I don't actually know if I have hypothyroidism - I meant to ask my doctor when I went the other day and FORGOT!!
My question isn't whether I have it or don't have it (well, it is, but to my dr, not to you guys, LOL), but if I DO have it... will it resolve when the lyme is resolved?
My TSH is normal, but I know that only tests the thyroid stimulating hormone -- which may be functioning perfectly, but my T3 and T4 levels can still be low or not converting properly or whatever.
Like many lymies, I have terrible exhaustion and trouble losing weight - but additionally have a low body temp (although I've always had that for as long as I can remember) and a few other symptoms.
But so many of the symptoms overlap with the lyme, so who knows! (which is why I wanted to ask! GRR).
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
Most doctors who treat hypothyroidism look at tsh but the free t3/t4 is really important. If you aren't converting t4 to t3 most will prescribe thyroid meds. Usually armour or nature throid.
I would stay away from the synthetic medications.
Did you have your t3/t4 tested?
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
You may have thyroid issues but they may not have anything todo with lyme. Unfortunately most doctors don't run the right thyroid tests. I recently found out I had hashimotos after having testing done through an integrative practice. My PCP never tested for that. An excellent web site for more info is http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ I just ordered the book from the site. The symptoms of thyroid issues are numerous and some resemble lyme.
Posted by sparklyholiday (Member # 42456) on :
Thanks guys... I only had my TSH tested - and I am aware of the conversion problems from t4 to t3... I think my doc will run the tests if I ask her to (she's done everything else I've asked her to!) :-) I just forgot to ask her because I had such a LONG LIST to go over when I was there!
I will read up on it too... I don't want to go on synthetic meds. In fact, I hope I just don't have a problem with my thyroid at all and it's all just lyme symptoms! But if I do, I want to know! :-)
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
Make sure she checks your thyroid antibodies too.
Posted by sparklyholiday (Member # 42456) on :
I will, thank you!!!
By the way, I learned a lesson in self medicating.
I read online somewhere that alpha lipoic acid was good for lyme... so I've been taking 300 mg twice per day. This morning I read that it can disrupt conversion of t4 to t3!
So I am going to stop the ALA for a week or two and see if that helps my thyroid symptoms!
Posted by sk8ter (Member # 8671) on :
check Reverse T3 too
Posted by sparklyholiday (Member # 42456) on :
Yes, I will... I read that when one is ill, sometimes their t4 is converted to rt3 instead of to t3..! Giving them symptoms of hypo.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
Yes, do ask for the bloodwork. Maybe if you call in, they can send you out for the bloodwork so you don't have to wait for next appt.
Re: whether it is permanant - no way to tell now. My LLMD said sometimes it is and sometimes it is not.
Posted by Carmen (Member # 42391) on :
How is it that hypthyroidism may be due to lyme? Is it that lyme invades the thyroid, or other master glands? Is it due to resultant poor nutrition that lyme may predispose someone too?
How is it that lyme may cause hypothyroidism outside of the general causes?
What do you think the general causes are and how do you difereniate between the two?
Posted by n.northernlights (Member # 17934) on :
lyme disease does disrupt every system, and in particular the hormones. Maybe it has to do with receptors, that the receptors do not work well in hte presence of all the inflammation with lyme and co.
There are enzymes that are involved in the conversion from t4 to t3, and those work differently in the presence of inflammation.
Posted by Nancy L (Member # 42733) on :
Sparky,
The test for free t3 is cheaper than the test for free t4. I tested for the free t3 and TSH and thyroid antibodies, and it was enough to reveal my situation.
I have read that the Lyme bacteria get inside some of the cells (like Thyroid) and the body then makes antibodies against the thyroid cells and other cell types that Lyme has infested, and that that is why there are auto-immune processes going on in Lyme.
And why Lyme is sometimes mistaken for lupus and other diseases.
Posted by Carmen (Member # 42391) on :
Thinking that lyme is disrupting the thyroid is merely a guess. People could have been heading for this before lyme came their way.
Iodine deficiency is epidemic in our nation and the cause of much of the lack of ioidine in the diet.
Hypothyroidism is also associted with in some cases with poor digestion and not enough HCl. So those on antacids may be subject.
The first logical step to me would be to supplement with iodine and work to rebuild your thyroid.
See Dr David Bernstein's books and youtube videos.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
My question isn't whether I have it or don't have it A thyroid panel that includes the 'Free T3/T4' should be interpreted by any experienced endocrinologist (& most LLMDs) for a definitive answer to that.
"...if I DO have it... will it resolve when the Lyme is resolved?" Depends on your age & whether hypothyroidism runs in the family. (It typically kicks in in one's late 50s if so.) If not prone to the condidtion & you're young to middle-aged, it typically will resolve with the Lyme, allowing tapering off of the thyroid med(s).
"My TSH is normal, but I know that only tests the thyroid stimulating hormone -- which may be functioning perfectly, but my T3 and T4 levels can still be low or not converting properly or whatever." Everyone's 'normal TSH' is different. Medical literature teaches that the hypothalamus gland in the base of the brain "senses" the T levels & releases something called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) which then causes the pituitary gland (also in the brain) to secrete the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The thyroid in the neck responds to this... as best it can, making T4 *and* T3, which control your body metabolism. Pretty fancy setup, huh?
"Like many lymies, I have terrible exhaustion and trouble losing weight - but additionally have a low body temp (although I've always had that for as long as I can remember) and a few other symptoms." Exhaustion is a VERY common symptom of active, late-stage Lyme. Thought to be due to subdued mitochondrial activity at the cellular level. See Dr. B's for some suggestions to help with that.
"But so many of the symptoms overlap with the Lyme..." Yup, they do! Thats 1 of the reasons we pay the big bucks for LLMDs to unravel the conditions & causes.
Posted by sparklyholiday (Member # 42456) on :
Thanks for all the info guys! I'm gonna ask my dr. about it during my next visit!!
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
I didn't know I had a thyroid problem until my Dr tested my Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies in the spring, which were elevated.
I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
Sometimes other thyroid tests can be normal, yet there is a problem.
Then I found out that iodine supplementation made the Hashimoto's worse in my case. Sometimes that happens, so I have to avoid iodine.
I like to follow "Thyroid Pharmacist Dr Izabella Wentz" on facebook and her website. She presents lots of great info on finding the root cause(s) of Hashimoto's.
Posted by sparklyholiday (Member # 42456) on :
Dekrator - back before I knew I had lyme, I thought all of my issues were autoimmune and I was pretty convinced I had hashimotos but my rheumatologist would never test me - said I just needed to exercise more. (grrr).
My doctor that is treating my lyme is much more open to my requests and suggestions, so I am going to ask to be checked!
Posted by Nancy L (Member # 42733) on :
Carmen & Dekrator,
Thanks for the helpful references to check.
I do not have iodine deficiency as I oversalt my food (with iodized salt).
But I am having some thyroid abnormalities. TSH higher than normal, while T3 and T4 in the low end of normal range. And one other test the Dr. ordered.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Well back in the day...when i was first dx...i think iw was 94-95. My llmd who is now one of the tip ones sent me home to take my temp every morning be for i got out of bed
If it was low he would treat me with armour and he did
He also ran the correct test and i was borderline and it took a fewmore tests to figure out thecorrect dosage
He told me my sx and temp were more impt than blood test