Does it take longer for people qith under active Thyroids to recover from viruses?

[Runner828]

My mum has now been ill for over 3 months, with all sorts of symptoms. It started with a virus (like a cold), she then had infected tonsils, and even covid at the beginning. This was over 10 weeks ago now and her latest symptoms are dizziness, tinnitus, lump in throat feeling, post-nasal drip, blocked ears and dry sore eyes. Is there a possibility that her thyroid disorder is stopping her from overcoming a lingering virus? Every doctor she's seen has said there is nothing sinister in blood test results, CT scans and endoscopy, so what is wrong with her?? She's so upset and fed-up with it all, I just want to help in some way.

[greygoose]

The first thing to do is to get hold of those blood test results - and ranges - and post them on here. Sounds to me as if she could be under-medicated - which wouldn't surprise me in the least!

Yes, recovery does take longer when you're hypo. And even longer if you're under-medicated. You cannot trust doctors to know what they're talking about when it comes to thyroid, because they just don't get the necessary education. You - or your mother - need to check exactly what they're testing, and exactly what the results were, and go from there. If they are only testing the TSH for thyroid, then they have no idea what's going on.

Hope our mother feels better soon.

[Ziburu in reply to greygoose]

Very sorry about your Mum.Has she been referred for her eyes? I have dry eyes and was referred by my optician and GP I think, to the eye clinic. It was diagnosed as Epithelial basement membrane corneal dystrophy. Basically eyes are so dry they're painful and my lids stick to the surface of my eyes when I sleep. Then when I open my eyes part of the surface of my eye can get damaged. This continually causes abrasions and can affect your sight.

I have drops and cream, have tried plugs in my tear ducts to stop tears draining away too fast.

This is often seen along with Rheumatoid arthritis, which am also being investigated for. Very painful, swollen finger joints mostly. As well this is seen with psoriasis, which again I have a very dry scalp and can get dry patches on my face.

These are all autoimmune conditions in themselves.

If you have one you’ll likely get others.

My main one is hashimotos.

I’ve found and read that avoiding the triggers is key.

So try to keep away from things like gluten, dairy and sugar.

As well it will be helpful if you look up inflammation and anti inflammation foods. Some foods, sugar is very bad, cause inflammation and feed any inflammation or allergic/ inflammatory condition you might have (post nasal drip/allergic rhinitis).

Also one for me is Amines, as in antihistamine . Amines occurs in foods when they mature - so ripe bananas, cheese, any food that is not completely fresh or has been matured is best avoided or do an elimination diet to test if you’re sensitive. That’s a lot of info but hope it will work for you.

Good luck with helping your Mum get well again 🍀🍀🍀

Ps make sure she has daily Vit D3 and B12 check her iron too and stay hydrated with plenty of water. Avoid caffeine switch to decaf. I only use caffeine as a painkiller in tandem with soluble aspirin.

[Marz]

Also vitamin and mineral levels should be checked - B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. Is your Mum supplementing ? Vitamin levels can be depleted when under medicated and unwell - slowing down recovery.

Hope Mum will soon feel better ....

[Polaris in reply to Marz]

I'd echo Marz - my symptoms of low B12 were all exacerbated after a very bad virus four years ago. 40% of those with thyroid disease go on to develop B12 deficiency and vice versa.

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

The website above has excellent information re. symptoms, etc.

Important not to supplement before testing though.

[thyreoidea]

Hi Runner 828, I was diagnosed with under active thyroid in 2006 but have had a post nasal drip for a number of years before that so not sure if it is caused by Hypothyroidism or not but I would say that looking at your mums symptoms which I had last summer including ringing in one ear and continuation of my post nasal drip, headache but without the feeling of a lump in the throat, my GP prescribed some antibiotics, it cleared up, coincidence?

You can access your medical records including blood tests from your GP practice by giving them a ring and they will tell you how. Usually a user name and a password, I find these very useful for your own detective work as it will include past blood tests etc.

I apologise if you already know about access to medical records and hope your mum feels better soon.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How long has she been on levothyroxine

What dose levothyroxine

Does she always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

What vitamin supplements is she currently taking

Test before starting any supplements

Tinnitus and dizziness often low B12

Post nasal drip often lactose intolerance - extremely common when on levothyroxine

Lump in throat suggests under medicated

She is legally entitled to printed copies of her blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation she needs TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

In U.K. medics never call it Hashimoto’s, just autoimmune thyroid disease (and they usually ignore the autoimmune aspect)

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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Ord’s is autoimmune without goitre.

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s.

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too. Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[Hypopotamus]

One way that the body kills a virus is by increasing the body temperature. If the hypo isn't treated properly, the body temperature will not rise high enough to effectively get rid of the virus. And of course, it is worse in the colder months.

[Ziburu]

Please see my reply to you for your Mum that I seem to have inadvertently sent to Greygoose !!