Can anyone explain to me how Hashimoto’s works please?

[MiniMum97]

Hi

Been trying to do some reading on this but can’t really get my head around it. I had thought that the high antibodies attack the thyroid. But have since learnt that you can have hashis but negative antibodies so what does the attacking?

I’ve also read it’s something to do with T cells but don’t understand what these do and why they go awry and how the T cells work with the antibodies.

Also does anyone know WHY some people don’t produce antibodies?

Thanks all.

[greygoose]

diogenes ?

[diogenes Remembering]

I think Hashimoto's thyroiditis is defined as an autoimmune attack on the thyroid which ultimately destroys it. I haven't heard of Hashimoto's occurring without immune attack and probably these other forms are in those listed. Thyroiditis can occur without antibodies being involved. Some of these are: De Quervain's (subacute) thyroiditis; Postpartum thyroiditis; Silent (painless) thyroiditis; Drug-induced thyroiditis; Radiation- induced thyroiditis; Acute or infectious thyroiditis. Bacteria can attack the thyroid. Thyroiditis is swelling ( inflammation) of the thyroid gland. It causes either unusually high or low levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. Some of these thyroid types are reversible, some not.

[MiniMum97]

Interesting. Apparently around 5-10% if people have hashis but with negative antibodies. I am experiencing something that may be a hashis flare. I am hypo but have raised T3 and T4 which I think has been going on since mid Dec. Had several tests for antibodies all of which were negative. GP tested again the other day and again they were negative. Seeing an endo tomorrow so will see if he can shed any more light on this and report back. Thank you for your replies.

[diogenes Remembering]

There is no certainty that Hashimoto's will always continue until the thyroid is totally destroyed. There may be flares and subsidences of antibody production giving remission periods when no antibodies can be detected. Alternatively Hashimoto's could stop, leaving residual damage but suppression of antibodies thereafter. And it depends on the sort of antibodies. I don't think autoimmune diseases always progress in a straight line and remission periods are very likely as in MS and systemic lupus..