Throid issue

[sofarsogood]

Hello all, been several months since I posted. 3A, 1.1 mil VL prior to 12/1/03 when tx started. Undetectable at 12 and 24 months. Maintain nearly full dose combo tx for total course, just cutting back the rot gut Riba a bit for a few weeks when the hgb decreased to 8.6. Off tx since May '04. I am one of those who did not do well loosing 23lbs, and I am already a tall/thin individual. Await late October PCR follow up.

In past postings I seem to remember rumblings of thyroid issues some dealt with either on tx or when off. Looks as if my thyroid took a hit with confirmed dx of hypothyroidism. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) 112 (normal 0.30 to 5.0). Confirmed free T3 at 2.6 and free T4 at 0.3 just yesterday. Both low values.

Now off tx >3 months. Anyone know of a correlation between combo therapy and thyroid disease? I just knew something was not right with me (well there is a lot not right but that is another story)!!!!!

If one chooses this treatment make sure one set up adequate follow up with a Primary Care Physician post tx. The Veterans Administration Infectious Disease physician overseeing my drug regimen bowed out of the picture. There was no discussion between him and the Veterans Internist regarding post tx care. The VA care system is a difficult. It takes persistence on ones part to navigate IMHO. Being a nurse with good insurance I went back to my excellent private physician. Pre-blood work for a physical revealed the thyroid issue.

I pray all of you God's best. Be encouraged, people you don't know are praying for you.

Dale

[Califia]

Hmmm....all I know is that in my case I went in clear with no history of thyroid problems.  Later, the docs announced that the interferon had "unmasked"  a subclinical  condition.   Well, that's certainly a convenient explanation....for _them_.   I quite agree that the physical experience of a failing thyroid while on treatment is hella nasty.  Luckily, you only go through that once.   The speculation is that I burnt out all my thyroid tissue last time around.  But if that's the case,  and my thyroid is a crispy critter, why the heck am I starting to see rising TSH levels again?   Another one of life's little mysteries....

[cuteus]

my tests were normal also and have been so far(tsh and t4), but I never got the autoantibody test; (Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO.Ab) and thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg.Ab)). I don't think many of us have., and its presence seem to influence the development of a disorder during and post tx. if anyone had these tests, please share? only us patients can fill the many blanks in hcv and tx.

[Califia]

Good information resource on thyroid disease:  http://thyroid.about.com

[layla]

My thyroid went on tx also. My hep doc immediatly called in a script for levoxyl (synthroid)and I now see my internal med doc for follow up for this. I am still having symptoms and just had another TSH test today. I am sure I will need a dose adjustment/increase when the results return. It takes weeks for the dose to affect you fully so you just keep getting tested until it's correct. I feel like I have severe brain fog along with other symptoms. When I first took the meds I felt better but now I am having symptoms once again. I know people with this and they all say it took awhile to get the exact dose of meds right but when they finally did they felt normal. I am amazed how many people have it. It is more common in women and often happens after childbirth but I know a couple men with it to. It is listed as a risk of interferon. LL

[cuteus]

how many here were ever tested for thyroid autoantibodies after hcv diagnosis, prior to tx?  did anyone get this test during and post tx? some think that it is a predisposing factor, and as always, some don't. those that were tested and now have thyroid trouble, were you positive for thyroid autoantibodies? anyone knows what the test result looks like in our bloodwork(acronym)?
my t4 is still normal, TG, I was curious if any MD orders these tests for hcv infected people.

[britgirl]

What califia says is true. I did have the thyroid tests and was normal before tx, but also developed hypothyroidism as a direct result of the interferon, I have been on synthyoid for two years and have had to have the dose adjusted. I get blood tests every six months for this. The liver unit at the hospital was not intersted as it is not their speciality, so I am in the care of a GP (primary physician?). This has been fine. Many millions of people are on thyroid supplements and don't have to see specialists. I think family doctors can deal with it. The only good thing from my point of view is that in the UK hypothyroidism is a condition which gived you lifelong exemption from paying for medication (prescriptions) of any kind!!! I now have an exemption card which saves me a fortune.

[DH Bill]

DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How the hell are you?????????????
When are you going to stop???????

[CARUU]

I became hyperthyroid during tx.  I don't believe I had the thyroid antibody test prior to tx, but I did have my TSH level determined before starting.  My TSH was normal prior to tx, low during (.023 TSH with high T3 and T4) but the antibody was not present when the TSH went low.  My dx was silent thyroiditis.  After tx my TSH started going in the opposite direction (4.8 on a scale of .3-5.0).  I get it tested again in about a week.  I think it's actually starting to level out because I'm finally starting to feel like my old self.  It will be interesting to see where the TSH is now.  Pre tx it was 2.5.  I think thyroid imbalance was one of the worst sx of the whole ordeal (of course it's really hard to sort out what is what while on tx).  caruu

[layla]

I checked and my thyroid test were in normal ranges before tx. I also find my thyroid symptoms were by far the worse part of tx. I still feel like I am on tx, but of coarse now I know it to be thyroid symptoms. If I had taken all the symptoms I am now having away tx would have been pretty easy for me. LL

[cuteus]

It seems Hcv predisposes us to thyroid disorders somehow, and tx might or not accelerate its progression;
http://janis7hepc.com/thyroid.htm#Thyroid
http://www.ikp.unibe.ch/lab2/HCVTHYR.htm (this study found hcv and not interferon to be the predisposing factor.)
Some are now reccomending a test for thyroid antibodies prior to tx, since its presence may be indication of problems to come.
I never got that test prior to tx.

[Califia]

Bro, I lost my thyroid function when I did monotherapy and have been on Synthroid ever since.   The question is whether you'e developed antibodies to your thyroid.  If so, it's Hashimotos (autoimmune hypothyroidism) and will probably not resolve on its own.   If you're feeling depressed and mentally sluggish, have droopy eyelids or slightly slurred speech, it's the low thyroid.   Even breathlessness and heavy, slowed muscles are typical symptoms.   Replacement hormone is raised incrementally and will make you feel much, much better.   I have found, however, that the dosage has needed constant adjustment over time.  Make sure your docs are diligent about  testing regularly.  This is yet another area where they think they know more than they actually do.  And warm congratulations on clearing, friend!