Many have suggested that smoking somehow masks hypothyroidism. We see that when we give up smoking at least some of us become hypothyroid.
It has several times been suggested, I am sure mostly in jest, that it might be an idea to take up smoking again! This article very strongly suggests that would be a really bad idea. That giving up really can massively improve lungs.
Lungs damaged by smoking can heal – study
Healthy cells can emerge to replace damaged areas, according to research published in Nature
That is exactly what happened to me! I didn't realize it was a 'thing'. I believe I had it coming on for years but it certainly spiralled out of control when I gave up smoking. Apparently smoking is an anti inflammatory? Do you have any further info on this? Thank you for posting!!! R xx
The lungs can heal a bit, but unfortunately they do remain damaged & cancer risk remains increased for life. Not as high as if you kept smoking, but still higher.
Still worth quitting, but better to avoid starting altogether.
Good article and seemingly better for some than once thought - thank you!
Yes, one of the first things Dr Skinner said to me was about smoking possibly masking hypothyroidism. I stopped end May 2003 (following 8 years of gruelling, unavoidable stress), then very next month stopped. Within 4 months I had a nigh-on hypothyroid reading - GP didn't tell me - I wasn't particularly ill - just weight increase due to all of those years of stress.
March 2007 - ill as a dog - 0.01 off TSH 'range' - yet with a list as long as your arm of signs/symptoms + sitting looking like a photo from the late 1800's. Still no one told me of my thyroid status.
The rest is history - 2008 and 2009 garbage after garbage - with two endos saying 'NO' not hypothyroid when it was plainly obvious. Then I discovered Dr Skinner and saw him in Feb 2010 + May 2010 where Dr P couldn't believe that I hadn't been diagnosed earlier... I went to see him re stopping some supplements that I'd been adding to try to 'fix myself' in the absence of doctors... he added a couple more (supplements, not doctors ].
So IF anyone is considering stopping smoking - it really is worth it - aside from the odd time when confronted with certain doctors
Apologise in advance for a lengthy post. Not read article. But the post does ring bells. Interesting. For the record. Stopped smoking in 1978 after 12 years. (Trying to recall when first diagnosed with hypo. but can't). Started smoking again in 1994. Stopped again in 2009. Throughout this time had ongoing stress, from a lot of different sources, trauma and no support. I am convinced smoking helped me cope. In fact, I will go as far as to say that in my view , it is the only thing that got me through. I know, I know. Sounds pathetic, but, in retrospect, that is honestly how I feel and what I think, and I am the one who lived through it! So much so, that I have considered starting again. Yes, I know, really I do, all the reasons why not; but I also know, that at least then, I was getting through the detritus, (not sure the right word - but you know what I mean) I was still living and functioning in society, like a normal human being; whereas now I am barely existing; feeling so ill all the time; hardly coping, racked with pain;, not sleeping, and nowhere to turn. Since 2009, now also diagnosed with fibromyalgia; which no one can see; there is no cure for; no one knows anything about or even wants to know; and as I look reasonably OK, no-one and I mean no-one really accepts or even acknowledges that I am ill; never mind how bad it is, even the doctors. It is horrendous. Add to that that my DH has dementia and is barely mobile, plus a list of other medical conditions and maybe, just maybe you can understand a little, why I feel as I do. Moving on, in desperation, I am now going back to the drawing board. Having accessed this site, I am in the process of re-assessing. Wondering whether maybe , possibly, I do not have fibromyalgia. Could it all be down to my thyroid condition after all, or even a combination of both. For the last two years my thyroid has been out of whack. Midication readjusted on a regular basis, so I really don't know, but intend to research it further. Now, just as a final thought. Bearing in mind, all the above Taking on board all the side effects, addictions, withdrawals, etc . of legitimate medication, which often don't work anyway, can anyone convince me that being able to a live a successful/normal life as a smoker, for say 10 years, is worse than existing in a nightmare, for say 20. I use this as an example as my dad, a lifetime smoker, from 15, died of a heart attack aged 60. Never been ill, or hardly had a day off work. Lived life to the full. Compared to me, smoking history as above. Now aged 77. Been fighting illness and pain on a daily basis for over 40 years with no prospect of it getting better. Not saying I want to die, but if no other answers, and smoking helps , why not. I think is food for thought. Taking into account also, that in the end we all have to die and it is as likely to be from cancer (smoker or not), as anything else. Please have a little understanding and don't totally annihilate me !
Everyone has their own viewpoint for what are often complex reasons.
I'll not try to answer anything here - I am taking it as an interesting response. But if you want any responses, I suggest you write a brand new post. (I almost wrote "if you want any answers" but, of course, that might be an unfulfillable promise!)
Don't really expect answers! Just thought provoking and another point of view. May be someone will even agree with me. Who knows? Meanwhile pursuing the thyroid route. A slow process, Waiting for print outs, then maybe blood tests, then endo. Slowly, slowly catchee monkey!
I am intrigued to know in what way you think smoking will help you now?
I had a very dear pal who got breast cancer and it was terminal she had been to doc with early symptoms which were dismissed as nothing so that was dreadful in itself as she might have survived with early intervention. People nagged her to stop smoking, told her to eat all sorts of weird diets and came up with no end of strange advice for her to follow in addition to dealing with the cancer and knowing she’d leave a young daughter and husband behind. She sensibly ignored it all, carried on smoking and lived 13 years after being given a prognosis of 6 months max. She was in her 40’s. I think she did what was right for her..
There is merit in what you say. I would never start smoking again but that is me, I know it was ruining my health. Only you can know what you’d feel happiest doing.
A neighbour was a heavy smoker, she stopped at 94 because it was affecting her legs. Perhaps if she hadn’t smoked she’d have seen 100 rather than 98! These people are the exceptions rather that the rule though the miracles of nature able to withstand many of decades of chemical abuse of their bodies. Perhaps you are one of them. I most certainly am not!
Hi TSH110. No I am not one of them. I have no intention of starting smoking again. That is not to say I have not considered all the pros and cons. being written on here. You say your friend did what she thought was right for her. That is the whole point of my post. Emphasising that we all have choices, sometimes horrible ones, and we all make them depending on our individual circumstances and emotional feelings at the time. Sometimes we get it wrong, Sometimes we get it right. But if feels right to us at the time, who is anyone else to tell us differently. What we do not have is the right to be is judgmental of others.
I do understand what you are saying and feeling. I think though even though smoking helped you at the time in the past, it may not help now and may even make things worse. You may try the nicotine gum or candy to see if that may help without the problems of the smoke being ingested into your lungs.
Hang in there. Things may improve health wise for you! Blessings, Sita
I had such a horrible time trying to quit smoking (tried for decades...literally) that I began going to the Library of Medicine to find out if any medical research had been done on the subject (that was back in the 90s...no internet was available yet.) I learned that it is the nicotine that keeps us smoking, and it is the nicotine that was keeping us "healthy" to some extent, by improving our ability to concentrate and remember, improving mood, and increasing metabolism. That's why when we quit we have problems with our brain, problems maintaining a steady mood, and begin to gain weight like nobody's business.
If it weren't for the devastating effect smoking has on our lungs, nicotine might be recognized as a wonder drug!
I tried the patch, I tried gum, I even tried hypnosis. Nothing worked. I even went through the smoking cessation "class" (as if smoking were nothing more than a simple behavior like sucking your thumb!) that was required when getting a prescription for "the patch". I managed to stay off smokes for the weeks that I was on the 21 mg patch and then the 14 mg patch. I got a bit shaky when I went down to the 7 mg patch, and two days after I took off the last of these, I found myself curled into a fetal position on the couch, unable to stop sobbing my heart out. When I would get up to walk around, the room would start spinning.
I went back to the doctor and begged him to help. I asked if I could have more of the patches, and he told me he couldn't do anything about that -- the FDA had only approved their use for a set period of time. Some years later, the FDA took the patch off prescription and made it available over the counter. So I tried again, but found I had developed a reaction to the glue they use to stick on the patch. The area would become beet-red, itch and burn.
Then there was gum. I found the 2 mg. gum totally useless. The 4 mg gum held some promise, but it was too expensive to use it as directed. And again, it was only available on Rx at first.
I was finally able to quit in 2009 when I switched to an electronic cigarette, buying my own liquid with a high nicotine content (24 mg). The prepared ones only provided a fraction of the nicotine I needed to keep my brain on straight. Eventually, I began using the device less and less, adding in 4 mg. nicotine gum as I tapered off to no use of the e-cig. Today, I chew 4 pieces of the 4 mg gum per say, continuing to chew long after the flavor & nicotine are gone from a piece.
I can't recall when, exactly I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but I'm fairly sure it was back when I was still a smoker trying like mad to quit.
Interesting vocal EK. Wonder why, during all my visits to dr's over last 30+ years, not one has asked me about smoking in relation to my thyroid, or told me how it was affecting it/or not! The only reference to stopping smoking has been regarding health in general, or in particular lung cancer. Might have to ask questions next time I visit! I quit, both times, cold turkey, and from what I have just read, even that could have been a mistake, and should have been monitored. Why did my dr's not tell me all this?
It's the requirement that you must give up nicotine that keeps so many smokers lighting up. It is the SMOKE that does the damage, not the nicotine. It is the effects (mostly beneficial) of the nicotine that keeps people "addicted." I may still be "addicted" but at least I stopped frying my lungs 11 years ago.
Switching even to smokeless tobacco profoundly lowers one's odds of cancer, compared to continued smoking. A professor at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Brad Rodu, has done a lot of research -- both direct and indirect (i.e., examining studies conducted by others) on the subject.
If your read Allen Carr’s book he is quite clear you are under no obligation to stop, he is not telling you to do anything he is just explaining his experience with smoking and why he believed he stopped. A lot of the book is about the advertising used that is a form of brainwashing and effectively promoting a mental addiction to tobacco. The physical addiction although strong, is easily broken in just two weeks. But quitting can be a lot more complex.
Knowledge is power, but what you choose to do with it is entirely your business.
I chose to quit after reading his book and I succeeded. Perhaps it is worth looking at this book if you would like to stop smoking but are struggling to do so. It has been key in helping millions to stop a very unhealthy and unnecessary habit that allows unscrupulous individuals to make huge profits out of killing others. Why it has worked for so many is surely worth consideration rather than jumping to erroneous conclusions about its content.
I am no longer addicted and I was a very heavy smoker, are you not intrigued to think about what is driving your addiction and how you might banish it for good? It may not be possible but you might be surprised about what could lie behind it.
If you haven’t read his book I would recommend it as a good read.
"The physical addiction although strong, is easily broken in just two weeks." He may be right about how it is for himself and even for most people. Where he is wrong is to project this onto everybody else in the entire world.
Why two weeks after stopping nicotine was I a basket case, hardly able to move off the couch? You may say that was strictly psychological, but it took an antidepressant medication to stop me from all-day crying jags, My brain was in a fog that never lifted until I began taking a low dose of an anti-ADHD medication.
For people whose bodies don't live up to his 2-week expectations, Carr's book is an unnecessary accusation of moral/psychological weakness. Our bodies are not all identical. Every lab test has associated ranges, demonstrating that we are not all alike.
For example, when unmedicated, my FT3 result is below the "normal" range. And it is unreasonable to expect me to be able to do everything someone with a higher FT3 result is able to do.
Have you read this book? You accord it all sorts of attitudes it simply does not express. The physical addiction data is based on science. On the properties of nicotine and how it acts in the body. Once the drug is out of your body completely, any remaining addiction has to be non physical, it has to be in our mind. Our minds are very powerful and this is not to say it’s weakness or that it shows a personal failing or defect. This is the hardest part of the addiction to unravel. If you don’t unravel it you will still be a slave to it. I think we can unravel it but I don’t pretend it is easy for everyone.
Allen Carr never once accuses smokers of being morally or psychologically weak on the contrary he claims quite the opposite to even start smoking requires considerable determination! He believes all smokers are strong people, very strong people.
You have got him all wrong. Read the book before making any more unjustified assumptions about what Allen Carr says in it or what he actually believes about smokers and why they smoke and why they may find it hard to stop - he was 100 a day man himself - he is one of us, he is on our side! He is not judging you as an inadequate human being because you had the misfortune to become addicted to tobacco products. He stopped and tried to work out why and told others because he thought it might be of value to them. Please don’t insert messages into his book that simply don’t not exist! Again I suggest you read it.
Feel free to have the last word but this my last comment on the matter.
I was only suggesting an excellent book that has helped uncountable people stop smoking that worked for me - sorry I spoke!
Your Docs didn't tell you because they probably didn't know. Now you are reading posts here you will soon see that there is a lot Docs do not know 🤔 Hence we need to be our own advocates.
Hi Marz. You have certainly got that right! It is unbelievable that with all the money spent on research, training doctors and modern technology - worldwide - we, as you say need to be our own advocates. Absolutely terrifying. Being really pessimistic, I have to wonder whether people could have actually died , due to this lack of expertise, ignorance or even neglect. I sincerely hope I am getting this totally out of perspective and someone with a better brain than mine will put me right.
Your brain is fine ! You have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and once that is on your records it is difficult to persuade the Docs to look at anything else. They use it all the time as an excuse. Also the other forum you are on does not encourage the exchange of information - I know I tried. Remember I too had a Fibro diagnosis in 2000 and a Hashimotos diagnosis in 2005. Only then did I start my journey to wellness.
There is an excellent book on Amazon you may find useful - The Thyroid and How to Keep it Healthy - by Barry Durrant-Peatfield. Written for us non medics. He was a GP with a thyroid problem and has helped so many of us - me included. He has now retired.
Than you Marz. I can relate to the what you say. After going to doc and time and time again to be told, it is your fibro, I have said many times, once you have been given that label, there is no shaking it off. I have heard of Dr. Peatfield. Years ago when I had a half hearted go at looking at thyroid problems I came across his name and also a Dr. Lowe. As I recall both had glowing reports from thyroid sufferers, who had been disallusioned by treatment from other doctors and specialists.
Hi Shelwitt, I totally back you on the theory that smoking got you through! I’ve often said to doctors how fine my health was when I was a smoker, it’s ridiculous, and I can remember sobbing at the prospect of giving up in order to have a baby as I really felt my life depended on it! It’s hard for non addictive people to understand. That said I’m happy I don’t smoke now, apart from the fact that it stinks, it’s soooo expensive and really it was just another thing that had a hold over me. I see that you are willing to research the subject of hypothyroidism so I thought I could point you in the direction I have looked at esp for fibromyalgia symptoms. It’s a bit science based but the subject to search is ‘mitochondrial dysfunction/activity’. Mitochondrial function is what creates energy in all our cells, making atp stores for when we need energy, including moving, thinking and bodily functions. As we get older this function reduces in effect so it is fair to say as we get older we slow down due to less energy. However the process of mitochondrial activity relies on t3 being present in the cell to trigger the process. If you don’t convert enough t4 into t3 my guess is, mitochondrial dysfunction and symptoms of fibromyalgia will appear. It is suggested the supplement coQ10 get help with mitochondrial function. It is expensive though and be sure to get the absorbable form ‘ubiquinol’ ingredient. The other thing which others may have already mentioned is vitamin D. Search the subject to find the right dose and note the symptoms of such a deficiency, depression, tiredness and aching bones. You might feel differently about smoking again if you have all the right vitamin levels. I wish you well!
Interesting. Do you mind my asking if you take it? And whether or not you are hypothyroid and take levothyroxine. My results have been all over the place this year and I am now taking the lowest dose I have ever had. Still feel rubbish. Saw doc last week and she says results are OK. I'll not go into it all again, but I am in the process of trying to review it all. I have never in the past asked for results, but intend to do so now. I have also heard 5HTP mentioned, Don't know what that is either or whether it is relevant to thyroid or fibro. Maybe you would know. Thanks again.
Hi, yes I have hypothyroidism for about 25 yrs now, mine came to light when I stopped taking the pill. I was a student (in my 20s) and when it came to writing essays I practically chain smoked to get my thoughts out on paper. Then I felt a lump in my throat when I swallowed and I thought the worst! Then a friend mentioned it could be thyroid problems and that’s when it was discovered. I was relieved at first considering what I thought it might of been. I never thought much about it except for taking my dose (75mcg) and having it checked every now and then. Then following pregnancy I started to feel really low, much similar to your symptoms. I also started to suffer from three day migraines with sickness and so for the last 15 years that’s happened every six weeks. Hence my research to find a cure for my migraines which has led me right back to thyriod issues! I realised that even though I am treated for hypothyroidism I still feel and am symptomatic of hypothyroidism. Endo disagrees unfortunately so I’m trying to get a second opinion. 5HTP is for increasing the serotonin in the brain, I did try it some years back but it gave me headaches. I think it may also help mitochondrial function.
Hi. I definitely think we are both on the same track, but to be honest the more I delve into it, the more scary it seems. Are you taking CoQ10 and has it helped. Years ago, I remember looking into this (thyroid) and picking up on the T4 converting to T3, problem, and thought then it could be relevant to me, but as I recall there was a lot of controversy about it and I don't think UK doctors were either testing for it or prescribing for it at the time. (Not 100% sure about that ). In any case I abandoned my search as my dr, disagreed and said it was all down to fibro. I don't know that things have changed much, as I have chatted to others on this site, who are advising and helping me, and they have said that I need to be sure I get T3 tested, amongst other things. My intention is to get my past test results, try to analyse them, see what other tests I need, then see an endo. and discuss the results. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but apparently there a limited endos. who specialise in thyroid, and unless you are lucky enough to get one of them (I have opted to see one fairly local to me, so don't really know) It doesn't look like good news. Especially as you say, you are now seeking a second opinion as your endo disagrees with your views. It sounds as though we will be joining the thyroid warriors on this site and doing our own diagnosing and medicating. It is like living in a nightmare. Take care.
I didn’t think there was a definitive test for fibromyalgia? My doctor just agreed with when I told him I thought I had it! Anyway my point is if your dr can’t prove you have fibromyalgia, then he can’t use it to blame your symptoms on it? Anyway onwards and upwards! Let me know how you get on.
I was diagnosed with fibro. by a rheumatologist. Went privately over 10 years ago. Problem being chronic left sided head, neck and back pain. Spent a year having tests, X rays, going to a chiropractor. No better. Did find out I have spondylosis, degeneration of spine, and problems with a few discs. He then diagnosed polymyalgia. Spent a year on steroids, still no improvement. Had then to wean off them. Finally, diagnosed fibromyalgia, told there was no cure and referred back to my GP. All by process of elimination. As far as I can see, If they can't find anything else, it has to be fibro. Since then been a case of trial and error with pain medication. amytriptyline, which haven't helped, and the very and occasional diazepam.. Never once during all this time was I ever questioned about my hypothyroidism. And when I brought it up, was dismissed. So , as you say, onwards and upwards. Thanks again. Will get back when I have anything to report, and you please, likewise. Take care.
Morning ShelWhitt, I just wanted to share with you something interesting I read late last night. I was going over the link between hypothyroidism and migraine which led me to look again at anemia. I noted the symptoms of low iron/anemia which include fatigue, short of breath, muscle weekness, very similar to hypothyroidism. Then the interesting bit, a 2012 study in the Endocrine Journal found as many as 43% of people with hypothyroidism also have anemia compared with 29% of the general population. And in 2017 a report suggested that an iron deficiency could contribute to developing hypothyroidism, (that might be a clue as to how smoking effects thyroid as in effecting iron levels?) Anyway then I read a study called Anemia: A cause of intolerance to thyroxine sodium (ts). This study showed a group who felt worse when they took thyroxine, such as palpitations, restlessness, nervousness, so much so they stopped taking it. They were then given ferrous sulfate( iron supplement) and after 4-7 weeks were able to take thyroxine again without issue. I take ferrous sulfate 200mg daily but just lately I got a bit lazy and missed it a few times, then I had a migraine and I have found it difficult to get back to my normal, not helped by the fact I have run out of my iron tablets! To me this makes a lot of sense and I thought you might find it helpful too.
I do. What is it they say though, when you dig yourself into a hole, stop digging. I am beginning to think this is a bit like that . The more we find out the more it leads to something else. . As a young child I was blond, very pale (people always saying they thought I was anaemic - but never was as far as I know. ) quite thin, and suffered with travel sickness (irrelevant?). In my teens had terrible periods, painful and very heavy, but accepted it as the norm. I think mum must have been the same, but it was never discussed way back then. Moving on, after having two daughters, (I did have a miscarriage in between) carried on with all the aforementioned and also started with migraines. After having abdominal pain investigated ended up having a complete hysterectomy for what turned out to be endometriosis . Just thought this is all something else which could have relevance, at it is another common factor with fibromyalgia ? Thyroid sufferers. There are obviously links , between hormones, glands, vitamin and mineral deficiencies not to mention intolerances (or even allergies) and so it goes on! which could well provide answers, but it seems as though we will need to be our own researchers. Still very pasty colouring, but have still never been told I was anaemic, so maybe I am not!Keep up the good work and I will try to my bit!
It is routinely discussed here that B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD all need to be optimal for thyroid hormones to work well - both your own and the ones you take. If you find your Ferritin result is way below 70 then members will suggest a Full Iron Profile and FBC - to rule out Anaemia. Ferritin is iron stored as a protein in the liver. So one thing at at a time 🤔
I’m definitely in a hole! I should have mentioned that blood tests don’t always show anaemia even when iron is low, what a surprise, no change there then with test results! I haven’t been told I’m low although I can ‘t see ‘ferritin’ on any results of mine, but I do feel better for taking ferrous sulfate. I too was very pale as a child and suffered car sickness but we put that down to my dads driving!
It happened to me, too! But, I would never smoke again. I went to more than four doctors. Nobody checked my thyroid. They all said it was stress. Finally, I decided to visit a psychiatrist and he was the one who gave me an order to check the thyroid. And the numbers were horrible! Now, my esophagus seems to have been affected by smoking...... Thank you!
Sorry to hear that Xiflo. Perhaps if we'd had more spcialist thyroid doctor's years ago we would all be better healthwise now, but we'll never know, because we didn't, and I am not totally convinced things have progressed verey much, from what I read on here. It is very disappointing and disheartening, especially with the NHS being in such a mess. I bet thyroid is at the back of the queue.
Sorry to hear that. I have always been under the impression that Health Care in the US was far better than here. Mainly, I assumed, because it is private. You learn something every day.
Insurance companies in the US are in the grip of Big Pharma. This means they dictate what can be allowed by the Insurers - only certain tests and not all. Certain treatments but not all.So like here in the UK - many a missed diagnosis due to inadequate testing. Of course if you are rich or have a top job you may well have Gold Plated insurance cover.
There are many members here from the US so have read a few stories !
Me too. i was diagnosed with hypothyroid disease after about three years of being quit. For those first three years after i had quit i felt great and looked very healthy. I worked and had loads of energy, i gained a little weight which i need too as i was only nine stone and 5ft 7inch. By the three year mark my energy was really bad and after work i just wanted to sleep all day and night. That was nine years ago. My mood changed and i became agitated and stressed. My eyebrows started to fall out and my hair started to thin. I lost my job as i was experiencing strange behaviours and felt ill at rest in my work place. Shortly after i was diagnosed with auto immune hypothyroidism and put on levothyroxine which my body did not like from day one but that is another story. Today im 12.5 stone and have several issues that are probably because of my weight.
Apart from the weight gain do you now feel healthy? Do you think the levothyroxine has worked for you? I am wondering if my medication needs changing, but that doesn't seem to be an option with the doctors. If you bloods state they are within range you are deemed to be fine, even if you still have symptoms and feel ill.
At first with Levothyroxine my vision was impaired which was a big problem for me and my GP. I didn't like to take it, but once i started to tolerate it, put up with terrible brain fog and impaired vision, my energy levels were fantastic. Unfortunately for me other symptoms remained, hair loss, dry skin and chronic constipation. I was put under a thyroid specialist one because i was experiencing side effects and two because i still had symptoms. What are you experiencing that is causing you a problem.
Thank you Angelica69. Firstly where are you, in the UK? From what you say, your dr. seems to be more on the ball with thyroid problems than mine. It is difficult to explain because initially 40 years ago I started seeing doc with neck/back problems.Long story short. Got worse. Started with left sided head pain as well. Also during this time had abdominal problems diagnosed at irritable bowel. Long story short. Had hysterectomy for extensive endometriosis. Problems solved - no way. And it went on. Cannot remember time line, but stopped smoking somewhere along this line, don't know whether it was before or after hypothyroidism diagnosed, but definitely before hysterectomy. (which was 1989) After hysterectomy everything went downhill and has continued to do so ever since. Started smoking again in1994, after lost job thro stress and my health getting worse. In constant pain. No help fromdocs other than painkillers. Continued all this time with levothyroxine, only being checked annually., and as I recall only occasional minor adjustments. Cetainly nothing to link it to smoking. Paid to see a rheumatologist in 2009. Long story short again . After 2 years, was told I had fibromyalgia. Referred back to GP. Nearly lived at docs since then tried all sorts of 'tablets' and therapies, and still getting worse. Hence back to drawing board and now taking up the charge to research my thyroid again. Never in all this time have I ever been told there could be a link with smoking. I feel so angry at the moment, thinking something could have been missed and I could have been saved years of chronic pain and misery.
I think perhaps your thyroid has not been correctly treated from the beginning and your dose changes may well have been based on the TSH - which is completely wrong. It is also possible had you been well treated and vitamin and minerals optimal you may have handled stress better. Low thyroid hormones eventually can stress the adrenals.
I am an ex-smoker and was diagnosed whilst still smoking .. !
It's the Guidelines that tie the hands of Doctors and prevent the correct testing that is at fault and making many of us angry.
Quite so. I am only just getting to grips with the minefield I have stepped into - mixed metaphors I know - but it is truly terrifying to think I may have been incorrectly, or inadequately treated for over 30 years, particularly when I have been visiting the doctor on a regular basis, all this time, complaining of the gradually worsening symptoms, to the awful state I am in now. Everything you say makes perfect sense, regarding vitamins and minerals, and more especially regarding stress and the adrenals. I sincerely hope I can get this sorted, but I now have very mixed feelings. Where does that leave me, if all the above does turns out to be true? Hopefully, eventually, with better health. That is the ultimate aim. But on the other hand, if it does turn out not to be the answer, that is equally scary, as I shall be back to square one. Thanks again everyone for sharing your extensive knowledge of the complex thyroid gland.
Small steps are needed. Ruling things out gives you a new purpose .. so if it's not thyroid related or connected to nutrients then adrenal checks could be next . One step at a time 🥰
I went from roll ups to vape and within 2months I went hypothyroid with a tsh of 39. Before I went to my Dr to ask for blood tests I remember the young man who served me in Mac Donald's asking me if I was ok, he then said only your Face Is green. I shrugged it off Then a few days later I met up with a friend for coffee and she kept staring at me, then she said ‘ are you wearing green make up? (I wasn’t) Looking back now I’m sure my face being green must have been caused by given up tobacco. I was happy when I smoked, now I always feel low. I would never return to smoking though because I feel it’s too late Whatever happened to my body when I gave up the damage is done now and just got to except it.
I hate the damage that smoking has done to me. It took my mother back in 1982 to lung cancer, my sister is on steroids because of smoking and has that pulmonary disease. My eldest son got liaisons on his lungs because of smoking which made him very ill and my middle son also has thyroid disease and has also been destroyed by smoking. My daughter has quit now but she has lost her looks through smoking and her skin is ruined and already sagging at only 30 years old. My ex mother in law also died of lung cancer due to smoking.
Talking about green faces, my daughters face used to go green too, i thought she was a goner she hasn't been right since and im sure she will get a diagnosis next. When i look at the damage it has done to my beautiful family i just want to cry and sometimes i think like you do, well the damage is done now i may as well have a fag.
Dear angelic69 that is so sad I’m so sorry to read you have been through all this and lost a loved one too, I really think you must be so strong to have gone through so much and still here to tell the tale. God bless you for sharing and please know you can always pm me anytime if you wanted to xx
Sorry I have put message to Timetraveler in error.
Hi Angelica69. I am so sorry to read your story and I can fully understand how you feel the way you do. My brother in law died from lung cancer four years ago, so I do have some insight into how devastating it is. I think your last sentiment - I might as well have a fag - just about sums it all up. As an ex smoker, I don't think anything else has ever given me immediate stress relief, and if you are in a desperate state, like any drug addict, you forget about everything else. I have had an horrendous two years, but have no intention of starting again.
You should rage against the people allowed to profit out of selling this deadly stuff and causing such human misery as your family have suffered and not give them a penny piece of your money ever again!
When I thought about this aspect of smoking I became so angry this was the key that made me it easy for me to stop for ever. Those profiteers should be forced to compensate the people whose lives they have ruined.
So sorry. We all seem to have been let down by medical profession. I still maintain that whatever damage cigarettes, do/did, and I don't dispute that they do. I maintain that exactly the same emphasis should be put on the dangers of every single drug that the doctors dish out. I am convinced that many of them will be classed as dangerous as nicotine.
Yes definitely! They hide behind a cloak of darkness and all stick together but one day there dirty dealings of dishing out what I believe mostly is poison will come to light x
Just to add in thyroid eye disease related smoking, smoking will worsen the disease no end often taking it from mild to severe, so another reason to consider stopping. I did
Hi shambles. No dispute with what you say, and I think we are all ex smokers on here. It is just another case of never being informed about damage to eyes being caused by thyroid disease, being caused by smoking. We should have been informed about all these dangers years ago, it is no good telling us now, in the majority of cases it will be too late.
It’s never too late to stop smoking whilst you have breath in your body, there will still be some benefit of not permanently poisoning every cell in your body with something it was not designed to deal with. Plus it cuts profit to those pedalling it.
I think you have got the wrong end of the stick. Unless it is me who has got it wrong, I think everyone on here is an EX smoker, so no need to bang the drum telling us stop. We know. The point I was making is that we weren't warned about the dangers (other than lung cancer, and that must have been way back in the in the 1960's) of smoking. Certainly nothing in relation to the dangers of how it could affect your thyroid, or even (apparently) your eyes. What is really annoying me is that I have only picked up this information today, on this site. What have the doctors been doing over the last 40+ years about this? Does anyone know?
We don’t know if everyone who reads this is an exsmoker unless we are psychic! I agree that smoking should come with a warning about TED etc but how aware were we of thyroid illness before diagnosis, were we treading this earth thinking about how we might prevent it in the future? Not in my case even though it was in the family so I was more aware than most. I supposed I disagree with the fatalist view that the damage was done so it was all too late and not worth bothering about. We have to be positive that even if it was too late it still has some health benefits to us if it is not continuing to poison every cell in our body. I see that as a benefit to be lauded.
I thought Helvellas’ article and this post was about the discovery that stopping smoking was always of some benefit to the body. Perhaps I was mistaken!
Stopping smoking was the best thing I ever did. I was on 60 a day 😱
Allen Carr’s The Easy Way to Stop Smoking gave me the key to quit for good. I felt better for it immediately, the first two weeks were hardest as the physical addiction is strong but is gone quite rapidly.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 20 years later. Smoking may well have controlled early symptoms. I should have been diagnosed much earlier on.
One thing I did notice was aching like hell after stopping. Nicotine is a powerful pain killer apparently.
No regrets except taking it up in the first place and enriching the despicable people that sell the things, knowing full well how harmful they are to human health.
If all you say is true. There must be something we can do to be able to extract the benefits of nicotine, without have to smoke. If nicotine did in fact control your hypothyroidism , why are we not all on some form of that now instead of other drugs. Just as an aside. Has anyone actually researched just what effects/damage the drugs we are now taking to treat thyroid problems will have long term? Will they be worse or better than nicotine.? Food for thought.
You're absolutely right. My mistake. But I was really making an observation regarding medicinal drugs in general, as compared to nicotine. There is a lot of noise made about the downside of smoking, and rightly so, but we hear very little about the downside of prescription drugs. I know there is a leaflet inside each packet, but it does seem to be a bit of a trial and error thing. I know each individual is different and reacts differently, but in essence that is no different to nicotine. Maybe I have missed something, somewhere, that tells me, unless there are bad side effects, or overdose, prescription drugs won't cause harm. Hope that clarifies my concern.
Hi Marz. Not sure how these postings work, but hope you pick this up. If you have been following this, as I assume you have, you will have read what has been posted by Morning-glory regarding mitochondrial dysfunction . I had never heard of it before, but had a quick look, and don't really know what to think. On the face of it , it looks even worse than the possibilities I/we are already considering! What she says , all makes sense, and I can relate to a lot of the symptoms, but I don't want to get paranoid or become a hypochondriac. Perhaps you can let me know your views on this and whether you have come across it before. Thanks once again for all your help.
Yes I have come across it many times in connection with CFS/ME/Fibro. Dr Sarah Myhill has even written a book , Mitochondria not Hypochondria . Her website is full of excellent advice covering every health condition. Like having a Doctor in the room ! She also talks about thyroid and the need for a T3 test.
She is another GP penalised for getting people well - sigh.
Another worrying issue is that statins block the CoQ10 pathways in the body so it does not reach the cells - think of the millions on statins. Our brains are made up of cholesterol so why lower it ?
This is the sort of information that is blocked on you know where - why ?
I sent you a Private Message re your ECG - did you see it ?
Yes I take CoQ10 along with everything else 🥰 You need T3 in the cells ...
Sorry Marz, I haven't picked it up. Will try later. Just off to docs with hubby, yet again! Is it safe to take CoQ10 with levothyroxine then, I am always a bit dubious and usually check with doc if I intend taking anything other than prescribed medication., especially if I have a blood test looming. I know, I know.....but .....
I take my T3 early in the morning. B Complex after breakfast - other supplements around lunchtime including CoQ10. Ensure its Ubiquinol ... do your research first on Dr Myhill's website.
Apologies to helvella for high-jacking this post ...
I will apologise as, well, helvella, but hope she won't mind too much, We re all fighting for the same cause and finding things out for our mutual benefit?? Just to clarify, levothyroxine at the same time as T3? Will try to get round to Dr. Myhill's website - it is now added to my to do list! Never previously asked, so hope you don't mind Marz, but how do you view your situation now? After all your research; eventually finding your own answers, and ??? self medicating. You have obviously been successful, in what you set out to do, and are now willing to use your knowledge help others; so how do you feel now? Do you feel really well? On a scale of 1-10. Is it a case of work still in progress? Some good and some bad day, still. I also assume it is a case of continued monitoring. I now need to apologise to you, as I seem to be finding more questions to ask each day!
Everything is relative and past health experiences - some of which were horrendous - put my life into perspective daily. We moved to Crete in 2004 and moved back last September so am still recovering from a huge change and the effort involved physically and mentally.
Six months ago I was running a holiday letting business - teaching yoga twice a week - and swimming a kilometer a day from May to October. For me that is 10 out 10.
I had spinal surgery in Germany in 2007 to release the spinal cord. The recent virus has weakened me especially my spine/legs. So am doing my best to increase my strength. So currently 5/10 ...
I am T3 only - no T4. The symptoms that took me to the GP in Crete when I was diagnosed with Hashimotos back in 2005 have long gone. Click onto my username and you can read more .. as you can other members.
Helvella is a gentleman by the way , again click onto usernames where usually people say if they are Male or Female. He is also an Administrator. Normally if a thread goes off topic - as this one has - then it is often suggested a new post is started with the questions.
Most of my knowledge has come from reading and reading here . I also have a shelf full of relevant books. There are many well informed members on this Forum and the joy is we are allowed to share our knowledge - experiences - websites - supplements - books - articles - test results without penalty - and so we learn.
I sent you a PM - about the book - Thyroid and Heart Failure - did you get it ? You can view the book on Amazon. EDIT : Thought I had sent you a PM but on checking I had not !! Apologies !
You have done brilliantly, in spite of the the difficulties you have had to overcome. I really do congratulate you.I think a lot of your success must come from determination and a strong 'survival' ethic for want of a better word.You are correct when you say we do tend to go off topic. I am only a newcomer, and to be honest I do tend to lose track. There are so many variables, not only with thyroid, but other conditions, also with similar symptoms. I thought naively, this is where the specialist consultants came in. I really don't think I am going to be able to continue with this. Obviously I intend to continue following through with my thyroid, but other than that, my brain is not coping with it all. I know that sounds dramatic, but I am not sure I would havebeen able to follow through even before I got ill and my head and brain turned to mush. It all is so intense, and unfortunately I don't have the stamina, to be constantly checking up, chasing up and reading up on things, All the time and energy I can muster up is needed to keep going on a day to day basis, and I am hardly succeeding with that at the moment.Sorry to moan again, but you have been/felt really ill, so will be able to emphathise with having to look after another very ill person, and all that entails, ppt's. etc. whilst at the same time keeping a home up and running, when you really need to be concentrating on yourself. Thanks once again, for all your patience and help. Will speak again soon.
The only thing you need to do is await your results so you have a starting point - only when you post them can members make helpful suggestions that you may wish to take forward. So small steps ..
and one thing at a time .. I have gathered my thyroid knowledge over 15 years and gut health over almost 50 .. !!
Worth remembering the brain has more receptors for the ACTIVE T3 hormone than any other part of the body ! So we need to keep an eye !
That’s a good point about nicotine that never occurred to me that it could be used as a preventative treatment floor hypothyroidism or at least slow it’s progress so we can make the most of our thyroid under autoimmune attack. I think the pain killing properties of nicotine are well known. I wonder why it is not used pharmacologically. It was sacred to the first nation people of what is now USA they would never have smoked it like we do now it would have been sacrilege.
I believe T4 mono therapy will eventually be seen as a harmful protocol.
Did a quick bit of reading seems it has many properties that could be of medical benefit but there is worry about it being carcinogenic. It really does seem it has not been much studied for its potential for medical application. Perhaps familiarity breeds contempt.
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xx
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