Hashimotos

[Tasha_B]

Hi I am new here and I am 21 years old and have Hashimotos. Diagnosed 2014.

TPO ANTIBODY >1500 (<34)

TG ANTIBODY 256.3 (<115)

TSH 21.7 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 9.3 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 3.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

Would sweating and weight loss and tremor indicate over or under medication? Been getting this on and off. Taking 75mcg Levo.

Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Tasha_B Would sweating and weight loss and tremor indicate over or under medication?

Normally yes, but you have Hashi's and that causes fluctuations of symptoms and test results as the antibodies attack. When the antibodies attack, the dying cells dump a load of thyroid hormone into the blood and this can cause TSH to become suppressed and Free T4 and Free T3 to be very high or over range. You may get symptoms of being overmedicated (hyper type symptoms) to go along with these results that look as though you are overmedicated.

These hypo-hyper-hypo swings are temporary and things will settle down again. Thyroid meds can be adjusted during these swings and readjusted when things go back to normal.

You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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Your current results show you are very undermedicated and you need an increase in your Levo. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo only. Ask your GP for an increase unless you can make these adjustments yourself.

Unfortunately not a lot of GPs or Endos know about or attach much importance to Hashi's (or autoimmune thyroiditis as they call it) so you need to learn as much as you can to help yourself.

[Tasha_B in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for reply, I felt best on 175mcg Levo and 20mcg T3 but I clearly reduced by too much by myself. I was confused about the sweating and weight loss because I have had these for as long as I can remember. The sweating is worse when I start walking or I am lifting something or straining myself in any way and I don't know whether it is a hyper or hypo thing or I don't have a lot of stamina. The weight loss is something I have always had, I find it hard to gain weight.

Other symptoms I have are puffiness around ankles and under eyes, tiredness, eyes feeling swollen, blurred vision, cramps in legs when walking, low heart rate, weak pulse, hair loss, dark circles under eyes, sugar cravings, salt cravings, balance problems, dizziness, ears ringing, bone pain, insomnia, pins and needles in feet and legs, feeling cold.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Tasha_B]

Tasha, your other symptoms are indicative of low nutrient levels. Have you had the following tested, if so please post results, if not then ask for them to be carried out

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin (and maybe an iron panel and full blood count)

[Tasha_B in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi I will post them tomorrow. I am off to bed now so won't get a chance until then. I supplement but I feel what I have been taking hasn't made a difference to how I have been feeling.

[Nanaedake]

Hello and welcome TashaB. What dose of levothyroxine are you taking at the moment, you're very undermedicated and it causes symptoms. You need to have blood tests every 6 weeks and then adjust the dose until you reach a TSH of 1.0 or near to it. Most people feel well around about there. If you still don't feel well then get your vitamin levels tested as many of us are deficient.

Always take your thyroid meds on an empty stomach and wait at least an hour before eating or drinking (water's ok). If you take any other medication or supplements make sure you leave 4 hours after taking thyroid meds.

When you have your blood tests, wait until after the test to take your levothyroxine.

[Tasha_B in reply to Nanaedake]

75mcg Levo at the moment but I was feeling best on 175mcg Levo and 20mcg T3. I think I reduced by too much. Since I have had the sweating and weight loss for as long as I can remember it is confusing me whether it is the medication or something else. All bloods are done fasting and early morning and I leave 24 hours between dose and blood draw. Thanks

[Nanaedake in reply to Tasha_B]

It could be low vitamin D causing the sweats. Other symptoms sound like could be deficiencies in B vitamins. You need to get them tested like SeasideSusie has already suggested.

[Tasha_B in reply to Nanaedake]

Hi I have results of these will post them tomorrow.