Hypothyroidism: Hashimoto's and Wilson's Syndromes
When symptom relief is elusive
Are you currently taking medication for low thyroid -- a T4 medication like Synthroid, Levoxl or Levothyroid, for example? The chances are you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's syndrome.
Even though you have been diagnosed and are now taking the medication your doctor prescribed, have you found that the symptoms you hoped would go away, although better, are still a disappointing problem in your life? You are not alone.
The two most common reasons for this predicament are:
- 1) you have both Hashimoto's and Wilson's Syndromes at the same time, (because the causes are different) or
- 2) you aren't receiving the dosage or the kind of medication that will best resolve your symptoms resulting from Hashimoto's Syndrome
Could I really have two thyroid problems at the same time?
Hashimoto's Syndrome and Wilson's Syndrome are not mutually exclusive. They are biological problems in the thyroid system that occur at different places. (For further information on the source of Wilson's syndrome, see Why Wilson's Syndrome doesn't show up on thyroid tests.) Many physicians who treat Wilson's Syndrome say that as many as one out of six women (and a smaller percentage of men) may be suffering from Wilson's Syndrome. If you have Hashimoto's, the chance of also having Wilson's is not small.
If it could be one of two different problems, how do I know which one to address first?
Unfortunately we have no way of telling you. Nor does your doctor. But here is our suggestion. Each time you are confronted with a decision to make regarding your diagnosis and treatment, take the easiest choice first and see if it works. If it does, you have resolved your problem. If it doesn't, or if you aren't sure it has worked effectively after a period of time, you can decide to try something else.
Applying this rule, the easiest first step is to talk to your physician about your persistent symptoms and the possibility of changing the dose or the kind of medication you are on.
Talking to your physician
There are several books that discuss this issue. We recommend Thyroid Power by Dr. Richard Shames. Read Step 5: Discover Your Best Dose, Brand or Mix of Medicines. Your goal is to find out if your doctor is willing to try a therapeutic trial of a higher dose of the medication you are on, or a different medication altogether (desiccated thyroid, a combination of T4 and T3 or T3. Take a copy of the Shames' Step 5 to your physician.
If your physician is willing to work with you, your best bet is to continue trying various options under your doctor's care to see if a medication change is the solution.
What if your physician isn't willing to change anything?
If your physician is pretty fixed on how he or she administers your medication, but you feel that your symptoms are not improving, then you could shop for a different physician.
Or you could also try an easier potential solution: a trial of 1st Choice herbs for Wilson's Syndrome. If you have Wilson's Syndrome at the same time as Hashimoto's, trying 1st Choice will tell you within 45 days whether an herbal approach to Wilson's is effective for you.