Help and advice

[Louise5hemmings]

I am new on here and could do with some advice for my daughter, she’s 23 and just been discharged from hospital. She had a se thyroid peroxidase ab conc of 56.76 and a normal result is between 0 and 5. The doctor in the hospital said there would be no problem as her thyroid is working well. My sister has had hashimoto thyroiditis since her mid 20s. My daughter had something like glandular fever when she was 9 and has never been the same since, tired and headaches, cold and body aches. Is it right that she wouldn’t have any treatment? I can’t believe that the body attacking itself is ok. Any help will be appreciated x

[greygoose]

There is not cure for autoimmune thyroiditis, not even any treatment. All they can do is replace the hormone the thyroid will become too damaged to make enough of.

The doctor that said that is either very ignorant or a crazy optimist! Her thyroid may be working well at the moment, but that probably isn't going to last forever. Did they test any thyroid hormones?

There are one or two things that she can try doing for herself that might make her feel better. One is trying a 100% gluten-free diet. Some Hashi's people are sensitive to gluten and feel better when they cut it out. She could also try taking some selenium, which might help. And, she should ask for her vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin to be tested. These are likely to be low and causing symptoms.

It's something that needs keeping a close eye on.

[Louise5hemmings in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for the prompt advice. She was in hospital with ongoing gut issues following contracting ecoli on holiday in Cyprus 3 months ago. Prior to that she was gluten free for about 6 months as she found that she had swelling of the abdomen after eating gluten. We will ask for those vitamin checks, what thyroid checks should we request?

[greygoose in reply to Louise5hemmings]

She needs TSH, FT4 and FT3. But, it's hard to get the FT3 done because doctors don't understand its importance. She should ask, anyway.

[Louise5hemmings in reply to greygoose]

Thanks will definitely ask