Primary or acquired hypothyroidism

[Helsan]

Hi this may be an odd question. As I have had a complete thyroidectomy I thought I had Primary Hypothyroidism. My GP has (finally) referred me to an NHS end and said I have acquired hypothyroid. Is this correct.

[shaws Administrator]

I assume that, yes, it is 'acquired' due to gland being removed altogether which caused hypo. Most of us have autoimmune thyroid disease which means antibodies have attacked our gland until we are hypo or gland has just stopped producing sufficient.

I believe that those who have no thyroid gland at all should be given a combination dose of T4/T3. Being mindful that I'm not medically qualified. I felt dreadful on levo but when T3 was added I immediately felt the benefit of it. I then went on to try several NDTs but now take T3 only and it suits me. We should be allowed to trial variations as we are all different.

[Helsan in reply to shaws]

Thank you. I'm still wondering why my records say acquired Sep 2016 when thyroid was removed Jan 2015. I have just started T3 this week so seeing how it goes. I am type 1 diabetic and endo thinks I was undiagnosed hypothyroid before my op.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Helsan]

Did they remove your thyroid gland without substituting any thyroid hormones, i.e. levothyroxine and/or T3?

Probably Endo is correct in that you were undiagnosed hypo before op.

[Helsan in reply to shaws]

No I have been on Levi 125 mon to fri and 100 weekends but feel awful two and half years on. Private endo recommends T3 as reverse T3 is 27

[shaws Administrator in reply to Helsan]

Several Research Teams have stated that many do better with a combination of T4/T3. You may be interested in reading No. 4 on the following which gives a good explanation of RT3 which you may find helpful.

toopoopedtoparticipate.com/...

Dr Lowe was an Adviser to Thyroiduk.org.uk before his untimely death.

[Clutter]

Helsan,

We're athyreotic because our thyroid glands are absent and not functioning. We 'acquired hypothyroidism' by thyroidectomy. Primary hypothyroidism is failure of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient hormone.