Hashimotos Info please

[Peacefull]

Hello,

I wondered if anyone could give me more information on Hashimoto's as it seems that's what i have (blood tests and admin here confirmed), I don't know really what is different from regular Hypothyroidism or what i should be looking out for etc...

If anyone can give me an idea of articles i could read etc... i'd be very grateful

Feeling v confused!

Thanks

Ally

[greygoose]

A quick summary whilst I search for a very good article I've bookmarked somewhere:

OK, so Hashi's is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks and slowly destroys the thyroid.

After every attack, the dying cells release their stock of thyroid hormone into the blood stream, causing the levels of the Frees to shoot up - FT4 to around 30 something, FT3 around 11/12 - and the TSH therefore drops to suppressed.

There is no knowing how long these high levels will persist, but eventually, they will drop by themselves as the excess hormone is used up or excreted, and not only will you become hypo again, but slightly more hypo than before, because there is now less thyroid to make hormone.

Therefore, it's very important that your doctor does not reduce your prescription, because you’re going to need it again! If you start to feel over-medicated at that point - some do, some don't - the best thing is to stop levo for a few days, then, when you feel hypo again, start taking it again. It's very important to know one's body, and how it reacts.

There is no cure for Hashi's - which is probably one of the reasons that doctors ignore it - apart from the fact that they know nothing about it, of course! But, there are things the patient can do for him/herself.

a) adopt a 100% gluten-free diet. Hashi's people are often sensitive to gluten, even if they don't have Coeliac disease, so stopping it can make them feel much better. Worth a try. Some say that going gluten-free will reduce antibodies – I’ve never seen conclusive proof of that, but, you should be aware that even if you get rid of the antibodies, you will still have Hashi's, because the antibodies are not the disease.

b) take selenium. This not only reputed to reduce antibodies, but can also help with conversion of T4 to T3 - something that Hashi's people often find difficult.

c) the best way to even out the swings from hypo to 'hyper' (often called Hashi's Flares, but that doesn't really sum up the way it works) is to keep the TSH suppressed. This is difficult because doctors are terrified by a suppressed TSH, for various false reasons, and because they don't understand the workings of Hashi's. But, TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (a pituitary hormone) - tries to stimulate the thyroid to make more hormone, but it also stimulates the immune system to attack. So, the less gland activity there is, the less immune system activity there will be, meaning less attacks, gland destruction slowed down and less swinging from hypo to hyper and back.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

Here it is:

hashimotoshealing.com/under...

[pabhoo in reply to greygoose]

I wonder if that's y on some days I feel like absolute crap.Achey(low vit d).and not able to do anything.

then I feel on top of the world the next day???

[greygoose in reply to pabhoo]

Possibly not. Hormone levels don't change that fast, I don't think. But, it's perfectly normal to have good days and bad. Happens to everyone.

[pabhoo in reply to greygoose]

ye. I guess. I felt like absolute crap last couple days no sleep due t restless legs which is on another post

[greygoose in reply to pabhoo]

Poor sleep will make you feel bad, anyway.

[pabhoo in reply to greygoose]

tell me about it! glad I'm not at work this week lol

[Peanut31]

Hi

A good book to read is Izabella Wentz Hashimoto's protocol and Root Cause also by Izabella.

Both books are available on Amazon.

Best Wishes

Peanut31

[Peacefull]

Hi Greygoose,

Thanks for the info, i'll get reading.

"After every attack, the dying cells release their stock of thyroid hormone into the blood stream, causing the levels of the Frees to shoot up - FT4 to around 30 something, FT3 around 11/12 - and the TSH therefore drops to suppressed."

I've never really had high T3 of T4, Generally T4 is around 12-15 and T3 4-4.3 but i had TPO 216 last week. Do you think this still applies? Do you think its because my tests have just missed these higher figures in random testing?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get my head around it all.

Thanks

Ally

[greygoose in reply to Peacefull]

Frequency of attacks varies from person to person, and are totally unpredictable. So, yes, you could have missed them. Or else you haven't had any attacks since you've been having blood tests. But, having TPO that high would mean you have Hashi's.

Have you ever had an ultrasound of your thyroid? That would tell you how badly damaged your thyroid is.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Did you read the articles in the links I gave you yesterday?

[Peacefull in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes, thank you. its an awful lot to take in isn't it?