Almost 12 years ago I had surgery to remove an adenoma on my parathyroid gland. The surgeon not only removed 2 1/2 parathyroid glands but also did a complete thyroidectomy. There was no cancer. The surgeon said my thyroid was small and fragile (I suspect he didn't know what he was doing. I live in the U.S.)
For a few years, I was only on T4 replacement and felt terrible. Eventually, I found a doctor who let me try natural dessicated thyroid. I am currently taking NP Thyroid, but still have intermittent symptoms of hypothyroidism (fatigue, lack of appetite, cold intolerance, and lately my glucose levels have been rising).
I read an article recently: Hypothyroidism is associated with a faulty increase in Hemoglobin A1C levels which was published in Clinical Thyroidology for the Public, a publication of the American Thyroid Association. Also, an article by Paul Robinson states that low T3 levels are linked to low insulin and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Can anyone shed light on this, please?
Also, just wondering how much thyroid meds do others with no thyroid take?
I had been taking 150 mg NP Thyroid but my last free t3 level dropped from 3.5 to 2.5 (range 2.0 - 4.4) and my free t4 level dropped from 1.56 to 1.20 (range 0.82 - 1.77). This was over about a 4 month period. And my glucose jumped from 96 to 123 (range 65 - 99). I increased my NP Thyroid to 165 mg for a week or so and now I've increased to 180 mg. Still feeling "yucky". My calcium is always on the low end because of my hypoparathyroidism; my vitamin d levels are fine.
Written by
maryfran33
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
"actual measurements of fasting blood sugars and overall glucose tolerance were unchanged on thyroid hormone" Ooh, now I've never thought about this, but I can see that historically I've had "Fasting Plasma Glucose" Results and just "Plasma Glucose", more recently HbA1c. I don't know if there is any difference in these tests apart from my GP telling me to fast before testing, and that being noted. Hopefully somebody else will know, or failing that, I think I would ask your Dr.
I can't comment on NP Thyroid, as I don't have any idea. I think that you need a thorough checking over though, and wish you luck. 😊
I think people in the UK would be very envious of your natural desiccated thyroid hormone and it shouldn't lead to poor T3, perhaps you just needed that increased dose.There might be several reasons why your glucose levels are raised, the main one being whether you had anything to eat prior to your test or your diet even over previous months, increased or less exercise. I have seen some links to diabetes and low T2 but not reliable trial evidence so it isn't worth getting paranoid about that, other things will affect levels more. Insulin residence is also associated with other conditions but perhaps deal with one problem at a time and watch your sugar and carbs in the meantime and retest in a few months.
Are you taking sufficient calcium supplements and having regular calcium tests because of your parathyroid glands loss?
Thanks for your reply! I have started watching my sugar and carb intake. Wonder how long it takes for dietary changes to take effect. I "tweak" the calcium supplements every now and then depending on how I'm feeling. Usually get tested 2 or 3 times a year. Wish there were an at-home test to measure calcium levels!
Am sorry to hear you arent feeling well. NP Thyroid has had problems with managing its active ingredients -this has led to variations...in the uk on the nhs it has been withdrawn. Although Ive been on a ndt for years my dose has always remained the same but on Acella I found I had to keep tweaking it up or down. Am back on Armour now and more settled though still adjusting. Thought Id mention this as it could be an added factor. Your Ft3 is far too low so looks like you need an increase.......or it could be a batch variation as mentioned above.
I think you're right maryfran. My blood test results were all over the place. I know some else who found the same thing was happening and was constantly changing her new upnorcdown!. Its such a shame as I really like the NP until this started happening. Am doing OK on the Armour but not as well as on NP.
Im thyroid-less and I never had high sugar tests in my life and now without a thyroid Im seeing with every sugar test my numbers going up … absolutely disastrous and the doctors refuse to see the relationship between no thyroid and rise in sugar levels of course its YOU your doing it to yourself criminal if you ask me…. Crazy mess
Hi maryfran33,It is awful to feel so rubbish. I also have no thyroid due to it be removed for Medullary Thyroid cancer, and also have no parathyroids, I also had a parathyroid tumour, but all were removed due to a bilateral neck dissection.
Over the years since my operation I am beginning to understand more about the role of calcium and how I need to make sure levels are stable. Parathyroiduk.com
is a really informative and helpful site I have learned so much from. Diet is so important. Symptoms for low Thyroid and Calcium can sometimes be blurred. I think I have blamed low Thyroid meds when possibly more of my symptoms maybe down to managing calcium levels. It does not help, that once you have had your operation doctors and most endos do not really understand how to manage both conditions at the same time.
Try the website, and particularly the sections about living and managing with hypoparathyroidism and see what you think? I am still learning but since following the advice, have felt, nor back to my old self, but much better.
Thank you so much Shelliann! We're in a similar boat; I agree that symptoms can be blurred between low thyroid and low calcium. Sometimes I'll up my dosage of both. I take a mixture of calcium citrate and calcium carbonate as well as extra Vitamin D3 and magnesium citrate. Found a study: A Study of Serum Magnesium, Calcium and Phosphorus in Hypothyroidism which concluded that
For some reason I was not able to finish the above reply. The study concluded that serum phosphorus and magnesium levels were high whereas serum calcium level was low in hypothyroidism when compared to normal subjects.
I just take 100 mg levothyroxine ( first thing in a morning) and 1mg of One -Alpha ( alfacalcidol) a day, which I take with my evening meal as they need fat to absorb them. I sometimes find they give me bloating and pain if not taken with enough food. I tried taking chelated magnesium at night time but it seemed to seemed to increase my calcium levels, which as yiu know, need to be kept on the low side of normal.
When you edit the original post in a thread, you will also have the option to add (or remove) a single image. (To replace an image, remove the existing image, then add the new one.) This is the same process as writing a new post:
Wow....you take only 100 mg levothyroxine with no thyroid! You must be a good converter of t4 to t3. For a few years in the beginning I, too, only took levothyroxine (Synthroid). Convinced one doctor to add some synthetic t3 but it was not enough. Changed doctors and found one who was willing to prescribe natural dessicated thyroid....... though I still have my ups and downs (which could be the hypocalcemia as well as the hypothyroidism),
I do think I need abut more but it's so difficult to get endos to prescribe T3 in UK. I was OK in summer but now it's colder prob need a bit more. If I deviate from healthy food with lots of veg that seems to cause problems for me. I feel ok but know I have never regained clarity of thought, stamina and energy levels of before op. I gave up avery stressful job, which has helped and try to avoid stress, or becoming fatigued. Wish the medics understood the condition more. No-one ever explained the problems you experience after losing all your parathyroids. I would've liked to be aware of how serious calcium levels are for a start. Thank goodness fir the Internet.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Switching to night time dosing on NP Thyroid (2x 60mg tablets daily) 
Private blood test results from Blue Horizon, please advise
Low T3 and diabetes risk 
sudden drop in thyroid results!!
