If you had abnormal thryroid levels, did you treat it while treating lyme? What did you take? Did it help? Did you see an endocrinologist?
My 4 year old son has an elevated TSH level and I am concerned that it could be slowing the absorption of his meds. Can this happen?
Dr. J says he doesn't treat only elevated TSH, but another LLMD says she does! What to do?
Thanks!
tickbattler
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
I was dx'd with a multinodular goiter in 1986, 20 years prior to my Lyme dx. I've been on Synthroid ever since.
At the time of dx I was told I would probably need to have a thyroidectomy in ten years or so. So far, so good!
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Optimal thyroid hormone levels are important so I'd err on the side of treating. Of course, you want to make sure dose is optimal as not to stress the adrenals any more than they probably already are with chronic infections.
Some suggest paying particular attention to the T3/RT3 ratio.....
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
battler, you've got the no. 1 kids llmd in usa; i'd listen to him since he's been treating lyme kids for decades.. Posted by KaitlinB (Member # 11718) on :
Lyme adversely affects many hormones, including the thyroid. My LLMD tests for hormone levels and supplements ones that are low.
I was taking Cytomel (T3) previously and now take compounded, time-release T3. It has made a tremendous difference in my energy level and mental outlook.
I would highly recommend investigating the thyroid problem.
Also be aware that most of the time the adrenal glands are also underperforming because of the constant stress Lyme and coinfections place on the body...in that case taking thyroid medication, without also addressing the adrenal problem, can make one feel worse.
Posted by n.northernlights (Member # 17934) on :
In children, the TSH often reacts much quicker and stronger than in adults, so it might be something transient. If you can see that his ft4 and ft3 are in the lower half of the reference range by looking at his labs, and they stay there, it would be wies to treat I think personally. The other thing that could be happening is that the thyroid numbers just have a fluctuation (there is a thing called non-thyroid illness) and therefore doctors usually do several tests over some weeks to see if this just was a NTI (non-thyroid illness) screwing up the numbers. Children need their ft4 quite high inside the range, btw.
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
How about working on getting the thyroid (and adrenals) healthy so they function correctly ? This may be a wild thought, but IME only messing with specific high or low hormone levels and taking drugs to try to change those specific levels can lead to taking drugs forever.
The gland gets lazy, realizes it does not have to do its job and gets even lazier.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Massman, that's preferable but doesn't always work, especially if you have Hashi's. However, there are cases where normal function may be restored. High RT3 may indicate Wilson's Syndrome (controversial but it has helped some). Supposedly, T3 only therapy will resolve this issue permanently (not always). Looks like Kaitlin above benefited from this. Also adrenals (AF) can be repaired (sometimes) with physiologic doses of cortisol given in longer courses (controversial too). See the Safe Uses of Cortisol by William Mck Jeffries MD....
Posted by tdtid (Member # 10276) on :
Actually my under active thyroid was found during the five years of trying to find out what was REALLY wrong, so my PCP put me on Armour Thyroid.
Through Lyme treatment, my PCP won't touch lyme, but will test the thyroid and keeps changing the amount I need since lyme treatment does help even with the thyroid and you may be able to lower your dose off and on.
I'm still on the Armour Thyroid. Just at different dosages about every 3 to 6 months.
Cathy
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
I was referring to using supplements from Systemic Formulas or Inno-Vita that are designed to help specific organs return to good health.
"New Dimensions In Herbal Healing" by Jack Tips is a great book on this subject. Available at: www.drjacktips.com
It is about the work of A. Stuart Wheelwright PhD, ND who was Jack's mentor. I have used them for 10 years with good results on myself and others.
Posted by savebabe (Member # 9847) on :
I developed hypothyroid and low human growth hormone while acutely ill with lyme. Dr. B told me that he saw a lot of endocrine problems in lyme patients.
Posted by Shosty (Member # 12232) on :
I would err on the side of caution and NOT supplement, since once your son starts, it will be for life.
It is better to go with symptoms than with a a TSH test.
Many doctors just treat the test in a sort of cookbook way. Others see the body as a functioning whole, not just as separate organs and parts.
It is quite possible that the thryoid is fine, but TSH is being overproduced, due to absorption problems. I think I described this above.
Give it some time...things will become clear...and you will feel better about your child being on thyroid meds when you know they are absolutely needed.
Is his body temp.cold, like 97 or less?
Ask for further testing. Also ask for an ANA and for a test of thyroid antibodies. Ask for tests of adrenal function (including 24 hour saliva).
I am still waiting to start thyroid meds myself:and my TSH has gone from 2's to 3's to 5's in 2 years.
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