New to Hashimoto's any advice welcome

[Bird-Girl]

I have just found out recently that when I was first diagnosed with Hypothroidism in 2010, I was actually diagnosed with Hashi's but my Dr/Endo didn't tell me

So my question is what actually helps with alleviating the pain/flare ups that you people who suffer with it apart from a gluten free diet?

Thanks in advance!

[Hidden]

Just trying to keep nutrients optimal, trying to identify any co-morbid conditions, of which there are many, and trying to get optimal treatment. Oh, and slowly reducing all the self medication before diagnosis, the morning gallon of coffee, and the evening half bottle of wine. And anything which might increase inflammation.

All of the above are difficult.

[greygoose]

Keeping your TSH at zero, and taking selenium. And, of course, making sure all your nutrients are optimal, that helps with most things.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

I agree with what Greygoose says about the importance of having a suppressed TSH. With a so called "normal" TSH (1-2), my antibody and anti-thyroglobuline levels remained elevated. They drop when my TSH is suppressed (for the past five years, it's been <0.01). A so called normal TSH most likely means the autoimmune attack is perpetuated.

[Bird-Girl]

Oh wow thank you all! That is really helpful - I have been referred to a Pain Clinic and despite them saying that they will help me with my pain (yeah right) they did actually say they have powers to refer me and send me for tests and treatments that perhaps my GP/Endo is not sending me for - they do seem more supportive...first appointment in Jan 2017 (I am still sceptical) but we'll see

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bird-Girl]

Muscle/joint pain is a clinical symptom of hypothyroidis but doctors appear not to know any of the 300+ symptoms - even the most common ones. The reliance upon the TSH alone to adjust hormone replacements is the cause of most symtpoms.

[Scazzoh]

Hi B-G, Depends how far you want to go. The Paleo Auto-immune protocol is a diet/lifestyle programme for people with auto-immune diseases, including Hashi's. You start with quite a strict exclusion diet and then introduce foodstuffs. It is designed to reduce inflammation, heal digestion, deliver nutrition that supports health and ultimately reverses autoimmune disease. I have been following it for a couple of months and have noticed a marked reduction in symptoms, particularly gut ones. I wish I had discovered it years ago. There is loads on the Internet about it but a good book to start with is A Simple Guide to the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol by Eileen Laird.

[Bird-Girl]

Thanks Scazz I am in the process of being tested for Coeliac Disease/Gluten Intolerance so cant leave the gluten alone just yet so I didn't want to start any other diet until I know for sure - but your information is greatly appreciated as I will take a look into this also.

Thanks again to all those who have taken the time to reply