What's a hashi flare and could my change in results be due to that?

[Wrayofsunshine]

Can someone help me understand what a hashi flare is and whether my change in results could be due to that?

I was prescribed 75mcg on June 13th and have been on a stable dose since then, same brand etc. Because I was still feeling tired I finally managed to persuade my gp to test t3 and t4 which was tested on 21st August and came.back with the results:

T4:18.2 [12 - 22]

T3 3.9 [3.1 - 6.8]

I then decided to get vitamins tested to see if there was anything I could do there to help as T3 was quite low. I did a medichecks finger prick test on 12th September and came back with the following results:

TSH: 0.14 (0.27-4.2)

T4: 22.6 (12-22)

T3: 5.7 (3.1-6.8)

Both tests were done early morning, water only and with last dose of levo at least 24hours before. It seems a big shift in results to happen over 3 weeks with a stable dose of levo. Is this what a hashi flare is? We moved house between those two tests so I have been under significant stress. Do you deal with a flare (if it is that) in the same way as being over medicated? How long do things take to go back to normal? I am feeling really rubbish since getting these results, one day I'll be anxious, racing heart at times, feeling a little wired. The next day I feel fine. I have started reducing my dose a little so twice a week I'm only having half a tablet of my usual 75mcg and hoping things will settle. Any light shed on the subject would be gratefully received.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes could be Hashimoto’s flare or just stress of moving

Retest again in another 6-8 weeks

What were vitamin results

What vitamin supplements are you taking

[HealthStarDust]

I don’t think you can rely on results from different labs.

[greygoose]

A Hashi's Flare - or, as I prefer to call it 'a Hashi's 'hyper' swing', because that better describes what happens - is when the immune system attacks the thyroid, killing off some of the cells, and the dying cells dump their stock of thyroid hormone into the blood, causing the FT4 and FT3 to rise unexpectedly.

This can happen at any time, without any warning, and can be a massive change in levels or just a small one. And the length of time it goes on can vary from person to person and attack to attack. It is totally random. But, eventually, the extra hormone will be used up/excreted and you will go back to being hypo again.

For that reason, if you suddenly feel over-medicated, and a private test shows unexpectedly high results, it's best to temporarily reduce - or even stop - your thyroid hormone on your own, without involving a doctor. Doctors understand nothing about Hashi's swings, and once they've lowered your dose - or even slashed it - it can be difficult to get them to raise it again. They don't have the education or the logic to cope with it. So, lower or stop your levo yourself, and restart it when you feel hypo again.

Your results could be a swing, but just a little one, nothing to panic about, results are not over-range. But, I'm surprised you felt better with the first set of results, because your FT3 was so very low. But, these things are inexplicable and we just have to go with the flow. Do what you feel is necessary. You know your body better than anyone!