Understanding Hashimotos

[kaz04]

Can anyone explain recently had a lump in my throat due to my underactive thyroid, sent to the hospital for an ultrasound and blood test which have come back strongly positive with the recording of 1300. Which strongly suggests Hashimotos Thyroiditis. My Tsh is 0.82 and my free T4 is 22.4 My doctor has said im fine on my 200mg of Thyroxine till December, Can anybody explain more about this to me because I really don't understand 😓

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

kaz04 Hashi's is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. The antibody attacks cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results.

You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

[kaz04 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for the reply have looked into a gluten free diet wasn't sure if it was worth it. Will certainly reconsider it now though, Currently take multi vitamins, with iron and magnesium so will take a look at selenium tablets as well, Thanks again.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to kaz04]

kaz04 Sorry to say, multivitamins are a waste of time, they contain too little of anything to be of use and generally contain the wrong and least absorbable form of ingredients.

Is iron included in the multivitamin? If so nothing else can be absorbed, iron needs to be taken at least two hours away from any other supplements. Have you had ferritin/iron tested? You shouldn't take iron supplements unless you've been tested, too much is as bad as too little.

The best thing to do is get the following tested if not already done

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[SmallBlueThing in reply to SeasideSusie]

Some supplements (e.g. Phoenix Nutrition's) may contain too much.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Yet another reason to test and only supplement what's needed.

[kaz04 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Really appreciate the reply making a new Drs appointment and will ask for the above to be tested aswell, Thank you

[SmallBlueThing]

I had a lump that would wake me at night, so I was given an ultrasound a couple of weeks later -- by which time it wasn't troubling me! Nothing of concern, according to my GP, but I had a flare less than six months later. I now find large capsules easy to swallow, when tablets about a third the size used to cause problems. So, keep aware for symptoms of over-replacement such as shaky, weak arms; increased number of bowel movements with looser stools; heat intolerance; insomnia etc. If you do have a flare, you won't necessarily be affected by all the symptoms -- it was just arm and back weakness plus frozen shoulders for me this time, nevertheless quite disturbing.

[kaz04 in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Thank you for the reply, I have been having trouble sleeping, dizzy spells and warm all the time,( thought early menopause) Thanks for the advice think I need to see my gp again.

[SmallBlueThing in reply to kaz04]

My TSH dropped from about 0.5 to 0.1 (the flare), then went up to 0.9 with a cut in dose, then up to 3 for two tests, and is now at 2 for two tests, despite increasing steadily so it's now above the dose when the flare occurred -- due to a bit more of the gland's production having died off, I suppose.

In my case, a drop of 25mcg every other day might've been sufficient.

[kaz04 in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Thanks for the reply making a new Drs appointment and will ask more questions and more blood tests, Thank you

[SmallBlueThing in reply to kaz04]

I've been reading here of patients having savage cuts to their dosage. As long as you're not suffering too much, go for a less drastic decrease e.g alternating 175 and 200mcg in your case if your test results warrant it. Test again in six to eight weeks and then decrease to 175mcg daily if the results haven't improved.

Most GPs feel their job's done when our TSH is in range, so need some gentle prodding (if we're lucky) in the right direction.

[gillianmellor in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Hi.. i go on monday for a scan on my thyroid.....i suffer badley with heat....sweating badley just hoovering a rug in livingroom...i feel as if i constantly have a lump in my throat....its been a long haul with my gp....go to gp for blood results thurs and endo in oct....so fingers crossed i finaly get help its took 12months to get this far