hasimotos ,estrogen replacement, and synthroid dose

[sparky328]

I am a 53 yr old with hashimotos.  Menopause since 40 and on estrogen/progesterone replacement.  since I work in a medical lab I have randomly tested my throid levels at times when I suspect things are not right.  My levels during time of tachychardia(normal sinus rythym  130)  (ER visit)are quite controversial such as TSH at 7 (N= .3-5.0)  FT4 also elevated at 2.0 ( N=.5-1.7)  This seems to randomly come and go.  Lately my TSH has been at an elevated level of  11.5  with FT4 at 1.4.  During other times when I wait it out, they(TSH) return to normal levels.  Dose of Levothyroid is .125mcg.  Hard to get in to see Endo to discuss, and my Internist (not all that concerned with it) feels I should just leave dose be.  My Endo (about 5 yrs ago) explained that this can happen with hashimoto until thyoid dyes out.  (the contradictory levels, elevated TSH and FT4)  I thinking I should try to get in to see Endo for further monitoring, because of many hypothryroid symptoms appearing.  I have read sooo many articles on this, but have never seen anyone one else with both levels elevated.  I did have an ultrasound done about 7 yrs ago, and altho I did have spots (hot i assumed), Endo did not feel biopsy was necessary.  My TPO was unreportably elevated>max level at that time. Can you give me any insight into where if anyplace I should head with this.  I have notice when dosing off of estrogen replacement, that things really change, so prefer to stay on at this point.  No other medical health issues except for acid reflux.

[thyroid_sista2]

do you think the reason why i  put on large amounts of weight was due to  high doses of estrogen? an bein on thyroid meds. im going threw this right now im thinkin, im on estrogel pump an i got blood work done an the doc said i have lots of estrogen in my system, so on line i found that this my be a result to gaiining weight. im on eltroxin 100mcg an cant lose any weight at all. so i stopped takin the estrogen for a few days now to get rid of some of the excess estrogen the gel gave me!

[TamraW]

Sparky, it is true that the thyroid and antibodies are at war, so your levels will change from week to week. Don't always rely on TSH. It is a pituitary hormone, and doesn't paint the entire thyroid picture. Your goal is to get your body enough thyroid hormone so that the thyroid goes to sleep and the antibodies quit fighting it. The fact that you are still swinging from hyper to hypo tells me that your thyroid isn't asleep  yet.

First and foremost, why no T3 testing? If your T3 levels are low, or even on the lower end of normal, you might want to add a T3 drug like Cytomel to the mix. If that doesn't work, then maybe a natural thyroid drug like Nature Thryoid with T4,3,2,1 in it would help you more.

If your endo says 'forget testing or treating the threes', FIND A NEW ENDO!!!

The book, The Thyroid Solution by Ridha Arem explains it all.

:) Tamra