WOULD LIKE TO MEET PEOPLE WITH HASHIMOTOS IN MY AREA - OXFORDSHIRE

[hash5]

I was diagnosed with Hashimotos four years ago. My doctors seem to know nothing about it and every time I go for blood test the nurses say they have not heard of it!! Would like to get in touch with people in my area who have been diagnosed. Feel very isolated.

[humanbean]

In the UK few people in the medical care industry seem to have heard of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Instead, the condition is referred to here as "autoimmune thyroid disease". Having said that staff still have no idea how to deal with it, and as a result their usual reaction is to assume that it isn't important. After all, there isn't a pill to fix it.

So try calling your condition "autoimmune thyroid disease". It might help. Miracles sometimes happen (allegedly).

[hash5 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you for replying. Will try your suggestion!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Do you have recent blood test results and ranges you can add?

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 when you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood 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)

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

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

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. 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...

[Biddy51]

You can get a diagnosis without a referral "to a private endocrinologist' (edited by admin)

Where about in Oxfordshire are you? Hypothyroidmom.com is another brilliant site. V helpful. There is also Gut healing site on Facebook that has been v beneficial. 😉

[hash5 in reply to Biddy51]

I am in Witney.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Private messages from members are sent to you are in the two speech bubbles top left

[Tuscansun]

Hi, I am in Oxfordshire.

I was not diagnosed with Hashimoto's (at least, not yet) - but having problems with my thyroid and suspected autoimmune thyroid 20 years ago.

I have done lots of research on the topic (probably know about Hashimoto's more than your doctor and have my view on autoimmune in general.

In any case, would be happy to meet and discuss.

[hash5 in reply to Tuscansun]

Thanks for replying. It seems that you have to find out everything for yourself. Where abouts in Oxfordshire are you?

[purple64]

Hi I'm in south Oxfordshire with Graves' disease would love to meet up.

[Tuscansun]

Between Oxford and Abingdon. Where are you?

[hash5 in reply to Tuscansun]

witney

[Tuscansun in reply to hash5]

It's close Definitely can meet up

Meanwhile, you can read or listen to Izabella Wentz books (like Hashimoto's Protocol) and also there are lots of videos on Youtube from people with Hashimoto's.