Hashimoto's and potential to return to normal

[Craniac3]

What exactly is the difference between having straight hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's? I have Hashi's. Is it realistic to think that once I'm titrated optimally my symptoms will completely resolve?

Also, I've read that one autoimmune disorder can lead to others. What do you think the odds are that I could develop the autoimmune disease that kills hair follicles?

I know you can't answer conclusively without examining me and knowing my labs, but I find I can cope better if I have reasonable expectations. I am not scheduled to see my own m.d. for another month. In the meantime I will tend to obsess about these issues until I get some info.

Thank you for helping.

[HashiSurvivor]

I have been on Synthroid for what seems like an eternity.  Gradually had my dosage increased from 0.05 to .112.  I feel crummy all the time - yes, I know it might not all be about the Synthroid - and the more I research, the more I find out that many people are out there suffering on Synthroid so there must be some kind of connection.

I have been to 3 doctors and 1 endo who refuse to prescribe Armour because "there's no quality control", if you have symptoms but your TSH/T3/T4 is "within range" then it must be something else - definitely NOT your thyroid.

I can access Armour through my naturopath - a bit of a shady undertaking - she has to get it from another naturopath who is licensed to prescribe it - I think I am at the point where I need some relief - if the Armour works?

I have terrible muscle aches and foggy brain most of the time.  At 52 I know that the body starts to change but this is UNREAL. I sometimes don't know how I will manage the rest of my life if I feel like this... I am doing some alternative therapies at the moment - no wheat/gluten, dealing with digestive system etc.  But I know, deep down, that there's something not jiving with my thyroid and the medication.

I am seeking feedback from people who have switched from synthetic to natural (Armour) and what their overall experience has been. How long did it take for you to adjust to the new med? Was it worth it in the long run?

I worry about heart problems because there's a genetic link in my family to heart disease and some information I've seen mentions that Armour can cause heart problems.  I sometimes wonder, though, what Synthroid is doing to my cardioV. system as well!

Any feedback will be MUCH appreciated!

[cosmicsoul]

Well, I went from Synthroid to Armour starting from 90mg - split in half. I never took Cytomel with levothyroixine (Levoxyl) that I was on. I noticed a lot of changes when I switched - particularly with level of energy, better mood and hair regrow. It is up to you what you want to experiment with. Good luck!

[hypogirl80]

How do you take Armour ? do you have to take it 2 or 3 times a day ? I am on Synthroid now,  thinking switch to either T4/T3 or Armour ?  Do you have experience on T4/T3 combination ? Thanks.

[cosmicsoul]

In hypothyroidism you have an underproducing thyroid. With Hashis you have antibodies (your body made them against your thyroid) to destroy your thyroid. Antibody count should decrease with thyroid hormone supplementation but they may not disappear completely ever. Again - they might. Having an autoimmune disease does not maean that you will have another one. Researchers noticed that some people who have an Autoimmune disease may have another one. Do all people with autoimmune disease get another one? Not neccesarily at all. The hair follicle issue has to do with skin diseases and may or may not be thyroid or autoimmune disease. I suggest you visiting a good dermatologist. When I switched to Armour my hair grew back and grows faster too. I was not long enough on Synthroid that I can tell the same - about 1.5 years - with pretty bad results and high TSH (low to high). Good luck, hang in there and search the net and books for answers about these stuff.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Hashimoto's is one cause of hypothyroidism.

Your symtpoms may completely resolve, but some patients never quite feel 100% despite what appears to be adequate thyroid replacement (yes, even with t4/t3 combinations where appropriate).  

The risk of other autoimmune disease is low - and if there is an attack on the hair follicle this may cause focal patch(es) of baldness -- the dermatologist could biopsy these areas to see what is the cause.