I don’t seem to tolerate levothyroxine so been using iodine and was doing fine on it for a while then started feeling not good. I’d used NDT for some months two years ago but hair started dropping and also tried T3 only but same with hair fall.
I’ve ordered LDN as I’ve read many people with hashis take it and do very well with it even making them tolerate their thyroid hormone better.
Unfortunately my TPO has now risen to >1300 along with elevated thgb when it’s only ever been at 106 TPO.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Don’t know what to do. Any words welcome please.
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ter1461
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Many people have to try several different brands levothyroxine until find one that suits you
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.
Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten intolerance. Second most common is lactose intolerance
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find strictly gluten free diet reduces symptoms, sometimes significantly. Either due to 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, or buy test online BEFORE trying strictly gluten free diet
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
If coeliac test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, with maximum 6 weeks wait, officially
Trying strictly gluten free diet for 3-6 months
If no noticeable improvement, reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
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 as you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
You can only replace a hormone with a hormone. Iodine is not a form of thyroid hormone replacement. It is just one ingredient of thyroid hormone. But, even if you took both ingredients, your thyroid would not be capable of making more hormone because it has been damaged by your Hashi's. Do you know how Hashi's works?
I'm not surprised you don't feel good now. Iodine can exacerbate Hashi's. Excess iodine is anti-thyroid, so you're probably more hypo now than you were when you started. Iodine should not be taken unless you have been tested and found to be deficient - and then only under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.
LDN might tackle the autoimmune aspect of your hypothyroidism, but it cannot repair your thyroid. You will still be hypo. But, you might feel better. You will still need thyroid hormone replacement.
What you need to do now if find a form and a dose of thyroid hormone replacement that suits you. There are so many variations, you cannot have tried them all. So, apart from losing hair - which could also be due to nutritional deficiencies - how did you feel on NDT and T3?
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Help please!!! Thyroid T3 help.
HELP
Help! 
No help at the Doctors!
