Hashimotos

[philippa1412]

Can anyone tell me how is Hasimotos treated differently from normal hypo or hyperthyroidism? Also is it something recognised in U.K. GP never mentions it despite my TSH/t4 swinging up and down? Thanks

[Pastille]

Hi, Hypothyroidism can be caused by a few things, genetic, lack of iodine, trauma etc...or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which is an auto immune disease where the immune system has become confused and attacks the thyroid gland until it is completely damaged.

So Hypothyroidism is a problem with the actual gland whereas Hashimoto's is a problem with the immune system.

The treatment is exactly the same, there is no difference, you are replacing the hormone that the damaged gland is failing to produce.

Most people go on a gluten free diet, which reduces antibodies, inflammation, brain fog and helps digestion.

My own TSH fluctuates. My TSH went from 5 to 9 straight after a T4 increase and my GP rang me after the blood test and said he was baffled. I asked him if he thought it could be Hashimoto's and he just said no, he wasn't convinced. I suspect he didn't actually know. You're probably just better off helping yourself as much as you can really

[philippa1412 in reply to Pastille]

Thank you, very interesting. I have noticed recently I have acidic feeling in my throat and that horrible feeling when you bend over that you want to bring it all up ( yuck sorry). So that makes sense.

[Pastille in reply to philippa1412]

acid reflux?...one of the joys!

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Pastille]

Apparently caused by a "lazy" sphincter muscle NOT high stomach acid

[Pastille in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Oh is it? okay thanks

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Pastille]

See lifeextension.com/protocols...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Most likely you have Hashimoto's, have you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's the most common cause in UK of being hypo.

NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG, seeming to think it is impossible to have negative TPO and raised TG. It's rare, but not impossible, there are a few members on here that have this.

ALWAYS Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results

Suggest you also ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells.

As Hashimoto's causes (or is caused by) leaky gut/gluten/low stomach acid it is common for us to have low nutrient levels.

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

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

Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these.

This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later.

Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHS) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can really help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too. Selenium supplements can help improve conversion of T4 to T3

You do not need to have ANY obvious gut issues, to still have poor nutrient absorption or low stomach acid or gluten intolerance

[philippa1412 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for all that info it does make sense. My vitamin b12 was okay at last test (some while ago) and ferritin was okay but has bee low in the past. My vitamin d is low and I have been given some booster tablets. I will investigate gluten free diet.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to philippa1412]

B12 needs to be over 500, pref 1000, not just in range. Ferritin at least 70.