low T3 medication adjustment

Sorry, a bit late responding. When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, it was caught because my doctor felt my thyroid which was enlarged and I had some nodules. All thyroid tests were normal except for my antibodies. At that time (20 years ago), doctors thought that by adding a tiny amount of thyroid hormone replacement would help calm down the attack. That tiny dose did help with my symptoms. Within a day or 2 I felt really normal. This continued for A few years. As time went on, my dosage was increased because my panel was off. By the time I hit menopause, I was experiencing wild swings of being both hyper and hypo. It drove both my doctor and I nuts. At times my antibodies were over 2,000. The hyper symptoms were the worst. All we could do was to make adjustments to my Armour. After menopause, my celiac disease diagnosis was caught (no GI symptoms, just anemia which I had all, my life and was dismissed because I was menstruating woman and I also have a genetic anemia). A year after going gluten free, my thyroid enlargement and nodules were gone. Unfortunately, my thyroid was damaged and I will need replacement for the rest of my life.

If my celiac disease is flaring due to a gluten exposure (often hidden), not only do my antibodies increase for celiac disease, but my thyroid antibodies increase as well. This can trigger autoimmune hives which can last for six months and cover my entire body. I also was diagnosed recently through a biopsy with autoimmune Gastritis which is commonly linked with Hashimoto’s (as is my Rosacea). Testing for antibodies gives the patient and the doctor a heads up on possible other autoimmune disorders.

I too, strongly believe in a autoimmune diet which I follow and is modified to my needs. There has been promising research with inflammatory bowel disease patients and now Scripps in San Diego is researching the diet with Hashimoto’s patients. The IBD patients (very small study) experienced a 78% remission. That is pretty amazing.

Even if the typical thyroid panel is normal, if you are experiencing thyroid symptoms or already have another autoimmune disorder, your thyroid antibodies should be checked.

astroman said...

Girlie said...
Astro - But if I had antibodies show up - but my thyroid tests are all good - what would they do anyway?

With good levels of FT3 and FT4 - ?

When you check car tire PSI, you do all four and then the spare if your smart.

Thyroid is no different. Tests all of it (if you have the option).....and if you seem to have symptoms (the tricky part).

Autoimmune thyroid starts with increased antibodies. If they are there, thyroid disease is more likely to get more noticeable.

And if antibodies are high, this can be tracking tool if someone (like your lyme) is treating some other inflammatory illness.

Remember, I watched one thyroid antibody normalized (the other is still stubborn) and ten year old observed nodule go away after treating lyme and going 100% gluten free.

==============================================================================

I'm pretty sure my Dr. won't test for antibodies since I've had several TSH, FT3 and FT4 tests done and my TSH is always less than 1.0 and my FT3 and FT4 are in the upper end of each range every time i've tested.
Even my LLMD just did the TSH, FT3, FT4 and RT4 but no antibodies.

I guess I could ask her....anyway.

astroman said...
Not to drag this post out, but Im more or less responding to your first question on this subject :

[ "astroman - i'm curious - why do you need the antibodies testing, too?

I'm speaking more from those people who take the levothyroxine and their TSH, FT3 and FT4 are in good range...how does the antibodies testing help with treatment?"]

Most important for those already on thyroid med, vs those who arent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what I said ( I clarified I was asking for those who have good TSH, FT3 and FT4 test results)


"astroman - i'm curious - why do you need the antibodies testing, too?

I'm speaking more from those people who take the levothyroxine and their TSH, FT3 and FT4 are in good range...how does the antibodies testing help with treatment?"


So, there's no need to have the antibodies tested....that's what I thought...but just wanted clarification....
Good - I'm satisfied I don't need further testing. (ie antibodies)

cyclinglady said...
All thyroid labs in good range with thyroid hormone replacement? Knowing you have antibodies can help you and your doctor look for two other very common (share same genes) for Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. These can develop no matter how old you are. Many Type 1 adults present differently than kids and it is often mis-diagnosed as a Type 2 delaying the needed treatment (insulin) instead of Type 2 drugs. Also, Hashimoto’s patients can develop Autoimmune Gastritis which can be silent, but cause anemia B-12, or iron deficiency anemia. It is a precursor to stomach cancer.

Sometimes knowing where you stand can help prevent other illnesses and save you years of felling unwell (sent home with “it’s all in your head”).

No thyroid replacement - all labs in range - TSH FT3 and FT4

I just saw these posts now.

I have had my TSH FT3 and FT4 tested 4 or maybe 5? times in the last 6 years.

They are all good - but it’s strange that my TSH is at the bottom of the range . I think it hovers around .4 or .5

I don’t remember the bottom end of the range.

Have also had RT3 tested a couple of times too.