Underactive thyroid

[Abbey21]

I've got an underactive thyroid but I've never been told how I got it or if it is the Hashi type,( it was discovered in a routine check up about 20 yrs ago) I was just wondering besides the Hashi what else causes it, I'm asking because of the Coronovirus and my immune system, am I in the at more risk group. Since having it I think I've only had a cold 2or 3 times and to be honest I'm never I'll, sorry for the long question, but like everybody else I'm worried and can't really find any answers, thanks for reading

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Were bloods retested 6-8 weeks after you had dose levothyroxine increased back to 100mcg a few months ago?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Recommend you get full testing privately

Low vitamin D is extremely common

Good vitamin D levels may help fight respiratory infections

bmj.com/content/356/bmj.i6583

Low ferritin linked to hair loss

NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Come back with new post once you get results

[Jazzgenie]

Hi

I’m the same - I’ve have never been told and have never asked

[Marz in reply to Jazzgenie]

You had a Medichecks Test recently - did it include anti-bodies ? If so that would help explain your thyroid condition if positive ...

[Marz]

There have been lots of posts about the virus here - click onto Posts above yours and scroll through them ... 🤔

[DeniseU]

I asked my doctor this exact same question yesterday as I was just told 18 years ago that I had an under-active thyroid, they got the Levothyroxine dose ‘right’ over 6 months or so at 100mg per day and I’m still the same today. They’re gonna get back to me in 2 days.

[Abbey21 in reply to DeniseU]

Hi, thanks, would it be possible to let me know what your Dr says, my Dr is now not seeing anybody unless emergency. Stay well x

[DeniseU]

Yes of course. You too x

[Abbey21 in reply to DeniseU]

👍x

[meme]

So far there is no evidence that thyroid auto immune makes you any more susceptible to C19.

[Abbey21 in reply to meme]

Thanks for replying, it's worrying times all round, I'm 70 so guess just being sensible and isolating is what it's all about, stay safe and well xx

[skybluepink in reply to meme]

Why do the Medics want antibody tests for themselves then ?Do you not understand about immunity & infection & the thyroid as you have not presented your evidence .Have you not wondered why your prescriptions are free that is before cardiac arrest triggered by policy on antibiotics & fact the NHS because of discriminatory ethos can not handle urgently relating to history & other multi conditions & disabilities .

[ednafdg]

Hi Abbey, I have Graves disease, which is an auto immune condition also, I have been told by my Ayurveda doctor that is was caused by a combination of contributing factors including unfermented long term soya consumption, continuous hormonal treatment for endometriosis and a major stressful events.

[Abbey21 in reply to ednafdg]

Hi, what is unfermented soya? I know what soya is, I'm a veggie, so I eat things with soya, but what's the unfermented bit mean 🤔thanks

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Abbey21]

The traditional way of making soy sauce uses fermentation. That process is believed to change the characteristics of the soy and reduce (or eliminate) its impact. Same applies to natto, tempeh and miso.

(Some commercial versions of at least soy sauce are not produced by traditional fermentation.)

Unfermented soy will include edamame, soy flour, tofu, soy beans themselves, soy flour, etc.

[Abbey21 in reply to helvella]

Hi, thanks for explaining that to me 😊

[ednafdg in reply to Abbey21]

Hello Abbey sorry for my late reply, I first became aware that unfermented soya may be harmful from the book by Dr, Taitelbaum called: 'Healing the Thyroid with Ayurveda: Natural Treatments for Hashimoto’s, Hypothyroidism, and Hyperthyroidism ', .

This is an amazing book, and in the section of food recommendation it describes that unfermented soya which includes all soya products excluding miso, soya sauce and few others, please check on this.

Unfermented soya may be harmful particularly, for people like me who have a very enlarged goitre, Graves disease, endometriosis and an ovarian cyst, because it mimics some of our hormones in our body such as oestrogen and can contribute to hormonal disturbances, gynaecological imbalances and multi-nodular goitres.

It is related with the some enzymes in unfermented soya. I borrowed the book to a friend otherwise I would send the pages it is explained.

To me it makes sense because I began consuming soya milk for years and then developed horrible endometriosis and many nodules in my thyroid ....I am also on a more plant based diet with occasional non farmed fish, and I think the best is to consume a variety of foods, as diverse as possible, so now I interchange the milk I drink. Sometimes, I don't have any milk, sometimes I drink oat milk, almond milk or coconut or another...and I try to eat more local foods as the Soya locally produced in Asia is very different from the imported ones.

Also, it may be useful to research on goitregenic foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, some nuts, tofu, tampeh, spinach, kale....I love vegetables particularly spinach but I try to consume it every two days or just once a day and change it with celery, peas, organic lettuce, tomatoes, kale...variation really.

Best wishes

Edna .

[ednafdg in reply to ednafdg]

It may be useful to read:

healthline.com/nutrition/hy...

Check the studies if you can.

[Abbey21 in reply to ednafdg]

Thanks very much for this, I'm a veggie and eat the things you've mentioned, I've been a veggie for 20ish years and had thyroid probs for about 18ish so maybe that's my answer, I'm self isolating after this weekend so I'll look at this, thanks again, stay safe and well xx

[ednafdg]

you too Abbey, have a lovely weekend, stay safe and well.

[Eddie83]

Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroid. I would assume the other most important causes are genetics and nutritional insufficiency. You should return to your doc and demand antibody tests of thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin so you know whether Hashimoto's is present. Finding ways to get rid of antibodies is necessary for your long-term health.

[Abbey21]

Thanks for the reply but unfortunately with the way things are just now my Dr isn't seeing anybody unless it's an emergency, stay safe and well