Hypothyroidism and Bloating/Cellulite

Hi Laura,

i I would say it's very unusual for a specialist to take you off the medication unless they suspected that you had been misdiagnosed or didn't need it. The antibodies test will determine if you have Hashimotos (the main cause in Caucasian women). I didn't have unusual levels and just a slightly abnormal TSH (which is also an indicator of hypothyroidism but won't give you the cause of it). Went on Levo for eight years with "normal" test results and felt dreadful and always struggled wi weight. Now they aren't sure if I needed it in the first place so are doing an ultrasound on my thyroid to check for thyroid nodules (another cause and might be worth asking specialist for this if they haven't already suggested it).

make sure they find out the definitive cause before restarting medication. Also ask them to test your T3 levels (as people like Shelly above, do t convert T4 to T3 properly and Levo is a t4 medication).

hope this helps. 

Hello Laura:

Thyroid disease can come from a myriad of factors.

#1-  Family trait or passed on via genes, such as Hashimoto's or Graves disease.

#2- Epstein-Barr Virus also called Mono.

#3- Stress on the body such as pregnancy, abuse, poor health and other disease like cancer, or Lupus or chemotherapy.

#4- Lack of iodine in diet.  Mostly seen in poor countries.

If they test the TPOA antibodies you willknow if it is Hashimoto's.  The Levo replaces what hormone that is needed by the body.

Many of us with Hypothyroid symptoms need our minerals and vitamins to be in good shape.  They can test many of them to make sure the levels are good. You should have calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium tested along with selenium, and ferritin, and iron. Also worth checking is a Vit D level.

If you are low in any of them you can know and then replace them via supplements.  There is a lot to be said about good vitamins and minerals in our bodies. 

Make sure to take the Levo on an empty stomach and 1 hour before food. It takes 6 to 12 weeks before some bad symptoms subside.

Keep us posted,

Shelly

 

I was wondering what treatment, if any, has been suggested for you should you have any nodules on the thyroid gland.

I am also puzzled about the antibodies . I have written about this in a previous posting. I wondered if antibodies are a normal feature or if they are only present in thyroid disorders.

Is there a treatment for these antibodies?

Many thanks

 

Hi Cindy,

If I have thyroid nodules and still need medication I will be trialled on NDT (a natural hormone rather than synthetic that isn't currently available on the NHS in the UK).

Usually people with underactive thyroid are given levothyroxine by default (cheapest drug and seems to work for some people). This is a t4 drug that is meant to convert to t3 but some people don't convert. I was then trialled on a combination of levothyroxine with liothyonine (a synthetic t3 medication). Whilst this made me feel more awake, it made my heart very hyper and uncomfortable even at the lowest dose and more of my hair fell out. Hence the reason that more tests are now needed.

I am not sure of the details of thryoid antibodies, I must admit I'm not an expert. I believe most people have some level of these in their body, but if it is abnormally high (above 40 if I remember correctly, but I could be wrong there) then it shows that you have hashimotos disease. Its just one of a number of causes of underactive thyroid, but the treatment options are the same regardless of the underlying cause.

hashimoto's is autoimmune. it is always with you.  you can suppress the disease by avoiding gluten, dairy and soy, but it's in your body forever.  when it's not suppressed and starts doing damage is when you have nodules.  once they are discovered they will be watched routinely.  thyroid meds hold the the nodules steady (and may shrink) and that's why you must be seen at least yearly, have blood work done routinely and US done (some say once a year, others every 6 months) if you notice changes in how you feel.   not everyone with thyroid disease has hashimoto's, but very few don't - 97% of those with hypothyroid have hashi's. so that's a lot of people and a good reason to find out for sure.  you have to have your thyroid scanned to know for sure.  if you have nodules then you must use thyroid meds.  diet and supplements help keep your antibodies low.  low antibodies, small and steady nodule size.

there are supplements to take if you are deficient; most of us are deficient in a lot of vitamins and minerals.  some things you'll want to test:  selenium, b12, ferritin, RBC magnesium, calcium.  there are more, but can't think of them right now.   i take c, e, fish oil, b complex, evening primrose (i'm post menopausal), biotin, selenium, magnesium (glycinate and citrate combo), zinc, ashwaganda, raw calcium (whole food, NOT what you get at walgreens, walmart!!)... you should work with a naturopath on this, have your blood checked for deficiencies, etc.  the reason to avoid gluten is because some believe that the hashi's body thinks that the thyroid is the gluten and attacks your thyroid.  the gluten gets into your blood stream when your gut lining is compromised and that's how the body gets confused.  gut issues affect most of us.   

Hello Cindy:

Nodules can be removed by removing part of the Thyroid gland. Normally ty will not do surgery just for nodules.  I have 3 nodules for over 25 years.

An ultrasound can be done, and a biopsy to see if it is cst like or dense and what cells are in it. 

If the thyroid is really bad or cancerous nodules which is kind of rare, they can use Radioactive Iodine to kill off the thyroid gland.

Antibodies can be held at bay by taking your thyroid med and keeping stress in the body down. Eating Gluten Free diets helps.

Shelly

Shelly

Thanks for your reply.

I was just wondering about these nodules and why they grow in the first place.I can't find out why.

I was also wondering how many people have nodules and also what the criteria for surgery is in the case of non cancerous nodules.

I can't find any answers to that question.

In other words what would be considered an 'average' number of nodules.

Thank you for your help.

Cindy

 

Hi Kristi

Thank you for your reply, it is greatly appreciated. I am struggling through this nightmare situation.

I am Rhesus negative with Antigen D. This is fairly uncommon - so I am told.

Would this have anything to do with having this thyroid disorder.

I am still trying to find out at hat point nodules are treated or removed.

Cindy

 

Hi Cindy:

Most thyroid nodules 98% are not cancerous.  A small amount are.  They come from changes in the tissue over years of time and living longer.

Many of people get them and it is more likely in women since our bodies change hormones monthly and at menopause. 

If the nodules are numerous - they can remove the gland or use RAI.  If the nodules are small and just a few -they watch them and do an Ultrasound. It is recommended to do it once a year if you have them.

Now, some people have a tendency to grow cysts/nodules because their genes are that way.  Some comes from aging and some from tissue changes like cancer.

I have 3 nodules myself, I know a lady who has 20 tiny ones.  It can be a little or a lot.  I decided to watch my nodules and they were small.  If you do an Ultrasound they can measure them and see the way they are shaped.

Cancer of the thyroid is a low percentage, 2% or so.  If you have a family history of it, then that is important to know.

Ask any questions you have,

Shelly

Hi Cindy:

If a nodule is deemed to be pressing on your thyroid or mng it difficult to swallow it would be a critera for removing it.  Some are tiny and some are big over a few inches.

they say if it gets bigger or over an inch in size it is best to consider having it treated by surgery or  RAI treatment.

Rhesus Neagtive is dangerous for pregnacy and if you plan on having children, it does not cause Thyroid disease alone.

Shelly

Hi Shelly

Thanks once again for your rapid reply.

I was just wondering if the rhesus neg factor plus the antigen D was a link to auto immune disease say later in life. I wonder if any studies have been done on this issue. It would be interesting to find out.

I was screened during the pregnancy of course for the presence of any antibodies that coud have damaged the baby.

Then I was sent a green card advising that I was/am Rhesus negative with Antigen D. I should really have asked the obstetrician at the time for the possible implications later on in life.

 

Cindy:

Many of us get thyroid disease from a few factors:

#1- Autoimmune, it runs in your DNA/genes. 

#2- Epstein -Barr virus called Mono and it causes damage to the thyroid.

#3- Poor iodine in the diet, seen mostly in 3rd world countries

#4- Lupus, Diabetes, cancer and chemotherapy can cause thyroid probelms

#5- Victim of Abuse, stressful long period of time on the body.

RH Negative is not linked to thyroid that I know of.  It can make having children dangerous for you.

Shelly

Hi Shelly

It is very good of you to reply and I tank you again for the information.

We do have thyroid disease in the family.

  I know that it can even skip ageneration!

I ws just wondering hy rh neg is dangerous for the mother.

Cindy

 

Hi Cindy

RH neg is dangerous for you and the baby during pregnancy. If you are RH Negative and teh baby is RH Pos. It can cause you to become ill. It can cause death to the baby or whole blood transfusions have to be done. It can be identified early today and your OBGYN can monitor you and treat you.

Thyroid disease if you are HYPO can also be dangerous if getting pregnant.  If you are not on meds the baby can have learning disabilites in school. It is best to wait and make sure your thyroid is healthy and you have a good TSH level before having a baby.

It can be a family trait and it runs in my family also and can skip men and be passed on. It hits women 9 times more than a man.

XO Shelly

 

My baby now an adult was RH pos so that means my hubby  was RH pos.

However as I did not have any antibodies apart from Antigen D everything wet smoothly. The 'baby' now has two degrees so I think that things went well.

I don't think that thyroid tests were done routinely during or after pregnancy. Perhaps they should be included in the screening of all women especialy those who are trying for a baby.

Things change over the years so perhaps thyroid screening pre and during prgnancy is now being carried out.

It makes a lot of sense to try to identify at risk groups and I suppose it could come under the prevention of ill health .

Something to think about anyway.

 

Hi Cindy:

RH problems have been around forever. Normally they catch it early.

the baby normally has the father's blood type and a few times just the mother's.

If you were going to have a 2nd child it could be worse and be harder, but we live in good times and they can tell now.

Glad your baby is all grown up and healthy. Yes, many of years ago thyroid issues were not tested.

I am a victim of the times as I am 54 and nobody tested teens back in the day. We now know so much more!  I had symptoms as a teen. Now they run a lot of tests esp. if you are pregnant.

Shelly

YES. It was along time ago and I was advised that if both parents were rhesus neg tthen he baby would not be affected. Whether things have changed since then I don't know. If the mother is rhesus neg then she has blood tests at certain stages throughout the pregnancy to check for antibodies.

Hi Laura, I need to do an MRI my self. I am low on T4 ok on T3. I am on levo, doing some check tomorrow to see if the mga are enough or not.

Havent been able to find many people with pituitary gland issues. My thyroid is healthy but i am not producing T4.

Let me know how was it please.