Hi, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 4 years ago. Started on a slow 25mg increasing by 25mg for the first 12 months because I seemed to be sensitive to the levothyroxine, joint pains, etc. Feeling well but have started to feel more tired in the mornings and getting cracked, painful skin in my ears, scalp and a little in the summer months on my heels, this has started in the past year. Have read so many articles on Hashimoto's and underactive thyroid and one in particular seemed to indicate that T3 synthoid might be a way forward? My endocrinologist offered me 18 months ago NDT which I declined because I feel well on the levothyroxine, plus I am vegetarian. Has anyone got any advice they could offer? GP will give me another refferal to my endocrinologist through NHS if I ask.
Keen to hear if anyone has been down this route?
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Dot2018
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If you post your recent thyroid results and ranges I can tell whether you are optimally dosed on Levothyroxine. Being undermedicated can make dry skin worse. I'm not aware that T3 improves dry skin, certainly hasn't for me anyway and I've been on T3 only and T4+T3.
So you are only taking 50mcg? This is a very small starter dose
Suggest you add your latest thyroid results and ranges, TSH, FT4 and FT3.
Members can advise
As you are vegetarian do you supplement B12, folate or good B complex?
B12 and folate levels need testing
Essential to also test vitamin D and ferritin
If any of these are too low they need supplementing to help thyroid hormones function correctly
Hashimoto's affects the gut and often leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ask GP for coeliac blood test first
Persistent low vitamins with supplements suggests coeliac disease or gluten intolerance
Doctors often think one little pill and all Swell but sadly not as easy as that. It takes time to get on the. Or text dose for you plus vitamins etc need to be optimal so not a quick fix but a longer plod adding things in as you go along
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Help with free t3 and free t4 levels
T4 to T3 conversion issue
Low TSH, normal T4 and T3
Help for itchy, dry skin.
Help with T4/T3 dosage please.
