In 2015 started to have sleeping problems, constantly feeling unslept (even after a proper night sleep), muddy head throughout the day, blocked and aching neck, bursting discomfort at abdomen above navel, unstable emotional status and mood.
Made thyroid glands analysis together with antibodies and found that AT-TG is 450, AT-TPO 800, free T3 4,2, free T4 11,2, TSH 3
Endocrynologists in Russia are generally very traditional, so basically all of the doctors i visited recommended to start taking synthetic hormones. I was on a a homeopathic treatment before, so went on with it. Over these 5 years my free T3 level was reducing to 3, but then rose slightly (now being 3,26), free T4 at stable level around 11-12 (now 12,8), TSH was fluctuating - was 2,55 at some time, rose to 6,95 later on (now 4,57). AT-TG currently 760, AT-TPO 850.
I made hormones profile recently and got to learn that not all of them are within norm:
Even though the values of thyroid gland seem to stay withing the range (T3 at lower limit, TSH at higher or slightly above), physically my compaints over these 5 years were not relieved - one of the primary complaints is unstable/poor sleep.
Now i stand at the point if the time has not come to start taking NDT (i want to try Armour first which i can manage to find in Russia).
I have 2 doubts:
1. I am still not sure if above described complaints are actually caused by AIT/hypotheroidism. Some seem to be similar to what other people with these conditions are describing, some not (for instance, it is normal for me to feel hot and/or sweat).
2. If i start taking NDT, won't it cause stop of my own thyroid gland hormones production?
Would highly appreciate thoughts/recommendations.
Thank you!
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Basileo
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1. I am still not sure if above described complaints are actually caused by AIT/hypotheroidism. Some seem to be similar to what other people with these conditions are describing, some not (for instance, it is normal for me to feel hot and/or sweat).
Everything and anything can be a symptom of low thyroid. There are over 300 known symptoms of hypothyroidism - and by 'known', I mean that they are relieved when thyroid hormone levels are optimised. All of them are non-specific. And, you don't have to have them all to qualify. Everyone has their own personal symptoms list, because we're all individuals. So, comparing your list of symptoms to someone else's isn't helpful. And, there's no such thing as a 'normal' symptom, but yes, a lot of hypos do feel hot and sweaty. Not all of us suffer from the cold.
2. If i start taking NDT, won't it cause stop of my own thyroid gland hormones production?
It will indeed. But so will taking synthetic T4 and T3 or any other form of thyroid hormone replacement. However, it's not a permanent thing. Should you, for any reason, stop taking thyroid hormone replacement, the thyroid will just pick up where it left off, and start producing as much hormone as it is capable of making. So, that is not a reason not to take NDT.
Could you possibly put the ranges with your blood test results, please? Results without ranges are meaningles because the ranges vary from lab to lab.
Yes, my blood analysis were made in different labs. So will give below 3 results and ranges (when it was first discovered, in the middle and most recent).
March 2015.
Free T3 5,18 (range 2,3-6,5)
Free T4 12,94 (range 7,86-14,41)
TSH 2,55 (range 0,4-4)
AT-TG 325 (norm <40)
AT-TPO > 1000 (norm <35)
September 2018
Free T3 3,0 (range 2,6-5,7)
Free T4 11,41 (range 9-22)
TSH 3,69 (range 0,4-4)
AT-TG 383,8 (norm <18)
AT-TPO 953,3 (norm <5,6)
December 2020
Free T3 3,26 (range 2,63-5,7)
Free T4 12,8 (range 9-19,05)
TSH 4,57 (range 0,35-4,94)
AT-TG 760,55 (range 0-4)
AT-TPO 854,75 (range 0-5,61)
Should you, for any reason, stop taking thyroid hormone replacement, the thyroid will just pick up where it left off, and start producing as much hormone as it is capable of making.
Does it mean that my own hormones production will stop for the time being (for the period till i stop to take NDT), but the function of thyroid gland will not be killed and may resume its own work (if NDT is stopped)? The reason why i am asking this question is my concern if i will be taking NDT according to usual scheme (start with 15/30 mg, gradually add by 15 mg) and it does not help, will i manage to come back to my previous status - without NDT/syn hormones.
I don't know how important it is, but thyroid seems to be a family problem - my grandma had a Basedow disease, my father had hyperthyroidism. However, my mom's thyroid is OK, but sleeping problems, unrestful state of mind are very alike with mine. So what i am suffering from - symptoms of hypo or just genetics is not still clear to me
Does it mean that my own hormones production will stop for the time being (for the period till i stop to take NDT), but the function of thyroid gland will not be killed and may resume its own work (if NDT is stopped)?
That's exactly what it means. Taking NDT will not kill your thyroid.
will i manage to come back to my previous status - without NDT/syn hormones.
Yes, you will.
So what i am suffering from - symptoms of hypo or just genetics is not still clear to me
Given that you are hypo, I think these things are more than likely hypo symptoms.
By the way, I don't know if it matters to you, but there's absolutely no point in keep testing the antibodies. Once you have had an over-range result, it means you have Hashi's, and that does not go away, you have it for life. Antibodies fluctuate all the time, but their fluctuations are meaningless. So, you could be wasting your money by keep testing for them.
I had sleep apnea before being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. MY GP told it was quite possible to be triggered by thyroid function and sure enough once I was on synthetic thyroid hormone for a few weeks it did disappear.
OK for a couple of years I have had SA (or something like it) twice more in 2020 (both under covid lockdown), like you I wake with a feeling of being 'unslept' which can range from mild to inability to function. Both episodes lasted weeks and changes to my hormone dose resolved the matter.
I am in the process of trying to work through causes and longer term solutions. So cant offer anything conclusive but there is something there linked to thyroid and hormones for me. I supplement with b12 and vit d.
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