Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto affect on kidney f... - Thyroid UK

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Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto affect on kidney function

Adam10 profile image
15 Replies

My creatinine levels have risen recently to 120 µmol per litre whereas the accepted range is 71–115.

I have been hypothyroid and Hasimoto’s for five years. Just recently I have gained 5 kg due to the lockdown. My diet is healthy but high in protein.

Can anyone shed any light on the link between hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s and renal kidney function? Thank you in anticipation.

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Adam10
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

sjkdt.org/article.asp?issn=...

Our study shows that hypothyroidism significantly increases serum creatinine levels and decreases both urea/creatinine ratio and creatinine clearance. The reduced GFR was corrected after treatment of hypothyroidism.

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

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a low T3 syndrome which is now considered a part of an atypical nonthyroidal illness. CKD patients also have increased incidence of primary hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism.

Suggests you are not correctly treated for your Hashimoto’s

Extremely common to have low Ft3 when just taking levothyroxine

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

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

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 as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

As you have Hashimoto’s have you tried strictly gluten free diet?

Or dairy free?

Adam10 profile image
Adam10 in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you slow dragon. My last Blue Horizon blood test results were:

TSH: 0.04 mIU/L (0.27-4.2).

T4 Total : 107 nmol/L (66-181).

Free T4 : 21 pMOL/L (12–22).

Free T3 : 5.3 (3.1-6.8).

Reverse T3 : 23 NG/DL (10-24).

Reverse T3 ratio : 14.9 (normal under 15, borderline 12–15, low under 12).

Ferritin: 70 1 UG/L (30-400).

Magnesium 0.9 3MMOL/L (0.66-0.99).

Vitamin D (25 0H): 84 NMOL/L

(deficient under 30, insufficient 30-50, high over 175).

Vitamin B12: 407 pMOL/L (deficient under 145, insufficient 145–300).

Serum folate: 25 NMOL/L (8.8-60.8).

Anti-thyroid peroxidase ABS:

117 KIU/L (under 34).

Anti-thyroglobulin ABS:

136 kIU/L (under 115).

My Levo dose is 125 MCG daily. Always same brand either Euthyrox or Eltroxin. Only Levo.

I supplement with vitamin D3 50,000 units per month or 10,000 units per week. I take

Selenium supplement 200 MCG was daily. Now stopped just recently after above results and creatinine result.

I’m greatly concerned that after shock of hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s then Prostrate Cancer (treatment received) that I now have kidney problems.

Will be most grateful to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you in anticipation.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAdam10

Perhaps consider adding small dose of T3 alongside levothyroxine

You would probably need to reduce levothyroxine a little...down by 25mcg and add 2 x 5mcg T3

Retest after 6-8 weeks

Email Dionne at Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3

You might consider Dio2 gene test (assuming you test positive it can help get T3 prescribed on NHS)

But T3 is post code lottery...some CCG areas refuse to fund

Dio2 gene test

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

T3. - CCG prescribing rates - you can search by individual CCG area (England only)

openprescribing.net/analyse...

Scant research into T3 and prostate

Obviously on just levothyroxine patients often have high Ft4 in an attempt to gather high enough Ft3

atlasofscience.org/lower-ts...

frontiersin.org/articles/10...

Marz may have info on T3 and prostate

Adam10 profile image
Adam10 in reply toSlowDragon

I recently had a DNA Blue Horizon thyroid genetic test. It showed that my DIO2 thyroid hormone activation was ‘TC’ (not sure what this means) which is associated with anxiety and depression in those taking T4 for hypothyroidism. I can confirm this is correct for me! It said this could be overcome with T4/T3 therapy.

It also gave a CC result with normal DIO2 activity which is not associated with any impact on thyroid hormone ratio. It said adequate levels of iodine and selenium are required for optimal functioning of the gene.

Both above were amber results which indicates one genetic variant present, and has a potentially mild negative impact.

The other Amber results I obtained were for TNF-a inflammation which was AG score showing my increased likelihood of overactive inflammatory immune response. This means I am at increased risk of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions including Hasimoto’s (which I have).

The other amber score was forTSHR thyroid stimulating hormone receptor which also had an AG score. This is common in people with Graves’ disease and is linked to the presence of thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibodies associated with developing GD. I don’t have GD yet.

I didn’t understand much of this when I obtained the DNA report. I would be grateful for your thoughts on the report.

Thank you again for responding. I appreciate your knowledgeable comments.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toAdam10

Prostate: I added TSH test to hubby's regular PSA test which was usually raised. Diagnosed late in life at 73 with Hashimotos - now 81. Once well treated with T4 - now T3 - his PSA dropped and remains low. We cannot help thinking there is a connection ..

Hope you soon find good health ..

Adam10 profile image
Adam10 in reply toMarz

Great to hear the good news Marx. Thank you, I hope there is a connection and that it can be found. Will investigate T3.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toAdam10

Your T3 level looks good - converting well - so all should be well. Hubby followed me onto T3 when he noticed I seemed stronger !

Adam10 profile image
Adam10 in reply toMarz

Thanks Marz. That is reassuring. However I’m thinking that trying T4 with T3 as this might improve my T3 T4 ratio and help my kidney function which is my present worry.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAdam10

I don’t understand the Blue Horizon DNA tests ...there have been a few people do them

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu......

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Adam10 profile image
Adam10 in reply toSlowDragon

I agree Blue Horizon test results are unintelligible to the layperson. I should have contacted Blue Horizon at the time and asked for clarification. I think I will do that now. It is bad of Blue Horizon not to provide proper understandable clarification.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAdam10

Regenerus test just tests Dio2

A significant part of the Regenerus cost is a (very helpful) phone conversation with counsellor to discuss the result

Adam10 profile image
Adam10 in reply toSlowDragon

It’s a shame that Blue Horizon don’t offer that as an option. I would’ve bought that option to know more about the results with a view to improving my health and quality of life.

Adam10 profile image
Adam10 in reply toSlowDragon

To add, have been on gluten-free diet for several years. I lapse sometimes but I’m fairly strict as I know one must be.

However I eat dairy in the form of skimmed milk, Greek yoghurt, sour cream and sometimes full cream. I will be stopping the cream and yogurt.

klr31 profile image
klr31

I am not certain but I think there's a link between a high protein diet and kidney function.

Karen

Adam10 profile image
Adam10 in reply toklr31

I agree. From reading online about healthy kidney diets, I am dropping chicken from my diet straight away. I don’t eat beef. I’m hoping fish will be okay.

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