Thyroid inflammation

[misseschris]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis about 4 years ago. Since that time I have fixed multiple nutritional deficiencies and treated my adrenals, but am still only able to tolerate very small amounts of thyroid meds. My most frustrating, and at times frightening symptom has been thyroid inflammation, usually exacerbated by iodine containing foods. The feeling I get from this is what I would expect from sticking my finger in a light socket- I can only describe is as ‘buzzing’. I also experience a rapid heartrate and sometimes anxiety. I have tried many times to explain this phenomenon to doctors, but they never understand what I am talking about. Dr.Langer is the only one I have ever heard describe this, and he calls it ‘arthritis of the thyroid’. I am able to reverse the symptoms with anti inflammatories like ibuprofen- usually I just use white willow bark capsules, and that works fine as recommended by Dr. Langer. I don’t like to totally limit my iodine consumption as I know that it is a necessary mineral, but the resulting aggravation to my thyroid is annoying.

My question is: Since my thyroid is being destroyed by auto antibodies, will this inflammatory response eventually go away? That would certainly be a positive result of total destruction of my thyroid and I am hoping that that is what will happen. The negative aspect of this happening is that I don’t tolerate thyroid meds well, so that will be a problem.

Another question: I have heard of Hashimoto’s patients being sensitive to iodine, but never to the extent that I am- could this reaction be from possibly having elevated antibodies to Grave’s disease? I have never had those antibodies tested, and don’t have the funds at the moment to have that done. Sometimes I wonder if I have both Hashi’s and Grave’s and that is why after raising ferritin, vit D, B12 and cortisol that I still cannot tolerate thyroid meds???

[MetalMX]

@misseschris 2280 wrote:

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis about 4 years ago. Since that time I have fixed multiple nutritional deficiencies and treated my adrenals, but am still only able to tolerate very small amounts of thyroid meds. My most frustrating, and at times frightening symptom has been thyroid inflammation, usually exacerbated by iodine containing foods. The feeling I get from this is what I would expect from sticking my finger in a light socket- I can only describe is as ‘buzzing’. I also experience a rapid heartrate and sometimes anxiety. I have tried many times to explain this phenomenon to doctors, but they never understand what I am talking about. Dr.Langer is the only one I have ever heard describe this, and he calls it ‘arthritis of the thyroid’. I am able to reverse the symptoms with anti inflammatories like ibuprofen- usually I just use white willow bark capsules, and that works fine as recommended by Dr. Langer. I don’t like to totally limit my iodine consumption as I know that it is a necessary mineral, but the resulting aggravation to my thyroid is annoying.

My question is: Since my thyroid is being destroyed by auto antibodies, will this inflammatory response eventually go away? That would certainly be a positive result of total destruction of my thyroid and I am hoping that that is what will happen. The negative aspect of this happening is that I don’t tolerate thyroid meds well, so that will be a problem.

Another question: I have heard of Hashimoto’s patients being sensitive to iodine, but never to the extent that I am- could this reaction be from possibly having elevated antibodies to Grave’s disease? I have never had those antibodies tested, and don’t have the funds at the moment to have that done. Sometimes I wonder if I have both Hashi’s and Grave’s and that is why after raising ferritin, vit D, B12 and cortisol that I still cannot tolerate thyroid meds???

What you describe if i am correct like sticking your finger in a light socket and you experience buzzing all over or tingling in your body different areas?

If so this could be peripheral neuropathy like symptoms from low thyroid. I developed peripheral neuropathy from hashimoto’s thyroditis which was untreated since childhood when i believe i developed the disease. I have healed to a great extent but might have some irreversible neuropathy in my arms. I had tingling all over my body.

The problem with iodine particularly iodoral/Lugol’s solution is that it will exacerbate the autoimmune attack on the thyroid with someone with hashimoto’s disease. I have tried using iodoral again but have much worsening thyroid symptoms again after trying it. Maybe another form of iodine won’t cause so much symptoms but then again you don’t need that much iodine anyway which you can certainly get from adequate iodized salts.

The odd symptom i experience is tingling over my neck where my thyroid is when i experience this i also sometimes experience shortness of breath and know this is related to the thyroid. My autoantibodies we’re off the charts >2000 (<50)

Tolerating thyroid meds would only cause issues if you have adrenal problems if this is has been ruled out then you maybe sensitive to something in the thyroid medication itself and could try switching to another product. One of the best thyroid medications at the moment is ERFA, canada’s thyroid it is apparently the new armour.

[misseschris]

Thanks for the reply.
Sorry I wasn’t more specific- the feeling is a buzzing feeling in my chest and neck- there is no buzziness in my arms or legs. The feeling goes away with anti inflammatories as it is a heightened inflammation of my thyroid gland from iodine ingestion. I just pop a couple white willow capsules and it is over in 20-30 minutes. Eating out is a problem because if I ingest too much iodized salt that has been used in the preparation of the food, I will get this- iodized salt seems to be the worst offender. I can now eat fish- which I didn’t do for 4 years due to this- with minimal reaction to the iodine. Seems the ‘natural’ iodine in the fish is less of a problem than the iodine in salt.

I’m really curious to know if this will eventually disappear as my thyroid burns itself out. I, too, have very high autoantibodies (1500) at last count. I also have weak adrenals, and always have had. In addition to raising my ferritin, Vit D and B12, all of which have helped my adrenals as well as balancing sex hormones, I take adrenal cortex extract and isocort, but STILL cannot raise thyroid meds- I have tried every conceivable type of thyroid med- now I just take NutriMeds as it is pretty gentle. I have, in the past take hc, but it aggravated my stomach, gave me insomnia, and brought out pretty harsh low aldosterone symptoms- and my doctor was clueless so I weaned off. Perhaps what I am doing for my adrenals is not enough but I am kind of stuck btw a rock and a hard place. I also must have low ACTH because any ‘cortisone’ besides adrenal cortex drops in the morning cause a rapid down regulation of my adrenals and I need quite a bit of outside cortisone to function- then I end up with insomnia. So I take my first dose of isocort at 4pm, then again at bedtime and then when I wake about 1:30am- I know this seems like a crazy pattern but it works the best of anything I have tried so far. My natural cortisol production plummets at night to nothing.

[MetalMX]

@misseschris 2288 wrote:

Thanks for the reply.
Sorry I wasn’t more specific- the feeling is a buzzing feeling in my chest and neck- there is no buzziness in my arms or legs. The feeling goes away with anti inflammatories as it is a heightened inflammation of my thyroid gland from iodine ingestion. I just pop a couple white willow capsules and it is over in 20-30 minutes. Eating out is a problem because if I ingest too much iodized salt that has been used in the preparation of the food, I will get this- iodized salt seems to be the worst offender. I can now eat fish- which I didn’t do for 4 years due to this- with minimal reaction to the iodine. Seems the ‘natural’ iodine in the fish is less of a problem than the iodine in salt.

I’m really curious to know if this will eventually disappear as my thyroid burns itself out. I, too, have very high autoantibodies (1500) at last count. I also have weak adrenals, and always have had. In addition to raising my ferritin, Vit D and B12, all of which have helped my adrenals as well as balancing sex hormones, I take adrenal cortex extract and isocort, but STILL cannot raise thyroid meds- I have tried every conceivable type of thyroid med- now I just take NutriMeds as it is pretty gentle. I have, in the past take hc, but it aggravated my stomach, gave me insomnia, and brought out pretty harsh low aldosterone symptoms- and my doctor was clueless so I weaned off. Perhaps what I am doing for my adrenals is not enough but I am kind of stuck btw a rock and a hard place. I also must have low ACTH because any ‘cortisone’ besides adrenal cortex drops in the morning cause a rapid down regulation of my adrenals and I need quite a bit of outside cortisone to function- then I end up with insomnia. So I take my first dose of isocort at 4pm, then again at bedtime and then when I wake about 1:30am- I know this seems like a crazy pattern but it works the best of anything I have tried so far. My natural cortisol production plummets at night to nothing.

It is really difficult i know. I am constantly on a roller coaster up and down feeling good and then much worse and my temperatures constantly fluctuate but overall low 36.0C then drops after thyroid to 35.3C in the evening etc… I am just doing morning cortisol now and will then add Isocort which i have here at home temporarily but will get on HC.

With Isocort it contains 2.5mg cortisol per capsule but that isn’t standardised. Just be careful with cortisol/iscort at 5mg you can add to help get the thyroid into the tissue and a better response. 10mg will shut you down your natural production and can leave you crashing and much much worse. 15mg would avoid this scenario.

I myself am aiming for consistent temperatures of 36.5C – 37.0C once i get on adrenal support. I even see a chinese medical practitioner who basically diagnosed my thyroid disorder which i knew about with pulse and tongue checks. Then after i got on T3 now he says my Thyroid is ok but my “Kidney energy is weak” meaning adrenals are crashing as well as my energy going to zero. It’s amazing how they know this with pulse and tongue alone i cannot believe it.

Regarding antibodies Selenium lowers antibodies. And you can use 200mcg per day to help with your thyroid function. Zinc, Selenium, Iodine, B12, Folate, B6, Vitamin D, Vitamin A and B complex vitamins are all very important for good thyroid functioning and T4 to T3 conversion.

Do you have any estrogen issues? these can also wreck havoc on your thyroid function.

Do you have any baseline blood tests, if you do post them.

[misseschris]

I am post menopausal so I take biest, progesterone, pregnenolone and DHEA. Estrogen is a MUST for me- I can’t think without it!
I know about the Hashimoto roller coaster!
I have taken 200mg of selenium for a few years- it does help.
There have been times, due to my extreme thyroid sensitivities to have my thyroid removed- but would be very fearful of surgery due to low cortisol and inability to tolerate thyroid meds- but it has been a tempting thought, at times!
I really do feel quite well, and am able to get along with work, etc, now, but there is always room for improvement- and the nagging issue of thyroid inflammation. I have used quercetin with some success in reducing inflammation but have heard some negatives about it regarding thyroid function and interfering with estrogen therapy, so I use it sparingly.

I had a bit of bloodwork done in July- I’m not big on it because it really hasn’t helped much- but I did have a TSH done which was 11, and ferritin was 96 after supplementing according to Dr Mariano’s general recommendations regarding importance of raising low ferritin.

Issues I deal with:
Hashimoto’s
Celiac
MVP
Adrenal Insufficiency
Manopause

[MetalMX]

I only deal with Hashimoto’s, Pyroluria, Adrenal & Celiac issues (Hidden) eating it makes me feel ill haha but then again i’m a 20 year old male so this is still a lot to deal with.

Particularly with hormonal problems it takes time till you find the winning formula that works for you and the dosages of those medications which will make you feel fantastic day in day out and alleviate your symptoms.

[misseschris]

Yes, this I understand- although my original questions were regarding thyroid inflammation.

Anyone?

Over time, as my thyroid becomes more ‘destroyed’, will the inflammation and accompanying symptoms decline?

Also, due to the severity of my thyroid inflammation, could Grave’s antibodies play a part in this?

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