Suggest Treatment For Hypothyroidism While On Thyroxine

Posted on Sat, 22 Apr 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 Answered on

Fri, 12 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I suffer from hypothyroidism for 10 years now (Hashimoto) I was on 50 mcg of Thyroxine until 3 years ago. By That time I moved to UK, and I am now on 125mcg. I can't find any explanation for such bad results in 3 years. It has anything to do with food, weather, etc?

Does binge drinking worsens the condition?

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Alcohol deteriorates thyroid function:

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your concern carefully,

The increase in antibodies that cause Hashimoto thyroiditis, may lead to a deterioration of the thyroid function and as a result the need for levothyroxine increases.

It is still unknown what increases the antibodies. There are some studies that show that smoking decreases them, stress increases the antibodies.

Alcohol decreases the thyroid function ( increasing the need for levothyroxine) by different mechanisms:

-Increases estrogen, prolactin and decreases progesterone levels, lowering the thyroid function.
-Causes fibrosis of thyroid tissue worsening hypothyroidism.

So, if binge drinking is frequently, that is probably the cause why you need more levothyroxine.

The diet and weather as such do not affect the Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Hope the information will help. Feel free to ask further.

Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee