If someone has been diagnosed with Hashimoto's can they apply for a special type of badge or something to show on the public transport to get priority seating? My legs and whole body hurts 24/7, sometimes my head, legs and ankles hurt so much at night I can't fall asleep for hours. On the outside I look otherwise well, maybe a little tired but most people assume I am healthy 
This is becoming very hard for me to deal with, as I usually take buses due to having extreme sensitivity to heat, I often times get too hot on the tube and out of breath and feel too exhausted and weak going through changes and stars etc. However London buses are usually very unsympathetic and I never say anything and just stand up when I see elderly or people with prams or kids.. even though I can't stand without pain or even sit without pain for that matter. I was just wondering if there is anything which can be done or does everyone just put up with it or splash out on taxis everywhere they go? I am feeling very disheartened at the moment about the lack of understanding of autoimmune/invisible illnesses, so sorry for the long post.
Is hashimoto's considered a disability in UK? - Thyroid UK
Is hashimoto's considered a disability in UK?
If your in such pain you consider disability/ badge I'd urge you to see if
1. You're properly medicated for your thyroid and/or converting t4
2. If yes to 1, seriously investigate if there's another health problem(s)
Not in itself no. I have a blue badge have hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's, but also fibromyalgia, diabetes etc etc and over 35 years of proven medical invention relating to days when I cannot walk due to pain, stiffness and vertigo. If you fill out the full blue badge form you have to show all the appointments with doctors, health providers etc, medicines/ scans, interventions( e.g. Chiropractor, physiotherapist etc) with dates. Takes time but can be done successfully if you have a good long appropriate history.
This is a hidden disability card and badge for public transport that you don't need any evidence for. No guarantee people will respect it, but hopefully it will help you catch the eye of people who would be willing to offer you a seat.
tfl.gov.uk/campaign/please-...
On the rare occasion I've had to go on the train (full of men in suits from work once, not one of which offered a seat!) I thought of this exact thing wondering if it existed. Its difficult having an invisible illness. It reminds me of parking in a disabled space & people staring as if to say, what are you doing in there, your not disabled! I had a traffic warden check my photo recently & I told him, not all disabilities are obvious. Following this I had an elderly gentlemen warn me that the police had just done a traffic warden for not having a parking ticket, warning me about my badge in a disabled bay. I kindly thanked him as he reminded me of my grandad & politely let him know that it was mine! It's also not great when you feel like you should give up your seat in hospitals for a much older person but your in so much pain you cannot!
Hi i have been off work for 8 months now and have celiac and hashi and graves and my workplace have been told by occ health that they are classed as a disability. 😊good luck.
Hi Glaciera . I sympathise! i was like you for years, until i eventually had to stop public transport as well. Any illness that greatly affects mobility is eligible for a blue badge. I wish you luck x
Thank you, I sincerely hope it won’t come to that but I will look into blue badge although going by what others said - it seems very hard to get it!
Yes it can be, unfortunately. Let us know how you get on.
The admin lady SlowDragon gave you good advice about checking your nutritional levels like b12, folate etc. They can give awful fatigue etc if not high enough. Coenzyme q10 is good for fatigue too. X
As you have Hashimoto's are you on any Levothyroxine at all?
High TPO antibodies plus nutrient deficiencies indicates you should be on Thyroid hormone replacement
Can you add your most recent TSH, FT4 and FT3 results
Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 results and ranges too if you have them
My niece has symptoms like you and she suffers from Lupus.
I haven’t ruled it out yet either, I need to get tested, just waiting on more tests and specialists next month x
It definitely can be a disability, many of these measures are based on how much you can do, rather than the specific illness you have.
Something I've had success with at some times is to carry a stick. Its dual use, assists with walking, but also does communicate to people around you that you aren't able bodied.
Communicating with friends, acquaintances, strangers about disability is one of the things I've struggled with since the start. But in a situation like a bus, I think the best thing you can do is practice saying "I'm disabled and I really need a seat". Often people will react immediately to the word 'disabled'. Of course others are rude. And some are courteous, but ask more questions.
I agree with others that if you have Hashimotos and a lot of symptoms you should look into adjusting your dose.
Hi Glaciera,
I have pain in my hips when I walk and it's especially worse when I stand in one place,as on a bus.I tend to look in before paying,and if I don't see any empty seats I say to the driver - "are there any spare seats,I can't stand,so if not I will have to wait for the next bus." The driver will then (hopefully) usually say " can someone move for this lady please".Very often I think people (usually youngsters!)are just immersed with their phone, and don't notice things around them.
I’m 28 and look 18 so it’s very unlikely the bus driver will be understanding
Lucky you to look so young! I never used to look my age years ago.I'm 61 now,(where did that go) I didn't think I looked any older, but maybe I'm wrong!
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