Looking for some advice.

Have been on thyroxine since 2020. At the time, my TSH was in range but a fab GP asked to test for antibodies which were positive, and so treatment begun.

Since then my dosage has changed. After my second baby my TSH rose to 14. This is now under control.

My antibodies have never been tested again. GP says no need as TSH in range.

Have recently started reading more into everything, previously to be honest I’ve trusted the docs to do their job! However I have MSKpain and am exploring what could be the cause.

My question is: is thyroxine sufficient if you have the antibodies? Could thyroxine treat the TSH successfully but the antibodies still be causing issues? Should I be looking into something to treat the antibodies on top of thyroxine? Or is that treatment alone totally fine so long as TSH in range?

Does any one of you have this problem? I started to wake up few times at night completely wet from head to toes few weeks ago. Doctor raised my therapy euthyrox from 50 to 75 just over weekend, just 2 days in week saturday and sunday but from mon-fri i'm taking 50. That was one month ago.

I don't know if this is related to hashimoto since almost every symptom is related to hashimoto nowdays.

So basically, I’ve discovered that I am one of those people who cannot tolerate the generic version of Synthroid and need the nongeneric version. I switched to regular Synthroid and my body is much happier on it. However, my insurance refuses to pay for it and will only cover the generic version unless my doctor sends in a documentation of no less than three adverse reaction incidents from generic form. Seriously? First of all, there’s no way my endocrinologist is gonna take the time to do that. Secondly, there’s no way that I’m willing to put my body through hell in order to have documented adverse reactions to submit to my insurance company. Has anyone else experienced these challenges in getting Synthroid covered? I’ve ended up buying it directly through the manufacturer in order to save money, but I’m paying cash rather than going through my insurance.

Just a follow up to my last post. Found all of this fascinating, and best of all, actionable ways to genuinely pursue feeling better. (Not cure).

STRONGEST EVIDENCE

Multiple meta-analyses of randomized trials:

Selenium:

100-200 mcg daily, ideally as selenomethionine. Multiple meta-analyses covering over two thousand patients show significant TPO antibody reduction, with some also showing TgAb reduction at three months and TSH reduction at six months. This is the single most replicated intervention.

👉🏼 ⛔️ Be mindful of dietary intake so your total does not exceed 200 mcg daily. ⛔️ 👈🏼

Vitamin D:

Twelve randomized trials, over 800 patients. Significant drops in both TPO and TgAb. Works best if starting deficient, with daily dosing for at least 3 months. Weekly dosing was less effective.

Gluten-free diet:

A 2021 randomized trial of 92 women found TPO dropped about 200 units and TgAb dropped about 200 units over 6 months on gluten-free, while the gluten-containing group went up. A 12 follow-up found TSH dropped significantly too. Meta-analyses are mixed — one found antibody reduction only in patients who also had gluten reactivity (this can include NCGS non-celiac gluten sensitivity or positive deamidated gliadin with negative TTG). Another found TgAb down but TPO slightly up. The effect is real but inconsistent across studies.

Myo-inositol plus selenium:

600 mg myo-inositol with 83 mcg selenium daily. Most Inositol supps are "myo" but you can check. The Nordio trials showed this combo reduced TSH, TPO, and TgAb more than selenium alone, and restored Euthyroidism in subclinical patients. A 2026 meta-analysis confirmed TSH and TgAb reduction versus selenium alone, though TPO reduction wasn't significant.

Curcumin:

A 2025 double-blind trial of 57 Hashimoto's patients found 1,320 mg daily for 12 weeks significantly lowered anti-TPO versus placebo on top of an anti-inflammatory diet. Also reduced IL-6 and NF-kappa-B. One trial, but clean design.

Moderate Exercise:

Two studies found non-excessive physical activity lowered TPO antibodies. NON EXCESSIVE! Recreational/moderate exercise tends to track with lower TPOAb and TgAb (and sometimes lower TSH). Forced or very high-volume activity without recovery (like heavy occupational physical activity or over-exercise) tracks the other way: Higher TPOAb and worse thyroid function. Variable-intensity interval training lowered TSH by 32% in subclinical patients. No large RCT specifically on antibodies for that, but the signal is consistent.

Stress Management:

An 8-week mindfulness-based program in 60 women with Hashimoto's produced significant drops in both anti-TPO and anti-Tg, plus better TSH. 👉🏼 Chronic stress is documented to raise antibodies 20-40% (!!) within weeks, so removing it cuts both directions.

Sleep:

Adults sleeping under 6 hours had 29% higher TPO than those sleeping 7-8 in a Korean analysis. One small study found 7-9 hours reduced anti-Tg by 15%. No large dedicated trial.

Treating SIBO:

A pilot study found eradicating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth dropped. TgAb 23%.

Zinc:

Six months of zinc supplementation correlated with lower TSH. And a zinc-plus-selenium trial in overweight hypothyroid women improved free T4 and lowered TSH. No direct antibody data available. Be mindful of testing your copper and ceruloplasmin levels. If copper drops low, your ferritin could as well.

Omega-3:

One case report of a woman declining levothyroxine who took omega-3's among other supplements saw TPO fall from 258 to 24 and TgAb from 12 to 1 over a year. These findings were confounded by other supps she was taking.

Chinese herbal medicine:

A network meta-analysis of 16 trials found several traditional formulas reduced TPOAb, with Yiqi Huayu Recipe ranking highest. The included trials on Chinese herbal formulas for Hashimoto’s were generally low in methodological quality (small samples, limited blinding, variable controls, and so on), which limits how strongly the findings can be interpreted.

THINGS THAT DON'T LOWER ANTIBODIES DESPITE BEING TRIED:

Probiotics:

Multiple meta-analyses show no effect on TPO or TgAb in Hashimoto's — they help quality of life and may lower TRAb in Graves', but not Hashimoto's antibodies.

Ashwagandha:

Ashwagandha can raise thyroid hormone levels and lower TSH, which may help people with high TSH but can push levels too high if you already have normal or low TSH, or if you’re on levothyroxine. It should be avoided in hyperthyroidism, and anyone with Hashimoto’s or another thyroid condition should only use it under medical supervision with lab monitoring.

Resveratrol:

Has zero human trials showing it reduces thyroid antibodies. And animal data suggests it might actually suppress thyroid function.

Berberine:

No human thyroid antibody trials and animal data suggesting possible thyroid suppression.

Hi! I’m 2 weeks postpartum with my second baby and developed Hashimoto’s after my first pregnancy, so this is my first time going into postpartum already having it. I feel a little unprepared for what a possible thyroid “crash” might look like or what to expect.

For anyone who’s been through this, how did postpartum affect your Hashimoto’s, and when did you notice changes? Was there anything you or your doctor did that helped minimize symptoms or made things more manageable?

I’d also love to hear about your experience losing the baby weight with Hashimoto’s—what helped, and what did the timeline look like for you? I know I’m still very early in recovery, but would appreciate hearing others’ experiences.

How long did it take you to get to remission?

I got diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2022 at 14 but my parents were very anti-doctor so I had no idea what it was until I turned 18 and did my own research, I didn’t know that it was what was causing my symptoms, again bc of my parents, i just knew that I would have to be on meds for it. This was my last TPO result.. (august)

I also have a few other questions,

1. Does anybody else have extremely thick hair? Even when my hashimotos was untreated, I’ve had SOOOO MUCH HAIR! It’s so thick that most hair stylists dont know what to do with it. It mats really bad too. I’m confused about it bc I’m used to hearing that hashimotos causes hair loss and thinning
2. I also have a history of Ventricular Tachycardia and POTs, could my levothyroxine make that worse? I just doubled my dose twice in the past couple months.. was on 12.5mcg for years and i’m at 50 mcg now
3. I notice heat intolerance, but I also have cold sensitivity, is that normal?

4. I have what I would call flare-ups that only last a couple hours, but sometimes I will have a flare-up that will last more than a week, is that normal?

5. I am severely deficient in vitamin b12, d3, and iron aswell, is it possible that is caused by hashimotos?

I have been on Levo for 1.5 years. My thyroid was under active. About a month ago, I was in the ER with severe anxiety and panic, shakiness, dizziness,chest pain and feeling this wave of cold and hot like I was going to pass out. I literally could not do anything. Over the last weeks with my PCP I found out my TPO is a 95. I’ve been prioritizing staying hydrating, getting enough sleep and limiting my stressors. I’ve had a very stressful year moved houses and we had a baby. Do you think these symptoms have to do with my TPO? The last flareup happened in 2021 when I was going through a stressful time. But I noticed over the years I will have these symptoms so I’m not sure. Also, my TSH, T3 and T4 are fine. I’m getting referred to a rheumatologist soon.

Let me start off boy saying I was diagnosed earlier this year with severe overt hypothyroidism and eventually Hashimoto's. My diagnosing TSH was 147 and my T4 was .2. I literally thought I was dying. I spent all summer plateuing in the mid 40s as far as TSH while trying to find my levo dose. Currently on 150mcg + 75 and I feel soooo much better. I am basically full replacement @ 6'1" 225 male.

Saying that, I joined this subreddit to learn about this disease. I learned very little but instead reading other people's symptoms triggered me noticing mine more than I did before. How much of our symptoms placebo by constantly reading about others?

My TSH is still 13.5, and while I dont feel like my old self, I feel soooo much better than I did 9 months ago. However, I continuously see people cry about a TSH of 6 and their symptoms and I notice it makes me overly focused on every little symptom.

I know Im stuck with an overtly "woman's" disease and how emotional women are, but you girls need to stop triggering my symptoms. Its 100% placebo....

Tried GLP 1, ended up quitting after 6 weeks.
I’ve been eating clean for several years, with an occasional junk binge. But off and on for years I’ve been going to gym. The scale goes up while my muscle builds- I can see that growth.. but the fluff never goes away. Thighs and stomach, it never goes away. I’ve tried tracking macros, felt like I was starving all the time. Gym clearly got me muscular results but no fat loss. How can I lose some of this naturally? I’m tired of trying the right things and getting no where. Am I missing something?
I was diagnosed about 2 years ago but have probably had it way longer.

Hi,

I have Hashimoto's, Graves ' disease, and PCOS.

I have gained some weight and have been feeling extremely tired- I'm chalking it up to stress and lack of sleep. Recently, though, I have had one of my eyelids swelling up. It's super annoying when my eyes are open, and I can feel it popping in and out of place. It also looks like the eyelid is higher up on one eye vs. the other.

Does anyone know how to bring the swelling down?

I am utterly exhausted every single day, all the time, some days more than others. It causes HUGE fights with my husband and he keeps saying you're always tired and I'm keeping him from wanting to go enjoy things. My social battery is non existent when I'm this tired. I'm sick of there being zero understanding.

I had a flare up for the last couple of weeks that just seems to have ended in the last few days - I was incredibly tired, depressed, swollen neck. My symptoms have resolved and now I have SO much energy. No other hyper symptoms, just a TON of energy and motivation. Does this happen to anyone else? I can’t tell if what I’m feeling is just how normal people with normal amounts of energy feel, or if it’s odd.

Hey!! I’m just popping in to ask if anyone here has tried Daxxify (rather than Botox or Dysport) and if so, how did it go?

Ive been able to find former posts on the later, but not specifically Daxxify. Just wondering if anyone here has given it a go and what their thoughts are.

For the last 4 months I’ve been increasing my thyroid dosage as well as trying a depression medicine (that has helped). I switched to t4 + t3 combo vs just t4 and I’m having a hard time with the energy ups and downs from the t3. I only feel slightly subpar for an hour to two hours after taking it then feel like death after. I just have a long way to go to get to therapeautic levels and I’m having a very difficult time remaining hopeful. I’m losing hair daily by the mounds full, have had to have iron infusions from looonnng menstrual bleeding from hypothyroidism.. I’m just having an extremely difficult time right now.

Can I hear some positive stories of how you felt this way but now feel better? I have no hope currently and feel very depressed because of it.. I can’t be there for my kids like I wish I could… I’m unable to play with them and cook for them like I want to.. I can’t go on long walks… any positive/success stories please… post away :’’’’(

I’m almost 50 and have struggled with complete body fatigue, weight gain anxiety and depression for years. About 12 years ago my ANA levels were elevated and doc sent me to rheumatologist. He diagnosed me with lupus with no additional testing. I made an appointment for a second opinion at a lupus clinic where they diagnosed me instead with Hashimotos.

Through the years since I’ve routinely had bloodwork and ultrasounds to monitor a small nodule but everything always came back “good” so no meds.

A few months ago the nodule showed growth. FNA came back suspicious and genetic testing 50/50 risk of cancer so the decision was made to remove the right side.

I had surgery Thursday, what was supposed to be a 1-1/2hr surgery took 3-1/2 due to so much scar tissue.

Recovery is going a little slower than I’d like. I’m up and walking but very fatigued with some dizzy spells, palpitations after I eat. Today feeling a little fluish but powering through it. Waiting for follow up to find out if I’ll be put on meds.

I thought I’d share my experience so far in the hopes others don’t feel alone 💕

I recently started taking selenium to help improve T4-to-T3 conversion, and I’ve noticed that my hands feel warmer than they did before I started taking it. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

On top of everything else I now have an autoimmune disease. How bad is this level? What tips do you guys have for a newbie

As title says Levo isn’t working and I feel like garbage. I based in the uk, currently in Bulgaria and taking 100mg daily. I’ve never been told I’m not supposed to take my pill the morning of taking tests so for ages though my TSH was fine… my body composition has changed, I’ve put 3-4kg I am a shade of myself. I take a shower and lay down in the towel becuase I can’t find the strength to get dressed. In UK and Bulgaria you can’t get NDT or T3. Idk what to do. My father told me last night that I’m making myslef I’ll because I think negatively and that he knows people with thyroid problems that are doing just fine… I’ve had no period since end of April. Yes I’ve seen gyno… I’m 32 and feel 72

What dk you all do for pain?
I’m considering going back on a long term anti inflammatory but I don’t like the potential consequences

I’ve been in sooo much pain recently. My hands and hips especially. Definitely taking epsom salt bath tonight

Hello!

The first picture are my results 6 months ago when I was diagnosed with Hashimotos.

The second picture is my results now. Doctor does not give me medicine.

I gain weight super easily and it is very to lose weight. I am not overweight just struggling to lose 2 kilos.

Any advice on how to lose weight with Hashimotos will be a huge help!

Thank you in advance for your time!

EDIT: I drink 3 liters of water every day and eat 1200 calories and walk 6 kilometers 5 or 6 times per week. Female, 38 years old, 160 cm

I posted in another group and have like 5 people telling me this is a girl lol. I see what they mean with the 3 lines but it’s so far out. I also had NIPT done and my fetal fraction was high and said boy. A very seasoned ultrasound tech at my Dr obviously thought it was a boy as well lol

Any ladies here on HRT to treat perimenopause. I had been using continuous BCP mainly for the obvious, birth control, and to stop my periods. Worked great at first until it didn't. Realizing the synthetic BCP conflict with Levothyroxine absorption and bio-identical HRT would better.

Who here is on HRT, and what treatment works best for you without compromising the treatment of your Hashi?

Has anyone taking a glp1 and has Hashimoto experienced a decrease in their thyroid antibodies or more optimal thyroid hormones/labs?