What do they mean

[ironsides]

Should I get ultrasound or do you think these are ok and not to worry

[greygoose]

Your FT4/3 are good at the moment, but it's pretty certain you have Hashi's. So, you need to keep an eye on your levels. Not sure an ultrasound would help at this juncture.

[ironsides in reply to greygoose]

Can this be controlled by diet

[greygoose in reply to ironsides]

I really wouldn't think so, no. Going gluten-free might help with your symptoms, but probably won't affect the out-come of the disease. As far as I know, Hashi's does not go away. And, if you come to need thyroid hormone replacement, only the hormone will do. You can't replace it with a vitamin or a mineral.

[ironsides in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your help

[greygoose in reply to ironsides]

You're welcome.

[Greekchick]

Hi Ironsides,

Do you have nodules or a goiter? If so, then an ultrasound is appropriate. I think it is important to have a baseline reading of your neck so that you can measure changes along the way. Hope this helps and wishing you all the best.

[ironsides in reply to Greekchick]

Never had any checks on my throat, this is why it was suggested, my father is thyroid also, I have been suffering with symptoms for years but doctor only ever checks the usual TSH and T4 I’m currently suffering hair loss fatigue and constant clearing of my throat and cough.

[ironsides in reply to ironsides]

With bloating and varying degrees of bowl movement from one extreme to the other

[Greekchick in reply to ironsides]

OK - the constant clearing of the throat may mean there is swelling in the area and should be looked at. I would request an ultrasound to see what’s happening there particularly with your family history. Wishing you all the best.

[ironsides in reply to Greekchick]

Thank you

[humanbean]

Can I ask which company did your tests, please? Are you in the UK?

[ironsides]

No I in Australia foe another few weeks paid private

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your TG antibodies are very high. This is most likely Hashimoto's

healthline.com/health/antit...

As NHS refuses to diagnose Hashimoto's just on high TG antibodies, yes an ultrasound scan of thyroid may be helpful

High TG antibodies can be due to Pernicious Anaemia or diabetes too

Important to regularly test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Getting vitamins optimal can significantly improve symptoms

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone

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

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes 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

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet




(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)




Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

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

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Persistent cough can be due to GERD or dairy intolerance

GERD common with Hashimoto's,

healthline.com/health/gerd/...

[ironsides in reply to SlowDragon]

Yep had low B12 before low folate and low iron, they treat them it works and then they stop medication and I end up back to how I feel now, it has been suggested I try cutting out gluten, I have not had a lot of dairy as it makes me cough more

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ironsides]

Cough with dairy intolerance is common

If you don't eat dairy (or much fish) ....you may be iodine deficient.....but iodine supplements and Hashimoto's is very controversial

Suggest you read up as much as possible

Chris kresser

Amy Myers

Isabella Wentz- Thyroid Pharmacist

Dr K News

[ironsides in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes iodine levels are listed above too. I eat lots of fish salmon and oily fish

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ironsides]

So unlikely to be iodine deficient

[MaisieGray in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon The report states that iodine is 75% >95% Deficient and Spot Iodine is 89.45 >200 Below Range

[ironsides in reply to MaisieGray]

Yes it does and yes I am deficient

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ironsides]

But supplementing iodine can make Hashimoto's worse according to some weblinks

Others say it's necessary if deficient

You'll need to read up on iodine supplements and Hashimoto's and decide for yourself

Obviously if you were started on Levothyroxine that contains iodine anyway

[ironsides in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you

[ironsides]

Thank you everyone I’ll see my GP when home and discuss my options with them.