Does hypothyroidism make you more susceptible to viruses and can it effect the time it takes for you to recover from illness?

[MMHGA]

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism over a year ago and take levothyroxin on a daily basis.

I recently had a stomach virus and was off work for over a week, on my return my manager asked me if Hypothyroidism would cause me to be more susceptible to illness or effect my recovery time since it and my Alopecia are both autoimmune diseases.

I had to be honest and tell him I didn't know, I think he's considering raising my sickness 'allowance' to take this in to consideration it it's the case.

Does anyone know if it does and if so does anyone have any links to online publications or sites that I might be able to direct him to.

He suggested asking my doctor but I fell a bit bad making an appointment just to ask a simple question, they have far more important things to be getting on with!!

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[knitwitty]

I'm not sure if you are more susceptible to illnesses, but if you have an autoimmune illness like Hashimoto's it might seem likely that your immune system is compromised and that might make you more prone to other illnesses.

One of my own pet theories ( could be barking up the wrong tree completely though, so be warned!!) is that when we are hypothyroid our own body runs at a lower temperature than most people's and since one of the body's mechanisms for fighting infections is to "run a temperature"to kill off the invading bugs we are already at a disadvantage than someone who is not hypothyroid. If I am correct then this might explain why infections take hold in us or we are unable to kill off the invading bugs as quickly as most other people.

I haven't had a high temperature for years and when I had the flu about 7 years ago it took me ages to get over it, I was bedridden for a week and every part of my body hurt but I still only had a temperature of around 37 ( high for me!) but probably not high enough to kill the infection quickly.

I hope that makes a bit of sense, and I hope you're feeling better.

[Hidden]

What seems distinctly possible to me is that the disruption to the immune system will cause more serious problems than colds, flu or a stomach upset.

In my case I developed kidney cancer after several years on levothyroxine only, for my lack of a thyroid gland when I should have been taking NDT all that time. Fortunately diagnosed quickly and completely recovered now.

When my goitre became swollen 30 years ago, it restricted my breathing to the point that I got pneumonia several times. Saved by antibiotics and a partial thyroidectomy.

Either of these would have proved fatal years ago.

Also it is certainly responsible for so many of us getting carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hypothyroidism has a simple solution to doctors and those who don't have it - "take a couple of these pills and you will be as right as rain on no time".

To those who do have it, it so often brings the end of life as they have known it and an increasing dissatisfaction with the entire NHS.

[svedderfamily]

Yes, I believe from my own experience that it does. My theory is that it is the low body temperature that makes viruses "find me" more easily and stay a little longer than other family members experience. This creates a vicious cycle of needing antibiotics more often, thus creating additional problems...) When I personally was able to raise my body temp- I now am as healthy as everyone else! Best wishes in your situation.

[MMHGA]

To all of you who replied thank you.

I did a bit of searching and reading and I saw a few sites that seem to confirm that hypo can impact your immune system. Apparently the body temperature problem caused will effect the immune system but also it effects how your body absorbs several vitamins such as B and A which are needed for a healthy immune system.

I'm thinking of taking multi vitamins to see if that makes a difference.

I think I'm going to be referred back to occupational health for there opinion, this does slightly concern me since despite the fact they are medically qualified they don't know the full range of problems that thyroid problems can cause. In fact in my last report it was almost word for word from the NHS website which I think is pretty lacking.

We will see, again many thanks.

[klr31]

I believe that we are more susceptible, at least until we are adequately medicated. I found this myself. Are you on sufficient thyroxine?

Karen