Hashimotos

[autowhen]

Reading the information on this website regarding Hashimoto’s disease (John C Lowe 2007) states “if that evidence exists, then a trial of hormone therapy - although not T4-replacement!- is in order”

What does this mean please?

[Clutter]

Autowhen,

It means that if thyroid antibodies are positive (which confirms Hashimoto's disease) a trial of Levothyroxine may be helpful to reduce symptoms and delay progression to overt hypothyroidism even though thyroid levels may currently be euthyroid (normal).

[autowhen in reply to Clutter]

So is Levothyroxine not T4 replacement? Have I misunderstood what Levothyroxine is? I thought it was a T4 hormone replacement and that the article was saying Not to do this but do other hormone replacement (whatever that is). I am confused.

[Clutter in reply to autowhen]

Autowhen,

Levothyroxine is T4 replacement. I don't know why the article would say not to take Levothyroxine which is the most commonly prescribed thyroid hormone replacement.

[autowhen in reply to Clutter]

Thank you, so I have read it correctly. I wonder what the writer meant then!

Do you know of any academic articles supporting his view?

[Clutter in reply to autowhen]

Autowhen,

I can't comment without seeing the article. Dr. John Lowe didn't think Levothyroxine was suitable for all patients and did prescribe Liothyronine (T3) for his patients but I'm not aware that he was totally anti Levothyroxine for anyone.

I very much doubt that there are any academic articles supporting views that Levothyroxine is unsuitable for everyone although there are articles supporting Liothyronine in combination with Levothyroxine for some patients.

[autowhen in reply to Clutter]

The article is the one regarding Hashimotos on the Thyroid UK website:

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

The sentence I quoted is in the last paragraph

[Clutter in reply to autowhen]

Autowhen,

I guess Dr. Lowe didn't find T4 helpful in treating his patients.

Dr. Toft, however, thinks a low dose of Levothyroxine may be helpful in the presence of positive antibodies thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_....