Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Blood Retesting For Hashimoto's

Di-gfree

By Di-gfree
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Di-gfree Apprentice
Di-gfree
Posted

I'm finally through my first week being on dessicated Thyroid (similar to Armour in U.S.) - I'm taking them sublingually to bypass my digestion. In 5 weeks, I'll be having my blood tested to check my levels to see where I go with the medication.

1. I'm on 30 mgs - should I stick with that until my blood work? I've heard not to stay too low for too long... but I'm not sure what to do.

2. Exactly what do I get checked? My doctor has t4, free t3, TSH, and CBC checked off on my blood lab requisition. Anything else I should get checked? Do I keep checking my antibodies?

I hope anyone who's experienced this can help me - thanks!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ShayFL Enthusiast
ShayFL
Posted

You generally should up your dose every 2 weeks in the beginning by small increments. I did 1/4 grain at a time (15 mg.). When I got to around 120 mg, the increases got longer apart. I am now up to 165 mg. It has taken me a year to get there....slowly. I had periods of being symptom free, but then they would come back. That is when I upped. My doctor let's me self dose.

I tested often in the beginning FREE T3, FREE T4, TSH and antibodies. But I have not tested in about 6 months now. My doc goes by symptoms and not labs.

georgie Enthusiast
georgie
Posted

I would be asking for a check on Antibodies too - and making sure the T4 test is Free T4. Does the CBC include a B12 and Iron test ?

30mg of thyroid is a very small amount. How do you feel ? If you still feel Hypo then you will probably need more. An average dose is 120mg or more. If you increase before your blood work make sure you tell the Dr - so he knows what dose you have been taking. And remember to not take any Thyroid meds on the day of the test.

Di-gfree Apprentice
Di-gfree
Posted
  • Author

Thank you, both. I'm writing down what to ask for in the tests, and will bring it to my doctor beforehand. Shay, I would like to self-dose myself, too. The dessicated thyroid tablets I'm taking (like I said, similar to Armour in the U.S.), come in 30mg tabs. I'm thinking of adding half a tablet (15 mgs, like you said) each time I up it. I'm hoping my doctor will go by symptoms and not numbers, too. I'm sensing he's number-oriented, though; but he's very open to my opinion, and goes along with my wishes, usually.

Georgie, I'll ask for the antibodies, too. No, the CBC doesn't include B12 and Ferritin. I just had those tested with the thyroid panel that lead to my Hashimoto diagnosis. Do you think I should be checking that each time, too? My B12 was low, but I've reversed that with sublingual B12; and my Ferritin is chronically low - it was 21 last time (up from the original zero (10 (!) years ago - it's taken 10 years! lol, though). Do you guys think Ferritin levels can be improved with the thyroid hormone treatment?

I know the 30mgs is a small amount, but it's my starting dose, and I've only been on it a week. Do you think we should start with even higher amounts? My pharmacist (after me asking him about increasing the dose) actually recommended I stay on 30 mgs for 6 weeks until I'm tested. This is contrary to everything I've been reading here and on the internet. I think I should add 15 mgs at 2 weeks?

How do I feel? Hmm... my energy level is low. I can't say I'm feeling fantastic. I wonder, though, I've been feeling badly for *so* many years, will I even recognize if I don't feel this way? If that makes sense. So, no, I can't say I'm feeling all that great. So, I know I need more. It's just when? And I was already thinking 15mg steps each time. I have to read stopthethryoidmadness again - I keep forgetting what to do when it comes to increasing the dose! (I blame it on my state of mind in correlation w/the Hashimoto's).

And thanks for the reminder to *not* take medication on the day of test.

georgie Enthusiast
georgie
Posted
I know the 30mgs is a small amount, but it's my starting dose, and I've only been on it a week. Do you think we should start with even higher amounts? My pharmacist (after me asking him about increasing the dose) actually recommended I stay on 30 mgs for 6 weeks until I'm tested. This is contrary to everything I've been reading here and on the internet. I think I should add 15 mgs at 2 weeks?

How do I feel? Hmm... my energy level is low. I can't say I'm feeling fantastic. I wonder, though, I've been feeling badly for *so* many years, will I even recognize if I don't feel this way? If that makes sense. So, no, I can't say I'm feeling all that great. So, I know I need more. It's just when? And I was already thinking 15mg steps each time. I have to read stopthethryoidmadness again - I keep forgetting what to do when it comes to increasing the dose! (I blame it on my state of mind in correlation w/the Hashimoto's).

Well....it sound like a raise is needed to me. 120mg is a fairly average dose ( maybe higher) and if you do the sums you will see it will take forever to get there if you only raise by 15mg every 6 weeks. Read sttm again but I think they suggest a faster increase than that - based on how Armour used to be used when it was the only medicine for HypoThyroid. The good old days ;) As you raise - split the dose over the day into 3 seperate doses... that helps. Keep a diary of symptoms for your Dr. Record everything and take a family member with you if possible to back up your claims.....

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,140
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    KP009
    Newest Member
    KP009
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Tamale ingredients

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      These are labeled gluten-free: https://www.amazon.com/Corn-Husks-Tamales-Authentic-Flavorful/dp/B01MDSHUTM/
    • Wheatwacked
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Just a gluten free diet is not enough.  Now you have to identify and replenish your malnutrition.  Celiac disease is co-morbid with malabsorption syndrome.  Low vitamin D, Low Thiamine caused Gastointeston Beriberi, low choline, low iodine are common the general population, and in newly diagnosed Celiacs in the western culture its is more likely.  It takes time to heal and you need to focus on vitamins and minerals.  Gluten free foods are not fortified like regular processed foods.  
    • Sarah Grace
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By Sarah Grace · Posted

      Dear Kitty Since March I have been following your recommendations regarding vitamins to assist with various issues that I have been experiencing.  To recap, I am aged 68 and was late diagnosed with Celiac about 12 years ago.  I had been experiencing terrible early morning headaches which I had self diagnosed as hypoglycaemia.  I also mentioned that I had issues with insomnia, vertigo and brain fog.   It's now one year since I started on the Benfotiamine 600 mg/day.  I am still experiencing the hypoglycaemia and it's not really possible to say for sure whether the Benfotiamine is helpful.  In March this year, I added B-Complex Thiamine Hydrochloride and Magnesium L-Threonate on a daily basis, and I am now confident to report that the insomnia and vertigo and brain fog have all improved!!  So, very many thanks for your very helpful advice. I am now less confident that the early morning headaches are caused by hypoglycaemia, as even foods with a zero a GI rating (cheese, nuts, etc) can cause really server headaches, which sometimes require migraine medication in order to get rid off.  If you are able to suggest any other treatment I would definitely give it a try, as these headaches are a terrible burden.  Doctors in the UK have very limited knowledge concerning dietary issues, and I do not know how to get reliable advice from them. Best regards,
    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @rei.b,  I understand how frustrating starting a new way of eating can be.  I tried all sorts of gluten-free processed foods and just kept feeling worse.  My health didn't improve until I started the low histamine AIP diet.  It makes a big difference.   Gluten fits into opioid receptors in our bodies.  So, removing gluten can cause withdrawal symptoms and reveals the underlying discomfort.  SIBO can cause digestive symptoms.  SIBO can prevent vitamins from being absorbed by the intestines.  Thiamine insufficiency causes Gastrointestinal Beriberi (bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation).  Thiamine is the B vitamin that runs out first because it can only be stored for two weeks.  We need more thiamine when we're sick or under emotional stress.  Gastric Beriberi is under recognised by doctors.  An Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test is more accurate than a blood test for thiamine deficiency, but the best way to see if you're low in thiamine is to take it and look for health improvement.  Don't take Thiamine Mononitrate because the body can't utilize it well.  Try Benfotiamine.  Thiamine is water soluble, nontoxic and safe even at high doses.  I thought it was crazy, too, but simple vitamins and minerals are important.  The eight B vitamins work together, so a B Complex, Benfotiamine,  magnesium and Vitamin D really helped get my body to start healing, along with the AIP diet.  Once you heal, you add foods back in, so the AIP diet is worth doing for a few months. I do hope you'll consider the AIP diet and Benfotiamine.
    • captaincrab55
      Finding gluten free ingredients

      By captaincrab55 · Posted

      Imemsm, Most of us have experienced discontinued, not currently available or products that suddenly become seasonal.   My biggest fear about relocating from Maryland to Florida 5 years ago, was being able to find gluten-free foods that fit my restricted diet.  I soon found out that the Win Dixie and Publix supper markets actually has 99% of their gluten-free foods tagged, next to the price.  The gluten-free tags opened up a  lot of foods that aren't actually marked gluten-free by the manufacture.  Now I only need to check for my other dietary restrictions.  Where my son lives in New Hartford, New York there's a Hannaford Supermarket that also has a gluten-free tag next to the price tag.  Hopefully you can locate a Supermarket within a reasonable travel distance that you can learn what foods to check out at a Supermarket close to you.  I have dermatitis herpetiformis too and I'm very sensitive to gluten and the three stores I named were very gluten-free friendly.  Good Luck 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.