Hashimoto

[Shippey]

Hi, new to all this with my 12 year old daughter.

Doctor requested bloods and ultrasound for a goitre.

TPO was 915, TSH was 96 and T4 was less than 5.

Doctor says Hashimoto Autoimmune Disease and gas referred us to paediatrics for treatment.

Anyone any advice on what is to come etc

Thanks ☺️

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Shippey

With a TSH of 96 and FT4 <5 then she will be prescribed Levothyroxine.

With a TPO of 960 then that's definitely Hashimoto's but very rare that doctors mention this or use that term - are you in the UK?

Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. You need to read, learn, understand so you can help your daughter where Hashi's is concerned.

You can help reduce the antibodies by encouraging your daughter to adopt a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Buying special gluten free foods isn't necessary, is expensive and finding tasty alternatives isn't always easy. Preparing food from scratch is the easiest and cheapest way.

There are many posts about being gluten free. Here are a few in the Gluten Free Chat Category

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

and here are some more from the search facility

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

SlowDragon is our Hashi's expert and she may be along with lots more information.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Has your GP started your daughter on Levothyroxine?

She has very high TSH. I would imagine she's feeling very poorly

Have you got a date for seeing paediatric endocrinologist

Email Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialists, there may be a paediatric specialist in your area

please email Dionne


[e-mail]

Has GP tested vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin? If not, request that they are. Low vitamins are extremely common with Hashimoto's. She may need supplements to improve levels

Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise. Keep good record of your daughter's dose levels, how she feels and always gets actual blood test results and ranges

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...

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is very poorly understood

Do other family members have any autoimmune diseases?

[Shippey in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, not yet, GP won’t start treatment. Wants consultant to do it under his care.

We’re in the uk yes.

Seeing them on 2nd October. Hoping for a different brand as I think the Levo has lactose in it and she is lactose intolerant.

We are mainly gluten free anyway as it affects her ibs and makes her very bloated. Ruled out chrones when she was 7 and diagnosed ibs.

I have the p anemia Autoimmune.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shippey]

Teva Levothyroxine is the only lactose free tablet available in the U.K.

You should INSIST on seeing an endocrinologist urgently as an emergency, with a TSH so very high it can't be acceptable to leave a child for 4 weeks on no Levothyroxine at all

Request/insist on vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin tests next week. She could have very very low levels

See a different GP if necessary