Hashimoto's or underactive thyroid?

[laceysmum]

My medical records show Acquired hypothyroidism. My question is . Is this the same as Hashimoto's. Thankyou in anticipation.

[waveylines]

Hashimotos is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the thyroid .this causes swings of Thyroid levels but eventually the thyroid is unable to cope with the attack and slowly stops functioning. This leads to an underactive thyroid or Hypothyroidism which requires thyroid hormone treatment. It may also be called Acquired Hypothyroidism.

[tattybogle]

Uk Gp's will not normally use the term Hashimoto's or Ord's, which are two variant's of 'Autoimmune Hypothyroidism' which is where the immune system is attacking the thyroid gland and destroying it slowly.

'Acquired hypothyroidism' is a broader description and could also include injury to the thyroid, However the vast majority of Hypothyroidism has an autoimmune cause.

The way to confirm a diagnosis of Autoimmune Hypothyroidism is by checking for antibodies TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies) and sometimes TGab (Thyroglobulin Antibodies) It can also be diagnosed from a scan of the thyroid i think. A small % of people don't show any antibodies, and the amount of antibodies does fluctuate.

Do you know if you have been tested for these antibodies (GP can do this)

My notes just say 'Hypothyroidism' even though it's confirmed autoimmune, so i think lots of GP's don't feel the need to be specific about the cause, since in their view it doesn't alter the treatment. But they should really take this into account, since autoimmune disease can cause fluctuating blood test results that are unconnected with the dose of Levothyroxine. Also having one Autoimmune disease can be associated with having /developing other Autoimmune diseases.

[laceysmum in reply to tattybogle]

Thankyou. I'm not sure whether I have been tested for antibodies. I'm much like many others in that I dont feel GPs have much of a handle on this illness so I am trying to do some research of my own. Many thanks for your reply.

[tattybogle in reply to laceysmum]

If you've already got access to your records you can look in the blood test results for this test. it may have been done when you were diagnosed.

If you don't have access to your old blood test results you can ask to see them. Either through online after you have set up 'Enhanced Access' , which needs 2 forms of ID initially, or by doing a 'Subject Access Request' (SAR) which takes a bit longer.

You have a legal right to see your records with a few provisos, ie once they have been redacted to protect third parties, or in the case of recent blood tests , a GP needs to have seen them first.

Anyway .Welcome to the forum

If you have questions , ask away. Plenty of lovely knowledgeable folk on here will trot along to answer.

[laceysmum in reply to tattybogle]

Thankyou !

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

When were levels last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

You are legally entitled to copies of your results

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 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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays