Hashimotos v Straightforward hypothyroid: Are symptoms different?

[sheenah]

Are there any specific signs or symptoms which single out Hashimotos from straightforward hypo? I have recently been told by a kinesiologist that Hashi's is inherited and straightforward hypo comes from "heavy metals" ??? Love to hear your opinions!

Sheenah x

[puncturedbicycle]

What is this theory based on? I couldn't say with certainty because I wasn't there and don't know what was said but my gut reaction is that this person sounds ill-informed. Are they trying to sell their services based on this theory? If so, I would assume the worst.

Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid doesn't work/produce adequate hormone for whatever reason whereas Hashi's (autoimmune thyroiditis) is autoimmune inflammation which causes hypothyroidism. Hashi's is one cause of hypothyroidism.

I think probably there is some genetic predisposition to Hashi's but to say it is inherited is an oversimplification, and hypothyroidism in general can have many causes (you can be born without a thyroid for instance, or have it removed due to cancer) so it's impossible to say it's caused by heavy metals.

[Moggie]

Non autoimmune thyroid illness can be cause by a neck injury, such as whiplash, or by a virus. Never heard of the heavy metal connection though.

Hashi's can run in families but no one in my family has it and I do. A lot of gut and thyroid specialists are now saying that it is your gut that goes wrong first and causes the antibodies which then attack the thyroid, some also say that you should go gluten free as soon as hashi's is diagnosed to reduce the inflammation in your body.

You will find a lot of Hashi's sufferers will also have another two or three autoimmune illnesses as well as Hashi's as the antibodies that attack the thyroid can also attack elsewhere - such as the liver or the gut.

Hashi's sufferers will also have thyroid levels that are not stable as the antibodies that attack the thyroid do not attack constantly, but if fits and starts, so if you are taking meds you can find that your levels will go from hypo to hyper until the antibodies have done their worst and totally killed of the thyroid.

Hope this has answered some of your questions

Moggie x