New to hypothyroidism - need some advice about sinusitis and armour

[xanderer]

Hi - I have put on about three stone over the last three years. Also had to take some antidepressants and at one point a mood stabiliser - though off them all now - this may have caused my problem. I have also moved house and ended a very stressful work situation. The GP wanted to do thyroid test and my antibodies were high. I am now on 75mch of levothyroxine. I've lost about 6 lbs but I am now a bit stuck at this weight and I'm having to watch it very carefully. At the same time as having the thyroid thing happening I have developed chronic vasomotor sinusitis - had an operation which did not help. Lots of infections and terrible pain. Has anyone got any advice about this. I have nasal congestion and if I go anywhere near perfume etc... it flares up. Should I try armour to help with the symptoms

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum

Weight gain is a clinical symptom of hypthyroidism and it should reduce when you are on optimum medication.

This is a link re sinus from previous posts which may be helpful. It is very painful:-

healthunlocked.com/search/s...

Always get a copy of your thyroid gland blood test results for your own records and you can post the results if you have any queries for comments. Some GPs believe that when our blood levels are within the normal range we don't need more medication but some of us need to have a low TSH.

If you take your medication in the morning and are having a blood test that day take your meds after your blood test.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Clutter]

Sorry, but why would thyroid replacement help sinusitis?

Have you been back to the surgeon?

Having lots of infection may reduce your ability to properly absorbe your thyroid meds but its the underlying infection which need to be addressed first.

Also ask for Full Blood Count, electrolytes, ferritin (iron), VitD, B12 & folate to be tested. Deficiencies in these can impair your body's ability to fight infection.

Just want add, I feel sorry for your pain. Sinus pain and toothache are so relentlessly awful and i hope it can be sorted out very soon.

[marram in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, the reason Thyroid replacement would help with sinusitis is because, like every other part of our body, we need T3 in order for things to work properly. Chronic congestion and sleep apnoea which can result from this is a symptom of hypothyroidism which was recognised long, long ago.

I have suffered from sinusitis throughout the years while I was inadequately medicated. Not to mention chronic asthma. I was given antibiotics, I have had three operations to clear blocked sinuses, and was told I needed to be on nasal sprays for the rest of my life to prevent polyps. It didn't matter how many antibiotics I was given, the problems persisted.

I only started getting this after I had a Total thyroidectomy, and being given barely adequate Thyroid replacement. I did not know this for years, happily accepting Levo-only, just enough to 'normalise' my TSH.

I am now on T3. I went through the entire summer this year without asthma, and in the past I spent my entire life, summer, autumn, winter, spring, with a constantly congested nose and frequent attacks of sinusitis, yet I now breathe much more clearly and have stopped snoring.

The chronic infections were the result of not having enough of the essential T3 in the system to fight them. The fluid which gathers in the body also gathers and blocks the nose and post-nasal drip is very common.

Gum infections are also common with under-treated hypothyroidism.

Please remember that every single cell in your body needs T3 to function. Therefore it would be quicker to ask, what is NOT affected by inadequate Thyroid replacement.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Marie XX

[Hidden]

Hi and Welcome

I'm glad things are improving a bit apart from the sinus issues - I can't stand perfume etc. either (even 'tho I can't actually smell it!) hubby is chopping onions as I write! I did see mention that B12 can help....(Wiki - Rhinitis I think).

Is your GP considering letting you try NDT?

patient.co.uk seem to think there may be a connection......

patient.co.uk/doctor/Non-al...

Extract - 'Hormonal rhinitis

Rhinorrhoea and nasal congestion are the principle symptoms. The condition may be linked to increases in oestrogen levels. Such states can occur in pregnancy, menstruation, puberty, and the use of oestrogen medication . In pregnancy the condition usually occurs in the second month and stops after delivery. Oestrogen is thought to act in several ways, including stimulating parasympathetic activity, increasing acetylcholine levels, inhibiting sympathetic neurons and increasing the levels of hyaluronic acid in the nasal mucosa.

Hypothyroidism can be another hormonal cause and is thought to be due to turbinate oedema resulting from the release of thyrotropic hormone.'