks minimum before the Levo takes full affect and adjusts the thyroid. I will see my results Thursday and let you know.

Chelle1097 profile image
Chelle1097 in reply toRickHow

thanks for your reply. Please let me know if your levo changed your levels in anyway. So far 25mcg has not improved mine, I am trying to up my dose. Is hypothyroid the cause of your CKD?

RickHow profile image
RickHow in reply toChelle1097

The levo is not agreeing with me at all! It is not helping. I am constantly freezing. My feet are so swollen that I had to go buy a larger size shoe to wear. Diarrhea. Totally dehydrated no matter how much water I drink (urine is dark yellow which is dehydration). The cause of my hypothyroid is due to cancer treatment. In 2017 I had one kidney removed due to cancer tumor. Then in 2019 the cancer returned to bones in my hip (which got replaced), pelvis and spine. At THAT time I was classified as CKD. No the hypothyroid is not the cause of my CKD. It is due to one of my cancer treatments (a pill) which affected the thyroid. We have stopped that pill, started the Levo, but so far no luck. I had a urine test this morning. For the first time protein was found in my urine. Again this appears to be due to the thyroid and Levo.

RickHow profile image
RickHow in reply toChelle1097

I got the results of my Thursday blood testing. The Levo has not changed my TSH thyroid level at all. My T4 remained at 8.5, my TSH at 6.120 (too high). It has been about 3 weeks that I have been on it. My Creatinine level went from 1.7 to 1.8. That is a normal change in Creatinine level. It fluctuates up and down that minor amount with every blood test.

So bottom line, so far the Levothyroxine has done nothing for thyroid nor CKD.

Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8 in reply toRickHow

Are you seeing a rheumatologist or endocrinologist for the thyroid issue?

RickHow profile image
RickHow in reply toMarvin8

Neither. It is being handled by my oncologist. There really is not much they do about it yet. Still have another week or 2 before they test again. Levo is so slow acting.

Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8 in reply toRickHow

Interesting to know. Thanks

Rowdy17 profile image
Rowdy17

I have been taking 25mg a day of Levothyroxine for five years. I wasn't told I had stage 3 CKD until two years ago (although, of course, I probably had it before then) - so the other way round to you. I'm not aware of the Levothyroxine making any difference to my CKD figures but exercise and a change of diet do seem to be helping to keep my figures steady.

Ella77 profile image
Ella77

Hello Chelle, Yes ... CKD is related to hypothyroidism, the Parathyroid Hormone numbers usually rise when your GFR is below 30. The solution is taking Calcitriol your Nephrologist and Urologist should know about it and prescribe it for you. You don't want to take or eat things with much calcium in them while taking Calcitriol. For instance onions ha e more calcium in them than milk products. Calcitriol also only works to being down your parathyroid hormone numbers if you take it at least more than four times (days) a week. It's important to take Calcitriol so you don't get cardiovascular health problems caused by high PTH (parathyroid hormone) so if your doctors won't prescribe Calcitriol then go to another doctor. You can look up case studies online about CKD and Calcitriol. Always do your own research, don't rely on the doctors or anyone to tell you if the medicines will hurt your kidneys or interact badly with other medicines or health conditions ... you can go to drugs.com and find all the interactions, side effects of drugs and interactions with other health conditions there.

lucyBelle54 profile image
lucyBelle54 in reply toElla77

hypothyroidism is not the same as parathyroid! Just letting you know because I have both issues. The hypothyroidism is called Hashimotos because this type is autoimmune. The parathyroid works different than the thyroid. Ask your doctor.

lucyBelle54 profile image
lucyBelle54

Hello Chell1097. I am so sorry that you are going through so much at such a young age. I have Hashimotos which is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. Levothyroxine doesn’t help my kidneys at all. I have been on Levo for 15 years. I have had kidney issues all my life. I am 68 years old and female. I went into acute renal failure this past August and on dialysis for 48 hours. I am now doing well with stage 3B CKD with mineral and bone disease. Talk to and Endocrinologist about your low thyroid. Rheumatologist usually won’t help you. They wouldn’t me. I do have a lot of health issues though. Stay encouraged.

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