Autoimmune thyroid disease?

[89Abii]

Hi all I'm new here. I was diagnosed hypothyroid in 2012 and my current dose of Levo is 50mcg, reason being is to prevent any spikes in my thyroid hormone levels.

I am tired, get upset easily, feel cold, have constipation and my heart rate is quite slow.

Advice appreciated.

Dec 2017

TSH *4.85 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 14.7 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.2 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibodies *805.4 (<34)

TG antibodies *510.3 (<115)

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

my current dose of Levo is 50mcg, reason being is to prevent any spikes in my thyroid hormone levels.

I think we can interpret that as your doctor doesn't know how to treat you. Is this an endo or GP?

Have you been told that your raised thyroid antibodies confirm that you have autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's? This is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. Spikes in your thyroid hormone levels will be caused by antibody activity. The antibody attacks cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results. 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. These are called 'Hashi's flares' or 'swings'. You may get symptoms of being overmedicated (hyper type symptoms) to go along with these results that look as though you are overmedicated. Unless a GP knows about Hashi's and these hyper type swings, then they panic and reduce or stop your thyroid meds.

The hyper swings are temporary, and eventually things go back to normal. Test results settle back down and hypo symptoms may return. Thyroid meds should then be adjusted again, increased until you are stable again.

Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. I am guessing your doctor falls well and truly into this camp if s/he has indeed any knowledge of antibodies at all. If this is an endo then most are diabetes specialists and know very little about how to treat hypothyroidism. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

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.

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

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

**

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies. It would be a good idea to have the following tested

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

And if Ferritin is low then

Iron Panel

Full blood count

If you've already had them tested then post results, with reference ranges, say if you are supplementing, with what and the dose.

**

TSH *4.85 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 14.7 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.2 (3.1 - 6.8)

On 50mcg Levo

You are very undermedicated. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo. Have you always been on Levo alone, have you ever had T3 added?

You need an immediate increase, 25mcg now, retest after 6 weeks, another increase if necessary, another retest after 6 weeks, repeat until your levels are where they need to be to feel well.

Keeping you on 50mcg will not stop spikes in hormone levels. That is purely down to the Hashi's and that's what needs addressing and appropriate dose of Levo given.

[89Abii in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks. The endo is responsible for the dose the way it is now. I am seeking a second opinion from another endo. I was taking 175mcg levothyroxine and 10mcg T3 before.

I will post vitamin levels now

[89Abii]

Thanks. The endo is responsible for the dose the way it is now. I am seeking a second opinion from another endo. I was taking 175mcg levothyroxine and 10mcg T3 before.