Hello. I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid just under two years ago. Since then my levels have been fluctuating. My dose of thyroxin was increased and more recently decreased as my levels had gone too high. This past 12 months I have had five stomach bugs and about seven colds. Does hypothyroidism affect your immune system and make you more prone to picking up bugs. Thanks
Does hypothyroidism affect your immune system - Thyroid UK
Does hypothyroidism affect your immune system
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Karenlb64
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I'm not sure if it makes you more susceptible to picking up bugs, I suppose if your immune system is compromised it might well do. But I do know from personal experience that my body temperature is abnormally low and I find it very hard to fight off any bugs that I pick up, since your body temperature rises when you try to fight an infection ( to kill the invading bugs) I am beginning to think that if you are hypo you are going to find it harder to fight any infections you may pick up because your temperature never increases enough to fight the invading infection effectively.
Yes, indeed it does. But, when you're optimally medicated, you should get less infections.
Sorry, but what are 'LG levels'?
Is your doctor dosing by the TSH? That is the main reason for levels fluctuating. The other reason is having Hashi's. Do you have copies of your blood test results? If so, post them here, and let's have a look-see what's going on. 
Sorry LG was meant to say my. Typing error. Lol. Haven’t got my blood test results to hand, will have to get them from my doctor and will post them. My doctor only test using the TSH.
My…? You still haven't told me! This is most frustrating! lol
I typed “since then LG levels have been fluctuating” instead of “my” levels have been fluctuating.
If your dosage is being adjusted simply on the basis of your TSH level then you’re almost certainly undermedicated. TSH is next to useless once hypothyroidism has been diagnosed and treatment started. Let me guess - you’re on 50mcg Levo? Because if so, I guarantee you’re undermedicated.
When you’re undermedicated levels of vitamins and minerals drop. So it’s likely you’re anaemic and Vit B12, Vit D and folate are low. But as long as you’re with this numpty doctor who refuses to test anything but TSH, you won’t get well.
Is there another doctor in the practice you could see - one who will test FT4 and FT3 as well as TSH? Or another practice in the area?
Problem is there are more Numpties than good Drs! Have been through all of them at my surgery and only one will test T3. Blood gets taken, them lab refuses to do it even though the TSH was suppressed slightly. It's a minefield within conventional medicine yet functional Drs know all about this so I think it's down to the training or lack of that results in poor thyroid care for us all. Either that or they just don't care or want to learn anything than what medical school taught them, so they are about 20 years behind in knowledge.
I’ve mentioned being tested for T3 and T4 before but was told they don’t test for it. You’re right I’m on 50mcg Levo, put up to 75 for a while and now back down to 50. At the moment I just lurch from one bug to the next, I’ve never had so many in one year. I also suffer really badly with sinusitis which is getting progressively worse. Do you think this could have anything to do with my hypothyroidism too.
in reply to Karenlb64
Constant sinus infections, sinus pain and post nasal drip were one of my major symptoms, prior to being optimally medicated - i.e being dosed by FT3 levels and symptom relief rather than by TSH. I found that going gluten free (actually grain free) and getting my nutrient levels up helps a lot - ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate. I also find alcohol and aged foods like some cheeses(histamine intolerance) makes me feel very unwell for several days and makes me 'snotty' too, so I avoid them.
If your GP won't check anything other than TSH, and if you can afford to, it's money well spent getting a private blood test - blue horizon / medichecks. Don't be fobbed off.
Karenlb64 in reply to
Thanks for your reply. I considered private blood tests before but thought what would be the point if I then can’t get the medication I need. I’m still struggling to understand all this and any information from the gp is not really forthcoming. They seem to not want to answer any questions as soon as you mention anything to do with T3 or T4. I’m pretty confused if I’m honest. Think I really need to educate myself properly so that they can’t fob me off and blind me with science.
in reply to Karenlb64
yes, unfortunately, that is the story for too many of us on here - I had the typical it's depression …. then to keep my dose low, that I'd be at risk of osteoporosis and atrial fibrillation.... and so it goes on.
The forum is a very good place to find information to help you and I wish you well.
Karenlb64 in reply to
Thank you. It’s very frustrating not being able to get the help you need.
It's not so much that they don't want to, it's more like they can't! They have very little understanding of thyroid, what it does and how to treat it when it goes wrong.
If you get your nutrients tested privately, you can self-treat those, at least. Just post the results on here, and people will tell you what to take.
Also, you can always show your private labs to your doctor, and maybe, if there's anything glaringly wrong, it might have an effect on them.
In the meantime, tell your doctor that you refuse to lower your dose unless you have an FT3 test that shows you're over-medicated. Because the TSH on its own can't do that. It isn't even a thyroid hormone. If you don't say anything, that is taken as consent.
Thanks. I’ll get my blood results and will book in for some private blood tests.
You're welcome.
Hello again. Just rang my surgery to get my most recent blood results and this is what she’s given me !though they seem to have lost the ones from 2017.
January 2018 TSH 0.7
July 2018 T4 22.5 Pmol
September 2018. TSH 1.6
Sorry but this means absolutely nothing to me, still trying to get to grips with trying to understand all of this. What do you make of it.
There's nothing much one can make from the odd test here and there. A TSH on its own means nothing much. And an FT4 without a range is meaningless. Either they have a problem understanding which tests to do, or they have a problem with record keeping. That is totally unsatisfactory.
Oh my god what is wrong with them. I asked the woman if that was all it said and she said yes. Will have to go round there and get a print off I think. Thanks anyway.
You're welcome.
Just spoken to a doctor and she’s going to post my results through to me so as soon as I have them I’ll share them on here.
Good.
Hello again. Managed to get hold of my last few bloods results but they appear to have lost the ones from last year. Anyway here goes
May 2018. TSH 0.5 min/l. (0.2 - 5.5)
FT4. 23.2pmol/L. (10.0. - 24.5)
B12. 204ng/L. (180 - 1000)
July 2018. TSH 0.5miu/L (0.2 - 5.5)
FT4. 22.5pmol/L. (10.0 - 24.5)
September 2018. TSH. 1.6 min/L. (0.2 - 5.5)
Also have them ck you for allergies. My allergies have got a lot worse and they got a lot worse way before the thyroid change. I'm going to start getting allergy shots now but if you're getting colds and everything I would get that checked out. Our thyroid does a lot of stuff for our body and it could run your system low. I don't know that much about it giving you cold and stuff but I have allergies causing asthma... I don't really get cold as much as I used to but if I go out to the store like every week I'll end up with some kind of bug for like 2 days. And when you have a low immune system like I have hypothyroidism, asthma, allergies and fibromyalgia plus I have chronic pain from four surgeries I need to get done.. And menopause oh man that causes major fatigue but you're probably young..... so sometimes life isn't fun but yeah I would get that checked out.
BabyDoes in reply to
Need to go to endroconologist yeah specialty doctor and I know I didn't spell that right but my phone isn't showing me the right way to spell it .. well I've only been on 25 micrograms for like 6 years and mine's always like at 1.2 and then I gained like 15 pounds and now it's up to 3 something which is low for me.. They put me on 50 and still not losing weight and now my hair is falling out and I've been pretty really tired for about 6 months.. it was about 10 months ago they checked last. I don't think my doctor does the T3 and T4 either, not sure but I know my other doctor use to.. I'll have to check and I don't understand all that stuff which I should.
Personally I'd answer your question by saying it's the other way round ie compromised immune system causes hypothyroidism via Hashis. Further that the gut probably caused the IS to be compromised. I've shown below a link with the views of Isabella Wentz for reference. Whether or not you have Hashis doesn't appear clear yet from the Q&A here but I understand the probability is that you have.
Just in case you’re not already, when having your blood draws, make sure they’re done as early as possible in the day, before you take your levo (miss the night before if you take at the end of the day and take morning dose after if you take in the AM), and don’t eat before the test.
I didn’t know to do this for my first couple of follow up bloods and almost had my already small dose of 50mcg reduced even though I felt it needed increasing.
The doctors and nurses won’t advise any of this but it gives you the best shot at getting a TSH read that’s beneficial to you. Best of luck!
Now that I have sorted out my Vitamin D and take Vitamin C everyday I haven't had a cold or sinus infection for over 18 months now. Before I joined this site I knew nothing about blood tests.
When I am “hypo” I certainly feel like my immune system is not functioning properly and I pick up bug after bug and the bugs never seem to go. When my thyroid levels are better I feel more robust and have fewer bugs.
levothyroxine inconsistencies: the pharmaceutical association points out that amongst the wider-ranging number of different manufacturers of this drug, the issue of 'availability' is a huge problem. That is, that the dosage - which should be regulated precisely but often isn't - can vary between where the drugs are actually made. In France, levothyrox [Merck] was taken out of the pharmacies and now a German brand is the only one available. In the UK, I was taking a brand - Mercury instead of Eltroxin - and it was a disaster. The most consistent was either Armour or Acella NDT.
It's more that your auto-immune system affects your thyroid - have you had your blood tested to see if you have antibodies that are attacking your thyroid? If you have these antibodies, then you have Hashimoto's, which over 90% of people with hypothyroid issues have. There are many brilliant explanations about the thyroid, how it works, how to keep it healthy, how to heal it, and other autoimmune issues - by Dr Bergman on YouTube. youtu.be/BTNhlkOW9qc
Reallyfedup, Please elaborate on how the eustation tubes are affected. Mine have been plugged for years causing pain while ascending and descending in airplanes.
Oops. Just reread several posts again and found my answer.
Yes - I have struggled for many years. My immune system has got steadily worse. Most people with Hashimoto’s have poor stomach acid levels. Also leaky gut. These need to be fixed. I’ve just bought kefir which is a natural probiotic. Didn’t get on with the tablet form. Also if your hormones aren’t right. I’m menopausal and my immune system took a real dive. Now on HRT patches x 2 - getting there slowly! Good luck
Thanks for your reply. Nice to know it’s not just me. X
I believe it is definitely linked to the immune system. Having multiple colds and bugs is not normal and if we are under treated, we are subject to even more medical problems as our body deteriorates. What are your most recent bloods? Is this Dr testing only by TSH as this is not enough, you need FT4 and FT3 ideally. Although this would give you a clue as to whether you are under treated, it still shows only what floats around in the blood rather than what is in your cells so symptoms are more important yet frequently ignored by Drs. Also what are your vitamin levels like?
For me it was constant water infections and ear infections. The problem with this is that infections mean most of us are bombarded with anti biotics which wreck our gut, deplete our vitamins etc. This sets the perfect scene for parasites and other gut problems. Gut problems means we cannot absorb nutrients or thyroid meds very well and if people are on other drugs and/or acid blockers from GPs, this too causes problems.
I have got all vitamin levels up, on NDT (and off all pharmaceuticals) for almost a year now and haven't had a water infection since January, no colds or bugs either, yet I am not optimal yet as FT3 still in lower third of range. There is hope though most of us 'don't find a pot of gold at the offices Drs or Endo's. We have to test privately (usually self source too) and become our own advocate.
Hello again. Managed to get hold of my last few bloods results but they appear to have lost the ones from last year. Anyway here goes
May 2018. TSH 0.5 min/l. (0.2 - 5.5)
FT4. 23.2pmol/L. (10.0. - 24.5)
B12. 204ng/L. (180 - 1000)
July 2018. TSH 0.5miu/L (0.2 - 5.5)
FT4. 22.5pmol/L. (10.0 - 24.5)
September 2018. TSH. 1.6 min/L. (0.2 - 5.5)
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