i really think i am having problems with the old thryoid. i have all the symptoms of low, er, hypo..
what tests do you need and what were your symptoms? any over the counter meds for this?
but since my primary says i don't have lyme, he's reluctant to test for anything...
i had a fit just getting him to test for cholesterol...
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I have hypothyroidism.
You need your TSH tested. Along with T4 and T3 would be good.
Posted by iceskater (Member # 8655) on :
I have hypothyroidism. This is from the lyme. I am on levoxyl to treat it. Periodically, have T3 and T 4 tested for my levels.
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
A lot of hypothyroidism begins with adrenal problems, so having an adrenal saliva test is always a good idea before going on thyroid meds. Most docs won't do a saliva test, but chiropractors often do. Hiker
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
yes to all of above.
you can NOT get OTC pills; must be prescription and blood tests done every 6 months. Posted by Lou B (Member # 64) on :
Randi, My daughter was hypo ... due to Lyme per her LLMD. 7 years Lyme symptom free but still takes thyroid meds. Lyme does do long term damage!
If your primary gives you push-back on something as simple as lipid (cholesterol) levels ... get a new primary,
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
If you have been battling a weight issue, any doctor should test your thyroid level. Hypothyroid lowers your metabolism and leads to weight gain.
It is not only common in people with Lyme, it is pretty common in women generally,
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, a type of auto-immune hypothyroidism.
Important blood tests to have done are the Free T3, Free T4 (besides the T3 and T4) and thyroid antibody tests in addition to the normal panel. They are not usually done but are necessary for a comprehenisve view. Some people who have Hashimoto's have normal test results but elevated antibodies tests. That is why it is important to have the antibodies tested.
It sounds like you need to see another doctor. You deserve to get the help you need. It is a doctor's job to help you find out what is wrong.
Posted by Beverly (Member # 1271) on :
I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis also, I will be on thyriod meds the rest of my life. I take Levothyroxin for it a prescription.
Posted by LuLuFlorida (Member # 12066) on :
I have had six tests done on my thyroid funtion and two of them showed I had hypothyroidism. My doctor will not put me on medication because my thyroid function seems to funtion with my symptoms. I also do NOT have any of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Posted by Kthompson (Member # 11931) on :
I have hypothyroidism and I take Armour thyroid and have my TSH and T3 and T4 levels checked periodically. I never realized that this problem could be related to the lyme disease. That is very interesting, just one more thing that it does to wreak havoc on our lives.
Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :
I developed thyroid disease in my teens - unusual. I didn't think I'd contracted Lyme until age 36, but my LLMD thinks I got it much earlier - because of the early hypothyroidism.
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
I was 29 when I was diagnosed with Graves disease which is hyperthyroidism. I'm sure a microbial cause was behind it.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
My LLMD believes that Lyme causes a Sick Thyroid issue.
I am not overweight, far from it as I believe babs has me continuously losing weight.
However, I do show many, many symptoms of hypothyroid and am currently on low dose
thyroid meds. My hair has stopped falling out and my fingernails are finally starting to grow.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Even subclinical hypothyrodism can occur.
When calcium goes into the cells and REMAINS there...the cells can "calcify" and not work.
Not good.
Here is one way our body TRIES to prevent this:
3. ``one mechanism of action of TNF-alpha ...on thyroid FRTL-5 cells is to inhibit calcium entry.'' PMID: 10092616
Sounds good, right? Not quite because TNF alpha opens epithelial Na channels and Bb needs Na...more specifically NaCl for motility.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i just found out the hard way that not treating hypo thyroid-even if it is only a little bit low-can lead to diabetes and high cholesterol
Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :
I'm hypo - but only slightly. Like Geneal, I am underweight, probably due to babs.
My doctor said that my thyroid is only operating on 5 out of 8 cylinders. I tried taking kelp, but I could not handle that one. Some people do really well with it though.
Posted by cantgiveupyet (Member # 8165) on :
tailz, im so much like you. Im hypo and lost tons of weight until i was on armour thryroid for 2 months. I think we see the same llmd in kennet?
Northstar- im not too sure about your results, what did your dr say? I was borderline with mine as well.
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
randibear, did your doc run the test for you?
I did not even suspect thyroid issues, but also have Hashimoto's, and have started synthroid recently. Have not seen dramatic results, except perhaps a bit more energy.
My LLMD feels Hashimoto's is common in people with chronic infections, but perhaps you can approach this with your non-LL doc without mentioning Lyme at all?
Or better yet, can you find another doc??
Posted by salydega (Member # 7309) on :
randibear
I was also borderline on my thyroid test that i have had in the past. Last one last fall. I dont remember the exact numbers but if normal was like 1-4.5 and I was like 4.3. My pcp said it was borderline.
I seen my llmd on monday and he looked at those same results and said that I need armour thyroid.
He told me that in addition to lab results, the pcp should still be checking your clinical symptoms. Weight gain, hair falling out, fatigue, low body temps. He sent me home with a sheet to track my body temp 3 times a day for 21 days and if body temps are low, he will put me on armor thyroid.
He also told me that alot of pcp are not treating for hypo thyroid if your level is 4 or above.
I know you posted before about going on Jenny Craig. So I know you have a concern with weight. You should have your llmd do a thyroid test on you. This may be the answer that could help you!!
I know I am sure looking forward to this additional help.
I also did not know that lyme could cause thyroid disfunction until this week. And i feel like Finally I have an answer to why I diet all the time and cant lose weight!!
I hope you can find the right doctor to help you. Sounds like the one you have isnt very open minded to help you.
Take care
Sandra
Posted by northstar (Member # 7911) on :
Cant,
Well, the dr. says "within normal range".
Ho hum.
Temp is still in 97's range, last night it was 96.6, Seems to be corresponding to fatigue and hour of the day.
Perhaps low temp is not caused only by thryoid.
I dont have weight gain.
Thank you...guess I will look for other causes.
Northstar
Posted by hardynaka (Member # 8099) on :
Hypo too, lost weight in this new reinfection and in previous infection.
First infection, hypo too. Got treated with homeopathics got well better there. Also with chills in both infections.
Now chills seem to be gone. Still knocking on wood!
Treatment for me: thyroid sarcodes (homeopathic) plus reflex massage on the thyroid points of the feet to stimulate the gland.
Hypothyroidism seems to be very very common with lyme disease.
I always get thyroid problems there when my infection load is high. Once the infection load falls, the symptoms subside (of course, if I treat the thyroid)... It happened to me twice, so I wonder if this is not a pattern...
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