Hypothyroid or Hashimoto's ?

[marigold22]

When I was diagnosed hypo in 1981, my GP called it myxedema. I presume that is the ‘old’ name for it.

I’m under the impression that my thyroid antibodies have never been tested (maybe they have?). Now (35 years later) I’m wondering if I have Hashimotos. I’ve just read a reply by unbeldi -healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... about her symptoms of under medicated Hashi’s and that’s exactly how I used to feel. I’ve done some research online over the last hour or so. When a Hashi patient is under medicated & psychiatric symptoms kick in, it’s called Prasad’s Syndrome.

Please tell me the difference between hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s. I know the medication is the same. If I do have Hashi’s, should I have been told by the doctors? Would it have made any difference to anything? Also taking into consideration that on two separate occasions I requested to be referred to a psychiatrist as I felt I was going insane.

[helvella Administrator]

Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease process that results, eventually, in hypothyroidism. On the journey, people sometimes report periods of longer or shorter time in which they feel hyperthyroid or euthyroid (good thyroid levels) but the end result is destruction of the thyroid - hence hypothyroidism.

It is possible to be hypothyroid without having Hashimoto's. For example, worldwide, iodine deficiency is the leading cause. (Though autoimmune is the leading cause in the UK and USA.)