Hypothyroidism and Herpes 2

[Ashamedatmyage]

I have had hypothyroidism (hashimotos disease) for 12yrs now, I do take levothyroxine for it and haven't had any problems with it since diagnosis. Recently I was diagnosed with herpes 2.
My questions are:
1) since I already have an autoimmune disease are there any correlations between hypothyroidism and herpes?
2) Is a person more susceptible to getting herpes because of prior immune issues?
3) will having herpes affect my thyroid in any way down the road?
4) could I have had dormant herpes for years and extreme stress cause an outbreak due to thyroid levels changing?

I've searched several blogs and haven't been able to find definitive answers. Also posted this question on thyroid and std pages

[Fatbum2023]

I think anyone with herpes or any sexually transmitted diseases have hypo/hyperthyroidism.

[Barb135]

One can have one of the Herpes viruses without having the other.  I've had H-1 since I was a very small child and am very prone to cold sores, but since H-2 is only sexually transmitted, I've never come in contact with it.

[Ashamedatmyage]

Btw, I tested negative for H1, have never had a cold sore in my life

[Ashamedatmyage]

Thank you for the info. I have been under a great deal of marital stress, finding a job, etc. Will have to contact my endocrinologist for hormone levels.

[Barb135]

I did find one reference that said hypothyroidism can cause an outbreak, but this would apply only if your levothyroxine is not adjusted properly.

It also said that deficiency in selenium, zinc, copper, vitamins A, D and B12 can also cause outbreak.

There were no scientific references to support those claims so I don't know if they're true or not.

It might be helpful if you could post your current thyroid hormone levels, along with reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.  

Also some people with hypothyroidism are also deficient in vitamins D and B-12, so if you've been tested for those, it would be helpful to post those results, as well.

[Barb135]

Herpes 2 is not an autoimmune disease, so it wouldn't have a correlation with thyroid disease.  

I don't know your age, but about 90% of American adults have herpes 1, which is what causes cold sores.

1) The only way to get Herpes 2 is via sexual encounter with an infected person, though it is possible to have it and not show any symptoms right away.  
2) It's also possible for it to be triggered by exposure to the sun, fever, menstruation, emotional stress, a weakened immune system, or an illness.
3)  It's possible that some medications prescribed for the herpes could affect absorption of thyroid hormone medication... You should take your levothyroxine first thing in the morning, with water then wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before eating/drinking anything else.  Levothyroxine should be separated from other medications by at least an hour or two, but check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you should maintain further separation.
4) Changing thyroid levels would not trigger an outbreak. See answer # 2.