So basically hypothyroid "can" be caused by quitting smoking, which makes the autobodies (I think that is the word) go crazy in a sense, which increases your chances of having hypothyroid type of issues?
Does e ciggerettes have any effect on this?
It isn't really caused by it. If you don't have a family history or injury that might predispose you, it's not likely that you'll get Hashimoto's when you quit. It may be possible to get temporary hypo that's not auto-immune due to the fact that any stress will whack out your endocrine system.
In my case, I asked to be tested 5 years ago, and I didn't know at the time that the tests that are normally run aren't adequate. My mother has it, her sister, my sister and one brother have it, my great aunt and grandfather also had it. I knew the signs and was watchful.
There is an alkaloid in tobacco that appears to keep the antibodies from forming. They don't really know why that is. But the antibody attack is what causes *most* of the symptoms. So by smoking, I was inadvertently keeping away what would have eventually come over time. I just sped up the process by removing the alkaloid that was stopping the progression. All hell broke loose when I quit.
I've been on thyroid replacement hormone now since August, and vaping hasn't seemed to effect things either way. I do sometimes use snus and WTA and THOSE seem to help me with alertness and mood, maybe they help whatever inflammation I have and am not aware of it.
Unfortunately most hypothyroid symptoms (there are 300 of them) are often attributed to other things. This was my case until I got so sick I KNEW that my thyroid had taken a dump on me. What I experienced:
~After an approximate 5-10 lb loss of weight after the first 2 months of vaping, I gained 20 lbs in 2 months.
~EXTREME fatigue--like beyond being tired. Like falling asleep sitting up, almost falling asleep driving after a full night's sleep. Completely unable to keep eyes open
~Forgetting the right words in mid-sentence (in one instance I kept thinking "calculator" but I kept saying "computer")
~Facial and neck swelling, especially at my temples. Right before dx, I had almost completely lost my jawline, and couldn't feel my collarbones or shoulder-blades
What happened over a long period of time, that no doctor ever connected with the disease:
~Loss of libido
~slight weight gain despite a good diet (never obese, just 15-20lb overweight)
~headaches
~sinusitis (chronic)
~badly cracked heels this is a strong indicator. I had this for 3 years and within a month of medication they are now smooth.
~loss of the outer part of my eyebrows, and the inner part thinning (this is a classic sign of hypothyroid).
~thinning hair - I have lost about 60% of my hair to this point. It has stopped but doesn't seem to be growing back much yet.
~General tiredness, needing to nap regularly or sleep 12+ hours when possible, and still not rested.
There are more, but those are the biggies.
I'm still having some cognitive issues (my posts sometimes are jumbled and I often have to go back and edit), but usually that's at the end of the day when I'm fairly tired (I have a very high-stress, fast-paced job).
But most of the above stuff had either completely resolved or is so much better than before that I'm happy for now. I do expect to continue to improve, though.
