70 y.o. hypothyroid

[podgy]

I am 70 y.o. and have hypothyroidism that seemed to get worse after stopping smoking. I am talking Synthroid .88 which was increased from .75 a few months ago. My recent TSH results were 3.3 and my doc says that's perfect. But I am still having symptoms. When I was smoking (stopped over a year ago) my TSH was usually 1.0. I don't understand why it got worse after quitting smoking. I don't know if my doc is afraid to change my meds because of my age or what. I know something isn't right because of symptoms. I asked him if he needs to test the adrenals and he just laughed. I know we slow down as we age but my problem is not from ordinary aging.

[Marz]

When on treatment most people feel better when the TSH is 1 or under. What were your FT4 and FT3 results in your last blood test ? This will give a clearer picture. You may also be low on the Famous Five - Ferritin - B12 - Iron - Folate - VitD. For your T4 to convert into the active T3 you need these results to be optimal....it will also improve how you feel.

There is one ingredient in tobacco that supports thyroid function - can't remember - but it will be on the net somewhere

[podgy in reply to Marz]

Thanks Marx. My last test was Free T4 which was 1.49 and Free T3 was 2.3. My TSH was 3.3. Those are the only tests I have had. I will ask the doc about the Famous 5.

[Spareribs in reply to podgy]

Your doctor won't know them as that name - we call them that on this site, or the "fab 5".

Basically, associated vital minerals which are often low in Hypothyroidism.

[Marz in reply to podgy]

Not sure about the FT4 result - it doesn't look quite right. I just use the name Famous five to help people remember

[helvella Administrator in reply to Marz]

It is a typical USA value.

Podgy - it might help a little to explain that your medicine numbers are not right. You typed "Synthroid .88 which was increased from .75" - that should have been " I am talking Synthroid 88 which was increased from 75" or " I am talking Synthroid .088 which was increased from .075".

Rod

[diogenes Remembering in reply to Marz]

The info is on the site:

medscape.com/viewarticle/49...

[Marz in reply to diogenes]

Thank you ....

[diogenes Remembering]

There is a relationship between stopping smoking and return of hypo status, especially if hypo from thyroiditis. Here is a reference that might be interesting:

Carlé A et al. Smoking cessation is followed by a sharp but transient rise in the incidence of overt autoimmune hypothyroidism—a population-based, case–control study. Clin Endocrinol 2012;77:764-72.

[podgy in reply to diogenes]

Thanks Diogenes. I knew there has to be a relationship between smoking and thyroid. I don't think there has been enough research on the subject and the doctors sure don't seem to know.

[Spareribs]

Hi

I too was going to link to a study connecting hypo & smoking (one of many)

eje-online.org/content/154/...

well done for quitting 'tho it's been 9 months for me.

A TSH of 3.3 is not 'perfect', most feel better when it's 1 or under (despite ranges differing)

As Marz says please check your vitamins/minerals - they are often low in Hypothyroidies, but need to be optimal to help Thyroid (and other) function.

Best wishes J

[podgy in reply to Spareribs]

Thanks so much for the info. I really don't understand that much about the thyroid and the problems that can effect the body.