Yes, I take my tests in the morning before I take my Levo. No, not taking T3. I just hope it’s nothing like pituitary-related hypothyroidism. I really shouldn’t Google stuff and sound like a hypochondriac! I’ll just wait and see if my Doc calls about it.
My GP has called, he confirmed that my serum free T4 level is very low. The range is 12-22, mine is 8. My Levo is increased to 100mcg but he suspects after my next test (in 6 weeks), I’d have to go up to 125mcg. It seems so absurd that in January I was put on 25mcg with only a sub-clinical hypothyroid diagnosis with TSH 4.68.
Yes. Testing for autoimmune thyroid disease is essential. Diagnosed by high TPO and/or TG antibodies
Low vitamins are even more likely with Hashimoto's plus many of us have hidden gluten or dairy intolerance
Most Medics currently ignore the autoimmune aspect, because there's no pharmaceutical treatment. But patients need to know as there is much we can do with diet change and supplements
Hashimoto's is as much a gut problem as it is thyroid
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
Hashimoto's affects the gut and 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. Dairy is second most common.
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)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
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