Caffeine and Hypythyroidism

[JD3P]

Hello, I am a twenty two year old female. About a year ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My levels were 9.5 from what I remember. As soon as I realized this was causing me so many problems, I changed my diet and exercise completely. Two months later my levels went down to 2.11 without the use of any medication.
It's been about a year since then. I have been in good health since, with the exception of an ultrasound showing a few microscopic nodules on my thyroid. And a blood test showing that I have the antibodies for an autoimmune disease. It has the potential to become something more, if I do not take care of myself.

However I'm a little concerned about a trend I've noticed. During the time I stop drinking coffee (caffeinated) even certain tea at times, my neck seems to swell. It's obviously my thyroid. I started consuming coffee again and had my levels rechecked, and my endocrinologist prescribed me the lowest dose of levothyroxine. It helps with the swelling, when I consume caffeine or soy. However, even though I know that caffeine is doing my thyroid no good. I was wondering if it could mainly be due to the caffeine. Seeing as how my levels decreased when I stopped it.

I was considering speaking to my endrocrinologist about this, and asking if he would be willing to take me off meds for a few months while I try to get things back to normal on my own. And have me retested, to see if I actually need anything for it. Sorry if this was a long ramble, but it's been on my mind. And I know that many people will say I am crazy, or that it's not something I can fix myself. I mainly want to know if it is safe to remain off medication as long as my levels are normal and I am not experiencing any symptoms as I was before. Thanks if anyone can help.

[LazyMoose]

What Tamara said, educate your self on this. (she types way faster than I !) There are a lot of symptoms that are possible for someone with Hoshi to get that a person with just a slow thyroid may not ever have to deal with. Doctors are not very educated on the symptoms. I spent thousands on specialist treating symptomatic body areas when many body symptoms were from inadequate thyroid treatment. Reflux is a good example, when my TSH is above 3 -3.5 I get reflux. The Gastroenteritis did not have a CLUE about thyroid and shoved a very expensive  prescription down my throat. Mis-diagnosis from a specialist! Like that never happens.

The doctors will tell you not to read up on the internet, fact is, if it wasn't for the net I would almost be disabled by now. I was very athletic till about 35, then I went down hill very fast. Getting better now after I pushed to try different things. Doctors with their time limits and biased opinions are not really going to save you. You have to be your health manager today.

Learn, try, test and record different supplements and vitamins that you WILL NEED as a Hoshimoto patient. You life will be better. This is hard to imagine, but you will be 40 some day.

I wish I had information on this when I was 22, (Yahoo, MSN, Google did not exist yet!)

Take care

Moose

[LazyMoose]

I'm no doctor, but I have had Hoshimotos Thyroiditis since maybe the early 80's. I have never heard of caffeine being a contributor to hypothyroid. I suppose its possible since caffeine does more harm than good. Anyone else?

Since you have autoimmune antibodies you have Hoshimoto's Thyroiditis, not just a slow thyroid. It wont just go away and heal itself. In the early stages of Hoshimoto's you can swing from hypo to less hypo and to hyper. I had this. The timing of this could be coincidental with your on/off caffine.

My throat can tighten up from coffee - its from acid reflux which can be a Hoshi symptym. So I gave up coffee last year. But your neck swells when you STOP drinking coffee? Hmmm, don't know about that.

[TamraW]

You need to educate yourself more on your disease and take the right steps for a healthy life. You are young, and if you don't take care of yourself now, you will have a very difficult middle age.

I would not advise you to get off your meds. Because your TSH was high, I am assuming the thyroid antibodies are for the disease, Hashimoto's.

Read this article about those who don't treat Hashi.

http://thyroid.about.com/od/hypothyroidismhashimotos/a/preventative.htm

Also, read a recent post on this forum called "Goiter". Members share tips on dealing with the swelling, which is caused by the Hashi antibodies. The antibodies cause the nodules, too. It will only get worse if you stop your meds.

I drink coffee. I can't help it. I have eliminated my flavored creamer because it has soy which interferes with Levo. I take my thyroid meds in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. I wait an hour before eating or drinking anything else.

You could have lowered your TSH by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but unfortunately, Hashi will win eventually if you don't take your meds. I exercised four to five times per week, taking advanced aeroibics and spinning. I ate healthy. I didn't smoke or drink. I was VERY physically fit. Hashi finally shut me down when I was 35. At the time, my doctors hadn't run the correct blood tests and had no idea I had the antibodies, or maybe much of my suffering could have been prevented.

You have a chance now to fight Hashi before you become symptomatic. I am sorry, but exercise and eating healthy will not be enough.

Also, TSH is not always reliable, and can fluctuate with the early Hashi stages.

Eventually, you will probably need a rise in your meds. 025 isn't much. Get your blood tested again. TSH, FT3, FT4 and make sure the doctor is treating your F levels. If you get to the point where you feel tired, depressed, have difficulty losing weight, then you might need an increase.

:) Tamra