Recurring Thyroiditis

[srm4041]

I was diagnosed with Thyroiditis years ago and was told that, once the initial onset of hyperthyroidism (with goiter at the time) ran it's course (thyroiditis) and left me with hypothyroidism, it would be treated with synthroid and, once stabilized, that would be the only "itis" I would have.

I have found, however, that I have been experiencing that same cycle about once or twice a year ever since.  Even though I take my medicine the same (in the morning, on an empty stomach), I still have to adjust my dosage almost every fall and spring and it takes me several months to feel normal again.  I hate it!

Does/has anyone go/gone through this?  I don't personally know anyone who has.  Most of the people I know who have hypothyroidism stay on one dosage and don't go through fluctuations.  Also, I actually get really sick/symptomatic when this happens and there is enough of a change in my TSH test to warrant the changes.

There are not any thyroid specialists where I live to get answers to my questions.  My doctor (who is in endocrinology, but is a diabetes specialist) just tests my levels when I feel bad and we adjust, but I would like more information.  Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[srm4041]

FORTHYROIDHEALTH:

Wow.  I don't even know what to think.  I don't know anything about antibodies. All I have been able to know is to keep my TSH levels around 1.2, but that is it.  I too have high  cholesterol (my diet is good) and I have about half the hair I used to.  Yes, the more I live with this, I realize it is truly an autoimmune disease that is really hard to live with.  After all of these years, I guess I have to come to terms that this is what I have to live with....I kept hoping I could just settle on a dosage and leave it there!  Thanks for the post!

TamaraW:

It's funny you should bring up allergies, because I used to attribute my relapses to that too.  It's really hard to sort out what is going on, but usually I can trace symptoms back to my thyroid.  Guess I will have to call tomorrow and get a blood test!  Thanks for the info on vitamins!

[TamraW]

Anyway, back to SRM4041. I recently found out I have Hashis. I believe I've had it for at least six years, since my child was born. I, too, get sick at fall time and spring. I  have always attributed it to asthma and allergies, but now that you have posted this, WOW! Maybe it is my stinkin' thyroid. In fact, last spring I was so sick, I thought I was dying. My Vitamin D was VERY low. We tend to get low vitamin levels.

Fingers crossed that I don't get sick again this fall. I am taking many vitamins just for us hypo/hashi people. I am also staying away from soy or products with any kind of soy. Read the post in this forum "To soy or not to soy" to understand why.

Now, here's a good vitamin link, just in case you don't know which vitamins to buy. REMEMBER, Beta Carotene and E are in liquid gel form in the stores. So are those 50,000 unit vitamin D pills that the docs give us. You will need to get to a specialty store to buy the Beta Carotene (comes in the powder caplets of Vitamin A) and the E.

http://www.drlowe.com/nutrition/supplementlist/supplementtable.htm

Take care...
:) Tamra

[TamraW]

Oops, that last post was meant for FORTHYROIDHEALTH.

:) Tamra

[TamraW]

SM, you weren't being treated.  

SRM is at least being treated with Synthroid, which is a good drug to combat Hashi.

Here's an example: My mom, who is 75, has been treated with Synthroid for 13 years for hypothyroidism. I asked her endo to do a Hashi antibody test yesterday, as she's NEVER had one. Yes, we found out today, she does have Hashi, but her antibodies are only in the 200 range. Unlike you, she has been taking medication to keep those little antibodies at bay, even though she didn't know she had Hashi. Ahhh, these doctors!

Take care...
:) Tamra

[srm4041]

Thanks for writing.....I REALLY needed to talk to someone else with this problem.  What I hate is that it takes forever to get back on track.  If that happens twice a  year, then I'm talking about six months out of the year trying to feel normal.

It is like I cannot plan much of anything or predict how I am going to do because I will get all excited, get on a roll and BANG!  It's like getting the rug pulled out from under me over and over....blah, blah!

[Anu17]

Hi ,
You are not alone .I am one of the unfortunate one also.I totaly understand that frustration  .You know the funny thing is you mention seasonal change and you have fluctuation i get that too my doc. once felt i have seasonal allergy but i have more then that allergy I have an appointment tom. with my endocrine .I need something with this fatigue especially it gets worst when  i switch I am so worried about spring is in the air and i just got adjusted with thyroide rest of the issues are still on.
Pl. feel free to write to me
take care