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thyroid misery
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I know it's really frustrating but small steps.
Find a new GP/Endo someone who will listen. That is THE most important thing. Insist on a referral to an Endo. I'm very lucky in that I've seen 4 endo's and 3 were excellent but one just kept increasing my Eltroxin untill I hit 500mg a day: I take T3 and T4 now and I feel much better.
Well mostly: pregnancy wreaks havoc with my thyroid
Get blood tests taken: Vitamin D/Calcium/Iron/Ferritin/Vitamin B12. Other people might have more ideas.
It is (even if it doesn't feel it) a really good thing that you don't have nodules on your thyroid... so that is positive. I know you want to know exactly what is going on, but no matter how frustrating it is no nodules is a good thing.
Also a healthy diet and gentle exercise really do help. I know when you are exhausted exercise can be REALLY hard: but even build it up: try a 10 minute stroll: and keep on increasing it. It is hard work but it will help you feel better in the long run.0 -
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Rosie are you still on the pill? Because I know for me the pill doesn't suit me with my thyroid: I had no bother on it when I was overactive, but when I had the RAI and went underactive I did.
Your T4 levels seem to have stayed in normal levels while your TSH is putting you underactive: so that would suggest maybe some form of T4 resistance? And for that you need a good Endo. I'm not in Dublin so I'm no good to you on that score but someone should be able to help
Eltroxin is T4 but you can get T3 (Ti-Tre): but (and its very important) you need to be treated more symptomatically because T3 can affect TSH results. I can't imagine a GP would prescribe it: it would be something you would need an Endo for.0 -
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Cyning that's interesting about your experiences with the Pill. As I said I never had to watch my weight before. I went on the Pill 4 years ago, and while it didn't really affect my weight at first, I could tell it was messing with my moods. I started to get bad PMS so I tried a few different pills. It also made my boobs grow from a C to a DD. But I didn't gain much weight elsewhere. But then in 2009 my weight started to creep up and I gained about a stone in 6 months. And since then it's been really really hard to keep it under 12 and a half stone. It really gets me down sometimes because I know it's not normal for me and I get very annoyed when friends suggest diets or weight watchers because I know my problem is more complicated than that. Luckily I walk everywhere so it hasn't gotten out of control but I'm sick of it.
cllt97 I don't think I've have my iodine tested, what would the test be called on the result? My last test 5 weeks ago was supposed to be for everything but a few of the things on it are gibberish to me...
I also had the celiac test done at the same time and it came back negative. I'm not sure giving up coffee and gluten etc would work. I do watch out for soya though, and other goitrogens. And from what I've learned you have to eat them raw and in high amounts. I don't like most brassica vegetables anyway so I never ate them. I do eat spinach regularly, and peanuts, as well as strawberries, peaches, flaxseed, walnuts. If you avoided all the foods that are supposed to be bad for your thyroid, you'd be missing out on a lot of really delicious, nutritious foods! But to be honest, I don't think those foods are having a huge effect on my thyroid and the nutrition probably outweighs any negative effect they may or may not have...
There's a small amount of iodine in my multivitamin and I'm trying to eat fish once or twice a week. I do wish I could eliminate all fluoride from my water supply but it's not really an option at the moment because I live in a rented apartment and couldn't afford a fluoride filter anyway. So I buy Evian most days and use a Brita filter for my tap water for cooking and teas etc. it doesn't take the fluoride out but it does remove chlorine and other toxins.
I also like to take hot baths with Epsom salts and bicarbonate of soda - once or twice a week. It's very good for my sensitive skin and any sore joints or muscles. And it's very detoxing as well apparently, and a good way to absorb magnesium (Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate).
Does anyone have any other commendations for vitamins/supplements?
@Rosie1983 see my previous posts regarding supplements and vitamins
this link should work
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056215078&page=25
goodluck chessguy0 -
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CorruptedmoralsCorruptedmorals wrote: »It's such a relief to get a very bad thyroid result, knowing that the tiredness has a big reason. I'm always scared it will come back normal.
TSH mid-May: 8.24 Free T4 is fine apparently, not sure of figure. Dosage increased to 100 from 75 shortly after. Tested on Friday, I don't think the dosage is fully there yet but certainly a lot better.
I'm wondering what dosage I will be on in 10 years time..I started off in 2008 at 25mg every second day. Now 100 every day. Every year I hit a huge increase in TSH and go up, almost like clockwork in summertime.
Corruptedmorals doses for thyroxine being increased over a few years , not a good pattern looks like the actual issue is not being addressed.
Ensure you have the vitamins and minerals you require, also read the post above , you need the FT3 and FT4 results too, they are the "actual important" ones.
Your T4 dose is being increased in the hope more of it will convert to T3,(but often the conversion does not work well) And they just keep increasing the dose of T4.this does not help.
FT3 and FT4, these are the "real numbers to reflect on" and the following antibody tests to see if you have hashimotos,
,this is important to know.
so the endo can choose the correct path for you, because the treatment is quite different depending on whether the issue is hashimotos,or a conversion /or perhaps receptor issue,
With out knowing this you could be lead into increasing doses of T4 causing a vicious cycle.
That is why the following tests are critical.
The emphasis with thyroid issues is first to find out what is not working optimally then to proceed cautiously
Has your Endo confirmed hashimotos , or if it is a conversion issues yet, or confirmed a receptor uptake issue , if not ask why politely of course
you need to know.
cortisol
Tpo ab
Tg ab
Hmmmm , but why does it not help ??
Because some of the t4 is converted to FT3 and some to reverse t3 ,
this reverse t3 will actually block the Ft3 getting in to the receptors which is not good.
.So very high doses of T4 do not help when FT3 is low, a good Endo will prescribe t3 called tri-tre in Ireland.and T4 too.
your TSH is high well out of the normal lab range ,
The enzyme that converts T4 to T3 "de-iodinase," it removes one iodine it actually requires selenium to function properly. So even if your TSH looks good and your T4 looks good too , if you're low on selenium, you likely wouldn't be able to convert T4 to FT3 very well,
Run this by your Endo surely he has checked your Free T3.
this link should work
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...215078&page=25
goodluck
chessguy.0 -
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Corruptedmorals wrote: »Sorry I forgot to say it is autoimmune and runs in the family if that makes a difference. It is caused by antibodies. I get full bloods done once a year and everything is always perfect. Iron is borderline, usually 26.
I am not seeing an Endo. I have a great gp who listens to me and answers all my questions. I was of the opinion that an Endo is needed for more complicated cases?
Does it being autoimmune change the importance of getting the other tests mentioned done? Gp said before when diagnosed is definitely not hashimotos.
Also I know 8.24 is high but surely not off the scale? I have had results of 10 before, last year, and 12 when diagnosed. If it also makes any difference I only have fatigue as a symptom. My weight is the lower side of normal and has only fluctuated downwards.
Thank you both for your insights, will certainly be doing more research and asking more questions. It just kinda worried me that im on quite a high dose and seem to be on an established pattern of increases when im only 23 yet.
@ Corruptedmoralscheck , your GP may well be pleasant ,and informative.
Tsh of 8.24 indicates clearly you are not running optimally,
you say you feel fine, I reckon with the TSh and T3 in the correct ranges you would certainly, have an extra spring in your step
A GP does not have the skill set of an Endo, hence is unable to provide optimal treatment
A good guide would be , has he/she done all the tests above ?? and some others too. like liver function .If no ,the most likely reason is the GP cannot use them for evaluation as the GP is not an Endo.
An Endo is a specialist trained in this speciality field for many years.
This link below, it shows some of the different types of hypothyroidism ,
I do not concur with everything on the link below, but it puts things into perspective, on the diff types.
http://www.progressivehealth.com/hypothyroidism-types.asp
Nutrients are critical , as we are like a working motor,The scientists below agree,, that's why we have all the minerals and electrolytes , yes our body uses electrical charges.
Therefore our minerals and vitamins need to be in place ,for this reaction.
fact autoimmune issues , affect nutrient absorption.
Blood tests for these nutrients are a must as I have mentioned in previous posts here.It does not mean a miracle cure but sure will help ours motors run smooth.
The only way we can fulfill the nutrient requirements is to eat very large amounts of nutrient dense food , but that has it 's down side too,
( large amounts of food because because we have nutrient absorption issues too part of being auto immune.)
the other option is quality supplements,
Medical articles Published show clear indications, that those of us that have such issues, are lacking in most of these just to mention a few,
Vitamin D, vitamin B12, Magnesium , Manganese. Selenium , iron and perhaps >>> Iodine.
Did you know your T4 medicine contains a lot of iodine ?? the iodine atom is releasd so you then have t3 voila...
> Some facts
> 65% of T4 tablets are iodine. ~~~Wow ~~~##
> In the body, T4 is metabolized and, ultimately, 80% of this iodine is
> removed (deiodinated) from the organic component of the T4 and
> released into the plasma pool where it is available for re-use or
> excretion. The other 20% is released in bile and a small component of
> this may be available again before excretion. Since this iodine comes
> from the body's 'store' of T4 (not just today's tablet) it will
> continue to be around for as long as the T4 is around (gradually
> decreasing over a period of weeks).
>
>>> This means that half of the micrograms of T4 that you take end up as
> micrograms of iodine to compete with RAI for uptake. (Example: if you
> take 100mcg of T4 daily then 100mcg * 65% * 80% = 52mcg of iodine per
> day)
The recommended iodine intake for people with normal absorption is around 150 mcg a day.
This shows vit D is also important
http://thyroid.about.com/b/2010/09/30/vitamin-d-important-thyroid.htm
Just one of many published medical articles on vitamin D
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21278761
chris kresser cutting edge
http://chriskresser.com/selenium-the-missing-link-for-treating-hypothyroidism
these 2 below are also cutting edge...Scientists
They are a husband-and-wife team:
They are scientists with a longstanding interest in diet and health
Paul Jaminet, Ph.D. Paul was an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics,
Shou-Ching Shih Jaminet, Ph.D. Shou-Ching is a molecular biologist and cancer researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, and Director of BIDMC’s Multi-Gene Transcriptional Profiling Core.
Below their conclusion.
Also this link is long (http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2011/05/iodine-and-hashimotos-thyroiditis-part-2/
you may want to read the conclusion I pasted it below.,
Conclusion and What I Do
Iodine and selenium are two extremely important minerals for human health, and are rightly emphasized as such in the Perfect Health Diet book and blog. I believe they are fundamental to thyroid health and very important to Hashimoto’s patients.
A survey of the literature suggests that Hashimoto’s is largely unaffected by iodine intake. However, the literature may be distorted <<< by three circumstances under which iodine increases may harm, and iodine restriction help, Hashimoto’s patients:- Selenium deficiency causes an intolerance of high iodine.
- Iodine intake via seaweed is accompanied by thyrotoxic metals and halides.
- Sudden increases in iodine can induce a reactive hypothyroidism.
It’s plausible that if iodine were supplemented in this way, then Hashimoto’s patients would experience benefits with little risk of harm. Anecdotally, a number have reported benefits from supplemental iodine.
Other evidence emphasizes the need for balance between iodine and selenium. Just as iodine without selenium can cause hypothyroidism, so too can selenium without iodine. Both are needed for good health.
my conclusion blood tests are important ,to check antibodies etc , as well as well as nutrients ,and minerals too. <<<<<
And then supplements or medication should be taken.
The articles above shows our vital relationship with nutrients.
Hope the link is not too long , but good to get some basics covered ,
goodluck
chessguy0 -
Hi all!
Posted before about being hypothyroid. Endocrinologist said my vitamin D was low, and this is rising with supplementation, nearly half way there I think, but still have a lot of hypothyroid symptoms. 3 years in now, and on 100mg eltroxin 4 days and 125mg 3 days. The least little thing seems to knock me back no end.
Endo seems to be veering towards an ME diagnosis, but have an appointment Friday and am hoping he will (as promised before) let me try T3. Unfortunately, nearly every time I go to the hospital, its a different endo which makes it a bit intimidating feeling that you have to present your case and argue your corner afresh each time, especially in my brain fogged state (I used to be quite bright!!!).
Therefore, I am posting here wondering if you all could PM me with suggestions of good endo's. I'm in Waterford, currently attending Clonmel. Cltt97 kindly gave me the name of her endo, who is in Dublin, but if I could get another few names and see which suits me best geographically. I'm also considering Dr Magovern if anyone has any thoughts/experiences there.
Thanks!
Mary
@marymarcy good to hear you vit D is on the way up,
you can speed it up if you take oil based drops under the tongue.
Reckon you had the following checked T3, FT3 and t4, FT4, as you are seeing an Endo ??
tpoab
tgab
TRAb
do they know what kind of hypothyroidism you have ??
hashiomotos or T4 t3 conversion issue , or receptor uptake issue.??
If not ask they how they can determine this : most likely with the tests above )
You need these results.
If you have them post them also results of any vitamin/ mineral tests especially vit B12 as this brings the brightness back .clears brain fog google it
Once these tests are done it will create a clear foundation to proceed with,your endo knows this.
cortisol
Tpo ab
Tg ab
goodluck
chessguy0 -
@cltt97
you mention "When I was diagnosed TSH>100, so no definitely not off the scale..."
cltt97 of the scale is a figure of speech
this may be worth a read,,
It's now nearly a decade since the experts have established that this new, narrower TSH normal range of 0.3 to 3.0 is a more accurate one, and recommended that it become the standard of practice. Yet, the dithering continues. Some doctors use the new range for diagnosis and therapeutic management -- others refuse to consider anything unless it's marked "High" or "Low" on laboratory reports.
goodluck
chessguy0 -
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