I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's last year but in reality had probably gone undiagnosed well over 20 years. The thing I would like to know is does Hashimoto's cause voice changes? My voice is very deep and rough sounding, often losing my voice mid-sentence, having to clear my throat before I can get the words out. This happened gradually so it wasn't a change that happened overnight. I used to have a nice feminine sounding voice.
Is there anything I can do about it?
I could have written this post apart from my voice is very weak! Not nice is it x
I’m the same. Sometimes normal, but often have a voice like sandpaper - especially if I’ve been talking for a while. I do a passable Rod Stewart or Bonnie Tyler imitation though! 🤸🏿♀️🥛
Not Hashi's per se, but the resulting hypothyroidism can change the voice, yes. It's had a terrible effect on mine. 
Yes , I wonder if you are under medicated.
Yes. 75mcg is still a low dose. I suggest that you should have further blood tests in 6-8 weeks and post your results with the ranges for comment .
You need TSH,FT4 and FT3 but will be lucky if they are all tested as the NHS seems to think only TSH matters .This is why many use private testing.
You should also have B12,D3, ferritin and folate results
Were your antibodies been tested initially?
On my initial blood test my antibodies result was as follows:
Se thyroid peroxidase Ab conc >1000.0 ku/L (range 0.00 - 5.60 ku/L)
Do you have any recent tests you can post for us to look at. Especially TSH, T3 and T4. It does seem likely you are undermedicated.
I am still trying to get optimally medicated for about the last 2 years and am currently up to 100mcg levothyroxine.
For several years before being diagnosed my voice got gradually worse and worse, especially if trying to sing, and on higher notes. Not even a squeak would come out sometimes.
Hi Jnetti, if you click on my username on one of my posts it will take you to all my posts and you should find all my results there. Thanks.
Did you get dose of levothyroxine increased in November?
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Low folate
Latest results
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Was this after dose increase?
Yes, levothyroxine dose increased on 12th November 2019 from 50mcg to 75mcg. At this time I also started taking a folate supplement.
Latest blood test on 29th January 2020 (my levothyroxine dose was 75mcg at this time).
75mcg is only one step up from starter dose
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...
Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)
All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
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
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...
I don't know why they didn't do D3 test.
When I spoke to doctor back in November and asked for an increase in levothyroxine from 50mcg to 75mcg the doctor seemed really reluctant to give it to me. I'm not sure what I will need to tell him to convince him to up the dosage to 100mcg. Any good ideas? Thanks.
Suggest your next step is to get vitamin D tested
Come back with new post once you get results
If not on strictly gluten free diet, try that next ....get coeliac blood test first
Then get thyroid levels retested in further 8-10 weeks via Medichecks.....getting blood test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Guidelines on dose of levothyroxine....is 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight
But with hashimoto’s we frequently have to increase slowly
New NICE guidelines
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...
1.3.6
Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.
BMJ clear on dose required
How to get TSH as high as possible
Well, I've just converted my weight (14 stones 8lb) to kilos (92.53) and multiplied by 1.6mcg and that equals 148.05mcg. Rounded up to the nearest 25 micrograms is 150mcg. So that is the dosage I'm supposed to be aiming for? Wow, I'm currently on only half of that.
I strongly disagree with dosing straight onto 1.6 micrograms per kilogram per day.
That would be a significant increase on my current dose. When I was on 112.5, I noticed (and disliked) the feeling produced by 125 micrograms. Whilst I have now increased to 125, no thank you to any more.
If I did take more, I'd expect my TSH to drop out of range and any doctor who saw that woukd cut my dose. That is a merry-go-round I don't want to ride.
Maybe I'll just see if the doctor will raise it gradually and see I how feel after each increase. Hopefully, the time will come in the not too distant future when I start to feel better. Will ask him for vitamin D testing as well.
Hormones and voice
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