Effects of diet changes

[teenarocks]

I've had hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's for 31 years. I've been told my thyroid is basically dead due to this and I'm completely reliant on taking thyroid hormone. Six months ago I started a Whole Food Plant Based lifestyle and have seen benefits to my health. Lately I've not been sleeping as well, have some excess energy and I'm feeling some heart palpitations. I was on 5 mcg of T3 and 75 mcg of T4. I have discontinued the T3. Do you think it is possible to resurrect a dead thyroid? Another possibility is perhaps I am now converting better? Eventually I will update my blood work but will wait a few months to do so.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Really should have tested BEFORE changing dose

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Vegan diet will cause drop in iron/ferritin and B12

Palpitations often low iron/ferritin

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

On T3 - day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day with last dose 8-12 hours before test

[teenarocks in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I did test before changing dose and I take B-12 regularly. Ferritin is scheduled to be checked with my next blood work. I do understand about how and when to do my testing. Thank you for your response and all you do for this forum.

[greygoose]

Do you think it is possible to resurrect a dead thyroid?

No, I don't think so. I've never heard of such a thing happening. But, in any case, you couldn't know whilst still taking thyroid hormone replacement because you will have lowered your TSH to the point that the thyroid won't be making any hormone, even if it is capable of doing so.

Another possibility is perhaps I am now converting better?

That might be a possibility, but you can't know unless you've been on T4 mono-therapy for at least six weeks, and test FT4 and FT3 at the same time. And, then compare the results to other tests that you've had done on T4 mono-therapy.

It could be that you've improved your nutrient levels and thereby eliminated any symptoms that were being caused by deficiencies.

[teenarocks in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for this response. It's very helpful. I will test again in six weeks and compare to my past tests. I always have TSH, T4 and T3 testing done at the same time. I have had nutrient testing done in the past also so I will repeat that and compare to the past tests. Then maybe I'll have a clue about what is happening.

[greygoose in reply to teenarocks]

You're welcome.

[Hidden]

Have you lost weight on the new diet? It is possible that your overall thyroid hormone requirement has dropped, as opposed to your thyroid function improving.

[teenarocks in reply to Hidden]

Hmmmm. That is something I didn't consider, so thank you for that. I have only lost 5 pounds so I'm not sure it would apply but I will definitely keep it in mind if I continue to lose weight.

[Hidden in reply to teenarocks]

I think comparing labs will be your best bet might be one of the very few occasions that TSH comparison is actually useful!

[teenarocks in reply to Hidden]

HaHaHa! Right!