Do antibiotics make hypothyroidism worse?

[BabsLito]

Hello everyone,

I have been learning a lot with your posts and information available and reading your stories. It has been immense help.

During these couple of days you've helped me my doctors have started looking into hashimotos which fits all my symptoms. I've had 2 skin infections and 1 urinary infection this year, they told me they can't do the tests until I finish my antibiotics but it doesn't matter what antibiotics they give me every time I feel definitely worse with escalating symptoms.

The doctor said antibiotics raise your T hormones and so doesn't that mean I should feel momentarily better?

The Internet and thyroid dysfunction information I've accessed actually says it makes hypothyroidism go into a negative spiral.

I'm confused... Should I be taking these and feeling better or do I have reason to feel worse? And if so, is this safe?

Thank you all beautiful souls for your help and support.

Much love and stay safe!

[DippyDame]

Sounds a bit like my experience....not pleasant!

I also have Methenamine/Hiprex which is antibacterial rather than antibiotic....not all GPs know about it. I'm prescribed 2 a day. Maybe worth asking your GP...

rxlist.com/hiprex-drug.htm#...

"The doctor said antibiotics raise your T hormones and so doesn't that mean I should feel momentarily better?

I was told, "Seems that Liothyronine slows down excretion of Nitrofurantoin so it’s excess Nitrofurantoin that causes the symptoms - effectively overdosed"

More doesn't always equate to better!

I take a large dose of T3 (for thyroid hormone resistance) and it looks as if the reaction with the (in my case the Nitrofurantoin) antibiotic caused the problem. I'm afraid it took a while to clear up.

The responses to my earlier post may help -

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Hope you feel better soon.

Best...

DD

[BabsLito in reply to DippyDame]

Thank you so much. I understand every body is different but it is insane how many similarities I have with people here. I no longer feel alone. I will call the pharmacist and the doctors and make sure because its the 3rd time I'm going through these medications and honestly I'm scared it's taking my body over the edge

[MissFG]

I’m on T3 only and taking amoxicillin at the moment. I never have any issues or interactions with antibiotics and my thyroid meds. I ensure I take all my vitamin supplements as usual and rest as I’m obviously unwell.

But we are all different so if your unsure I’d always check with your doctor first or contact them if you experience any problems.

[BabsLito in reply to MissFG]

Not yet on any meds I'm going through the process of getting a diagnosis for Hashimotos. It is reassuring to know that it doesn't mess with your meds so I know what to expect. Thank you.

[MissFG in reply to BabsLito]

Ooh I’ve been on and tried lots of different drugs as many probably here have lol but you find your balance.

Are you taking any supplements and gluten free as that will help a lot to prepare you if you go on thyroid meds.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Hives is more common with Hashimoto’s

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

UTI may also be more common when hypothyroid

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[BabsLito in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much 💚

[EbonyEvans]

Don’t forget to take probiotics. On several pharmacists advice. Take thee hours before or after antibiotics. They can be taken s as long side the antis - no break needed. I take 20 million and refduce down to 10 for everyday use.

[BabsLito in reply to EbonyEvans]

Thank you so much for your help. I had to go into the hospital the other day because of all of this so ended up not finishing the antibiotics. But that's a really good tip.

[HashisKate]

Hi there, before my diagnosis last year I also had a weird skin infection (which I had to have antibiotics for), and have have them a couple of times since for a chest infection. My experience is I always feel so much worse after (a lot of my hypothyroid symptoms return with a vengeance), not better. I think it is true that any illness can throw your thyroid function out a bit if you have hashimotos, I did a post on it recently asking if it was normal!! But I haven’t ever heard about antibiotics making thyroid function ‘higher’ or ‘better’ so will be interested to hear others comments 😊

[BabsLito in reply to HashisKate]

I ended up in the hospital with chest pain and shortness of breath after I took my antibiotics. I'm not sure what happened but they ended up testing my thyroid function and spoke to the gp practice to look into this and refer me to an endocrinologist which I feel like is finally getting somewhere just sad it had to get to this. Deffo more awareness of this and links to mental health should be established. I appreciate you all sharing your journeys.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BabsLito]

Depression and mania can be hypothyroid symptoms, especially with Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroid disease)

Few links about Mental health aspects including Bi-polar with Hashimoto's

drknews.com/when-hashimotos...

holtorfmed.com/mental-illne...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/when-hashimotos...

hypothyroidmom.com/miss-dia...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[BabsLito in reply to SlowDragon]

You are genuinely the little angel watching over me SlowDragon

[BabsLito]

Thank you for your comment. I ended up in the hospital with chest pain and shortness of breath after I took them. I'm not sure what happened but they ended up testing my thyroid function and spoke to the gp practice to look into this and refer me to an endocrinologist.