Hypo symptoms

[webskeptic]

Hi all:

I'm just wondering, for those of us who have almost all the symptoms in the book, do they ever clear up? Especially the breathlessness? And if so, when?

[Izzypop]

Hi,I can only speak about my experience but I do remember feeling that too.ive only been on meds since end of April this year and I feel much better now!

Hope you’re soon feeling better too!!😊

[Redcat11]

Just a thought.... I have secondary hypothyroidism, diagnosed many years ago. I struggled with breathlessness for what seemed like forever! It had became so much worse over recent years. Then quite by accident I found out that I had incredibly low ferritin (even after years of seeing various Endos🙄) I discovered that there is such a thing called ‘air hunger’ due to having low ferritin. Since managing to raise my ferritin numbers a little, the breathlessness is finally so much better and becoming less & less. This may not relate to yourself, but it maybe worth your time just to check that your ferritin levels are ok...? Good luck😊

[webskeptic in reply to Redcat11]

Thanks for the reply Redcat. That's my fear, that the breathlessness is caused by something else, like COPD. How would I know? I'm really confused because I am not constantly breathless. Actually it seems to be worse in the morning. How did you find out about your low ferritin? And what is that? Can it be managed by diet? Yes, I do hate taking medication. I take Synthroid though.

[Redcat11 in reply to webskeptic]

My breathlessness wasn’t all the time either. It seemed to be more in the mornings initially, but it became a fairly regular thing. I started to notice it at night time too. I noticed I was breathing really fast and shallow whilst trying to get to sleep at night as well. I thought it was the start of COPD too. I’ve smoked and thought that was the payback for having done so. I went to see a private Endo because I’ve had a hell of a job trying to find a good Endo to help manage my symptoms with secondary hypothyroidism. Like many of us I’ve been really messed around for years. This Endo went through all of my blood tests results from over the last few years and explained that my ferritin levels were really low. The rest of my iron panel is pretty much ok. But ferritin was down to 7. Unfortunately despite there being a formal discussion at my hospital, they will not give me the iron infusion that my Endo wants me to have. My conversion is poor due to low ferritin too. So I’m taking iron supplements to try and boost my ferritin levels. It’s a very slow job and I’m having some trouble maintaining any decent raise in the ferritin that I’ve managed. I’m now only at 22 but the breathlessness has already improved a lot. It was the Endo who asked me if I was feeling breathless at times, and when I said yes, he explained about ‘air hunger’ being a symptom of low ferritin. If you could get your GP or your Endo If you have one, to do a full iron panel blood test, that will soon tell you what your levels are. Be sure to get a print out of all of your results though. A GP’s definition of ‘normal’ is not quite the same as what is ‘truly’ considered normal. I have another Endo who thinks that a ferritin level of 7 is absolutely fine! For me ferritin that low results in me feeling tired, weak, breathless & so anxious at times that I honestly thought I was going mad and rolling towards some kind of breakdown. Definitely get some blood tests done. Drs and Endos are very quick to tell us that we’re fine and that it’s either all in our heads - Or happy to blame it on other health conditions. I have MS also and it’s only after a rather sharp response from my Neurologist, who was fed up with the Endo blaming all of my symptoms on to the MS, that the Endo finally carried out further investigations, and it was only then discovered that I have secondary hypothyroidism, which obviously explained much of the symptoms that I’ve been dragging myself around with & trying to deal with year after year. Good luck with everything. Keep pushing for some proper testing and investigation. Unfortunately fighting hard for these things to be done is the only way towards better health sometimes.

[webskeptic in reply to Redcat11]

Hi again Redcat: Sorry to hear you're battling MS also. Life sure is tough isn't it? But the way you described the breathlessness is exactly what I'm feeling, and mostly in the morning. I too smoked but quit about a year ago so I had the same thought about COPD. But I guess we can rule that out with a blood test huh? And a full iron panel would let me know if I have a problem with ferritin or cortisol too? So if you need to take iron supplements now, doesn't that constipate you? Geez, seems like we just keep trading one problem for another. I'm sure glad your neurologist pushed for you and finally got results, because having to do all that fighting is just exhausting and who's got the energy, am I right?

[ShootingStars]

Hi webskeptic. Yes, they do. I have no symptoms. When they do depends upon how well you manage your disease. Breathlessness could be a symptom of being under medicated, but without seeing your full blood results and your med dosage, it’s hard to say.

This is a disease that really needs to be micro managed because there are far too many influences that can effect your thyroid hormone levels and antibodies (if you have Hashimoto’s) suddenly at the drop of a hat. Too often people wonder why they have ongoing symptoms for 6 months or even many years. (On the right meds and adjustments, you should be on your way to practically symptom free in give or take 5-6 months. If much longer, bloods, meds and symptoms are not being managed properly.). Turns out they’ve been on the same med dosage and type for years, have had no testing for 6 months or more, and have doctors telling them their “in range” levels are normal, but in real life, they are too low or too high, and are causing symptoms.

Being under or inadequately medicated is the biggest cause that will keeps people deep in hypo symptoms. It is far too common in the stories posted here. Symptoms mean FT3 and FT4 levels are not where they should be, possibly undiagnosed Hashimoto’s or that thyroid antibodies might be high. If free hormones are optimal there are very few symptoms. Stress can be one of the biggest influencers in reducing thyroid hormones and increasing thyroid antibodies if you have Hashimoto’s. Any type of hidden or known infection, illness or injury that your body has to fight off or repair will increase antibodies, which stresses the body and thyroid, and lowers thyroid hormones.

Managing your disease is: testing for Hashimoto’s (two antibodies: TPO and TG) as the cause of hypothyroidism; staying consistently on top of keeping FT3 and FT4 levels at the optimal numbers that give the least amount of symptoms; getting regular thyroid tests (often every 6 weeks) and making medication adjustments off of those results; as soon as symptoms change or increase, your levels have likely changed. Get blood tests and adjust meds immediately before levels drop or rise too much more, and symptoms get worse.; keeping stress levels low; if you have Hashimoto’s looking for and treating underlying infections or illnesses that might be driving antibodies up; reducing inflammation by going gluten free; further reducing inflammation by going dairy and soy free; get enough sleep; avoiding anything that triggers your immune system, such as smoke, pollen, mold, sick people, exposure to virus and bacteria found on surfaces, pet dander, toxic fumes, poor air quality, foods that cause reactions or allergies, etc.; and keeping my your vitamin D, ferritin, B12, folate, rbc zinc and rbc magnesium at optimal levels.

Having thyroid disease is a lifestyle, except it’s not by choice. It’s no different than living any other lifestyle where you adapt to changes that eventually become the norm. In the case of having thyroid disease, the sooner you fully manage your disease, the sooner you’ll feel better. Partial management of thyroid disease yields partial results and prolonged symptoms.

[webskeptic in reply to ShootingStars]

Hi ShootingStars and thanks for the reply. My doctor never mentioned Hashimoto's and I go for blood tests every 6 weeks because I'm having trouble finding the right dose of Synthroid. Aside from hypothyroidism, I am lactose intolerant and so avoid all dairy. I try to eat healthy but I confess, this thyroid problem has me wondering what to eat or not to eat. That's another research I have to do, which is difficult because my patience runs out really quick. Aside from breathlessness I am tired, impatient, almost always irritated, and suffer diarrhea. Most of these symptoms can be attributed to other things, so how do we know it's from the thyroid? So confusing.

[whatevs]

They definitely do when you're properly medicated.

Now I've added T3 to my regimen I very rarely get that breathlessness feeling.

You just have to keep experimenting and keeping an eye on your FT4/FT3 levels.

This community is also an absolute godsend - who know a lot more than most so called 'specialists'.

[webskeptic in reply to whatevs]

Thanks whatevs. It sure does sound like people on this board are better informed than most doctors. It really is exhausting though, trying to stay one step ahead of this disease. Good to know that your breathlessness has improved. Keep up the great work!