Am I right or am I wrong here? Little argument with someone on facebook

It strikes me that someone is in denial. It is true that if hashimoto's is caught early enough and if ( and it is a big if) you can put it into remission with dietry changes you can slow done and delay destruction of your thyroid. The chances of being able to stop it completely are small. There is no research out there to identify people in the early stages of hashimoto's or what dietry interventions are the most helpful. The research on gluten free used small populations of patients but it was replicated which increases its validity. Most patients already have some permanent damage to their thyroid by the time they are diagnosed. I think your argument is correct.

You are right. If she has Hashi and is trying to control it by diet only ...all I can say is "good luck" to her. She will need it...

I watched the Hashimoto's Summit and most of the gurus on there talked about needing thyroid hormones along with dietary interventions and supplements.

Hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis is treated with thyroid hormone replacement agents such as levothyroxine, triiodothyronine or desiccated thyroid extract. A tablet taken once a day generally keeps the thyroid hormone levels normal. In most cases, the treatment needs to be taken for the rest of the patient's life. In the event that hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it is recommended that the TSH levels be kept under 3.0.

I think it's a complex question, because we (as in the human race) still don't know enough about the causes of auto-immune diseases in general and about our own genetic makeup and diet and how those two interact. By the time most of us are diagnosed with Hashimoto's it's been active for some time, and we're likely deficient in various vitamins/minerals and may have other auto-immune conditions as well. Unfortunately we don't have dials on our chests with all our biochemistry readily viewable! I'd absolutely love to be able to treat my Hashi's solely with diet. I accept that is unlikely, and once I get the go-ahead for Levo I won't be refusing it! However I will carry on researching and learning to find the best way forward, as must we all.

I'll also add Facebook... meh!

I think she was giving out quite possibly dangerous advice.

Hypo,

Knowing of a Hashimoto diagnosis early before the thyroid gland is too damaged gives scope to reduce antibodies and slow the progression. We read of people who have managed to halt the disease and encourage normal thyroid function so avoiding the need for hormone replacement. I believe this possible as diet plays a huge role in my bodies response to this auto immune condition but unfortunately my disease was too far progressed when I learnt of my diagnosis.

This approach is simply not recognised within the medical profession and the standard care for a Hashimoto’s patient is to wait until the immune system has destroyed enough thyroid tissue to classify them as hypothyroid and then prescibe thyroid hormone replacement.

Sadly with this approach, by the time we are diagnosed, too much damage has usually occurred, making reversal unlikely. If other symptoms are exhibited commonly associated with this condition, (depression or insulin resistance), additional drugs will be offered for these as well.

The underlying cause needs to be addressed whether we are on meds or not. Sometimes replacing the missing hormone does help suppress further hashi attacks but if the underlying cause isn’t addressed, the disease will be progressive.

The members on this forum are here through feeling very ill and unsupported, so in search of further answers but there is also a great many more people who are managing their Hashimotos Disease well and maybe a small number without thyroid hormone replacement. Depending on the severity of the disease, people may even be living well without knowing they have it, as antibodies are common for many conditions and it is the number that dictates the severity of the disease.

It would be hard to estimate how many manage their condition without thyroid hormone replacement as these people rarely come to light (unless they write a book) but I suspect due to the majority of societies misguided respect for our medical profession, there are not that many..

Personally I think it's rubbish. If you have hashis it is far more likely that as time goes on and your thyroid gland is damaged further you will need increasing medication not less. Hashis is hypothyroid, it's just that not all hypo is hashis.

When I was first diagnosed in 1994 I went to a herbalist who put me on a thyroid supportive diet, the usual, and I stopped taking meds. It didn't work and my tsh went up and up and over the next twenty years I went from 25mcg to 175mcg and 20 mcg t3.

Now I'm on t3 only and also have m.e.

If she wants to treat her own thyroid like that let her, but she shouldn't be telling others to.

As a nutritional therapist I would love to be able to manage my Hashimoto's with diet and lifestyle alone, but I agree with the comments above that, unfortunately, diagnosis often comes once damage has been done. My doctor ordered a scan of my thyroid before he started me on Armour about 12 years ago.. The nurse conducting the scan exclaimed in a somewhat horrified voice "Madame, (I'm in Belgium), how long have you had a thyroid condition!!!. I gathered from this that damage had been going on a considerable time. This was after seeking solutions for my health problems for 20 years from many doctors and alternative practitioners. There are tests that can be carried our to ascertain whether one has susceptibility to autoimmune conditions but it is unlikely that the majority of patients are going to do them and certainly not through the NHS. Therefore I take my thyroid medication (and am thankful that at the moment I can afford my Armour!) and try to optimize my health with diet and lifestyle

There isn't such a big difference between Hashis and hypothyroid. Hypo is a larger, umbrella term that Hashis comes under. But the vast majority of hypothyroid is caused by Hashimotos. Although many people with it will not be told so clearly by their doctor, as doctors don't care about the cause.

Wasn't this the way of thinking of Oprah Winfrey and her health guru some years ago. You don't hear much about it now. No wonder doctors cringe when they hear patients have got advice from internet. But don't forget the modus operendi of trolls. They put the ball in the court and leave everyone else arguing. By the way I agree with you too although I cannot say I have had much e perience with Hashimoto