Does getting a Hashimotos diagnosis matter?

[Raucous]

I've just been reading poppppy 's post about hashimotos and on TUK site about Alison waiting 28yrs to get a diagnosis - so I'm wondering if I have already been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, done my own blood tests, realised it is probably autoimmune, possibly Hashimoto's, and am now self-treating with NDT/T3 how important is it to push for an accurate diagnosis from a specialist /endocinologist?

Will it be more trouble than it is worth pushing against the system, especially if many endos don't pay any attention to antibodies or RT3 and I am already self-treating ..... has anyone else done this and if so was it beneficial?

[Clutter]

Raucous,

Having a confirmed Hashimoto's diagnosis doesn't affect treatment of hypothyroidism. There is no treatment for Hashimoto's, NDT/T3 and Levothyroxine treat the low thyroid caused by Hashimoto's.

When you order your next thyroid blood test you can choose one which includes thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies in addition to TSH, FT4 and FT3. If antibodies are positive it confirms Hashimoto's.

[Raucous in reply to Clutter]

Yes I suspect there is no point in fighting to get NHS to diagnose Hashimoto's when it is my Tg antibodies that are high - I had them tested about a year ago but there still seems to be differences of opinion as to exactly what the causes of high Tg antibodies are as opposed the TPO ones. I shall be interested to see on next test whether there is any change after being gluten free for a year.

[Clutter in reply to Raucous]

Raucous,

If Tg antibodies are >115 it confirms Hashimoto's. Some people are only positive for TgAb even though TPOab is usually the only test NHS does.