Medication, symptoms and testosterone

[Norbertg]

Dear all, I would like to tell you about my case in the hope that someone has similar symptoms and can help me understand and adjust my symptoms and exams.

I discovered that I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in 2011, after experiencing symptoms of tiredness at the end of the day around 6 pm. High TSH and high Anti-TPO and Anti-TG hormones.

During the following 12 years, I always took the same dose of 75 mcg of Euthyrox. Last year I started to feel a little depressed and decided to stop taking the medication in June/2024 to see how I would feel. Over the next 5 months, I did blood tests, where the results were within the range as can be seen in the image below. Now, after 8 months, I started to feel tired again at the end of the day and next week I will have an appointment with the endocrinologist to decide whether to take the medication again, perhaps at a lower dose. Does anyone have a similar case?

Another point, which I don't know if there is an association with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is very low testosterone. I don't have any symptoms of low testosterone. Is there a correlation?

I am 39 years old, slightly overweight (88 kg) and I don't exercise.

Thank you in advance.

[Norbertg]

Posting again the image

Blood test

[greygoose]

Hi Norbertg, welcome to the forum.

Well, according to your chart, you were always under-medicated. Your TSH was always too high (should come down to 1 or under) and your Frees were too low. And it was because of that that you started feeling depressed. Rather than stopping the levo altogether, if would have been a better idea to get an increase in dose.

Now, you're pretty hypo again, so not surprising you get tired. It really would be a good idea to start the 'meds' again - thyroid hormone replacement.

I should think that anybody who went under-medicated all that time, then stopped taking the levo, would have a similar case. Hypothyroidism is for life. And with Hashi's it doesn't get better, it just keeps on getting worse as the thyroid is slowly destroyed by the immune system.

As for a correlation between low testosterone and low thyroid hormones, all hormones are linked. So if one is out of kilter, you can expect others to be, too.

Oh, and by the way, Anti-TPO and Anti-TG are not hormones, they're antibodies.

[Norbertg in reply to greygoose]

Dear greygoose, thanks for tour reply and analysis.

yeah antibodies, my mistake.

Regarding to increase the dose, i have tried to go to 87 mcg but I started to feel my heart racing and had intestinal problems.

Maybe if I return to 75 mcg and supplement with vitamin package like D, zinc, selenium, magnesium, etc could be a way to better thyroid function?

[greygoose in reply to Norbertg]

If I were you, I'd get the main nutrients tested - vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested right away, and start supplement where necessary. But only take what you need - we can help you with that - more is never better, and can be dangerous.

Optimising your nutrients won't help you manage with less hormone, nor will it affect thyroid function, but will probably mean you find it easier to increase the dose.

[Norbertg in reply to greygoose]

Thank you again. I will discuss it with my doctor, check the blood levels again and return here in a few weeks.

Appreciate your help.

[greygoose in reply to Norbertg]

You're welcome.