Hypothyroidism link to kidney impairment?

[SusieR68]

Hi,

Last year my 20 year old son became quite poorly, after many blood tests he was diagnosed as having hypothyroidism and kidney impairment. He was prescribed levothyroxine, and as the level stabilised, so the kidney function improved and no longer was a problem. My son's health was back to being a normal very healthy and he is again an nextremely active young man.

Fast forward 12 months, and I too have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and my kidney function is impaired at present. I've only been taking levothyroxine for 5 weeks, blood test next week for both.

Also worthy to mention 2 years ago, both my son mentioned above, me AND my older son all tested as having very low vitamin d levels.

I was wondering on 2 points, firstly has anyone ever heard of a link between hypothyroidism and kidney function impairment, secondly should I be having my older son checked too?

Thank you so much for reading this.

[Clutter]

SusieR68,

Untreated hypothyroidism can impair kidney function. Happily, when thyroid function improves kidney function usually improves too.

If your older son has thyroid or kidney symptoms he should certainly ask to be tested.

Hypothyroid patients are often low or deficient in ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate. It is worth asking your GP to test.

[SusieR68 in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter, had B12 checked along with kidney function and thyroid levels.

TSH 15.9

T4 11.6

Creatinine 87

GFR 67

Ferritin 9.6

Vit b12 166

So you were right, just got to get this bit sorted too, along with increasing levothyroxine.

Thanks for the advise😊

[Clutter in reply to SusieR68]

SusieR68,

Are those your results or your son's? The results don't mean much without the lab ref ranges (the figures in brackets after results). Without them one can't tell whether results are within range or abnormal.

TSH is very high. Thyroid levels should be rechecked 6-8 weeks after increasing Levothyroxine dose in case a further dose increase is required.

Ferritin and B12 look very low to me.

[SusieR68 in reply to Clutter]

Clutter

Just retyped results with the ranges.

Also had a thyroid peroxidase test done 6 weeks ago this was 249 (0-34).

What does this indicate to?

The GP refused to retake vit d, as I am already being treated for it being low .

Would I benefit from seeing an endocrinologist, or are these things managed ok by GPS ?

Thanks again, it's getting rather confusing😊

[Clutter in reply to SusieR68]

SusieR68,

FT4 is low in range as expected otherwise TSH wouldn't be high. As I said, make sure you have a follow up thyroid test in 6 weeks because you will probably need another dose increase.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

High creatinine and low GFR indicate impaired kidney function. As mentioned previously, kidney function often improves once thyroid function is optimal.

google.co.uk/search?q=High+...

google.co.uk/search?q=low+G...

B12 is deficient. GP should initiate B12 injections and check intrinsic factor antibodies to see whether pernicious anaemia is causing B12 deficiency. Folate also needs to be tested. If folate is deficient folic acid should not be taken until 48 hours after initiation of B12 injection. healthunlocked.com/pasoc are the experts on PA and B12 deficiency so pop over to speak to them for advice.

Ferritin is also deficient and this may indicate iron deficiency anaemia. Your GP should do an iron panel and full blood count to check. If you are prescribed iron it should be taken 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

What was your vitD result when you were told it was low and how much vitD are you prescribed?

[SusieR68 in reply to Clutter]

It was 25 (>75), I was given 36000iu per day fortium D for 2 months then reduced to 800iu per day ever since.

[Clutter in reply to SusieR68]

SusieR68,

Presumably the loading dose corrected the deficiency. Was it checked?

[SusieR68 in reply to Clutter]

It was checked after the 2 months and it was 91 then. Its never checked since been on the 800iu (2 years next month). Apparently, GPS dont offer the test any longer (presumably cost cutting exercise)

[Clutter in reply to SusieR68]

SusieR68,

It depends on the practice. I think it is very short sighted not to test annually as there's no guarantee 800iu will be sufficient. An annual test would pay for itself by preventing more serious illness which deficiency can cause.

You can order a private test from City Assays for £28 via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[humanbean]

Quite a few hypothyroid people have come on to the forum and mentioned poor kidney function, which is always treated by doctors as if it was completely unrelated to hypothyroidism. But when the hypothyroidism is treated properly kidney function often improves.

One of the supplements that is often mentioned as being helpful for kidney health is

r-alpha-lipoic-acid

I have no idea what the difference is between that and alpha-lipoic-acid without the r!

It would be worth getting your older son checked out for kidney function, nutrient levels and hypothyroidism. If his results come back fine you have at least put your mind at ease, if they don't you know that something can be done about them.

[SusieR68]

No these are my 6 weekly review.

TSH 15.9 (0.27-4.5) was 20.7 6 weeks ago

Free T4 11.6 (11-23) was 9.6 6 weeks ago

Creatinine 87 (45-84) was 85 4 weeks ago

GFR 67 (90-200) was 69 4 weeks ago

Vitamin B12 166 (197-771)

Ferritin 9.6 (20-130)

Elder non tested son at GP tomorrow.

Younger confirmed hypothyroid son for routine thyroid level beginnng December