Does having your full thyroid taken out really affect your cognitive ability or process information and no energy what normal TSH levels

[rx040614]

[shaws Administrator]

I've not had my thyroid gland removed and I think many of us have cognative problems at times. Some call it 'brain fog'. I also understand your energy being depleted.

I surmise that it's due to some of us not being able to process levothyroxine fully into enough T3 which is the active hormone every cell in our body needs to function (levo T4 being the inanctive hormone).

I always wonder why people with no thyroid gland are not prescribed natural dessicated thyroid hormones as they contain everything our healthy thyroid gland would produce. T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin. Whatever hormone we take, we need enough of it to make us feel better. Some cannot convert levo into sufficient T3. There are some vitamins/minerals which can help.

This is a link and vitamin E is helpful for all our glands not just thyroid gland.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

[rx040614 in reply to shaws]

Thanks I will research that

[Margo in reply to shaws]

I have no thyroid and was tried on natural desiccated thyroid but could not get on with it at all. I am doing ok as far as possible on 50 mcg Liothyronine. I still have the above that rx 040614 mentions.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Margo]

I tried several NDTs before I found one that suited me. Thankfully, I also do well on T3 and my GP now prescribes.

[PinkNinja]

If you are having these symptoms, it suggests that you are not on adequate thyroid replacement. It would be a good idea to get a thyroid test done with TSH, free t4 and free t3 (they may not do the later) . Helvella, who is one of the other Admins, put together a chart for working out a rough idea of what dose you should need based on various theories. I'll see if I can find the link for you. Ultimately, though, you should be on an adequate dose to make all these symptoms go away.

I should also mention that these symptoms can be caused by other things such as low iron, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D to name but a few.

I hope that goes some way towards answering your question.

I hope you find a way to feel better soon.

Carolyn x

[PinkNinja in reply to PinkNinja]

If you click on this link (His profile page) and scroll down, the link you need is near the bottom. There are other useful and interesting links too. I hope that helps. healthunlocked.com/user/hel...

Carolyn x

[rx040614 in reply to PinkNinja]

It does I go next week to check b12 and see if I need the replacement for that. Thanks

[jimh111]

From an earlier post I see you had thyroid cancer and a thyroidectomy. If you had a period of hyperthyroidism it affects the 'thyroid axis' which basically means the TSH figure is lower than it would otherwise be. The recommendation is that your levothyroxine is titrated according to your fT4 figures, targeting the upper half of the range. If someone has had thyroid cancer sufficient levothyroxine is given to mildly suppress TSH if you are an intermediate or high risk patient. Low risk patients do not need TSH suppression. Your endocrinologist should advise on this.

Having said this you need to go by symptoms. If you have a low TSH (below the lower limit) and still have cognitive symptoms it may be helpful to ask for some liothyronine or Armour Thyroid (natural thyroid extract).

[Jillymo]

Have you had your vit D3 & calcium checked ? It could be a parathyroid problem if they have been damaged or removed.. Jillymo