I was wondering if anyone found treating hypothyroid to help with overall symptoms?
My hair is falling out, I get spikes of anxiety and my head feels odd and weird all the time. I have brain fog and often feel strange sensations in it.
I also get very, very sleepy. Almost all day I could drop into a nap and be asleep within minutes.
This is all very annoying, but I am most bothered by my neurological head symptoms. Has anyone ever had neurological symptoms get better with thyroid treatment?
I know one dear lady on here has been helped, but I was looking for more encouragement! Thanks!! Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Burrascano says that hypothyroid MUST be treated if it is found.
"Activation of the inflammatory cascade has been implicated in blockade of cellular hormone receptors. One example of this is insulin resistance;
clinical hypothyroidism can result from receptor blockade and thus hypothyroidism can exist despite normal serum hormone levels. These may partly account for the dyslipidemia and weight gain that is noted in 80% of chronic Lyme patients.
In addition to measuring free T3 and T4 levels, check basal A.M. body temperatures. If hypothyroidism is found, you may need to treat with both T3 and T4 preparations until blood levels of both are normalized. To ensure sustained levels, when T3 is prescribed, have it compounded in a time-release form." (page 6)
If you Google the symptoms of hypothyroidism, you will see that the symptoms can become severe, especially mood and mental function. So, please do not treat these findings lightly. You may feel so much better by taking care of this. You should have more energy for sure, and your hair will stop falling out.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Yes... get after it. I believe in the natural dessicated meds myself.
No synthetic meds for me.
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
Yes, it has helped me. When my thyroid is out of whack, it causes all sorts of problems: Hair falling out, anxiety, and the list goes on.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
yes!
Posted by foxy loxy (Member # 47053) on :
So you think by looking at my numbers I am bad enough to treat???
Wow, Thanks guys!! I just needed some confirmation. I am a little frightened of messing with my thyroid because I know it can be hard to get the right dosing and make it become "hyper."
TF, if Burrascano thinks it should be treated then I believe it!!!
Why don't lyme Drs check this stuff??? I have been sick four years and a friend had to tell me to check my thyroid!!!
Thanks for chipping in lymetoo and Me!! It REALLY helps!!
Posted by foxy loxy (Member # 47053) on :
WPin VA,
Did it help any neurological symptoms? Thanks!
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
A good lyme doctor checks the thyroid like Burrascano advises to do. You may now want to go to an endocrinologist to get the proper thyroid medication for your situation.
It is likely that once you get good treatment for lyme, the hypothyroid will go away.
You may want to start looking for a better lyme doctor. With good lyme and coinfection treatment, your neurological symptoms will improve.
Are you willing to travel to the D.C. area once every 3 months to get good care? Let me know by writing to me privately. And, tell me who your doctor is so that I can determine who it would be best for you to see.
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
foxy loxy...
Just beware that mHBOT can potentiate some thyroid medications, so you will have to take that into consideration and monitor your response closely.
Also, as your own thyroid starts to kick in with mHBOT over time, you may need to reduce or eliminate your thyroid meds.
Be sure your doctor understands that you are doing mild hyperbaric oxygen and what the implications may be.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Very important, among other considerations: that any Rx we take is gluten free. This one is.
Topic: NATURAL SLEEP & ADRENAL SUPPORT -
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
Having the right level of thyroid hormones in your system can help some symptoms more or less right away.
Also note, though, it can be critical to getting more permanently over chronic infection. Your body needs proper energy. I have had many infection-fighting results when I have made positive adjustments to my thyroid and other hormones that work in coordination (such as cortisol).
Posted by foxy loxy (Member # 47053) on :
Phoiph, are you saying I should start with a lower dose than normally? The potentiation idea makes me nervous. Thanks for the heads up...it would be lovely if mHBOT helps in the long run!
TF, I have treated lyme four years. Not sure if I always had thyroid trouble or if it developed from so many abx... The last two years I am with the dr. I think you recommend!! :)THANKS!!
Upon your encouragement, I will go see an endocrinologist!
MichaelTampa, thanks for that thought!
The only concern I have is that my levels aren't waaay off are they?? Has anyone else seen a big difference treating levels only slightly off?
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
quote:Originally posted by foxy loxy: WPin VA,
Did it help any neurological symptoms? Thanks!
I recall it helping more with fatigue.
I would first ask your LLMD if he can check your thyroid levels and is comfortable treating this. Thyroid issues are common with Lyme so many LLMDs can treat.
I am not sure how far you would get with a garden variety endocrinologist. Mainstream ones will only look so far and not get the intricacies of how this affects us. So if your LLMD can't do it, perhaps consider an integrative doctor or a more open minded endocrinologist.
Stop the Thyroid Madness may be helpful.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- foxy loxy,
First, get the book WPinVA suggests: Stop the Thyroid Madness
As for being very sleepy, that pretty much could be any of the tick borne infections and, as others say, addressing thyroid (and adrenal issues) is a foundational part of any treatment protocol.
If you have a LLMD, ask them who they would suggest to help you with this matter. And ask for any input they might give, show them your test results.
It looks like two other tests are missing. They may want to do more.
Lyme really affects the endocrine system in ways that most regular GP and even endocrinologists are not aware. Best to find one who is somewhat familiar. Also inquire at all the area lyme support groups around.
Yet most endocrinologists won't likely take patients with basic thyroid issues. They leave that up to the GP.
Also consider a LL ND, or if that's not possible most NDs are really good at assessing thyroid & adrenal issues, making sense of the tests, and can prescribe NatureThroid if necessary. Again, a LL doctor will be best since lyme scrambles the endocrine system in various manners.
Be sure to see works by Dr. Guy Abraham & Dr. David Brownstein (TX Lyme Mom's posts) -
Posted by spinning122 (Member # 42223) on :
Hi foxy!
My numbers were similar to yours actually and my llnd was smart enough to know what to look for when I went to him complaining about extreme fatigue, weight gain, freezing body temp, severe hair loss...
I was reluctant to treat because my numbers were only borderline abnormal, but within a few months of t3/t4, my temp became much more normal and my hair stopped falling out in clumps. Less tired as well..and less brain fog? So it def helped.
I started on very low doses, much lower than the doc initially prescribed, so I could gauge my reactions (we're talking increasing at a quarter of a 5mcg tab every two week-ish increments). If I overdid it I could tell almost instantly..heart racing anxiety etc.
I ended up stabilizing on a much lower dose than was initially prescribed for me. Of course, all the while doing my daily mhbot dives..
So my vote would be to def explore thyroid treatment, to at least help with the fatigue and the hairless, because, you know, nice to have good hair
On another note, I seem to be banned from logging in to lymenet using anything other than my cell phone ;( I can't figure out whyyy
Posted by spinning122 (Member # 42223) on :
I meant *hairloss lol Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
foxy, yes I looked up your old PMs. There IS someone better in this area if you are willing to wait 6 months or more.
So, if you want to try to move up to the top of the "food chain" when it comes to lyme docs, write to me and I will give you the details on the next doc you could try.
If you have been 2 years with Dr. J. now and still having terrible neuro symptoms, then I think it is time for another pair of eyes, someone with more expertise than him.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Just be aware that most endocrinologists will use SYNTHETIC meds. Do your homework and know what you are getting into.
Some of the best info out there is found at "Thyroid Advocates" on Facebook.
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
With HBOT, if the thyroid medication or thyroid extract increases the metabolism TOO much it can potentially increase the risk of oxygen toxicity.
(This is taken from animal studies,likely using higher than mild pressures, however).
That said, if you are on the right dose for your body and work up gradually and periodically monitor levels, I wouldn't think it would be much of an issue when using mild pressures.
I do know of someone who started mHBOT while on thyroid medication, and while recovering with mHBOT, apparently needed less and less over time. She didn't realize she needed to periodically monitor her levels, and at one point began to have some overdose symptoms until the thyroid medication was reduced.
I would consult Spinning123...(see post above)...
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I tested low thyroid, went on Armour thyroid, and felt present again, not dissociated as I had been feeling for years!
Posted by foxy loxy (Member # 47053) on :
Phoiph, thanks for the clarification!
Spinning, good to know your levels were similar to mine... Yes, nice hair would even be worth it, but a normal head would be heaven!
Robin123, wow dissociation sounds awful. Glad you got helped!
I am so glad I posted! Everyone here is so kind and helpful!! Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- A sense of disassociation [if like being off kilter with space, motion, reading, walking, talking and, yes, even thinking]
can also be the result of vertigo, dizziness, balance or other inner ear issues that go with lyme and also (sadly) can be intensified by many Rx if they are in the ototoxic category as many are.
Be sure to check everything you take, even OTC items. See the end of the links set below for Bauman's list / new book. Anything that is ototoxic and not absolutely required is best avoided.
Liver support may help in some cases and should always - always - be on board.
VINPOCETINE is one nutrient supplement also to consider if you have any kinds of vestibular issues. It can really help lift some of the fog and sensory sludge, so to speak. Sure has helped me at times.
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