What would cause Thyroid to start working again?

[jaxnbreeze]

I was diagnosed hypo. 2 years ago with TSH 8 after virus but with no anti-bodies. What would cause my thyroid to start working again as I think this could be happening ? I am taking 50mc. thyroxine, TSH 0.16 and feel a bit hyper.

[helvella Administrator]

There are many possibilities.

For example, you have recovered from a virus (as you sort-of imply). Or your diet no longer includes something that was affecting you - e.g. a strong goitrogen. Or you have recovered from iron-deficiency anaemia. And probably numerous other things - some known, some not - which might have been a cause.

Rod

[jaxnbreeze in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod. I think my diet has improved because although I am under a great deal of stress I am not working at the moment and therefore eating less 'rubbish'. I am past retirement age so I wonder if it because I am rushing around less also I am meditating and doing yoga. It's all very curious.

[julietta in reply to helvella]

Sorry to butt in, Rod, but I was wondering if it is possible to recover from Hypothyroidism?

I definitely had hypo (though undiagnosed) after having my children in my thirties.

I had all the symptoms but didn't realise what it was and nor did my doctor. Over time, however, I gradually got better (with no medication)until recently (eight years ago) when I was diagnosed with hypo., and realised that I had all the same symptoms as all those years ago. Have you heard of others like this?

[helvella Administrator in reply to julietta]

The respected thyroid site Thyroid Manager does indeed suggest that this is sometimes possible. Though they freely say they cannot predict which patients will recover - some apparently permanently.

But very many people go through periods in which they felt different over many years - sometimes feeling hyper, sometimes hypo. Eventually most seem to need permanent treatment, unfortunately. Throw pregnancy in and it becomes almost common!

Must admit,this also makes life difficult for GPs. Patient comes in with various non-specific complaints. Suggest they do various ordinary things such as try to get to bed earlier, improve diet, lose weight. They come back, maybe months later, sorry - not much better. Blood tests done - results a bit uncertain. Wait a couple of months. By which time patient might be feeling a bit better, results no clearer (or even better than before). Nothing to treat. Until next time... But that could be quite a few months of the patient's life.

Rod

[julietta in reply to helvella]

Thanks, Rod. That's interesting that it does sometimes happen. I take your point that it can make things a bit tricky for GPs sometimes but good to keep them on their toes!

Also, when I think back it is possible that I was very mildly hypo for much of the time rather than being fully recovered, but impossible to know for sure. X