Smoking

[pipshaw]

Diagnosed with Hashimotos 3 years ago and taking 125 mcg. I’ve just quit smoking after 43 years of a pack a day. Do I need my bloods monitored more regularly at the moment as I have read thyroid problems and smoking can be related, I’m wondering by now not smoking would this have some affect on the thyroid positively or negatively

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

First, well done. I know giving up isn't something achieved lightly.

What we see quite often is that people are diagnosed after giving up. It appears that smoking to some extent masks the hypothyroidism.

I suggest that you do test more often. Maybe consider doing a private test? Or buying a test and keeping it ready to use.

However, if you are feeling OK on your current dose, I don't think you need be too worried. It is more likely to result in needing a small adjustment rather than massive.

[humanbean in reply to helvella]

Or buying a test and keeping it ready to use.

But remember the Medichecks tests are only valid for three months(???). (Hope I've got that right.) I don't know if there are "use by" dates on tests from other companies.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to humanbean]

Yes - indeed, the companies have various technical and commercial policies on such things.

[pipshaw in reply to helvella]

Many thanks for your replies. Sorry I should have explained that I now live in Spain. I’m not aware of self testing kits or if they are available here. Are they blood tests? I can get private blood test done easy enough though, not very cheap unfortunately

[radd]

pipshaw,

Most definitively positive, so well done!

Nicotine affects HPA function through a variety of ways, and smokers generally have lower serum TSH & higher free T4/T3 than non-smokers.

Sometimes years of smoking may have desensitised nicotine binding sites in the hypothalamus but watch for your TSH increasing which would encourage higher thyroid hormone levels (if you have any thyroid gland left to secrete it), and you might then need a med dose reduction.

Also the thyroid hormones you have should eventually start working more effectively so a lower dose should bring the same amount of well-being.

[Miffie]

I gave up smoking some 13 years ago after smoking for about forty years. I did not notice any significant changes in thyroid function. Hypothyroidism diagnosed sone sixty years ago. Not Hashimotos. Well done on stopping, it’s not easy. I took Champix ? It was so grim I knew I couldn’t start again because stopping was grim. 🤣