Hashi's or Graves?

[Jefner]

Since my GP mentioned I was showing symptoms of Graves recently with my autoimmune attack, I did a little reading up on it and am confused as ever.

My high antibodies early December confirmed I was autoimmune with Hashi's (advised on here). Also read that during an attack I can cycle back and forth between between Hyper and Hypo (which Clutter confirmed).

My confusion now is how can it be confirmed whether I am definitely Hashi's or indeed Graves? I have also read that you can have both. Surely there must be a test to separate the two?

Also been reading contradictory info as regards Iodine. Do I need to get that tested to see what my levels are? If they are low, do I need to supplement? Have read "Pit gland releases TSH to thyroid when body is running low. Thyroid converts iodine into thyroid hormone and regulates body's metabolism. No need to supplement as thyroid is not functioning properly to absorb"

Just compiling some notes to take with me tomorrow for my next appointment as regards any further tests I can have done and also discuss supplementing as I am now going GF

[Clutter]

Jefner, your elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies confirm Hashimoto's which has made you hypothyroid. The thyroid receptor antibody test (TRab) your GP recently ordered will confirm or rule out whether you also have positive Graves antibodies. If you are also positive for Graves it won't change your treatment which is for hypothyroidism.

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

An iodine upload urinary test can determine iodine deficiency but I doubt it is available on NHS. You should be getting the required iodine from Levothyroxine and diet. Supplementing iodine can exacerbate Hashimoto's and for this reason Hashi patients should probably avoid supplementing iodine. Supplementing iodine can also reduce thyroid function which is not what hypothyroid patients need.

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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.

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

thank you Clutter, you always come up trumps in helping me xx I have read up that you can have both

[Clutter in reply to Jefner]

Jefner, yes you can but the Hashimoto's is dominant as it has made you hypothyroid and, as you know, a Hashi flare can make you feel hyper at times.

_________________________________________________________________

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.

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

oh blimey, ill beyond anything I have ever felt. Am starting relaxation exercises/meditation and looking for a yoga class now apart from going GF. I think my trigger is stress

[Clutter in reply to Jefner]

Jefner, the relaxation exercises, meditation and yoga should help with stress, and g-f should help gut and reduce Hashi flares and antibodies in time.

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

I hope so hon, that is what I am banking on. Just wondering whether I should get a stool test done anyway to discount leaky gut and anything in the way of parasites

[Clutter in reply to Jefner]

Jefner, G-f may improve gut issues after a few weeks but your GP may agree to arrange tests if gut issues don't improve.

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

only seemed to have had a sensitive tummy since my flares, always been able to pack it away lol. I know it's a nervous tummy as the sensation goes away when my anxiety drops

[Clutter in reply to Jefner]

Jefner, it's not likely to be leaky gut or parasites then

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

just been trying to think of everything that's all. As I am learning and finding out more, I just seem to find more tests to be done lol. Are you GF?

[Clutter in reply to Jefner]

Jefner, no, I no longer have antibodies post thyroidectomy. I would certainly have tried it had I known it might be helpful when I was symptomatic but I didn't start researching thyroid until a few months after surgery.

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

did you have a tumor then hence it's removal and how long ago? I was wondering whether it would be worth requesting an ultrasound on mine to see what's going on with it. Can't say I have major swallowing problems but there is a sort of click there (best way I can describe it) when I swallow. Feels like something is catching on something else...if you know what I mean 'arry lol

[Clutter in reply to Jefner]

Jefner, I had swallowing problems for years but there was no palpable lump so it was put down to Globus sensation. I thought the hoarse voice was because I used to be a heavy smoker. Lump appeared overnight in neck June 2011. Ultrasound showed 2.8cm nodule which was inconclusive for malignancy but it was removed anyway in Dec 2011 because it was compressing trachea. Histopathology showed Hurthle cell cancer which is a bit aggressive so completion thyroidectomy was done 3 months later.

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

How did you manage to give up the ciggies? Was it a struggle? I will own up to being a smoker myself; didn't want to say anything before because I didn't want to get slated for it and people be put off replying to my posts thinking "it's her own fault she feels ill because of the fags", but since Christmas I have barely been able to light one (which is good). Have tried a couple of times to give up, did quite well up to around 6wks then something stressful set me back on them. I was going to shove the patches back on when I started to feel ill around Christmas to help me along. Giving up when you are ill is probably easier but then with the palpitations I decided not to, because the Step 1 strength can be quite high in nicotine and I didn't want them making my palps worse. Have been smoking for over 30yrs....I know it isn't good but I have cut right back now. I didn't smoke for about a week when I felt really ill so I know I can do it. I don't want to totally give up at the moment because of the stress involved and my system can't handle anymore. From experience cutting right back is probably the better option for me at the moment. I roll my own ciggies; (only roll half size of normal one), have about 3 puffs then throw it away.

[Clutter in reply to Jefner]

Jefner, quitting smoking was probably the hardest thing I ever did. I tried and failed dozens of times. Patches didn't help because I missed the physical act of smoking. I ate so much sweets and chocolate its a wonder I have teeth left in my head. I resumed smoking for 6 weeks 5 years after I quit and was persuaded to try ecigs which satisfied the physical action of smoking. I still vape.

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

dozens of times? blimey. Makes it even harder when you actually enjoy a ciggie as well, which I do at certain points in the day. You said you were a heavy smoker. How many a day were you getting through? I average around 20 a day (until I fell poorly that is). They say keeping your hands busy helps. I am the opposite (then I would be lol). If I am sat in front of the tv or doing nothing, I don't get the urge to smoke. It's when I am busy doing something that I find I need a ciggy in hand. Even going up the drive to put the bins out or the washing and I will light up. Trust me to be the opposite to everyone else lol My friend uses the ecigs and I tried a couple of puffs but it didn't do anything for me, or him it seems, as he is back on the roll ups lol. I got to the point on the patches after a few weeks that I started to forget about lighting up and felt well on the way to get off them, until, as I mentioned previously, something really stressful happened, I thought "fave bovvered...not" and down the shops I went and bought a pack

[Clutter in reply to Jefner]

Jennie, not sitting around and keeping hands busy was essential for me. I smoked 40-60 a day, depending on how long the day was and how much wine I was drinking. Probably only enjoyed max 10 of what I smoked daily. I had to stop drinking whenever I tried to quit otherwise I folded almost immediately. It was a very long time before I enjoyed a drink without a ciggie.

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

40-60 wow that must have been one after the other and sounds like you were smoking that many due to anxiety yourself. I used to drink many many years ago in my early 20's but when I was hit with anxiety/panic/agoraphobia problems, it used to make me feel worse so I went off it. Shame it didn't do the same with the ciggies Good for you though in doing so well xx

[Clutter in reply to Jefner]

Jennie, I drank too much for a long time but I felt too unwell to drink when I had thyroid problems and only drink occasionally now.

[Jefner in reply to Clutter]

by the way I am Jennie

[humanbean]

Regarding giving up smoking, I was a long-term heavy smoker (30+ years) but gave up a few years ago when my health started declining faster than ever. I had previously tried patches but they did very little for me. When I had a craving for a cigarette I wanted to DO something, not just sit there biting my nails, wishing the patch was stronger.

It was only when the range of nicotine replacement options expanded beyond patches and gum that I actually succeeded in giving up. What worked for me was Nicorette micro-tabs. I never bothered with patches after I started the micro-tabs. They are tiny little white tablets that go under the tongue and you have to let them dissolve as slowly as possible. They taste vile to begin with, I must admit, but I quickly got used to them. Eventually it became automatic to take a micro-tab rather than looking for a cigarette. I stopped using them after 5 months. It was weird. I had cravings then, but not for cigarettes at all, it was for the micro-tabs. But I found that much easier to deal with than my original cigarette cravings.

On the subject of thyroid antibodies, this page is a useful summary about the different kinds :

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

Take a look at the other available info tabs as well - "At a glance", "Test sample" etc.

[Jefner in reply to humanbean]

So u got hooked on the tabs instead lol. Good for u in giving up hun especially after smoking for so many yrs. Do you still get cravings?

[humanbean in reply to Jefner]

I stopped smoking nearly 7 years ago, so cravings are extremely rare now. I do sometimes wish that I could have a cigarette or I even occasionally wish I still smoked. But the thought and the urge for a cigarette has gone and been forgotten within a minute or two, so it is easy to ignore.

I remember years ago reading about an interview done with a man in his 90s. He'd stopped smoking 50 years before. The reporter asked him if he ever missed smoking. He said, quite seriously, "Only after meals."

I think I might be a little bit like that man.

[Jefner in reply to humanbean]

Yeah i heard dome people still get the odd craving yrs later. All credit to u for succeeding

[Beverleyb in reply to Jefner]

Hi jefner, regarding smoking, I stopped after smoking for 40 years, I had a knee op, while I was in recovery the nurses were saying she has to stop smoking, it had a bad effect on my recovery, I felt really intimidated. The following year, ( last year) I had a total knee replacement, I stopped smoking as I knew it would benefit my recovery and health. I stopped using an ecig , if you can ,go for the more expensive ones as I started on cheaper versions and not very good. I have even managed to get my husband to stop smoking using the ecigs ! Best wishes Bev.

[Jefner in reply to Beverleyb]

Hi Bev, that's brilliant hon. How do the ecigs differ then as regards price?

[Beverleyb in reply to Jefner]

I have pm you!