Child with suspected Hashimotos - doesn't quite add up?

[nikkilou77]

Hi, 

My 9 year old (always very healthy) was taken ill with a viral/bacterial infection with fever for 2 weeks (Drs refused to give antibiotics as unsure what it was). Now a month later she is not quite herself (flushed cheeks, energy is zapped by end of the day - athough great most of the day). She is a tall, very slim child with lots of energy, very athletic...good appetite. 

I insisted on blood tests- inflammation markers very high and tsh slightly high at 5.09. Tests redone 2 weeks later - inflamation back to normal levels but Dr spotted enlarged thyroid gland on swollowing, so did Thyroid antibodies blood test.. results came back very high thyroglobulin 932.5, and Thyroid PEroxidase 320. Dr said she has Hashimotos Throiditis and will scan her gland tomorrow. Naturally have come home and googled Hashimoto symptoms and it really doesn't add up...  am wondering whether these high levels could have been caused by whatever infection she was suffering from? Any advice would be much appreciated - thank you.

[Clutter]

Nikkilou77,

Thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies confirm your daughter has autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's).  Enlarged/inflammed thyroid gland is typical in the early days of Hashimoto's attacks but eventually the thyroid gland atrophies and is unable to produce thyroid hormone.

Thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase are normally only found in the thyroid gland.  When antibodies are found in the blood it is because the thyroid gland has been attacked and thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxisdase have spilled into the blood stream.

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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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.

[Marz]

I think your GP was right not to give her Anti-B's - it may well have made things worse for her and her gut.  I too have Hashimotos and much earlier in my life had a TB gut and was diagnosed with Crohns at 27 - now almost 70.  So the health of the gut is everything for our ongoing health.  Hashimotos was diagnosed at 59 !  So a lot of struggles in the intervening years.

I am now gluten free and this has reduced my anti-bodies - although it has taken three years.  Maybe things take longer when you have been ill for longer.  Could this be a possibility for your daughter ?  Healing the gut seems key to solving so many health issues.  Also it is possible her absorption of essential vitamins and minerals has been impaired so it could be worth checking her levels of B12 - Folate - Ferritin - Iron - VitD as they all need to be optimal for wellbeing ....

Has your GP suggested any treatment ?  Hope the scan goes well and that soon your daughter feels well ....

[marsaday]

It is good news you have found out about this condition at such an early stage.  Many people go undiagnosed for years and suffer accordingly.

You need to look into a lower gluten diet for her and check her vit / minerals are in good order.  You can help to naturally control the hashis with all these tweaks, but she is likely to need some thyroid medication.  The docs use thyroxine (T4), but adding a little T3 can often make a big difference.  You would always see how the T4 goes first of all and then maybe add in some T3 later on.  T4 can work for many people, but sometimes others need the addition of T3.

[shaws]

I wonder if your daughter had a type of 'thyroiditis' when first unwell. These are two links which will explain in better detail the Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimotos:-

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

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

(I am not medically qualified just the experience of being undiagnosed hypothyroid).

[thyr01d]

Someone has posted on here inof about Blastocystis hominis (sp) being a possible trigger for Hashi's and that treating the BH seems to cure (I think) Hashis.  Wondered if your daughter might have picked it up.