Looking for some info on thyroid

[Lisamarie23]

Jst became a member on this page and looking for some advice I had a baby six months ago 3 months postpartum I was diagnosed wif over active thyroid then about 3 months ago it reversed to under active symptoms got really bad so they treated me with 25mcg of lethyroxine for about 3 me half. Weeks and then I had my bloods done again and thyroid levels were now normal but I was still experiencing all bad symptoms, doctor decided to take me off them to see how I went and ever since I've been ill sore throat neck diseyness anxious forgetful etc.. They done my bloods again this week and said thyroid still normal? Does anyone no how I am still getting these symptoms, doctors keep saying it will balance its self out and putting it dwn to postpartum thyroid?

[radd]

Lisamarie,

Welcome to our forum,

I send congratulations and am sorry you are having these health issues when you ought to be enjoying your baby.

Just as a pregnancy can initiate hypothyroidism, it can also trigger Hashimotos. This an auto-immune disease that attacks the thyroid gland eventually causing a decrease in thyroid hormone and so hypothyroidism.

In the onset, as attacks are occurring, the thyroid gland secretes large amounts of hormone into the blood stream making you appear HYPERthyroid. After the attack the hormone level lowers making you feel HYPOthyroid. The attacks are bought on by large amounts of white blood cells infiltrating the thyroid gland and it is common to have a sore throat and//or swollen glands.

Ask your GP to test thyroid antibodies TPOAb & TGAb. GP's sometimes only test for TPOAb but either//or will diagnosis Hashi.

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Hashimotos

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

[Lisamarie23 in reply to radd]

I've had my antibodies tested and it's came back positive I just don't no ware to go from here doctors not very helpful with me

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Lisamarie23]

Hi Lisamarie23 Doctors don't seem to know much about Hashimoto's so I would learn as much as you can yourself and educate your doctor.

Here's some reading:

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

To try to reduce the antibody attacks, many members have found being 100% gluten free helps. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks.

Supplementing with Selenium can also help reduce the antibody attacks.

Dr Toft (ex president of British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist) wrote an article in Pulse Online magazine which says that if antibodies present then patients should be prescribed levothyroxine to nip things in the bud. Email [e-mail] and ask for a copy which you can then show to your doctor and ask him to put you back on Levothyroxine.

[radd in reply to Lisamarie23]

Lisamarie,

The medical establishment don't pay enough heed to raised thyroid antibodies as believe Levothyroxine will fix everything.

Postpartum hypothyroidism will often fix itself but I don't think Hashimotos will, if left unmanaged.

It is important to differentiate between Graves & Hashi as both will make you feel hyper. However, if you have been treated with Levothyroxine, I assume your raised antibodies were either TPOAb or//and TGAb which would diagnose Hashimotos. (Be aware it is possible to have ALL antibodies).

A good read is "Your Healthy Pregnancy with Thyroid Disease " By Dana Trentini (HypothyroidMom) and Mary Shomon. It is an American book and they advise American guide lines are that if planning to become pregnant again, you must be treated with thyroid hormone replacement. If you are in the UK, The NICE guidelines are the same - see link below..

Medicating thyroid hormone replacement will suppress future Hashi attacks and keep the TSH within the recommended range.

Either way, regarding the Hashi, another good read is "The Root Cause" By Isabella Wentz who explains the effect on the auto immune system, and how to manage auto immune attacks.

Most UK doctors do not test the biological thyroid hormone T3 which gives well being. To get a clearer picture of thyroid function, members use private labs to conduct tests including T3. If you post any thyroid test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) members will comment.

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Private labs testing

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

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NICE

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and it is quite common to have problems after pregnancy and I'll give you an archived link which might explain things more clearly.

The fact that you are having symptoms, and I don't have much faith in doctors expertise, particularly if you have disabling symptoms and a new baby plus yourself/family to care for. Read from the date September 11, 2004.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

If you can get a print-out of your most recent blood test with the ranges and post on a new question and members will respond.

If you didn't follow this procedure, ask for a new test - if they wont, you can get a private one through a recommended lab and get a small discount. They should take clinical symptoms into consideration but unfortunately don't appear to know any or even the most common ones.

First any blood test for thyroid hormones should be at the very earliest possible and don't eat before it as food can reduce the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which is all they appear to take notice of. If you were on thyroid hormone replacements you'd allow 24 hours between the last dose and the test and take it afterwards.

Radd is correct about testing for antibodies plus also ask for Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as these should be optimal too.

When doctors pronounce 'normal' with regard to thyroid hormones, I'd take that with a pinch of salt as we feel anything but 'normal'.

I have just read that you have thyroid antibodies and follow the instructions as you definitely should be given thyroid hormones as Dr Toft (ex President of the British Thyroid Association says so). It is absolutely ridiculous that patients have to go from pillar to post trying to find a solution to their illhealth.

We have had to read and learn and take things into our own hands in order to recover our health as it appears that thyroid hormones are the 'cinderella' as they've forgotten the skill of diagnosing by clinical symptoms and patients 'looks'.

You can say you've had advice from the NHS Choices with regard to the dysfunction of the thyroid gland and discuss Dr Toft's article. Some doctors disregard this but not if they are in the least bit sensible and wish to ease the patients unpleasant symptoms.