Pcos And Hashimotos : Hello Does anyone know... - Thyroid UK

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Pcos And Hashimotos

Fox78 profile image
3 Replies

Hello

Does anyone know much about pcos

My gp is sending me for an ultra sound as I have high levels of testosterone plus other symptoms of this

I still have lots of thyroid symptoms too even though Im on 125 Levo

My last tsh was 0.19 so my gp refuses to put my Levo up even though I keep complaining of tiredness back ache pins and needles cold feet hands sluggish feeling constipated and IBS plus irregular periods the symptoms come and go never go completely but sometimes are worse than others

Can my symptoms be made worse by pcos?

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Fox78
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3 Replies

If doctor refuses to up Levothyroxine dose ask for FT3 to be tested ?? Maybe the problem is there?

If you have symptoms you can ask for a referal to an Endocrinologist. Mine got FT3 done but GPs can't. Even if my GP requests it the lab won't test.

My FT3 was within range - but low in range.

Fox78 profile image
Fox78 in reply to Mary-intussuception

Hi Mary

So what have they done about your ft3

I know mine won’t test at my surgery the hospital didn’t even test t4 the last time because my tsh was in range

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Yes PCOS and Hashimoto's are linked

thepcosnutritionist.com/res...

pcosdiva.com/2015/08/got-pc...

As you have Hashimoto's low vitamins are extremely common

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Essential to test FT3 and FT4

Have you had vitamins tested?

Add results and ranges if you have them

Ask GP to test if not done

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

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. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

Hashimoto's very often 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.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes 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

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first just to rule it out

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Trying gluten free for 3-6 months, if it helps stick on it. If no noticable improvement then reintroduce and see if symptoms get worse

Many with PCOS need low sugar diet

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