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Misdiagnosed?

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rebecca80606
rebecca80606

I've been on levothyroxine for around 4 months for an under active thyroid. After seeing a endocrine specialist last week and having full hormone blood tests done, it was discovered that I had low cortisol levels. I've been told to stop the levothyroxine and have bloods done again in 3 months. I'm so confused as to what is actually wrong with me. Help please xx

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • allan91696
    allan91696 rebecca80606

    Posted

    Hi - a lot of the symptons of low cortisol levels are similar to some of the symptons of a low thyroid (Google Low Cortisol Levels) will give you list of symtons etc casues etc - its a good job you have a good endocrineologist lookng after you - Levothyroxine tablets are a complete waste of time - need to concertate on your Immune system and being kind to it and boost it as much as you can, I am taking myself off Levothyroxine, made some dietary changes - more cutting back than giving up completely -  some foods, Soya, Gluten, give up completly, I am trying lactose free milk, avoing processed meat etc taking a pile of vitamins eg 1000 Vit C, Vit D, B1(Niacin) Selenium etc Am trying to boost my immune system as much as i can - hardest one is avoiding stress... I am looking for a different job, but thers only so much you can doo with that one..
  • dave64969
    dave64969 rebecca80606

    Posted

    Rebecca, based on what you have told us, it seems you don't have a thyroid problem, but did your specialist give you the results? If you can share them that will give people a better idea about answering your question. Why were you put Levo in the first place? What were your symptoms?

    Levothyroxine can and does help many people, so don't believe everything you read here. 

    • rebecca80606
      rebecca80606 dave64969

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.

      I'm feeling exhausted all the time, depressed, cold, putting on weight, irregular periods and really anxious. I can't fall asleep at night for hours as I lie there worrying.

      The drs initially suspected am under active thyroid. My first blood results showed by T4 was 9. A month later I was tested again and it had dropped to 8. I started levothyroxine and it came up to a normal level. However my Dr wasn't totally convinced it was my thyroid so I was referred to an endocrinology consultant. I was and still am suffering from the same symptoms.

      When he did my bloods, he said they all came back normal except my cortisol levels as they were low. I have to stop the levothyroxine and get tested again in 3 months. I'm so anxious stopping the levothyroxine.

  • MtViewCatherine
    MtViewCatherine rebecca80606

    Posted

    Hi Rebecca, adrenal exhaustion often follows hypothyroid disease. If you read the information that comes with the thyroid medication, it warns against taking it when you have adrenal problems. My experience has been that the adrenal issues are completely ignored, and in fact no doctor has ever requested adrenal testing for me.

    However, I know that as thyroid disease advances and continues iunfreated, you will have adrenal problems. The adrenals, thyroid and pancrease work together to regulate energy and metabolism in your body, along with the rest of your endocrine system. So when one part is down, the others are affected.

    There are a bunch of problems that tend to accompany thyroid disease: adrenal exhaustion, gut and digestion problems (ibs), heart disease, anxiety, migraines, pre diabetes, and autoimmune disease. For this reason, a holistic approach is most effective.

    The other issue you could be dealing with is that levothyroxin is T4 only, so you could have low T3. Your body produces both T4 and T3. And in fact the idea with the levo is to provide the body with T4 and let the body convert to T3. This works ok at low doses, or if your gut is healthy. The T3 is a much more active form of thyroxin and seems to be closely related to adrenal responses, as fluctuations in T3 can result in anxiety. Also, if your T4/T3 ratio is out of whack, it can result in anxiety, which further stresses the adrenals.

    My guess is your doc is just trying to figure out what's going on.

    The good news is that your doc actually checked your adrenals. Most don't.

    • rebecca80606
      rebecca80606 MtViewCatherine

      Posted

      My Dr said that although my T4 levels came up once on the levothyroxine, something else didn't improve. He didn't say what but could be the T3. This is why he suspected something to do with my pituitary gland. On my notes it says sick euthyroid and hypothalamic effect suspected.

    • MtViewCatherine
      MtViewCatherine rebecca80606

      Posted

      There's a bunch of info out there that non glandular thyroid disease results from trauma, starvation and other extreme conditions. Something to also consider is that heavy metal toxicity, particularly mercury, can result in high rT3, which basically indicates as thyroid disease. Try some herbal detoxing with cilantro or chlorophyll, and see if that improves things. I've found the chlorophyll to be incredibly helpful.

      Also, go to a high protein, gluten free diet to give your immune system a break and to give your body enough protein to heal itself.

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