Autoimmune Hypothyroid (Hashimoto's symptoms

[helenshubby]

Is there a list of ALL the reported symptoms for AI Hypothyroidism anywhere on the site? My wife is suffering a soreness and sometimes itchyness in the abdominal and lower area which is there a lot/all of the time.

FYI she's had -ve Fit and Ca125 tests ruling out Cancer and has recently started T3 from Roseway at 2.5 mcg which after 8 weeks has reduced her high Ferritin & Cholesterol a bit, CRP is down to 0.96 from 2 (0-5) and Magnesium just within limits at 1.0. ().7-1), 5-6000 iu Vitamin D/K2 spray has increased her Vit D to 101 (50-200) (This weather isn't helping) as well as keeping her T4 around 20 (same as NOT on T3) increasing her FT3 from 3.8 to 5.1 (Range 3.1 to 6.8) TSH is 0.39 (0.27 to 4.20) and most noticeably her cortisol soared from about 300 to 493 (73.8 to 507). Her white count is low as her neutrophils were O.8 which is neutropenic and her anti-bodies are high still. Anti-Thyroglobulin Abs 125 (150 and both Selenium and Folate were high but being supplemented.

HBA1C is 40.

Zinc 13.27 (10.7 - 17.5)

Copper 15.70) (12.24 - 23.72)

So progress being made and prescriber has recommended staying at 2.5 mcg T3 and a further blood test in June.

All other tests except those noted above where within normal range except Helen's Iron at 18.1 (5.8-34.5) which is less than 50%.

One other point is that we will not be using Blue Horizon very much Both times we have tested with them even with a 24 Hour return label it took over 48 hours to get to them. Someone isn't putting it in the post quickly enough as PO tracking show they picked up and delivered within 24 hours so we can't be absolutely sure of the veracity of some tests due to sample age on receipt.

Any pointers useful as separating thyroid symptoms out from anything else is so difficult.

be interested in any thoughts on the bloods especially the cortisol.

[klr31]

I think a lot of these private companies take longer than they should to receive and test blood. I've had a similar experience with Medichecks. Low Neutrophils seem to be common in hypothyroidism as I have it too. TSH seems OK but sometimes symptoms take longer to settle.

Karen

[sparkly]

I do apologies if I've got this wrong. Are you talking about soreness and itching of the vaginal area? If this is correct your wife can be prescribed localised oestrogen cream. Low oestrogen is often a cause of this, also can cause bladder issues. Not sure how old your wife is but HRT might be beneficial to her if not already taking.Please ignore this reply if that is not what you meant.

[helenshubby in reply to sparkly]

No it's lower pelvic area. from the visual marking of pain she made I feel it follows her gut area.

[sparkly in reply to helenshubby]

Perhaps ask GP for referral to gynecologist.

[Tina_Maria]

A low neutrophil count can be caused by an infection but is also common in autoimmune conditions (Hashi's ). Low neutrophils can also be caused by low folate, B12 and copper, but as the B12 is quite good now, perhaps folate and copper might still need some improvement.

With regards to private labs, I can recommend the Monitor My Health lab (on the thyroid uk list); it is an NHS lab in Devon that also does private samples and the turn around is very quick. If you post the samples between Monday and Thursday, they will get there the next day around midday and by afternoon you have the results - so quite efficient.

[RedApple in reply to Tina_Maria]

Tina_Maria, Unfortunately MMH don't offer phlebotomy, which I think is the reason for using BlueHorizon.

helenshubby There is a new testing service that offers home phlebotomy. Their tests are comprehensive, but not specifically targeted at thyroid patients. Might be worth looking at what they offer just in case lolahealth.co/collections/all

[CallMeSunny in reply to RedApple]

I can recommend Lola, efficient and professional, quick turnaround.

[helenshubby in reply to Tina_Maria]

Folate is actually above range as taking B complexes until a week before blood draw then substituting with Folate & B12 sublingually to avoid the biotin trap. Unfortunately BH really only gave Helen 48 hours to stop and the samples may have heamolysed by the time the blood got to the lab as both times delivery tool longer than 48 hours. I don't think the nurses realise that the Post Office are emptying boxes at 9 am each day so unless they use a priority box shown on their Web site a sample could just be sitting in a box 24 hours before being collected and being registered as bing received. Maybe OK at the moment in the cold but during the summer......

[Tina_Maria in reply to helenshubby]

Sorry, I missed the folate being high.

I agree, it is a pain that you cannot rely on the timely postal delivery of the blood samples. I remember in the past when I had the blood drawn by a nurse (I think it was for a medicheck sample), I took the samples myself, went to the next post office and put on the extra postage for guaranteed next day delivery . It was a bit more expensive, but at least I could guarantee that the sample was received the next day and not spoilt. Especially important, as you have mentioned, in the summer, where you do not want any samples cooking in the post box....

[waveylines in reply to helenshubby]

I was told by my post office ....to bring it to them not put in post box. As you're given a tracking g slip. Tracked items is a priority in RM. They get sorted first and delivered.

I used Superdrug that does blood draws and the nurse said I could post it myself if I preferred.

I'm struggling with the finger orick tests as I have ET.....which is made worse by standing......so it's a lottery if I achieve blood going in the tiny capsule hole!

My results came back quickly.

I prefer MMH though because the thyroid ranges are the same as my local nhs lab. Need to source a phlebotomist that will do it for me using their kit, then job done !!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

5-6000 iu Vitamin D/K2 spray has increased her Vit D to 101 (50-200)

So you can reduce dose.

Trial and error what dose is needed as maintenance dose. Perhaps higher dose in winter than summer

How much levothyroxine is she taking and is it always same brand

Ft4 possibly a little high

See what result is at next test

Is she on gluten free diet?

[helenshubby in reply to SlowDragon]

We were advised Vit D round about 100 would be reasonable last pre treatment level was 78u.

[helenshubby in reply to SlowDragon]

Luckily we are mainly keeping to the same brand (Accord) and Helen is on 100 mcg/day with 2.5 mcg T3. I feel the T4 being high may be due to poor conversion as its almost the same as her pre treatment test.. Trying to be gluten free and easy on the Dairy but I'm dealing with a chocaholic.......... Drinking Arla Milk sub and is trying Kefir.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to helenshubby]

There’s some delicious dairy free chocolate around

Lots of Montezuma chocolate is dairy free

montezumas.co.uk/

Forest Feast chocolate covered cherries delicious and dairy free

forestfeast.com/products/60...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

300 hypo symptoms listed here

hypothyroidmom.com/300-hypo...

[Emaych61 in reply to SlowDragon]

The problem with a list that long is that there are any number of disorders that can also cause any number of them. As someone who is acknowledged as being medically complex (as in having mutiple medical conditions - at least one of which I was born with) I’m all too well aware of the problems connected to what is causing what (not helped by the fact that all three conditions I have are known to either present in different ways or be triggered in very different ways). In my case there is no family history of hypothyroidism, whereas we now know there is family history of two other conditions I have. There is one condition I have recently developed which does seem to be unique to me in the family and is also known to be a trait of hypothyroidism but as far as I’m aware there is only that one.

[helvella]

helenshubby,

Is there a list of ALL the reported symptoms for AI Hypothyroidism anywhere on the site?

I don't blame you at all for asking. But there are now over half a million scientific papers which mention "thyroid", over 20,000 mention "hypothyroid", and every day brings more. And over 70,000 which refer in some way to "autoimmune" and "thyroid" (though some might refer to"non-autoimmune thyroid").

These numbers are massive.

As we move from the best-known, most obvious, issues, we rapidly reach symptoms which in the way they have been described only affect some people. And many that could be thyroid OR something else.

A classic is the overlap between B12 and/or folate deficiency and hypothyroidism. If you take B12, folate and thyroid hormone - and the symptom resolves - which of them caused it? Can you ever be sure?

I've tended to go down the route of considering that almost any symptom could be due to thyroid until proved otherwise.

The number of possible symptoms is huge.

I am convinced that hypothyroidism caused me to have sleep problems - I was getting far less sleep than I needed. Another person might have felt they couldn't wake up and were oversleeping. So we also get apparently contradictory symptoms listed.

I'm trying to say:

There is no definitive list of symptoms.

Try not to assume any symptom is, or is not, caused by hypothyroidism - autoimmune or otherwise.

A list might help a bit. But don't get hung up on lists and how many symptoms they have on them. Every actual list is incomplete and could have some entries which could be more misleading than helpful.

[RedApple]

There is a very basic list of signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism on the Thyroid UK website. But it's by no means exhaustive and hasn't been updated for a long time to reflect current knowledge. thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

I agree with helvella when he says 'almost any symptom could be due to thyroid until proved otherwise. The number of possible symptoms is huge.'

[Coulby]

I am so very sorry that I can't give you any info on this.It breaks my heart that so many are suffering like this.I dont know enough yet, but I wish you both the best and know you will get fantastic help on this site ❤️

[ThyroidieGriaffe]

Hi thyroid UK has a comprehensive list. Good luck.

[Vasiliki99]

cortisol s stress related - i dont know my health nothing works at all 10 years i was doing all these tests following all these things - now I know the blood tests will say high folate but low neutrophils low blood cells - iron i take just from doctor - vit D it take its not a good illness itdoesnt come out well -i dont feel better ever - the winter is slow and body not good till i move and get started - T3 they say can ramp up the body but is used to take it -----now i cant get it even without extortion and it is difficult there we are sods law------ ----u could try taking glandular or cortisol adrenal supplements - u could try multivitamin - or u could think about hrt or hormone stuff u can get progesterone and oestrogen online - vit d and k i just purchased kelp i take but not all like it - but then i am not on t3 its not easy

[helenshubby in reply to Vasiliki99]

We have opted to reach out privately for T3. In 6-8 weeks 2.5 mcg has turned may of Helen's wayward bloods round bar the most dramatic: an almost 200 point range increase with the markers we needed to increase doing so and the se that needed to go down following suit. We are going to maintain what we are doing at the moment which is:

Levo: 100 mcg

T3 2.5 mcg

Zinc

Selenium

Thorpe B Vitamin B Complex

Sub lingual Vitamin D3/K2 but swapping out the

and see what the bloods look like in June July when her next supply of T3 will be due.

When we tried T3 with an NHS Endo Helen was put on 20 mcg day Which according to one of the more prolific contributors was like "putting High Octane Fuel in a clapped out mini. It's almost as if they are setting you up to fail........ as it gave Helen severe s/e whilst a low starting dose is what's needed. Grrrrr

[Vasiliki99 in reply to helenshubby]

most get u to cut the pill up but if the t4 t3 ranges dont seem too bad then thats ok - i used to take one lot but ive never felt great no matter what since it happened - still nutrition supplements keep the clapped out mini running so to speak - this country doesnt supply t3 so easily and cheaply as other eu countries iron patches n b12 patches can get on ebay r a boost sometimes - i also like butter eggs salt personally for cortisol boost but in small amounts doctotr suggested 5 times to eat per day to keep it rolling

[helenshubby in reply to Vasiliki99]

Roseway provides T3 in vegan capsules at the prescribed dose. Magic.

[Vasiliki99]

I wish you the best i wish could convince my GP not keen in Bristol - i dont know if it would help - in other countries dont need a script even