Hi,has anyone ever been diagnosed with Hashimotos even without appearance of a goitre.i am hypo but think I have had hashi for yrs

[Roslyn1]

[kezza999]

Hi I don't have hashimotos. But I know a bit about it yes, it's quite common for people to have hashimotos without a goitre. In fact some people never develop them,it just depends on the person. Have you been tested? If you are hypothyroid then your doctor should have checked this. Not all hypothyroidism is caused by hashimotos,there are numerous reasons for it.

[Roslyn1 in reply to kezza999]

Thanks kezza999 . Since seeing your post have looked into this and gained an insight into this hashi thing. I hadn't been diagnosed with hypo until early last year but I believe I have had symptoms of hypo for about 13 yrs since my last child was born . I am now convinced that I may fall into this bracket. I was out on Levo after going for well woman's health check , nothing was explained apart from come back in a year for next test , however about 6 wks ago started to feel really crap and a lot if the symptoms showed up again. Went back and go adjustedmy meds to 75mcg from 50 but still felt crap so had another test done. Still waiting results .just wanted to go to appt armed with info so didn't want to look a complete idiot when asked for antibody test. This was never previously offered but asked phlebot to do it today and she didn't even hesitate ! Sure as eggs the gp would not have agreed if seen him 1st . I know the treatment will be same but at least I can have a label and start looking into how to look after myself with guidance from this site. I am glad you replied . Thank you and you are lucky to have had a good gp. Hold onto him, seems like a rarity as far as thyroid probs go x

[dylansmum]

Hi Roslyn 1

Yes, I have been diagnosed with Hashimotos, without a goitre, I don't think I have one, how

do you know. I saw an endo, who unfortunately specialised in diabetes, he told me I have hashimotos. I had to drive a 50mile round trip to see him, (I live in Norfolk there are only three hospitals in the whole county), I was with the endo for 2 minutes maximum, he diagnosed Hashi whilst staring at the computer, said "goodbye, I do not need to see you again, and that was it! I have had thyroid problems for about 4 years only, but in that time nobody has ever examined my neck. I have given up, my GP's surgery is useless, all they offer is an appointment with the practice nurse, or a telephone consultation I am convinced

that all the actual doctors are sitting a home! I hope you receive better treatment than I have! Good luck x

[Roslyn1 in reply to dylansmum]

Thanks for your reply. Have now asked go surgery to check my antibodies as think u have suffered symptoms for many years before being diagnosed with hypo about 6 mths ago . So I'm guessing it has taken this long to shoe in bloods. Am on Levo but had a really bad 'attack' of symptoms so went for another test and was low again . Drs put meds up but still feeling crap so had another today. Asked phlebocould she run thyroid antibody test and thought I would have a fight on my hands but surprisingly she just said yes . So will post results when I have them . Feel so enlightened since been on this site. Hope u feel ok at the mo . Very frustrating isn't it ? Xx

[Pink_Bear]

Yes, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos by the blood test for TPO antibodies. My TSH was considered normal but an enlightened GP was convinced I had thyroid problems and ordered the extra test - which came back well above range. I had an ultrasound test when I later saw an endocrinologist and he confirmed that I had no sign of a goitre.

[eeng]

Are you on any medication? The treatment is the same whether you have hashi's or some other reason for being hypothyroid. There are differences though - As I understand it with Hashi's your antibodies attack the thyroid in an ongoing way, gradually destroying your thyroid, so you are not likely to ever need less thyroxine, and over the years will probably need more. Also I understand that you can get 'flare-ups' where the antibody levels increase and cause your thyroid function to get suddenly worse, so that you find yourself suddenly (ie over a period of weeks) getting worse hypo symptoms. In this case you don't want to wait a year for another blood test!

The other thing I have read is that some people find a gluten free diet helps to reduce their thyroid antibody count. The rationale behind this is that gluten molecules are passing from the gut into the bloodstream (so-called 'leaky gut') and the body's immune system makes antibodies to the gluten that also work as thyroid antibodies. I'm not sure this is something recognised by mainstream medical science, but if it works for you it might help.

If any of this is incorrect feel free to comment!