Hypothyroid and Short of Breath

[bmrj]

It's tough to tell whether my shortness of breath is related to anxiety or to hypothyroidism. My TSH's are all over the place. Never out of range but as high as 3.3 to as low as 1.4. Usually in the mid to high 2.0's range. My free T4 is usually 1.5 - 1.6, which is mid range and my free T3 2.8 - 3., also midrange. I have a difficult time taking a full inhalation. It has gotten better over the past several months somewhat on a lower dose of Synthroid. Good some days with easy breathing. Terrible other days with an inability to take a deep breath. I've been on iron supplements since ferritin was originally very low at 6 - 8. It has been coming up with Fe replacement. I've been on B12 for years and when this all started my B12 was off the charts at 1300. It has since come down with a lower dose. Just curious if anyone out there has had intermittent shortness of breath episodes related to being either hyperthyroid or hypothyroid, even despite a normal TSH. I believe that when my symptoms all started 6 months ago, I was hyperthyroid. My TSH sequentially kept dropping lower and lower each time I'd have it checked. It went from 2.48 down to 1.13 over a few weeks. But now, on a lower dose of Synthroid to treat the presumed hyperthyroid from too much Synthroid, I continue to have symptoms, albeit slightly improved and I'm not sure that I am not hypothyroid now clinically, despite always a normal TSH which fluctuates. It's a drag waiting 6 weeks for the body to equilibrate. Is shortness of breath a problem that others experience with Hashimoto's disease?

[Hypopotamus]

I had a shortness of breath most of my life until my thyroid was treated adequately using NDT, and I started self-injecting B12 (tablets made no difference).

[Nikkithemom in reply to Hypopotamus]

Did you take vitamin B shots because you were low, or because shots help you better?

[Hypopotamus in reply to Nikkithemom]

My results were in the infamous 'normal' range, but I knew from past experience that I benefited from shots, so started self-injecting. Although the doctor wouldn't prescribe them, he agreed that it was a good idea to self-inject.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you still on Carbimazole and then levothyroxine as well?

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 Graves’ disease or autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask doctor to test vitamin D levels

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Essential to test Ft4 and Ft3

Have you had Graves’ disease confirmed by TSI or Trab antibodies test

[HLAB35]

If you are asking, should I put my shortness of breath down to hypothyroidism or anxiety and leave it at that, then, no, you should not. It looks as though you're under-medicated, so that needs addressing, along with antibody and vitamin level checks (low vitamin D makes us more susceptible to pneumonia). There are autoimmune illnesses that can occur alongside Hashi's/ Graves that cause vascular issues with the heart, or congestion of the lungs. Alternatively, it could be something else entirely and should be investigated as a physical rather than psychological symptom.

[Nikkithemom]

Since I was diagnosed with Hashimotos/ Hypothyroid I've had shortness of breath off and on. Sometimes it's anxiety and I think sometimes Hypothyroid. I've read in a book that it can cause shortness of breath.

I just had my thyroid out as I was Graves too. I heard after that Graves and Hashimotos antibodies eventually go away, so then most symptoms do as well. I'm praying that is my case! I think also having your levels at optimal helps with symptoms as well. Hope this helps!!