Hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency

[catherinera]

Hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency

Does anyone have any knowledge of the relationship, if there is one, between Hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency?

I was diagnosed with lack of growth hormone when very young, but being in the 1970's doesn't seem there was any remedy apart from going to hospital every 3 months.Now, I have hypothyroidism and feel awful despite being on 100mg Levo.

Thank you for your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you google growth hormone deficiency and hypothyroidism it brings up lots of links

Eg

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/754...

Your hypothyroidism therefore may be secondary, not primary. You could also have other deficiencies related to pituitary

Have you been referred to a pituitary and thyroid specialist ?

If not, you should be

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018)

Can you add most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4, plus have you also had thyroid antibodies tested

Also helpful if had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested. Add results and ranges if you have them

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

Testing antibodies might help decide f cause is primary (Hashimoto's) or secondary (pituitary)

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get tested.

[catherinera in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. Not hashimotos as antibodies were Ok. Was told it was due to thyroid burn out.

[greygoose in reply to catherinera]

Interesting remark! lol And what exactly do they think caused your thyroid to 'burn out'? Even if your antibodies were low, you could still have Hashi's, for three reasons :

1) antibodies vary all the time, so one negative test proves nothing.

2) there are two types of Hashi's antibody : TPO and Tg. The NHS only tests TPO. But if your TgAB were high, that would also mean you have Hashi's.

3) some Hashi's people never develop high antibodies. They are diagnosed by ultrasound. Have you had one of them?

There can be a few reasons for low Growth Hormone, but one strong link with hypo is that you need good levels of T3 to produce GH. And, you need good levels of GH to convert T4 to T3. Chicken and egg situation, which could resolve if thyroid hormone replacement results in good levels of FT3. Have you ever had that tested?

[catherinera in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your help. Burn out was apparently caused by having children ( I don't have an excessive amout!- just 3).

No offer of any othe tests other than a yearly blood test and levo.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to catherinera]

I don't think there is any such thing as "thyroid burn out". Doctor was just making something up to satisfy you when he didn't know or though you'd be too stupid to understand (as you just a weak and puny woman without a medical degree). You could have central hypo from childhood pituitary deficiency or from blood loss during childbirth, or a head or neck injury. The only thing even vaguely resembling "burn out" is destruction of the thyroid gland by Hashis.

[Hidden]

I would have thought that it is linked due to the pituitary involvement, people who have had surgery to remove a benign tumour from their pituitary gland can end up with growth hormone deficiency, they usually are given growth hormone injections. Worth asking your Endo to check your levels to see if you are eligible for them.

[catherinera in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to catherinera]

Insist on referral to pituitary and thyroid endocrinologist (not a Diabetes specialist)

Get the recommended list of specialists from Thyroid UK

And get full vitamin and thyroid testing, privately if GP is unhelpful