Addison’s

[Figgywelch10]

Hi I am new to Addison’s

Any one else suffers with this

Can I claim pip for Addison’s and Hashimoto

[Ansteynomad]

You cannot claim PIP just because you have those diagnoses, but you can if having those diagnoses affects your life in ways that mean you fall within the criteria.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Is your Hashimoto's being correctly treated?

If not and under medicated or poor converter or gluten intolerance, this can cause adrenal insufficiency

If you post your most recent results and ranges then members can advise

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels. Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[FancyPants54 in reply to SlowDragon]

A diagnosis of Addisons Disease is very different to adrenal insufficiency and she won't be able to adequately treat thyroid issues until she is stable on medication for Addisons. But once adequately treated for Addisons, and adequately treated for thyroid disease, she shouldn't need to claim any benefits because she should be well.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to FancyPants54]

But if Hashimoto's can first it can significantly affect adrenals.

Yes adrenals must be treated first

[FancyPants54]

Hi

These are overwhelming diagnosis at first. But take a deep breath and start learning about your conditions, their treatment and what you can do to help yourself get the best from the treatments. You will need to read books about it and find forums and societies to help you learn. Do it slowly and thoroughly whilst you stabilise on your medications. It will be a slow process, but should be steady and you will feel so much better when you have your steroid levels back to normal ranges.

You shouldn't need to claim benefits. President Kennedy had Addisons Disease and he was, well, President of the USA! You will get well again. But you should be signed off sick from work for a decent amount of time whilst you work through the medication process.