Silent Thyroiditis: I was just wondering if... - Thyroid UK

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Silent Thyroiditis

nikki2975 profile image
12 Replies

I was just wondering if anyone has Silent Thyroiditis?.

I was given a link on another post i've posted on that lists the different types of Thyroiditis. I originally started out with Hyperthyroidism about 13 years ago and then my specialist diagnosed me with Hashimoto's disease about 18 months ago. I seem to have symptoms from all 3 ( Hyper, Hypo and Hashimoto's) and was wondering if it could possibly be Silent Thyroiditis?.

I've always struggled to take my carbimazole and found that my hormone levels seemed to go between high and normal by itself that even my doctor stopped my medication and told me i didn't have to take it. i still get some symptoms but there never painful and could be due to my Depression that i got first and not brought on by my Thyroid.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this and whether i should ask my doctor to do more blood tests for this and which ones?

Thanks

Nikki

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shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I hadn't heard of Silent Thyroiditis but this is from a link:-

"Silent thyroiditis

Silent thyroiditis is swelling (inflammation) of the thyroid gland. The disorder can cause hyperthyroidism, followed by hypothyroidism.

and

Silent thyroiditis often goes away on its own within 1 year. The acute phase ends within 3 months.

Some people develop hypothyroidism over time. They need to be treated for a while with levothyroxine, a medicine that replaces thyroid hormone. Regular follow-ups with a doctor are recommended.

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/enc...

So I would suggest a new blood test for your thyroid gland. Make the earliest possible appointment and fast (you can drink water) and if you were on levothyroxine you'd leave about 24 hours between your last dose and the test.

Ask your doctor for a new blod test, a Full Thyroid Function Test. He may not do Free T3 or the labs might decline if your TSH is 'in range'. Also ask to test your B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

You could get a private FT3 one from one of our recommended labs. Free T3 is important and read about it on the link below:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

You say you had depression' before' and I will mention that depression is a clinical symptom of hypothyroidism and could be the first symptom. Of course, not all depression is due to the thyroid gland.

nikki2975 profile image
nikki2975 in reply to shaws

I didn't see the "goes away within a year" part on the article i read. I'll stop guessing or reading more in to it and just go for another blood test and find out for sure haha. I've made a note of all the things you put to have checked so i'll make an appointment in the morning and see what happens. In reference to the depression, i got diagnosed with that 5 years before any symptoms of Hyperthyroidism began which was when i lost a very close relative. I know that depression is a symptom of it and that it makes my depression worse as my doctor and specialist has mentioned it to me before. they always say i'm in a catch 22 situation as the thyroid affects my depression and vise versa.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Nikki2975, Hashimoto's often presents as transient hyperthyroidism when thyroid cells are destroyed and dump hormone into the blood. Eventually the cell destruction atrophies the thyroid gland so it can't produce sufficient hormone and hypothyroidism ensues. If you post your recent thyroid results with ranges (figures in brackets after results) members will advise whether you should request additional tests.

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

_______________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

nikki2975 profile image
nikki2975 in reply to Clutter

I never get given a copy of my blood test results. I am arranging an appointment tomorrow for a full thyroid function test. Once these have come back i'll ask for a copy and post it on the forum.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to nikki2975

Doctors never just give them to you - they probably prefer you Don't know! Or they think you wouldn't understand them. You have to ask, but it is your legal right to have a copy. :)

nikki2975 profile image
nikki2975 in reply to greygoose

Thanks Greygoose,

I'll have to remember to start asking :)

Heloise profile image
Heloise

nikki, even being hyper is still a hypothyroid condition even though it seem contradictory. Your depression is more than likely due to low thyroid since serotonin and dopamine are both affected. It seems as if the active T3 could be useful since it offers quick delivery and consumption. That is purely a personal thought. Brain cells are involved as these short videos point out.

youtube.com/watch?v=xyW93jv...

youtube.com/watch?v=_nA3TuW...

nikki2975 profile image
nikki2975 in reply to Heloise

I have had Hyperthyroidism for 13 years and i still don't really know what it is or how it works. I have decided to start reading up on it so i can get a better understanding of what it is and what happens.

In relation to the depression...i got depression 5 years before any symptoms started for Hyperthyroidism. I know that depression is a symptom of it and that it makes my depression worse as my doctor and specialist has mentioned it to me before. they always say i'm in a catch 22 situation as the thyroid affects my depression and vise versa. maybe that's why i can never get an anti-depressant that works.

Hopefully i'll get a better understanding of it soon that also helps my depression.

Heloise profile image
Heloise in reply to nikki2975

There IS a lot to understand, nikki, but it is necessary if you want to help yourself. Depression was probably your first symptom of some changes going on. Stress of some sort usually begins the roller coaster.

This video is longer but he points out more facets of the web of hypothyroidism. Perhaps you will make a discovery.

youtube.com/watch?v=T_Re4ja...

nikki2975 profile image
nikki2975 in reply to Heloise

Thank you, i'll have a look now.

Hello nikki,

Ask your doctor to test as shaws has suggested above and also thyroid antibodies TPOAb and TGAb unless you have previously tested positive for these.

It is strange to be diagnosed with Hashimotos, have varying hyper/hypo symptoms and be medicating Carbimazole.

Post all results complete with ranges ( numbers in brackets) for members to comment. If your doctor is uncooperative you can use private labs ( link below).

Flower

Private labs testing

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

nikki2975 profile image
nikki2975 in reply to

Hi Flower,

I've added them to my list. i don't know if i've tested positive for them previously or whether i have even been tested for them.

I've not really been that interested in it all to be honest. I just went to the doctors, told them my symptoms and went for the test and didn't take the medication either way.

This year, i really want to understand it and get on top of it properly especially as i'll be talking to my specialist in March about having it taken out so i want to go in there with all the facts and any advice i can get and decide knowing everything i need to know and not my usually can't be bothered/interested approach that's got me nowhere.

I'm also asking for a blood test for Celiac's disease & Gluten intolerence as i seem to have symptoms for them too.

Do you think that's enough to ask for to start with haha? I don't want to go in and ask to check for 50 different things but i also don't want to miss anything :)

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