Theoretical question regarding COVID vaccine and treatment of transient hypothyroidism.

[ockerdoc]

I’ve been looking into the possible causes of my hypothyroidism and there are many research papers on Covid vaccination causing transient thyroiditis. As we have been having vaccines at least once or twice a year for the last 3 years you could conceivably test subclinical hypo 4 times in 1.5 years which I have. What I want to know is if your treating your hypothyroidism with levothyroxine while you have thyroiditis but then gradually the thyroiditis disappears after around 6-12 months (which happens apparently) will you still be reliant on the levothyroxine or will you have to reduce Levo to a point where you won’t need it because your thyroid has started producing enough for your body again? Does this make sense? If anyone had any insight on this I’d appreciate your input thank you. 😁

[greygoose]

I don't have any hard data on this, but knowing how the thyroid works, I would say the second option is the most likely, if it is truly transient hypo. But, you won't know if it's transient without stopping the levo at some point to see how the thyroid copes on its own.

But, the point is, it's not just because you start taking levo that you have to take it forever, as some doctors think. Once you stop it, the thyroid will go back to doing what it was doing before you started taking it. It make take a while for it to build up steam, but eventually it will.

[ockerdoc in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose yes that was what I thought was the most likely answer. 👍

[greygoose in reply to ockerdoc]

You're welcome.

[ockerdoc in reply to greygoose]

If I did try it at some point do you think it would be better just stop taking all levothyroxine and kick the thyroid into action straight away? It’s just I felt so awful on 25mcg I don’t think I want to take that amount at all.

[greygoose in reply to ockerdoc]

Difficult question. For some people - me for example - that would work. For others, it wouldn't. If you decide to try it that way, prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.

[ockerdoc in reply to greygoose]

Ok thank you 🙏

[HealthStarDust]

it does to me. You won’t know till you try. Reducing sounds like a sensible approach.

[Fran_scarbs]

This is really interesting. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 2 years ago but I suspect it started before my covid vaccine, after I had my baby. I know post partum thyroiditis is a thing and presumed I have this, but was told in most people this goes away. 2 years on I’ve gone from 25mg levo (which did nothing) to 100mg and that feels about right. How would I know if it was caused by pregnancy and if it would ever return to normal? Thank you. I’ve not had yet full bloods done, had a couple of private appointments cancelled but then felt ok on the increased levo so left it.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Fran_scarbs]

Fran_scarbs, You might get more helpful comments if you start a new post of your own to ask this question, rather than jumping in to another member's post.