Inflammation

[Caradoc1a]

Is anyone else have problems with inflammation and connective tissues with hypo? I think I'm quite under as cold, tired and anxious. T3 & t4 to be tested on Tuesday.

[Alanna012]

Yes inflammation is quite common with autoimmune thyroiditis as is achy joints, fatigue, food intolerances, and feeling cold is definitely a classic symptom of being undertreated. These can all be symptoms of not being optimised on thyroid hormone. Some people also develop Raynaud's and fibromyalgia symptoms with accompanying flare ups of achiness and pain in joints when undertreated, especially long term.

Unfortunately, you're also more likely to develop another autoimmune inflammatory illness if you already have one!

Things like vitamins C & D, with herbs like tumeric with curcumin and Quercetin can help combat inflammation as can cutting out gluten and possibly also dairy from your diet.

[Denny39 in reply to Alanna012]

My t4 and t3 are both at the top of the ranges and I still get frozen feet and legs and need a hot water bottle daily.

[Alanna012 in reply to Denny39]

I completely understand. It happens to me. Perfect numbers and feeling rubbish. That's why I personally treat tests as signposts primarily for the medicine having an effect, or as a tweaking tool so to speak and not as gospel that my cells are actually always getting what they need. I rarely test now, and go by my physical signs and symptoms.

It sometimes means a different brand might be more effective for you. You may even find lower numbers with a different brand feels better and you get better physical results. Not all levothyroxine or NDT is the same.

[Denny39 in reply to Alanna012]

I’ve currently lowered t3 from 25 to 20 alongside 100 t4 and the carpel tunnel is my hands is awful. It’s been nearly 6 weeks on this dose.

[Caradoc1a in reply to Denny39]

That's horrible. I started with that in June and did the exercises which helped. If I do anything repetitive it threatens to come back. I shelled beans the other day, which is a mistake! I've loads of assignments to mark now - dreading it!!

[Caradoc1a in reply to Caradoc1a]

I've got a Pdf of exercises although you probably know them already! Not sure how to attach them though!!

[Caradoc1a in reply to Caradoc1a]

I also finish with a 2 min cold shower in the morning and chew raw ginger. I think it helps with inflammation.

[Alanna012 in reply to Denny39]

Why did you reduce your T3? How long have you trialed this reduced dose?

[Denny39 in reply to Alanna012]

Reduced t3 because my numbers were

TSH <0.01

T4 - 19.5

T3 7.2

Was 24 hours for Levo dose and 15.5 hours after last t3 dose. Plus trying to find the right dose to improve my gait and being able to walk for more than 30 minutes.

[Caradoc1a in reply to Alanna012]

Thanks. I don't have a functional thyroid as I had RAI in January this year. So not autoimmune thyroiditos. But I have underactive thyroid. Got more tests next week. I seem to have been in continual flare up since August. The slightest thing causes joint pain.

[JumpJiving in reply to Caradoc1a]

Have you had an early morning (8-9am) cortisol blood test done recently?

[Denny39 in reply to JumpJiving]

My blood cortisol is 203 and has been low for years now and I am hoping this dose over time helps improve it or will need to try something else maybe over time.

[JumpJiving in reply to Denny39]

Denny39 If 203 is an early morning (8-9am) figure, have you had that investigated?

[Denny39 in reply to JumpJiving]

I’ve had a private synacthen test a few years ago.

Baseline - 194

30 mins - 516

60 mins - 706

They have offered me another synacthen test on NHS.

[JumpJiving in reply to Denny39]

Denny39 Probably worth doing. Try to get them to do an ACTH test before starting the synacthen test if you can (NICE guidelines say they should do it).

Your previous SST showed an adequate cortisol response, so would (at that time) have ruled out primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's), but not secondary or tertiary.

Are you on, or have you been on, any steroid-based medication, whether oral, inhalers, topical etc? Can be a cause of tertiary adrenal insufficiency (although often, incorrectly, referred to as secondary).

I notice that you previously mentioned bruising and slow healing, which can be a sign of high cortisol. There is a pituitary issue where cortisol can go back and forth between high and low, so worth mentioning when you do see an endo. Unfortunately, endo's are even more hit and miss for adrenal issues than they are for thyroid issues, so worth running all results by people on the relevant Facebook group or on the ADSHG (paid) forums. The nurse-led (and endo-backed) helpline at the Pituitary Foundation is very helpful too.

[JumpJiving in reply to Denny39]

@Denny39 - Just after posting previous response, I noticed that you also posted about flashing in the corner of the eye. I haven't checked through the responses to that post - it's clearly something you should see an optician about as a priority. However, one cause of visual disturbances is again the pituitary, with some problems resulting in it putting pressure on the optic nerve. If you haven't already, see your optician asap. If your optician doesn't refer you on, speak with your endo or get an appointment with your GP, mentioning low cortisol and visual disturbances, querying pituitary problem. Not one to panic about if that's what it is, but it does require medication, so please do follow it up. The Pituitary Foundation has more information about this.

[Caradoc1a]

Its on next week's list of tests. Scheduled for 9.30am

[samaja]

A lot of your symptoms also fit B12/folate deficiency also commonly found alongside thyroid problems. Have you investigated this angle?