Does this sounds like Hashi’s?

[thyroidmom84]

I have Hashimoto’s confirmed by antibodies and was wondering if my issues are related. My most recent bloodwork from 12/3 shows I am hypo (Tsh 6.1, .45 - 4.5, Free T4 1.75, .82- 1.77 and Free T3 3.0, 2.0 - 4.4). I have had my levo increased a few times over the last few months. Initially I was taking 112 mcg/day, then I was gradually increased to 120 mcg when tsh went over 5, then up to 137 and now 147 (The small increases are from being advised to take an additional half pill on Sundays only).

Well I don’t feel at all like myself right now. I have had hives for about 2 months which are being controlled by a daily antihistamine. But a lot of my symptoms seem consistent with being over medicated or hyper- I am much more sweaty than usual (had a cold sweat in armpits the other day as well), I feel overheated/skin feels warm but no fever, heart palpitations (which could be my anxiety), itchy skin and insomnia. I also have my fatigue which obviously can be a hypo symptom and get chills/ cold often (it’s no fun feeling hot then cold- I can’t win!).

I know from this forum that Hashi’s can cause you to have hyper and hypo symptoms, but of course my endo says this is unlikely. I feel so helpless and useless right now and I always worry something more is going on with me because my endo just never thinks anything is connected to my thyroid and this is such an easy disease to manage.

I am also scared my future bloodwork will indicate I am still hypo and require more meds because I honestly feel like my body doesn’t like the increase.

[Jazzw]

In all honesty, I don’t think your endocrinologist knows what they’re doing. I see from an earlier post that your FT4 is high-ish in range because you took your Levo not long before the test, so it’s not reflecting the true picture.

Why is your Endo being so timid with dose raises? There’s absolutely no reason why you couldn’t have your dosage raised by 25mcg increments. You’re just being left hypothyroid which in turn will increasingly have a detrimental effect on every bodily function, from brain function and digestion to cell renewal.

Hypothyroid symptoms can be identical to hyperthyroid symptoms (it doesn’t matter whether it’s Hashi’s or not). And you are woefully undermedicated, so your symptoms aren’t going to clear up any time soon.

If it was me, I’d be asking for a proper dose increase rather than fiddling about with miniature increases.

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Jazzw]

Thank you for your reply (and for looking at previous posts- sometimes I forget certain details). A few others have commented on these mini increases and how strange they are. I would like to ask her but I think I am going to find a new endo with the start of the new year. She is very apathetic and unhelpful. I have asked her about hyper vs hypo symptoms in Hashi’s and she tells me it’s not typical but I read about it from reputable sites and many here tell me about it.

I actually once had a tsh above 100 and required cytomel to get it to manageable

levels. I am starting to wonder if that will be the case here.

[Jazzw in reply to thyroidmom84]

I think so many “Endo”s (quotation marks because I don’t buy that many of them know much about anything other than diabetes...) are completely out of their depth with hypothyroidism because they think it’s easy to fix. Many were taught in medical school that all they need to do is get your TSH into range and everything’s all good again. If only, eh? I think it’s probably a myth that was first perpetuated by the people who developed levothyroxine a few decades ago. Prior to that, people were dosed according to symptoms.

Ah, interesting that you needed cytomel previously. For whatever reason, perhaps your body isn’t all that keen on converting T4 to T3.

It certainly sounds a good idea to find a new doctor. Here’s hoping 2020 brings you into contact with someone who can help. xx

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Jazzw]

Yes I have actually been researching how the thyroid was treated after watching a documentary called Sick to Death. It seems they knew what they were doing and then bigPharma stepped in. I also do think I have some conversion issues since my T3 is below 50% and my T4 is well above.

Thank you again for replying and wishing you a happy new year!

[Hormone_king7 in reply to thyroidmom84]

Hi

Yes, it is apparent that your body is not converting well from T4 to T3. The antibodies present with Hashimoto are most likely contributing to this malconversion. You need to drive down your TPO antibodies and increase T4 to T3 conversion.

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Hormone_king7]

Thank you. I am thinking of asking to be switched to a T3/T4 combo. How do you recommend lowering antibodies? Selenium?

[thyroidmom84]

It is interesting you say that because I noticed many of my symptoms are also side effects of levo- thinking of switching medications and NDT would be my preference. I am in the US, feel like my endo is going to look at me sideways when I ask but I am thinking of replacing her anyway.