can you switch between thyroid diseases?

[Ruby4000]

Can you switch between different thryoid diseases? for instance having hashimotos at one time then it changing to be Graves disease at another? does anyone know the answer to this? as i have heard conflicting information on it.

[Clutter]

Ruby, you can have Graves and Hashimoto's antibodies at the same time. With Graves you will be hyperthyroid and with Hashimoto's will usually become hypothyroid. Some people experience Hashitoxicosis where you can be hyper and hypo at the same time or swing between the two.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Ruby4000 in reply to Clutter]

its so complicated. i think i might have this. am not sure yet. is there a way to find out for sure which it is ? i have only had TPO antibodies tested in past. i have asked gp if i can get the test for the antibodies associated with graves.

[Clutter in reply to Ruby4000]

Ruby, Hashitoxicosis is a transient hyperthyroidism caused by Hashimoto's attacking the thyroid. Cells are killed off and dump hormone into the blood as they die and this is what makes you feel very hyper. FT4 and FT3 may rise after an attack but unless you are able to be tested as the hormone is dumped your levels probably won't reflect anything.

Medication is difficult because the dumped hormone on top of your normal dose makes you feel hyper but reducing medication takes time by which time you may be feeling hypo. Some people do skip a couple of doses of Levothyroxine if they're feeling very hyper.

You may be able to help manage Hashimoto's with diet. Gluten-free is helpful in reducing flares and antibodies for many people but some find they need to cut out dairy and sugar too.

[Ruby4000 in reply to Clutter]

thankyou clutter. i am gluten free. i am interested in this. i need to find out what is wrong with me now. 6 years is too long. i wonder if i could have hashimotos. and then the hyper episodes are hashitoxicosis. but my hyper epeisodes my levels go very high and usually last a couple months i think. i dont know if this would be cosistant with hashitoxicosis. in past just was diagnoses as auto immune thyroiditis. they did say possibly graves but because it resolved think they then though not that. and based on my thyroid scan results too at the time. does sugar aggravate it then. sugar is my problem as i liek sweet foods. i hav been gluten free a few years but got a bit slack on this lately and began eating oatabix some weeks ago. i wonder if this has made things worse i really dont know but its not gluten free. thanks for the info. i will try to find out more.

[Clutter in reply to Ruby4000]

Ruby, If TPO were positive when you tested you have Hashimoto's.

I replied on your other thread. You are certainly hyperthyroid at the moment.

Oats don't contain gluten but there is sometimes cross contamination in the factory if wheat products are also produced there.

I'm not saying sugar is a problem for you but it is for some people.

[Ruby4000]

thanks. i am starting to wonder if that is what is happening to me 6 years in , still no diagnosis really.