Hashimoto's Treatment and Lab Results

[Jairai]

I have had Hashimoto's for over 5 years but was not diagnosed and treated until the past 2.  It has been difficult to regulate me to a level where the symptoms were less.  I switched to Armour and have felt much better with the change.  My last lab results came back as follows:
TSH .04 (.45-4.50); T4 Free 1.1 (.8-1.7); T3 Reverse .14 (.11-.32); T3 Free  3.3 (2.4-4.2); Thyroid Antibody TPO-Ab 260 (<35);  Thyroglobulin Antibodies 82 (.11-.32).  

Here are my questions:  Do I need to worry about the low TSH if it is the result of treatment?  I feel really good now, symptoms are non problematic. What about my antibody levels?  They have never fluctuated and continue to just go up.  Thanks so much. I get very mixed answers from different doctors. My internist is very upset about my antibody level.  I don't want to have to reduce my dosage for the TSH unless necessary because the symptoms will return.  Thanks.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Antibodies will remain elevated long-term in cases of Hashimoto's and should not be followed in most cases to determine treatment response.  The TSH is a little low and this is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (dangerous heart rhythm problem) and osteoporotic fractures.  Would consider a slight dose reduction in armour and I usually dose T3 containing medications twice daily (am and 2-3 pm typically), but ask your doctor about this.  Sometimes armour is difficult to titrate (ie, change the dose to get to the right level) as the dose options are limited.

[cosmicsoul]

I am so glad to hear that you are better on Armour. So was I! I think your lab results are fabulous!!!! First off - with Armour you should be in the mid to high range in Free T3 and Free T4 and the TSH is often around 0. This is normal. As long as your blood pressure is normal along with your heart beat (below 80) you are not in the HYEPER zone. Do not worry about your antibodies - they will decrease with continue use of Armour. If it makes you feel better I have 700 - so yours is way less than mind. Antibodies are just little stuff against our thyroid and nothing we can do about them but taking our thyroid hormone. I would not decrease your meds especially if you are feeling better. Be aware of completely listening to your doctors all the time - as you can see from this forum they often neglect their patients and refuse to treat them or run labworks for them. As long as you monitor your blood pressure, your blood work and your heart beat - and all normal you will be fine. My recent TSH was 0.009 and I feel GREAT! I have no racing heart beat or anything like that. I even get tired at night. Armour saved my life and I regrew hair along with lost 20 LB in a year. I know I am on the right track and I feel sorry for all the undertreated thyroid patients out there especially who have incompetent doctors. I wish you continued good luck and fantastic health!

[borninquisitive]

Perhaps you will find this interesting/useful:

Selenium Supplementation in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis Decreases Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies Concentrations:
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/87/4/1687

Selenium, the Thyroid, and the Endocrine System:
http://edrv.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/7/944

Best,
~Kate

[Jairai]

Thanks so much for the information.  It is good to know there is more to check for than a blood test.  Does anyone also have a high lymphocytes level?  Is this also connected to Hashimoto's?

[cosmicsoul]

yes it could be related as your body (the L cells) are fighting agiainst the infection (Hashimotos)

[Barmo]

I have just(today) been told that I have hashimoto's.  I started reading on the site and am concerned. What is this about hair falling out?  What are other symptoms ?  The doctor has increased the synthroid to 150mg. What are some responses I can expect when taking a dosage like that. Thanx, Barmo

[sunmum]

My doctors office just called today and said my thryoid antibodies were 15,000! 7 years ago they were 565 and went down to normal levels after going off soy for 9 months. They went up again a year ago when I developed gluten intolerance. I have been off gluten for a year. I wasn't feeling good, but have been feeling pretty good since I started taking organic Potent Sea Vegetables and Triphala. My other blood work is perfect. My hair is healthy, I don't feel cold or tired - will I still need medication? Wouldn't T3 be better?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

may have been a different lab -- don't worry too much about the significant difference.  Again, T3 works well in some, but not all patients.  Talk to your doctor about thyroid hormone replacement options if appropriate.