Confused: Please could someone help me with... - Thyroid UK

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floraD profile image
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Please could someone help me with identifying the difference between Thyrotoxicosis and Auto immune Thyroiditis.

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floraD
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Clutter profile image
Clutter

FloraD,

If you have thyrotoxicosis you are producing too much thyroid hormone (T4 and/or T3). The condition is called hyperthyroidism.

Autoimmune thyroiditis means you have "dysfunction of the thyroid gland" caused by autoimmune illness ie your white cells erroneously attacking your thyroid gland. Graves Disease is autoimmune hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's is autoimmune hypothyroidism.

floraD profile image
floraD in reply to Clutter

Thank you for helping me to clarify my condition. I wish that Consultants would explain the diagnosis alongside the choice of treatment. I realise they are under time pressure in the NHS but I remain unclear about why I am on 'block and replace' and am still experiencing difficulty in getting my blood test results.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to floraD

FloraD,

If you are on Block & Replace it is because you are hyperthyroid. There are two ways to treat hyperthyroidism, either Carbimazole titration or block and replace. In Block & Replace the Carbimazole blocks your thyroid production and Levothyroxine replaces the blocked thyroid hormone.

You would need to see TSI or TSH receptor antibody tests to confirm Graves Disease as a cause of hyperthyroidism unless you have been told you have thyroid eye disease which also confirms Graves Disease.

If your endo won't tell you what your blood results and ranges are contact PALS (Patient Advisory Liaison Service) at the hospital for help.

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