I’m 6 months postpartum with second child. Was diagnosed with hashimoto’s (antibodies 1500,TSH 0.01, free T4 37) over ten years ago but I was never medicated as my levels swung around and then stabilised. I fought for medication because I was symptomatic and my levels were not optimal but it was never given.
Fast forward to now and I’ve had two children, suffered horrendous thyroid flares after both and am now 6 months postpartum with a sudden massive thyroid swelling, TPO of 128 and ever symptom under the sun BUT my thyroid results are:
TSH 0.31 (0.3-3.0)
Free T4 14 (12-22)
Free T3 4.9 (3.5-6.5)
TPO 128 (range less than 35)
The doctors of course say I’m fine but I’m not! They did an ultrasound of my thyroid - nodules, inflammation - biopsy clear. No further action.
I’ve had enough of this. It’s been a decade or more and I’m suffering every day with joint pain, palpitations, hypoglycaemia, carpal tunnel, fatigue, hair loss, sleep issues, anxiety, low mood, mood swings, digestive issues, acid reflux, weight changes plus my antibodies and swollen neck!
I’ve asked my GP if he would consider allowing me to have a trial of thyroxine in the very lowest dose. He’s not totally said no. He wants to do another blood test for my TSH and then write to endocrine to ask them.
My question is, if they agree, is it a good idea/safe for me to trial it and would it give my thyroid some support or would it just make things worse?
My vitamin levels etc have all been checked and optimised. I have no other known health conditions.
Thank you all in advance.
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Paolatello
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If not get coeliac blood test done BEFORE trialing strictly gluten free diet for 3-6 months minimum
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 with Hashimoto’s can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct 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 first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
I must say at the outset that I’m fairly new to this forum and still learning so this is not advice. Double check what I say! But:
No, taking a very low level of thyroxine would not support your thyroid. You may or may not feel slightly better, but within a few weeks your thyroid would realise there’s a source of thyroxine coming in, albeit an inadequate source, and your thyroid would put its feet up and take a rest, quite likely leaving you worse off than before. So the aim is to raise the dose every 7 weeks or so until symptoms alleviate.
A low dose would probably be 25mcg - a starter dose for the elderly and children. 50mcg is the starter dose for adults without heart problems but a higher dose should be tried after blood tests every 7 weeks or so. Some people find symptoms alleviate but can return after a few weeks indicating under medicated. Others have to reach their optimal dose to alleviate symptoms and some have to try other meds.
I don’t know a lot about Hashimoto’s but I understand your bloods can rise and fall confusing the diagnosis. But once you have the diagnosis then you now have this condition permanently. A GP who recognises this might start Levo. You may need further blood tests to catch a higher TSH to persuade GP to treat you.
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