Hashimotos, just starting Levothyroxine

[HashBlue]

Hi all,

I have been feeling exhausted and not myself recently and my GP did a raft of tests to see if there were any obvious causes. I tested positive for Thyroid peroxidase antibodies and my TSH was elevated at 4.7, so they retests and it came back 6.3

They've agreed to start me on Levothyroxine at 25mg and retest in 6 weeks.

Also one of my children has just been confirmed as having Hashimoto and celiac

I'm a complete novice in this, what should I be looking out for. Are there food choices that will help me feel less exhausted. Are there things that I should avoid?

My GP said avoid caffeine within 2 hours of medication, but no other recommendations

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum HashBlue,

So we can offer better advice, can you share blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

I, like many other members here only improved my health when both thyroid medication and key vitamins were optimal. It’s important to remember that when medics say ‘within range’ or ‘normal’ this may not be optimal for you.

25mcg Levo is an extremely low starter dose (it’s usually 50mcg) so do push for an increase after 6 weeks. TSH should always be under 2, with most members feeling best when this falls significantly under 1.

I would urge you to ask your GP in first instance to test levels of folate, ferritin, vit B12 and vit D in your child also and share results with us.

Please don’t supplement vitamins without testing levels & sharing results with us.

I, like many members with Hashimotos, feel so much better from adopting a gluten free diet. Have you been tested for coeliac too? It’s worth doing this if allergies are already in your family prior to starting a GF trial. I’m not coeliac but am certainly gluten intolerant.

Keep posting; we are here to help & support you 🦋

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your GP should test for Coeliac disease at diagnosis of Hashimoto’s

If they haven’t yet, request they do so …..BEFORE you consider trialing gluten free

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

1.1 Recognition of coeliac disease

1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:

people with any of the following:

persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms

faltering growth

prolonged fatigue

unexpected weight loss

severe or persistent mouth ulcers

unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis

autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis

irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)

first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease.

[HashBlue]

Thanks both,

No test for coeliac yet, I'll raise that at the face to face after my bloods in 6 weeks.

Yes I'm aware it's a low starting dose, just pleased that it was offered without too much of a fight

Results so far:

December 2023

TSH 6.3 mu/l range 0.27-4.2

FT4 13.9 pmol/L range 12.0-22.0

T3 dates from an earlier test set October 2023

TSH 3.4 mu/l range 0.27-4.2

FT4 13.6 pmol/L range 12.0-22.0

FT3 4.2 pmol/L range 3.1-6.8

Thyroid peroxidate ab 64 ku/l range <34

July 2023

TSH 4.7 mu/l range 0.27-4.2

FT4 14 pmol/L range 12.0-22.0

I've not had any tests for vitamins. I currently take a multivitamin and mineral + vitamin D. Should I stop those?

I've not broached a test for coeliac yet but hope to at the next appointment. Currently still eating gluten as I'm aware that reducing would invalidate a test

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to HashBlue]

I currently take a multivitamin and mineral + vitamin D. Should I stop those?

Yes

Most multivitamins contain iodine not recommended for anyone with Hashimoto’s

Generally don’t take supplements unless tested first

Continue vitamin D

How much vitamin D are you taking

[HashBlue]

I take 75UG vitamin D in addition to a multivitamin thaT have 10ug vitamin D in too