Subclinical hypothyroidism?

Hormones
1

Hi, I'm hoping to find some answers here, as my GP seem to differ in opinions.

my first blood test showed TSH 8.7, then we repeated in October and it showed 5.3 then repeated again on 2nd of this month and it's showing as 8.3. 

They want to start me on thyroxine, but from what I understand this will be likely to be a lifetime deal.

i have no symptoms, other than struggling to loose weight, but I am not trying as hard as I could. 

I really feel caught between a rock and a hard place, life time medication scares me, does the medication come with any side effects of it's own?

am I at risk if I choose not to take medication? 

Is there a chance my thyroid will improve with out the meds?

whats the difference between subclinical and not?

so sorry for all the questions, it's come as a shock as I completely didn't expect the results to come back showing this ! 

Thank you.

2

Hi Emily. Yes it sounds subclinical

I had the same and the info kept an eye on me

However I started to feel really unwell, and that is the key, when you start to feel really unwell, lack of energy, headache, aching and I also felt sad all the time and digestive problems because of constipation you will definitely know something is wrong

They took blood test and my TSH was 24 and so the doctor put me on 50 mcgs and then 75 mcgs and I immediately felt better. I did not realize till then how I'll I had been. Just keep it monitored. Hope this helps.

3

Thank you Gillian, we are keen to add to our family, but I understand this can cause significant risk to the baby. I am happy to wait, if there is a chance I can improve on my own. I just don't know if it will be an indefinite wait.

is it likely to be a life time medication- the thought of becoming dependant on meds worries me.

 

4

Hello Emily:

My name is Shelly and I am a nurse in the USA.  I have Hashimoto's thyroid disease and have had it since 1987.  I am 54.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is to be between 0.45 and 4.50 or in that range.  When the TSH is at the high end of the scale you will be HYPO (LOW).  They are opposite.

If you leave it untreated you will see more symptoms to include and not limited to: headaches, weight gain despite diet, feeling COLD, muscle aches, low heart rate, constipation, bruising, low energy, sleepy/fatigue, no periods or infrequent ones, brain foggy, dry skin, brittle nails, thrush on tongue, and there are more these are common.

I know how you feel but it is treatable and so you have to take a pill everyday. If you do nothing it will get worse.  Thyroid problems hit women more than men, and happen during the ages of 20-45.  It can come from a family trait, or a virus called Epstein-Barr or MONO.  It can come after pregnancy or stress on the body.

i would suggest some extra blood work , potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium levels, and VIt D ferrit, and iron levels.  Many of us can get low in minerals or vitamins and not know it.

It is treatable and you need to take the LEVO on an empty stomach and wait an hour before eating.  It takes 6 to 8 weeks to build the level. After that you may even notice weight loss and feel Brand New again.

I have been in your shoes and you can live a good life with this disease, so if you have any questions just ask.  We all know how you feel.

Regards,

Shelly

 

5

Thank you so much for your reply, I've asked to see a specialist. I've had 3 children close together, followed by a MOH with my last and then sepsis. This was all 15 months ago, my body has taken a battering, but I just cannot deal with the dependency side. We don't real,y medicate here, unless vital, and if I can avoid it I'd love too. Will I just suddenly get unwell?

6

Hello Again Emily:

You may have had a lot of stress on the body from pregnancy and birth. 

I would also see the Endocrinologist who knows the thyroid gland.

Build your system back by taking a good multivitamin with iron.  In some people stress to the body, (infections and even the  FLU),  can make you Hypothyroid and in some people it can improve once the body recovers given some time.  It would  NOT BE WISE to get pregnant again, at least for a few years, as it is not good for the fetus if you are Hypothyroid.

Eat a balanced diet also, and not any junk type foods.  you may want to try Gluten Free ones as Gluten has been known to bother people's immune system, which could bother the thyroid.

I would say that taking the Levo will help you by replacing the needed hormone.  I would take it and see.  We live in good times and it can be treated.  I know how you feel about medications but it not a horrible thing.

It of course is your choice!   The thyroid does provide needed hormones for  your heart and for energy and metabolism. You won't suddenly get unwell, but you may feel tired a lot despite rest, and have weight gain and low energy, or feel cold all the time.  As a young mother of 3, you will need your energy!

Believe me I know how you feel, and back in 1987, when I was told it,  I cried.  However, once I knew, I did not want to feel awful and I take my thyroid med.  As we age our bodies go through a lot.

Keep us posted on how you do.  Happy Holidays.

Regards,

Shelly

7

Emily, you could try taking a multi vitamin to ensure you are getting the right combination of vitamins and minerals. Sometimes hypothyroidism is due to a lack of iodine in the soil. However too much iodine is toxic for the thyroid gland. Which is why I'm suggesting a multivitamin not iodine supplements or kelp. Other important minerals are selenium and zinc.

If you want to have another child it is important to get your thyroid in balance first. There has been some research recently that has shown that children born to mothers whose thyroid levels were low had a a poorer ability at mental maths, amongst other things.

One wouldn't expect someone with diabetes to manage without insulin, it is the same with hypothyroidism and thyroxine.

8

Thank you all so much, I feel more knowledgable than when I went to bed last night! 

Im planning on testing bloods once more after a strict course of multi vits. Strangely, when my thyroid level improved, I had been on multivits post cold! I just feel in my gut that I don't think it's forever, I feel well, the weight is slow to come off, but I can't really diet properly as I am still nursing. I run, then eat ice cream, I'm not gaining, but not loosing quickly, but I don't feel that's unexpected 😂

i will of course make sure I'm iin the best health I can be before carrying a child, I am aware that my maternal age is also advancing, so keen to get this sorted ASAP. I'm hoping to see a specialist this side of Christmas, as my repeat bloods are due the 7th of jan. Other than junk food, does anyone have any links they can post me to of food to avoid?

Finally, what is the difference between subclinical and hypothyrodism?