Hashimoto's dilemma

[Jules82566]

I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's in the last year.  My regular dr. & I have been working together to get my TSH in a place where I have very minimal symtoms.  I am currently on 112 mcg of Levothyroxine and I seem to do well with this dose.  Here is where the problem lies and I've been to 2 endo's trying to figure out what else might be going on.  I do best when my TSH is at the lowest end of the range (I believe the lowest on the range is .27).  The past 2 or 3 set of labs, my TSH was still going down but the dr. said as long as I am still in range, it's fine. The last set of labs, my TSH is below 0 but the endo wants to see if that goes up with winter coming. For the record, my T3 is fine.  I saw the 2nd Endo a couple of weeks ago and explained to her that I do fantastic in the summer months but once fall and winter come, I am a constant Popsicle. This is inside as well and I'm eating well and working out every day.  I even went Gluten free.  Nothing I do, warms me up. So the Endo suggested that when I start getting cold, to start taking my temperature.  I've been getting core cold the past week so I've been taking my temperature in the morning, afternoon and evening.  I will tell you, it is still hitting 70 degrees here in NYS, nights a bit cooler.  At any rate, I am averaging 95-96 with my temp readings.  I am at my wits end with this.  This seems to be the only symptom I am still having and its the worst one of all.  Any ideas of what we could look at or anything you could suggest I do on my own.  I am more than proactive about this and willing to try absolutely ANYTHING.  Thanks in advance!

[TheLightSeeker]

Caryopteris, have you ruled out low thyroid? I mean really ruled out.

[Caryopteris]

I hope you figure it out.  I'm freezing summer and winter.  Mine seems to be anemia, but even after supplementing iron, I'm still cold.  

[TheLightSeeker]

Hi jules82566

One thing that will affect your cellular thyroid function is cortisol, among many other things. Many factors affect cortisol levels and one of them is barometric pressure ( lower barometric pressure = lower cortisol production)  which is the only weather specific variable other than the narrow temperature range tolerance of hypothyroid sufferers.
The TSH, T3 and T4 levels are NOT always a good indicator, as it does not indicate cellular thyroid function, being serum levels.
Free T3, FreeT4 and reverse T3 should be tested for accurate results.

Your endo may have a point to take your basal temperature, but always before rising, underarm for 10 minutes using an old fashion glass thermometer, without any covers over your shoulder and away from any heat source like a partner in bed close to you.
If your temperature is below  97.8ºF -excluding infections-four consecutive times on alternate days ( days 1,3,5,&7 of any 7 day period ) or your average temperature of those 4 days is below 97.8ºF, then your Levothyroxine is either not working well or you have thyroid cellular resistance because of any one of  a number undetected possible factors.

Chances are that your endo will not get to the bottom of this, should this be the case,as it is not "established " protocol in conventional endocrinology.

One thing that I would ask, if I were you ,besides the  Free T3, FreeT4 and reverse T3 labs, would be an "adrenal profile" (saliva test)
I would also recommend you look into the "GI Pathogen Screen",  especially if your cortisol levels come back low.
Cortisol regulates the immune cells in our gut so when cortisol is depleted those cells become dysregulated, making us more susceptible to pathogens like bacteria, yeast, and parasites. This would be for a long term
wellness approach.

Hope this helps, but please note that it is not intended as a substitute for
medical advice.

Best wishes.
Niko