could this be me?

[happymedium]

HI all, could you please tell me why i seem to have allegies to near on everything? im boardering on thyroid at the moment my tsh is 3.5. I have positive antibodies, My iron levels are low & i am taking iron tablets, but they are now causing a reaction. This seems to happen alot when i try to take anything??? this never happened before. MY bodies gone mad, thing is i need to take the iron because i feel ill without it. I feel ill all the time, i am not being treated for thyroid yet, the gp is just keeping her eye on it. PLEASE SOMEONE WHAT CAN I DO. thanks

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

A TSH of 3.5 is borderline and with positive antibodies it may be worth a trial of treatment.  There may be a link to more allergies with hypo/hashi - certainly there's a link to hives.

[GravesLady]

Is your iron pill brown? Iron is best absorbed if taken on an empty stomach, but if you are having stomach problems, you may need to take the pills with food. Do not take iron pills with milk, caffeinated drinks, or antacids. Dose too high for your needs?  Perhaps injections would be better and faster.
There is a lot of reasons and health issues that can cause allergies including auto/immune disorders.  Then depending what type of reactions you are having. Rashes can come from unknown reasons.  I get these type of rashes as well - they don't itch, not sore or scaly, but just there.   I get an itchy rash from brown coloring/dyes in pills, also external and inside my upper lip from red Also can't take niacin, I burn up with red streaks going down my body to the point having to jump in cold water to relive it.

Sometimes there is jut no rhyme or reason. However you should discuss this with  your doctor if you haven't already..

[happymedium]

Hi Graveslady, thanks for replying , my iron tablets are white with a coating, maybe the dose is to high. Could you please tell me are the antibodies to blame for all these allegies, my gp says that my thyroid will go underactive , but how long can this go on, I have many symptons, the allegies was one of the reasons the gp took the bloods. When i asked gp the other day whether or not she still needed to test thyroid she seemed to think that it needed keeping an eye on. I have problems with my throat as well, sometimes it feels tight like i cant swallow, at other times it looks slightly swollon. I would just like to feel better. Thanks again.

[Lake Lover]

Optimal TSH is 1 so you are clearly hypo and not bordering on anything.  Find another doctor who will address this.

What antibodies tests have you had that are posative?  Allergy?

What type of reactions are you having to your iron pills?

It is not uncommon for them to cause intestional upset and constipation.  If constipation is your issue try taking vitamin C tablets with your iron.  You could start out with 500 mg per iron dose and see if it helps, if not take even more.  Extra mafnesium will also help you, just do not take at the same time as your iron.  Take your iron a few hours away from any calcium as well.

There are gentler formula's out there such as Ferrous Gluconate which is typically behind the pharmacy counter.

Low iron can present symptoms similar to low thyroid.  Your thyroid is however an issue especially with the tight throat which should immediately be addressed by a doctor.

[GravesLady]

Optimal TSH level of 1, or  even 3.5 does not mean you are hypo.My sister is hypo and she likes her TSH at a higher level to function, maybe like 6. This is an individual issue. It also depends on where your FT-4 is. If FT-4 is not off doctor will probably not treat, if its amiss then doctor might treat with TSH 3.5. This is the normal protocol for most all doctors/endos. However, this does mean you need to have your levels checked on a regular bases, because you could be headed in that direction.
I can't say for sure that your allergies are autoimmune related, only a doctor can tell you that for sure and probably not without extensive test. On the other hand hives are autoimmune. I am hyper and have rashes and related allergies/intolerances, you are going towards hypo, different ends of the spectrum. Have you been to an allergist?  Cut down on the iron dose and see it that helps. I take only 18 mg. per day.

Your doctor feeling/palpitating your neck/thyroid can tell if something is amiss, goiter/nodule, etc.

Trust your doctor!


GL
Please don't shoot the messenger!

[Lake Lover]

happymedium,

You need to find a new doctor.  The doctor you have is NOT treating your issues.

Post the tests your doctor ran on you with the lab ranges and maybe we can figure out what's happening.

It would be good practice to get hard copies of all tests run so you can easily see for yourself where you fall in their ranges.

I hope you find some relief soon.


GravesLady,

I'm glad you take 18mg of iron daily, you are obviously not low like happymedium.  Why do you always make everyone's post about youself?

The Medhelp forum doctor moderated site always states that an optimal TSH is 1 which is what is heavily suggested throughout postings on the web as well.  Again, you take your "odd situation" and extremely high TSH and try to apply  to everyone who posts on this medhelp site looking for some good advice.

I cannot believe the bad advice that you continue to pass along to those less informed.

I'm still waiting on the backup for something you quoted on a previous post which is totally inaccurate.

"Vitamin C increases antibody production."

[Jenipeni]

Dear Lake Lover

Your comments to Graveslady disturb me.  None of us here are actual doctors and no one is pretending to be.  We are all at best professional patients.  Often the best thing to say is what has happen to us from personal experience because we are all different and will have different experiences.  

Graveslady is in no way the only one who when replying to a post includes information about herself.  It's not fair to single her out.

TSH of 1 is recommended as optimal usually for thyroid replacement therapy.  Happy medium has not yet started treatment and it is your perogative to tell her that she needs to find a doctor who will do this.  Personally I would recommend that she resolve her iron issues first as it is virtually impossible to seperate what symptoms are coming from what problem.

TSH is highly debated.  The reference range is only 'recommended' and as Gravelady said everyone is different and functions better at a level which is individual for them.  You might function better near 1 but I might function better at 3 and someone else might like to be near 2.  

The free T4 and free T3 should not be ignored either.  Their levels could make a huge difference to how one is feeling.

PLEASE DO CHALLENGE INFORMATION THAT YOU DON'T AGREE WITH - JUST DON'T MAKE THE ATTACK PERSONAL.

I am one of the many people who has appreciated Gravelady's advice BUT also have the sense that any information given on a forum must be able to be backed up by a reputable source.  

I do not mean to offend you either Lake Lover and appologise if I have.
jenipeni  

[Jenipeni]

"Vitamin C increases antibody production."

It is well known that Vitamin C supports the immune system - and one of the components of your immune system is antibodies.  So this statement may not be so far fetched...  but we are only referring to normal antibodies here -not autoimmune antibodies.  Don't know if Vitamin C effects autoimmune antibodies???  

And that is 100% correct that iron is better absorbed with Vitamin C.  Good advice.

It is also a normal reaction if iron supplements turn your stools/poo a darker colour, even green.  Some people do get constipated, some get lots of wind.

Happymedium - what specifically is the reaction you are experiencing to the iron tablets?

Cheers!
jenipeni

[Lake Lover]

I believe that GrvesLadies comments about vitamin C was that it produced thyroid antibodies and I just want the source as I have never heard this before nor can I confirm it anywhere.

All those that search sites that post public opinion should confirm anything that is suggested or recommended.

I simply asked for the confirmation from the poster as I could not locate it.  If she is posting it she should be able to reference the source.

As far as the personal attack all I can say is PMS.  Got it.

[Jenipeni]

Here is a copy of a portion of Graveslady's post that you are referring to within the "";   (hope you don't mind GL)

"Some Nutrients That Support Immune Function
Zinc supports the thymus gland (which trains T-cells in the immune system).

Iodine supports activity of Natural Killer cells.

Vitamin C increases antibody production.
Combination of the vitamin C and bioflavonoids on a daily basis
Vitamin E with C increases T-cells, interleukin 2, and TNF."

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Thyroid/messages/1779.html


I just want to specify something to avoid confusion.

The T-cells, she is referring to are also another part of your immune system, a type of lymphocyte; which is a type of white blood cell.  Interleukin 2 is a protein with immunologic functions.  Not sure what the abreviation TNF is for -but it seems she is refering to your immune system, not thyroid.
^This information is gleaned from my medical dictionary.

In posting this information Graveslady has assumed that you (and others) know or can find out such information.  It is clear that she did not refer to thyroid antibodies-only giving information about what nutrients support immnue function. See the heading she used in that post??

Hope that clears it up for you and any others following this post.

Cheers
jenipeni

[Lake Lover]

Oh I bet this back and forth could go on until infinity and we haven't even heard from GravesLady yet.

Let's just call this OVER!

            :-)

[happymedium]

Hi all, thanks for your help, all your help. Sorry to cause an up roar, by the way i have pms too, not good. I cant post any ranges, results, I cant get them. Im afraid i am all new to this so i have alot to learn . The iron being so low has made me tired & breathless, so i suppose i would not know which symptoms were connected to what. I only know gp keeps getting the blood from me, that must be why im anemic lol. Im happy to take on board everything mentioned thankyou i would like to feel better soon.

[lumbeepride]

happy
have you thought about getting your adrenals tested...this can also cause a multitude of problems ....this can also cause some of the problems you are experiencing