Mum has no Thyroid and only on 75 mg's

[dwt7let]

Hi All

I am so worried about my mother, she had part of her thyroid taken away 30 years ago and had the other part taken away a few years ago. I can see that she has deteriorated she is constantly sick with chest infections and now her specialist wants her to take antibiotics constantly three times per week.
I feel she is not on the right dose but how do we get help ??
Does anyone know of any specialist in the UK who can help or even abroad. I'm frightened that if she doesn't get proper treatment she could die with these infections all the time !
Thanks For Listening !!
God Bless

[Barb135]

I'm familiar with Dr Skinner.  The world lost an excellent thyroid doctor when he died.  No, not all thyroid tests are rubbish - just TSH... Your mother does need to be tested for the active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not just T3 and T4, as those indicate Total T3 and Total T4, which are not the same tests).

It's very well known that taking an antibiotic when it isn't needed can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, so they don't work at all.  I might suggest that you try to find a different doctor for your mother.

I'd probably tend to agree that her problem is due to low thyroid, but, of course, I'd have to see the thyroid tests to be sure.  Do find out what her latest TSH  test and let me know.  While that won't tell us a lot, it will be a start.

How old is your mother?

[dwt7let]

Hi Barb

Thanks for your reply ! No she is not always tested for T3 and T4, just TSH.
I don't know her most recent thyroid test results will find out and let you know ! I know all about thyroid tests are rubbish I myself had to pay private
and saw a wonderful Dr Skinner who sadly died.

My mother has chronic asthma but this has only gone worst since she had her other part of her thyroid out with constant infections. She has just had another chest infection and is still not well. Her specialist has advised putting her on an antibiotic three times a week to keep infections at bay. But as we know in the end they don't work ! I feel its because her thyroid is low and its her immune system. I am very worried about her !

Thanks for Caring !

Lorraine xx

[Barb135]

Is your mother being tested for thyroid hormones on a regular basis?  What are her most current thyroid hormone levels as listed on her most recent lab report?  Be sure to include reference ranges, as those vary lab to lab and have to come from her own lab report.

What type of infection does your mother have?  Most antibiotics have to be taken 2-3 times/day, not just 3 times/week, in order to kill a bacterial infection.  Antibiotics do nothing for a viral infection.

A specialist for thyroid treatment would be an endocrinologist, but not all endos are good thyroid doctors.  We do find that many of our members in U.K. have a hard time obtaining adequate testing/treatment for thyroid conditions, due NHS guidelines that limit thyroid thyroid testing and treatment.

Your mother should be tested regularly for the thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4.