This article is part of a special report on Thyroid Disorders. To see a comprehensive eBook on thyroid health, click here.
An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Up to 60 percent of these people are unaware of their condition. One in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime. The number of people suffering from thyroid disorders continues to rise each year. (1)
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common thyroid disorders. It’s estimated that nearly 5 percent of Americans age 12 and up have hypothyroidism. (2) It is characterized by mental slowing, depression, dementia, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, cold intolerance, hoarse voice, irregular menstruation, infertility, muscle stiffness and pain, and a wide range of other not-so-fun symptoms.
Every cell in the body has receptors for thyroid hormone. These hormones are responsible for the most basic aspects of body function, impacting all major systems of the body.
You can think of the thyroid as the central gear in a sophisticated engine. If that gear breaks, the entire engine goes down with it.
That’s why people with hypothyroidism experience everything from weight gain and depression to infertility, bone fractures and hair loss.
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One of the biggest challenges facing those with hypothyroidism is that the standard of care for thyroid disorders in both conventional and alternative medicine is hopelessly inadequate.
The dream of patients with thyroid disorders and the practitioners who treat them is to find that single substance that will magically reverse the course of the disease. For doctors, this is either synthetic or bio-identical thyroid hormone. For the alternative types, this is iodine.
Unfortunately, in the vast majority of cases neither approach is effective. Patients may get relief for a short period of time, but inevitably symptoms return or the disease progresses.
So what’s the problem? Why have replacement hormones and supplemental iodine been such dismal failures?
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Because Hypothyroidism Is Caused by an Autoimmune Disease
Studies show that 90 percent of people with hypothyroidism are producing antibodies to thyroid tissue. (3) This causes the immune system to attack and destroy the thyroid, which over time causes a decline in thyroid hormone levels.
This autoimmune form of hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s is the most common autoimmune disorder in the United States. (4) While not all people with Hashimoto’s have hypothyroid symptoms, thyroid antibodies have been found to be a marker for future thyroid disease.
Most doctors know hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease. But most patients don’t. The reason doctors don’t tell their patients is simple: it doesn’t affect their treatment plan.
But in the case of Hashimoto’s, the consequences—i.e. side effects and complications—of using immunosuppressive drugs are believed to outweigh the potential benefits. (Thanks to conventional medicine for a relative moment of sanity here.)
So the standard of care for a Hashimoto’s patient is to simply wait until the immune system has destroyed enough thyroid tissue to classify them as hypothyroid, and then give them thyroid hormone replacement. If they start to exhibit other symptoms commonly associated with their condition, like depression or insulin resistance, they’ll get additional drugs for those problems.
The obvious shortcoming of this approach is that it doesn’t address the underlying cause of the problem, which is the immune system attacking the thyroid gland. And if the underlying cause isn’t addressed, the treatment isn’t going to work very well—or for very long.
If you’re in a leaky rowboat, bailing water will only get you so far. If you want to stop the boat from sinking, you’ve got to plug the leaks.
Extending this metaphor to Hashimoto’s disease, thyroid hormones are like bailing water. They may be a necessary part of the treatment. But unless the immune dysregulation is addressed (plugging the leaks), whoever is in that boat will be fighting a losing battle to keep it from sinking.
Hashimoto’s often manifests as a “polyendocrine autoimmune pattern.” This means that in addition to having antibodies to thyroid tissue, it’s not uncommon for Hashimoto’s patients to have antibodies to other tissues or enzymes as well. The most common are transglutaminase (Celiac disease), the cerebellum (neurological disorders), intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia), glutamic acid decarboxylase (anxiety/panic attacks and late onset type 1 diabetes).
For more on how to balance the immune system and treat Hashimoto’s, check out this article.
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Hello,I’m a pro athlete 37 yrs old,out of the blue I was diagnosed the graves disease,I believe it was because I was taking T3 CYTOMEL which is greatly used in sports and Hollywood for weight loss about (125-150MCG’S a day as high as 200 at times,and liquid version) am I correct that this caused this ? so I was on Tapazol for about 1 1/2 yrs,but never felt good I always felt I had a slow thyroid,so now Im on Synthroid 50 mcg for 6 weeks,Felt better for the 1st 4,now feel terrible again and gaining about 8-10lbs a month with out vigorous exercise..I want and need to feel better I have found the huge debate of T3 and Armour some say T3 is needed some so no..here are my latest labs
T4 12.3 (4.5-12.0)
T3 UPTAKE 31.4 ( 22-36%)
T7 3.9 (1.08-4.08)
TSH 1.59 (0.35-5.5)
Any help would be great ,and the proper tests to get,full panel ? should I get antibodies tested ?
thank you very much
Hey Ken – you need more tests. Cytomel wouldnt cause graves disease as graves disease is an autoimmune thyroid disease that is diagnosed usually through antibody tests. You could most definitely give yourself hyperthyroidism though. Chris has other great thyroid articles you should check out. One in particular addresses the T3/T4 “natural” versus “synthetic” debate.
I for sure had graves always had symptoms of hypo…I can not find that article ?? and thank you for the reply..now if anyone could answer..if your on T4 but feel better is it because its not converting to T3? only thing I seem to get from T4 is faster heart rate..but ALL other symptoms of SLOW THYROID..
Hello Mr.Kessler,
first – thank you for all this great information!
At the moment I am suffering from a acute or subacute thyroid inflammation. The blood-test is still in work. My doctor says the inflammation has to be treated with strong anti-inflammatory medication for the next 6 month in order not to come back. Is there any alternative way to reduce the acute inflammation?
Best regards from Germany,
Melanie Bong
can TSH levels just decrease from one month to the next significantly? for instance my TSH last month was 3.1 and in a trip to the ER for racing pounding heart rate recently, a TSH was drawn and is now 4.7 and dr. is trying to put me on levothyroxine without doing any extensive testing to find the cause. my symptoms of fatigue, tiredness, bruising and wounds that dont heal , anxiety , depression and all have been the issue for some time now. I have recently been told that I have tested positive for ANA.. is there a possible reason besides hypothyroid for such symptoms?
Hey Christy,
If you want to find out whether your hypothyroidism is due to Hashimoto’s disease (the great majority is), you could ask for an anti-TPO test that will measure the antibodies in your blood. Your positive ANA could well be because you have autoimmune thyroid disease but it usually just points to autoimmune issues in general; it will be raised in any number of diseases. Unfortunately, those with autoimmune thyroid disease (or any other autoimmune disease) are much more likely to come down with another autoimmune disease of some kind.
If your doctor refuses to order the test, you can visit a naturopath, they are usually quite up to date on these things. Or you can order and pay for the test yourself, it’s not that expensive, about $49: https://directlabs.com/OrderTests/tabid/55/language/en-US/Default.aspx
It is very likely that low thyroid is caused by Hashimoto’s disease (an autoimmune disease), that is, by far, the most common cause of it, especially for someone like you who has had symptoms for such a long time. All low-thyroid patients are treated with thyroid medication, and levothyroxine is the go-to. Most patients to fine on it, although some benefit from the addition of a T3 only drug (Cytomel) or from natural desiccated thyroid which contains all the thyroid hormones. I suspect that the different treatment plan that Dr. Kresser is referring to is the addition of an autoimmune protocol diet and supplements, like antioxidants and fish oil that decrease inflammation. I have found the paleo diet a godsend for reducing my inflammatory response, but there are other good ones such as the GAPS diet, This page offers an overview that looks pretty right-on to me, except for recommending fruit juices…that’s probably way too much sugar, and sugar, even natural sugar, can promote inflammation: http://nutrition.about.com/od/dietsformedicaldisorders/a/antiinflamfood.htm
Actually, you might consider yourself fairly lucky that your doctor is willing to treat you even though your TSH is under 5.0. Although some people in the AACE tried to get the normal TSH lab range narrowed from (.5 – 5.0) to (.3 – 3.0), it was voted down by less progressive members.
Please correct me if I’ve read this incorrectly, but basically you are saying there is no hope for those of us with hashimotos and hypothyroidism. Did I read that right? I’m 26 and was diagnosed at the age of 24. My mom was diagnosed at 40. If this fatigue and brittle hair continues, I’m not quite sure what to look forward to in the future – that is, unless stem cell treatment truly finds its way to the public. Otherwise, your article is perhaps the most depressing news I’ve heard in a while.
http://www.nature.com/news/thyroid-is-latest-success-in-regenerative-medicine-1.11574?WT.ec_id=NEWS-20121016
That’s absolutely the opposite of what I’m saying. My point is that determining the cause of the problem (in this case Hashimoto’s as the cause of hypothyroidism) is the most important step in successfully treating it. Conventional medicine does not treat people with Hashimoto’s any differently than they treat people with hypothyroidism from other causes. But in functional medicine, discovering a patient has Hashimoto’s completely alters the course of the treatment plan. We then focus on regulating and balancing the immune system above all else, because that is what’s causing the decline in thyroid function.
Hi , love these posts. I’m a 39 year old, who at 19 discovered large goiter, and had Right side thyroid removed. Never given any medicine for thyroid. Later after having kids, hit a very bad patch . Hair loss , felt like crap, no labido. Doctor ran thyroid said levels normal, he was perplexed since to him my symptoms were hypothyroid, decided to have thyroid sonogrammed found two small nodules on left side. At that time too small to operate, he ordered a dye test to see if nodules might look suspicious(cancerous) and he said they looked low risk advised me to have follow up sonograms every year to check for growth. Since then my youngest daughter was diagnosed for severe autism, you can imagine my health problems took a back burner for some time. I believe it has been 8 years since last sonogram. Meanwhile I’ve had numerous female problems all my life cysts on ovaries fibroid tumors in uterus menstual periods that have always been irregular and extremely heavy, my monthly llasts 7 to 9 days. And 4 years ago I went to a new doctor told him of my history and also my moms hypothyroid issues, told him I had gained forty pounds in 2 years and felt so tired all the time that I thought my thyroid function needed to be tested, he tested said normal, arrrg! Honestly I wanted to choke him. He believed my symptoms are due to stress. Also had strange sores like rash have had for 4 years now and doesn’t go away. Then ran across an article for hashimotos and eureka I think this might be what’s wrong with me. So off to another doctor to have all thyroid panel and antibody test done. Which I can assure you the other doctors didn’t run on me. So my question is this does anyone think NOT being on thyroid mess after the first goiter found at 19 could be why I grew nodules on left side and feel so terrible now?
What is your recommendation for treating Hashimoto’s? How do you get your body to stop attacking the thyroid hormone?
I was just diagnosed as “sub-clinical” Hashimoto’s in October 2013. I am new to researching and learning a lot, but it is terribly confusing. I realize I have had several symptoms for years but it was not until I gained 15 pounds in 3 weeks that I knew something was wrong. Then when I strictly followed a diet and increased exercise for 2 weeks following the weight gain and did not lose a pound, I made an appointment with a dr.
I was on 30 mg Armour, Vitamin D, DHEA, B12, testosterone, progesterone, and pregnenalone. All of these were extremely low or not even registering on the blood tests.
It has now been 8 weeks and I have noticed NO changes in how I feel. I went back to dr yesterday and levels had increased but were still low. She said she did not need to test the antibodies again or the reverse T3, etc. She only tested TSH, T3 and T4.
I am reading everything I can find, but there is a lot of conflicting information and what works for one person does not necessarily work for another. I just want to know how to get the immune part healed so I can lose this weight (now up to 20 pounds). It is causing major depression and almost become an obsession.
Thanks!
I had my thyroid ablated nearly 30 years ago with radioactive iodine due to Graves disease. For nearly 25 years, my PCP had my medication dialed in with a combo of Synthroid and Cytomel. He then retired and I had to find another doctor who was clueless and decided to reduce my Synthroid because of the test numbers. After about 1 month, I began to experience typical hypo symptoms, but she wouldn’t change my RX because of the numbers, regardless of my symptoms, but I don’t have a thyroid to be “acting up”. I have “fired” her and will be looking for another PCP ,. I am transitioning to a Paleo lifestyle and don’t consume much gluten anyway. I have read your articles on thyroid, but they all seem to point to someone who has a thyroid. ANysuggestions for someone without a thyroid??? thanks
Removing the thyroid is like removing gum from a shoe. In most cases, some tissue remains even after the surgery. As long as there’s tissue there, and as long as the body is producing antibodies (which it is in Graves’), you are still subject to an autoimmune response. I’d suggest investigating low-dose naltrexone and finding a practitioner to work with on autoimmune issues.
Regarding the analogy of removing gum from a shoe, most thyroid cancer patients undergo ablation (RAI), so can Hashimoto’s linger even after a successful ablation?
Hey Chris,
Thanks for this wonderful post about hypothyroidism. Your U.K. adversary reminds me of why women in London protested outside the NHS for better testing and more medication options. Here is a post by U.S. thyroid guru Mary Shomon on the subject of the terrible care that U.K. thyroid sufferers get: http://thyroid.about.com/b/2010/04/29/sarah-myhill-loses-first-round-with-backwards-british-general-medical-council.htm
One thing you might revise, though, is the free T3/ free T4 subject. The new doctors are now being educated that total T3/T4 uptake tests are obsolete. Only the older, less informed doctors use the uptake tests. An entire panel including TSH, free t3 and free t4 can now be had for $79 without a prescription from places like “Any Lab Test Now,” a national lab-testing franchise. My internist is a Washington University trained doctor, she is totally hip to T3 augmentation (Cytomel) and reverse T3 testing…in no way is she a maverick (she won’t prescribe Armour or ERFA, etc.).
Wow! what a great post! Thank you for making it so easy to understand. It’s amazing how many people have the disease without them knowing what causes it. I got diagnosed with Hashimoto’s 8 years ago and no doctor ever told me that it’s an autoimmune disease. Now I am taking matters into my own hands and try to get to the root of the problem.
I am a 27 y/o female – 3 weeks ago I was told I had a TSH of 100. Starting with no knowledge of hypothyroidism, I’ve been continuing to educate myself and have found this site very helpful – so thank you.
Background: I was prescribed 50mcg of Levothyroxine. I was told only about my TSH level. I now understand why testing T3, T4, and antibodies are also important. I also understand that the “best medication” depends on the individual, and the cause of the hypo.
Questions: Since starting medication, I’ve felt an energy increase, which was positive. Now I’ve noticed my hair shedding like crazy (not a symptom previously). When this is a symptom of hypo and also a side effect of the drug, how do I tell which one is the main cause? My other question is knowing my next step: when TSH was the only testing done, do I push for finding the root of my hypo? Thus hopefully leading to finding the correct medication for myself? Personally interested in health/wellness myself, I feel inclined to learn more before settling on a generic drug. Thank you so very much for your time!
Hi Chris,
I have read your information on Heartburn and how low stomach acid is associated with Graves disease. I was diagnosed with Graves disease 12 months ago, along with high cholesterol and a 15% blocked artery, which was picked up while investigating symptoms of aterial fibrilation and irregular heart beat. I am taking 5mg Carbimazole daily and my TSH receptor antibodies have come down to 3.0 U/L.
I was hoping to find more information on Graves disease on your website with possible ideas of treatment. I will embark on a low carb diet and will be taking apple cider vinegar and milk thistle to help restore my stomach acid levels. I can’t take HCL as I am on 100mg Aspirin daily for the AF (only read this on your website after I had already ordered HCL online).
Is there anything else I can try to help me restore my thyroid levels back to normal.
Also suffering from weight problems (100kg), but am hopeful that this all has to do with low stomach acid/high carb diet and will start loosing some weight soon.
Thanks for your wonderful website and information.
Hi Chris,
I have Hashimotos since 2007 and am 6 weeks pregnant. Why is it bad to leave the thyroid in a euthyroid state i.e. mine is 0.015. Are there any repercussions to me and more importantly my baby?
I always thought that leg cramps indicated a calcium deficiency. Could it be parathyroid trouble?
I wish I knew more about it. I did research way back when and couldn’t find anything. All I know is that the cramps were horrible at first but as the years went by, they got a lot less. I guess that could mean my parathyroids could have been stressed and then as I worked on my health and got stronger, they healed (does that happen?).
I didn’t take any calcium, I had already tried every form and they all hurt my stomach badly. Now I take cod liver oil (for the V.D that makes calcium in food more accessible?) but only for about a year, so that’s not why they got better. They’re not totally gone. I often feel certain muscles in my thighs, calves and ankles start to pull if I turn or twist a certain way and I know I better straighten out fast or I’m gonna get a burner.
Conscious relaxing helps a lot. Sometimes I think mine are mostly from muscle clenching, at least now. I never had a single cramp until after the thyroid surgery, tho I had been on synthroid for a month and that’s one of the side effects, I believe. It could have been that kicking in, and maybe that’s why they’re still around. I was on a higher dose then, 125 as compared to 75mcg now.
I think that leg cramps indicate a magnesium (and possibly potassium) deficiency.
Hi, Chris, this is going to sound like the alltime dumb question, but I can tell from reading your site that you’re going to know the answer and I need to know this. In 2003 my windpipe collapsed from a lump on my throat which was thyroid lymphoma. After emergency surgery that removed half of the thyroid, then chemo and radiation, the lymphoma went away & after 8yrs, the doctor stated that the clinic felt that this particular cancer would probably not return. At that time, I asked my doctor if I had Hashimotos but his response was vague. I figured it didn’t make any difference because I see him every year and feel pretty good. But lately I’ve felt my energy is down and now, after reading your site, I see that it does matter a great deal whether I have/had (does it go away after the lymphoma goes away?) Hashimotos. So my question to you is, does my having had thyroid lymphoma mean that I have/had Hashimotos? Does it go away if my system is balanced or is it a permanent diagnosis? (I take 60mcg levoxyl & 4mcg liothyronine daily) Thanks so much. I am really getting a lot out of your site, it is so clearly written. I’ve been studing hypothyroidism since ’03 and I still have tons of questions.
You can’t know from that information alone, but when there’s cancer it’s more likely an autoimmune mechanism was involved. The way to find out is to get your thyroid antibodies tested – TPO and thyroglobulin.
Please ignore previous comment it did not contain all my paragraphs, as i see. I have had hypothyroidism since age five. I have seen a specialist since my pediatrician suspected that something was up. Hypothyroidism for me is mainly a genetic issue; seeing as it runs in my family. I am now sixteen and have had no side affects or anything up until this past year and a half. I take Levothroxine 200mcg tab. I am starting to have more and more frequent leg cramps (Normally waking me up early in the morning like clock work. Bringing me to tears because of the pain. And then I can’t walk for the next two days.) I am trying Bananas, but nothing seems to work…any advise? Also, my blood pressure has been out of the roof averaging at 170/90 (One time it was 190/100.) Luckily it hasn’t gotten quite that high again. My Dr. has told me to cut down on carbohydrates, to continue my exercising, and to avoid salt. I have been doing this but my BP is still elevated about the same. Hypothyroidism is from my mothers side. High blood pressure is from my fathers side. My dad has been on BP medicine since he was 20. His Dr. told him to lay off the same thing and his BP levels did not change either. My Dr. has told me to monitor it. I have and I’m seeing no changes. My check up is next month. I already know shes going to send my to a cardiologist and to see what they say. Any ideas on how to lower my BP? I can’t be mad all of the time it stresses my body out. Also, I have a biopsy done on my thyroid nodules. Happily they all came back benign. 🙂 And my thyroid is starting to effect my swallowing and stuff so my specialist says it might need to be taken out. She said it was my call. It needs to be done because of me, well, not being able to swallow very well, but also because it could be cancerous later on. And if its taken out that risk will leave. I am deciding whether or not to have it by the end of this year. If I understand correctly, but if I don’t someone please let me know. Also, I don’t know what to expect I’ve never had a surgery like this before. Can anybody tell me what to expect? Here are some of my questions: Will I have a scar? How long will I be bed ridden, if at all? How long will I have a bandage? Will they put me in a neck brace to help keep me from tearing it open? When I wake up from the surgery will I feel anything?
Dear Robin, I am so sorry you have to pass through all of this…. I have hashimoto and since I cut almost all carbs like sugar, grains, reduce fruits, milk I got much much well. First it was hard because I loved pasta, rice and etc…. hardly ate eggs, red meat and so on…. since I changed my intake everything got better. For an idea I eat in the morning 2 scrabled eggs, some fruit; lunch salmon /hering or chicken or beef (some 140g) and a lot of veggies like green beans, broccoli, carrots, kale, red onion, red bell pepper and so on…. I eat 300g veggies for 100g meat so I have a good amount of food for lunch and dinner and I am not running after sweets anymore. I steam everything and do not heat any oil. I cook with clarified butter or just butter. OK I used fresh cream…so I make my own ice…. blueberry eis; mango ice and so on…. I hope you try this kind of “diet” for one month and see if things change for you-…. for me it is wonderful! Even hot flashed got away…..!!!! See for paleo diet…. avoinding grains, milk, legumes like (pinto-kidney-black beans, lentils)… after a while you can introduce them again…but sporadicaly…. your doc was probably right: reduce carbs!!!!! Wish you all the best and if you ttry it…let me know…. Regards Ingrid
Hi, Robin,
I too am sorry that you have to go through this, it’s not fun but it does seem to be treatable. I had surgery in ’03. You can’t see the scar at all. I was up pretty fast after the surgery, a couple days, and that may only have been because I still had the lymphoma and so the cancer was making me weak. I was 53 and you’re young so you’re probably going to be even stronger and heal faster than I did. No neck brace or anything like that, don’t remember how long the bandage was on, it didn’t seem to matter.
I also had severe leg cramps similar to yours for years after the surgery but as I got healthier they went away. I still get one every once in awhile but there’s usually a cause – too much exercise or not enough is the major cause for me. If you’re not getting any exercise now and can begin, work into it slowly so as not to aggravate the cramps. I also use a hotpad on the cramps and that helps tremendously. I make them but you can just put uncooked rice in a big sock and tie the end, about 2/3 full of rice. Microwave till it’s hot but not so hot it burns your skin.
I agree with Lingrid that diet also has a huge affect. I too cut out most carbs (in the form of grains), alcohol, and all dairy except butter and it has helped a lot. That change also helped me get my weight down to where I wanted it. This is just my experience, perhaps yours will be different. Good luck to you.
It was the easiest surgery I’ve ever had. You really won’t feel too badly. There will be a scar for several months. I’m much older and mine lasted less than a year, you should heal sooner. I wore a scarf until it wasn’t noticeable. You can’t see it today.
I have had hypothyroidism since age five. I have seen a specialist since my pediatrician suspected that something was up. Hypothyroidism for me is mainly a genetic issue; seeing as it runs in my family. I am now sixteen and have had no side affects or anything up until this past year and a half. I take Levothroxine 200mcg tab. I am starting to have more and more frequent leg cramps (Normally waking me up early in the morning like clock work. Bringing me to tears because of the pain. And then I can’t walk for the next two days.) I am trying Bananas, but nothing seems to work…any advise? Also, my blood pressure has been out of the roof averaging at 170/90 (One time it was 190/100.) Luckily it hasn’t gotten quite that high again. My Dr. has told me to cut down on carbohydrates, to continue my exercising, and to avoid salt. I have been doing this but my BP is still elevated about the same. Hypothyroidism is from my mothers side. High blood pressure is from my fathers side. My dad has been on BP medicine since he was 20. His Dr. told him to lay off the same thing and his BP levels did not change either. My Dr. has told me to monitor it. I have and I’m seeing no changes. My check up is next month. I already know shes going to send my to a cardiologist and to see what they say. Any ideas on how to lower my BP? I can’t be mad all of the time it stresses my body out. Also, I have a biopsy done on my thyroid nodules. Happily they all came back benign. 🙂 And my thyroid is starting to effect my swallowing and stuff so my specialist says it might need to be taken out. She said it was my call. It needs to be done because of me, well, not being able to swallow very well, but also because it could be cancerous later on. And if its taken out that risk will leave. I am deciding whether or not to have it by the end of this year. If I understand correctly, but if I don’t someone please let me know. Also, I don’t know what to expect I’ve never had a surgery like this before. Can anybody tell me what to expect? Here are some of my questions: Will I have a scar? How long will I be bed ridden, if at all? How long will I have a bandage? Will they put me in a neck brace to help keep me from tearing it open? When I wake up from the surgery will I feel anything? What risks are there concerning infection etc…?
I have had hypothyroidism since age five. I have seen a specialist since my pediatrician suspected something was up. Hypothyroidism for me is mainly a genetic issue; seeing as it runs in my family. I am now sixteen and have had no side affects or anything up until this past year and a half. I take Levothroxine 200mcg tab. I am starting to have more and more frequent leg cramps (Normally waking me up early in the morning like clock work. Bringing me to tears because of the pain. And then I can’t walk for the next two days.) Also, my blood pressure has been out of the roof averaging at 170/90 (One time it was 190/100.) Luckily it hasn’t gotten quite that high again. My Dr. has told me to cut down on carbohydrates, to continue my exercising, and to avoid salt. I have been doing this but my BP is still elevated about the same. Hypothyroidism is from my mother side. High blood pressure is from my fathers side. My dad has been on since he was 20.
DEAR SIR,I STAY IN INDIA AND SUFFERING FROM HYPOTHYROIDISM AND TAKING 2 TABLETS OF ELTROXIN PER DAY 200 MICROGRAMS.IN SPITE OF REGULAR TREATMENT MY TSH LEVELS ARE <0.005 i.e. SHOWING HYPERTHYROIDISM BUT I AM SUFFERING FROM WEIGHT GAIN AND LETHARGY ,MUSCLE PAIN,HAIR FALL ,DROWSINESS ALL SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM .PLEASE ADVISE ME OTHER LINE OF TREATMENT SO THAT I CAN WORK PROPERLY
Dr. Deo,
It takes a while for symptoms to catch up to blood levels. Best to be patient and don’t overdose yourself on thyroid hormone, that can be very dangerous.
What is your pulse rate?
I have Hashimoto’s but it’s not following the typical path. I have never taken thyroid meds yet I keep having bouts of hyperthyroidism and then go back to euthryoid. I’ve only ever been slightly hypo….then back to major hyper periods that only last about a month. Now I think I’ve figured out the underlying cause. I was recently diagnosed with hemochromatosis but that’s also not following the typical path. My iron and iron staturation are high yet my ferritin is normal so again, no one will treat me. I didn’t have a period for a year and a half from lactation induced amenorrhea. I can only imagine what my iron levels were like during that time, yikes! But after a year of extremely heavy periods that often came every 3 weeks, my iron saturation was 102%. My dr thinks it’s unrelated but I’m thinking having all that iron in my thyroid may be what is causing my body to attack it. And my periods may be what are causing me to feel like I’m constantly going back and forth. I really don’t know what to do about it though.
Erin,
Why don’t you get your thyroid antibodies checked? You could be like me and have both Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease. One causes hypothyroidism, one causes hyperthyroidism. I bounced back and forth for seven years until I finally got my thyroid removed to save my sanity.
How hyper did you get? Did you have rapid heart beat? Be careful, that can be really serious.
Here’s a pretty good post on ferritin as it affect thyroid levels if you haven’t seen it yet: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ferritin/
Thank you for all your information on this site and in your podcast. I just deleted a looong comment to you and instead post the question below:
Do you have a link to a list of definitive tests to ask our health care providers? I want to figure out if my Hypothyroidism is Hashi’s and if that and my Crohn’s, very early menopause, Asthma, Fungal and Yeast issues all could be pieces of one autoimmune puzzle.
I see you recommended to someone else the test for antibodies (TPO, TG and TSI) but anything else I should be asking for? Reverse T3? Anything? I will be seeing an endocrinologist for the first time in 2 weeks. FYI, primal for a couple months now and asthma and allergies are noticeably better!
Thanks in advance.
Probably not much help for those in the US but here’s a link for New Zealand ranges of all the tests our lab performs…
http://www.labnet.health.nz/testmanager/index.php
Are there functional lab ranges for all the thyroid test online somewhere? I have only been able to find the TSH functional range of 1.8-3.0. Would the functional range for antibodies be different for someone on a gluten free, sugar free diet since gluten and sugar can cause increases in autoimmune activity?