Does Levothyroxine reduce inflammation?

[Maxisoul]

I've tried researching it but can't get a definitive answer - does Levo actually reduce inflammation of the thyroid and ease sore throat and hoareness? Thanks for any responses.

[Caroline888]

I originally went to the gp with discomfort and tenderness at the front of my neck which I thought might be due to a thyroid issue. After testing I was put on Levothyroxine and the discomfort, which I had had daily for over six months, went within a few weeks. I didn't have any hoarseness so can't comment on that but I was also experiencing a slight but constant sore throat and this also has gone now. So in my case I feel sure that levothyroxine has helped reduce inflammation. Hope you find that it helps you too.

Best wishes

Caroline

[Maxisoul in reply to Caroline888]

Thanks, Caroline. I'm fairly symptom free at the moment and trying a dietary approach so I'm not on Levo just yet, but doing my homework in advance as I imagine I will be going on it as some stage. Thanks for your reply.

[Caroline888 in reply to Maxisoul]

You're welcome. Hope you continue to do well. I am a vegetarian too so know how difficult it is to undertake further exclusion diets.

All the best

Caroline

[SilverAvocado]

As you haven't had many replies, I'll try to say something even tho I don't know much. I would say it varies. Levothyroxine can calm down antibodies, and in that case will reduce symptoms caused by antibodies. It will also make your whole body better at taking care of itself and repairing tissues, so you might feel a bit better that way.

But it definitely doesn't improve things for everyone.

If you've got Hashimotos, which you probably will do with swelling, you can keep an eye on antibodies and try to reduce them. The biggest way is to go fully gluten free. Some people benefit from dairy free, too, and looking into other food intolerances. It's these antibodies that are attacking your thyroid and causing the swelling.

The other thing is that it will help more if you're on a completely optimal dose. If you're on a little starter dose or undermedicated your thyroid will still be slogging. You can post your blood results if you want feedback on whether they're good. Don't trust doctors when they tell you your levels are fine, you've got to look at the numbers yourself.

[Maxisoul in reply to SilverAvocado]

Thank you both. Yes, I guessed that it might just be a very individual thing, so good to know that. I've read that Levo doesn't actually treat the underlying autoimmune disease and that it continues to do its work, which is perhaps why eventually it seems that Levo doses have to be increased or different medication tried. I can't see any swelling, but imagine that it is there underneath. It's really just a very slight sensation and slight hoarseness at times and it's the only symptom I have apart from a bit of acne, so I'm not doing too badly compared to a lot of people. I'm already gluten free and I do think it has helped to bring down my TSH but it could just as easily go up again. I'm thinking about trying dairy free for a while but as a veggie it's one of the few protein sources that I actually like so I'll hold for a while and see how the gluten free diet goes. Thanks again, much appreciated.

[SilverAvocado in reply to Maxisoul]

I agree, I'd find it hard to give up milk, as it's such an easy relatively healthy food

I've just seen that you're not on Levo and are trying to keep off it as long as possible. So I guess you do know that you have Hashimoto's and antibodies?

Yes, Levo doesn't treat the autoimmune condition, it just treats the hypothyroidism the condition causes, replacing the thyroid hormone that your thyroid would be making if it was healthy. Although its often said that antibodies reduce when you are taking hormone replacement.

Hashimoto's will continue to damage the thyroid over time, so thyroid function reduces more and more. You do tend to require more Levo over time, but this is quite a slow process.