Anybody see an Immunologist over an Endocrinologist for their Hashimoto's?

[Halinka]

Given Hashimoto's is an auto-immune disorder, have any of you started out by seeing an immunologist?

[Hidden]

No, but i think it's a good idea although i think one would have to go private in the UK for any sort of quality. NHS is too blinkered in its approach

[Hidden]

Hello Halinka,

I agree with Bluedaffodil.

If I had to choose it would be the endo as thyroid/endocrine expertise is needed (yeh, right!!) whereas there is no medical treatment offered on national health service for Hashimotos other than the usual GF diet, regular sleep pattern, stress free living, blah, blah, blah....

Saying that, I would love to have a consultation with an immunologist to get an opinion on what symptoms went with what, what recommended supps to take and what other auto immune diseases to expect in the future.

Food for thought.....Have you seen an immunologist Halinka?

Flower007

[Halinka in reply to Hidden]

Blue Daff, Do you just have raised antibodies or is it featuring in your TSH, T3 and 4 results also? Did GF help you? Who has a stress free life? Are you on thyroxine also? How come you say about diseases in the future? Is their something more to this Hashi-bloody-Moto? I know I have raised natural killer cells as well, another auto-immune thing.

I am thinking immunologist first simply because that is the root of my problem. Somewhere there has to be something in my body that is causing or is inflammation.

A good immunologist in auto-immune disorders should know thyroiditis shouldn't they? I am going about it by contacting a professor of immunology at a Uni. Hopefully that might be a bit more cutting edge. I'll let you know what I find out.

I'll keep you posted.

Halinka

[Hidden in reply to Halinka]

I assume you mean moi..

I am diagnosed with Hashimotos and manage it with all the usual mentioned above which definately works for me and yes, I am on Levothyroxine.

I mention other auto immune diseases as it is a common belief that one auto immune disease is usually accompanied by others.

A good healthy life style helps to keep every thing in check.

Definitely seek out the immunologist and keep us posted please.

Hope you feel better soon Halinka.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Well managed Hashimoto Thyroiditis will present less disruption with thyroid meds and help you to feel well again.

[Halinka]

Yes sorry I meant you Flower. Do you have tag etc out the range or just antibodies? And did I understand your last msg to mean that you find a combo if diet and levixy do the trick? H

[samaja]

Hi Halinka. I am afraid you might be sorely disappointed trying to find an immunologist specialising in anything thyroid related, especially the Hashi-bloody-moto First they will tell you that it is generally managed with levotyroxine and either refer you to an endo who is supposed to be a relevant specialist or become interested at the point when your thyroid could be operated on i.e. removed completely from your body. No thyroid = no problem, right?

Wrong of course but Hashi seems not to be a 'real' autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or coeliac disease in conventional medicine immunology speak. Good luck with trying and maybe you find somebody who can help (and do share their details if you do!) but I will not hold my breath given my investigations so far. Better start reading on the subject yourself, you have a better chance of becoming an expert on Hashis than finding the so called one.

Samaja

[Halinka in reply to samaja]

Samaja,

Thanks for that. I have contacted someone at the British Society of Immunology who works in my city for advice. So I'll let you know if something good comes of it.

In the meantime I am going to see my doctor about going on 25mg of Thyroxine and ask for a referral to see an endocrinologist. Without one, I can't imagine how I might know how to tweak my dose or add T3 etc.

My endo in Poland who diagnosed Hashi, said I should have my gland ultra sounded to have a reference point for how quickly it is being destroyed. Interesting.

Halinka

[Chancery]

You won't be offered an immunologist on the NHS simply because they don't know what causes Hashimoto's disease. If they don't know what causes it, they can't cure it, and if they can't cure it there is no reason for you to see an immunologist. It is considered that the 'cure' for it is to have thyroid treatment, therefore there is no earthly reason for you to see an immunologist. If you want to see one you will need to go private, but I still doubt he could take you anywhere, or, unless you have a VERY large salary or an inheritance, you could afford to use him to find out anything remotely useful.

[Halinka in reply to Chancery]

Chancery, Thanks for this. I came to that very conclusion just an hour ago. Only worth seeing one, when they find something out. So, it's back to the endo and diet. Thanks, Halinka

[Hidden]

Hello Halinka again,

I have been thinking more about your question and what I would choose to spend my hard earned money on.

As we know Hashimotos disease is an auto immune disease with antibodies that attack the thyroid. There is no medical treatment recognised by conventional medicine and as an immunologist is part of this circle, I would think they were only interested in suppressing the effects caused by Hashimotos and not the root cause.

In order to eliminate Hashimoto symptoms and avoid continued auto immune flare ups we need to reduce the triggers, heal the gut and address any deficiencies by supplementing.

I would consider an experienced nutritionist with an interest in auto immune disease to be much better qualified than an immunologist.

Therefore I would recommend a nutritionist to back up your present treatment plan.

[SAMBS]

no - but certainly wish I could, to try my theory out one, if for no other reason.