Do most people with Hashimoto see a specialist?

[CCHolder]

I just found out I have it, based on elevated TPO antibodies and am not sure if I should see an endocrinologist or my regular doc.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have any thyroid or vitamin results and ranges you can add

Have you been started on any Levothyroxine, if so how much?

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change ( or brand change)

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with Hashimoto's

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all 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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take early morning, on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime.

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2

The vast majority of Hashimoto's patients find Levothyroxine works well. There are just under 2 million people in the UK on Levothyroxine.

Only a small number with ongoing issues need to see an endocrinologist

It can take a while to get dose fine tuned

[CCHolder in reply to SlowDragon]

I appreciate your input. I'm in the states so things may be a little different here. I'm gong to make regular doc tomorrow.

We'll see. Thanks again