Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and IVIG Treatment?*

Hi, I run across this web page when doing a search on immune modulating treatments for auto immune disorders.
I have been an RN for 35 years and unfortunately have 2 familial auto immune disorders. ITP and Hashimotos thyroiditis. They began 27 yrs ago during my 1st pregnancy and by my 2nd pregnancy my endocrinologist said my thyroid had burnt itself out and I would have to be on life-long thyroid hormone replacement therapy. 1 1/2 yrs ago my autoimmune conditions flaired badly. My platelets dropped to 19K with spontaneous eye/mouth bleed (flair up prob d/t hormone changes with menopause) and after failing 1st line treatment with steroids.. my hematologist started me on monthly IVIG infusions. The txs only inreased my platelets for about 2 1/2 wks but after the 3rd infusion (month) my ( life- long) neck goiter started to decrease in size as well as the achiness/fullness. My Synthroid dosage had to be decreased and by the end of 6 mo of IVIG , I was almost completely off my Synthroid ! I went on to start Rituxan txs for my ITP and I continued to need thyroid dose reductions. I finished the Rituxan txs this past March and am still off my Synthroid ! I fully feel the medical community SHOULD offer these meds to Hashimoto patients ! At age 56 I'm feeling the best I've ever felt for the past 30 years !

It is immuno globulins (antibodies collected from 10-12K people's blood that are given IV over a period of hours for different medical conditions (usually immuno -suppressed/compromised people or for auto immune diseases). For auto immune diseases having all the new antibodies often will trick the immune system into not attacking the body organ/tissue marked for destruction.

Thanks for sharing this information about IVIG and how it has helped your thyroid. I am managing my hashimoto's with the right supplements especially IV vitamins and minerals, amino acids but especially with IV glutathione my antibodies have gone down tremendously and I am off my levothyroxine because of that, however, I do still take a thyroid medicine called nature-throid. It would be interesting to know if IVIG treatment would further help with healing. You've given me food for thought. Thanks again.

To Justin mcclanahan which medications seem to work best for you the new ones or the old. Wondering because I have hashimotos and Barrett’s esophagus have had my medications switched OFTEN now I am on nature thyroid am so tired and keep gaining weight I would like to find something that works please respond

Hi @devinsmom, I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble with fatigue and weight gain. Is the nature thyroid you are talking about a product named Nature-Throid? It has some so-so reviews and people have said they still have fatigue and are gaining weight using it according to this article: https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/nature-throid/reviews.

I did find an article that might be helpful.

5 Things to Do If Your Thyroid Hormone Medication Isn't Working: https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hypothyroidism/five-things-do-if-your-thyroid-hormone-medication-isnt-working

Are you able to discuss the fatigue and weight gain with your doctor to see if there is something else that will help?

I have had Hashimoto's since my teens. I now have CIDP, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder, and receive IVIG (40 grams) five times in every four-week cycle. It hasn't had the slightest effect on my thyroid. My thyroid gland doesn't produce normal hormones. It was almost destroyed by the Hashimoto's. I take replacement hormones, adjusted periodically, and that suppresses the abnormal secretions and keeps my TSH in the normal range. No endocrinologist has ever suggested to me that IVIG could help hypothyroidism of any type. IVIG is incredibly expensive, btw. Mine costs thousands of dollars for each dose, and I pay 20%. You need a lot of money just to afford the co-pay.

Intravenous gamma globulin.

same

Me, too.

I have Thyroid Eye Disease. Does anyone know if IVIG, is used for TED?