Can anyone explain how underactive thyroid and hashimoto differ

[3535]

or how each is differently diagnosed - thanks

[shaws Administrator]

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland cannot provide sufficient thyroid hormones for our bodies and our whole system slows down. Hashimoto's is also called Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and it is antibodies which provide the evidence. The antibodies attack the thyrid gland and sometimes issues too much into the system and you feel hyper and at other times too little. The result is that eventually the thyroid gland fails and the person is now hypothyroid.

If you have antibodies some doctors don't medicate and let the antibodies continue their attack but Dr Toft suggests prescribing levo at a dose of 75 to 100mcg to 'nip things in the bud' .

[Clutter]

3535, autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) is usually diagnosed by thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibody blood tests, and occasionally by ultrasound scan or biopsy. Hashimoto's can be present for decades before causing sufficient damage to the thyroid gland to cause hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by TSH, FT4 and FT3 blood tests. 90% of hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto's. The other 10% is congenital, idiopathic or due to secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism, surgery, or RAI.

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

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

[3535 in reply to Clutter]

so do 90% of people with underactive thyroid have hashimotos - sorry for being thick

[Clutter in reply to 3535]

3535, yes, and you're not being thick

[3535 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you