Hashimotos just been dignosed

[eureka74]

Hi all. I've been hypothyroid for 18 years and have never felt good despite my levels being "normal". Last week I got sent to the hospital because of a goitre that has been there since before xmas. The Specialist told me this was normal for someone with Hashimotos to which I replied I don't have Hashimotos I have an underactive thyroid. Apparently in 2011 I had a thyroid antibody test which came back positive but the doctors never bothered to pass this on. So I have more than likely had Hashimotos for 18 years or longer but am only just finding this out now, a bit of a shock I can tell you. Not surprisingly the specialist said that as I was taking Levothyroxine and my TSH was at 0.03 then I was doing everything that could be done and I should feel fine but would have to live with the goitre pressing on my windpipe. It's not that big but I can feel it. Anyway I've been using trusty google to try and help myself and came across this site. All suggestions as to how I can help myself feel better would be appreciated. I have cut out caffeine, gluten and soy and am taking Selenium, B vits and magnesium. Thanks in advance.

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and am sorry you've been a bit neglected. I don't think doctors are aware that if we have antibodies they attack the thyroid gland until we become hypothyroid but the antibodies can be helped reduce by going gluten-free initially.

The treatment is the same. Those members who have/had goitre will respond too.

When you get a blood test for your thyroid hormones, it has to be the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours approx between your last dose and the test and take it afterwards.

Levo should be taken first thing on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. You can take at bedtime if you want, in that case allow about 3 hours if you've had a heavy meal before your dose. If you decide bedtime dosing, you miss the night dose before blood test and take it afterwards and bedtime dose as usual same day.

Ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we can be deficient.

Always get a print-out of the results, with the ranges, for your own records and you can post if you have a query.

If goitre doesn't reduce after a reasonable time after gluten-free you should ask for a referral as I doubt it is easy having something in your throat.

[eureka74 in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws,

Thanks for the reply :-). I have always taken my levo first thing and I don't tend to eat or drink until I get to work so I'm all good there. I also don't take my levo until after my blood test too. I've booked back in at my GP to ask for the antibody test and usual thyroid tests as I've never seen any of my results. It would be good to know how bad my antibodies are!

I'm hoping the goitre reduces by going gluten free as it is uncomfortable.

I'll also ask for the vitamin levels you have suggested too, thanks for that

[shaws Administrator]

I particularly was drawn to this comment :-

Not surprisingly the specialist said that as I was taking Levothyroxine and my TSH was at 0.03 then I was doing everything that could be done and I should feel fine but would have to live with the goitre pressing on my windpipe.

I bet he has never tested your FT4 and FT3 and that would tell him how much T3 you were converting, as it is T3 alone which is the Active hormone required in our billions of receptor cells.

[eureka74]

I will also ask about this, thank you!

On another note it's recommended that we give up Soy, is Soy Lecithin the same thing? I know it's a by-product but am not sure whether it's just Soy protein that we should avoid?

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to eureka74]

Yes i think it is. I had given up obvious soya but had ignored soya lecithin (as it was in most chocolate)

But found noticeable improvement (hands & feet warmer) when I cut soya lecithin out too.

It could just be that by no longer eating chocolate my sugar levels are more stable. Either way the result was positive

draxe.com/what-is-soy-lecit...

Isabella Wentz- The Thyroid Pharmacist recommends cutting soy right out

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Changing to floride free toothpaste might be go idea too

[eureka74 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon

[LittleFeet]

Eureka74, isnt it nice how we are left out of the equasion, and its OUR BODY. I am sorry this happened to you.