Diagnosis of Hashimoto's

[Suzy61Taylor]

Even though my Thyroglobulin levels are still reading 385 (<115), neither the GP or endocrinologist have ever commented on these readings.

I was initially told I had primary hypothyroidism and I am prescribed a T4 and T3 combination. I know the treatment is the same for Hashimoto's and primary hypothyroidism and I have some really good spells of good health and possibly as many periods where I feel most unwell. I can't explain why or understand why this should happen. I am gluten free and have been now for six months. The GP makes no comment on this either! I read of so many people saying that they have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's. Maybe I'm over complicating things, but I would rather not be gf if there are no health benefits. My anti-bodies have only come down marginally between my private blood tests. Does it really matter one way or another?

The last 10 days have been so unpleasant and I can guess very accurately what my body temp will be on my symptoms alone which can differ from early morning to late afternoon. Yesterday lunchtime I was 33.1 and feeling horrid and I gradually improved when my temp climed to 35.5.

Forward planning is a thing of the past and my trip to Barcelona in two weeks time could be very enjoyable or miserable. I guess we all take a chance and hope for the best.

[Clutter]

Suzy61Taylor, elevated antibodies means you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). UK doctors tend to call it autoimmune thyroiditis or chronic thyroiditis. Whatever you call it, it is the autoimmune thyroid disease which has damaged your thyroid and caused primary hypothyroidism. 90% of hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto's.

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

Gluten-free can help reduce Hashi flares, symptoms and antibodies but doesn't work for everyone. Six months g-f is a fair trial and if it isn't benefitting you, you may as well reintroduce 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.

[Suzy61Taylor in reply to Clutter]

Should I be thinking of going dairy free? Too many changes at once can easily muddy the waters. My husband and I cook from scratch as we both love sport and compete and need nutritious food to supplement our exercise routine. Although, I feel my running days are numbered. All the info you have given me is very much appreciated - many thanks

[Clutter in reply to Suzy61Taylor]

Suzy61Taylor, some people have benefited from going dairy &/or sugar free. You could try it as an elimination diet ie cutting out sugar for a couple of weeks and noting any improvements in health, and then reintroducing and noting whether there are adverse effects but a 2-3 week elimination diet is unlikely to influence antibodies.

_______________________________________________________________

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.

[humanbean]

What was measured wasn't your thyroglobulin, it was the antibodies you produce against thyroglobulin.

Your thyroid needs thyroglobulin, but the antibodies you have destroy it.

There are other antibodies which work against the thyroid. See the table on this page :

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

Being hypo you might have positive TPOAb as well. Have you ever had that tested? Being gluten-free might have altered that level but not your TgAb.

[Suzy61Taylor in reply to humanbean]

Thank you for your response. I have had two private blood tests done. The first test was six months ago and that's when I went gluten free as my Thyroglobulin antibodies were high. The second result came back just after Christmas (by Blue Horizon). Only the thyroglobulin antibodies are raised. TPOAb have always been well within range. How long would one expect to see a reduction in antibodies if gluten is culpable. I thought maybe another 6 months to give it a fair trial!

[humanbean in reply to Suzy61Taylor]

Sorry, I'm the wrong person to ask. I've never had positive thyroid antibodies myself. Hope someone else can answer you.

Despite my lack of thyroid antibodies, and a negative result from coeliac testing, I did go gluten-free at the beginning of last year, as an experiment. I got improvements within a week. However, it wasn't my gut that benefited, it was my head. I used to have a vile temper which would appear for no reason, and I also staggered a lot, also for no reason. Both have improved immensely since going g-f, although they haven't gone completely. I appear to suffer from something called gluten ataxia :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ataxi...

On a blog I read last year I came across a phrase that fitted me perfectly : "For instant asshole, just add gluten".

[Suzy61Taylor in reply to humanbean]

Love it!

[Marz in reply to Suzy61Taylor]

I think my going gluten free had more to do with Dr Datis Kharrazian and his book - Why Isn't my Brain Working ? He talks about gluten molecules - once they have escaped the gut - can penetrate the blood brain barrier and cause inflammation As I hurtle towards 70 I am trying to protect as much as I can

He has a website and Newsletter....