Hashimoto's thyroiditis - how do you know?

[Fedupwanttocry]

I have had hypothyroidism for 20 years and I currently take 175 of levothyroxine daily. Lots of people posting on this site say that they have Hashimoto's. How do you know if you have it?

[greygoose]

It's a blood test: TPO antibodies. But, doctors very rarely do the test because they know nothing about Hashi's.

Or, it might be picked up on an ultrasound of the thyroid, when the damage becomes visible.

But, if you have widely varying results on the same dose, then it's pretty certain you have Hashi's.

[Carlie76]

I can't answer your question but i would like to know too x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

Is this how you do your tests?

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

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

However 20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies - ultrasound scan of thyroid can be helpful

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

Medics think it irrelevant to know, but it's important for patient to understand root cause and then more able to improve symptoms by improving low vitamin levels and addressing diet issues if cause is Hashimoto's

[Fedupwanttocry]

Thank you.