Diagnosed with Hashimotos, need opinions on symptoms

[Zak312]

I posted a few weeks ago about how my TSH dropped to 0.01 after a small dose increase back in August 2020 from 50mcg to 62.5 that lasted for 3 months.

I remember being relatively fine until I suddenly wasn't. I started experiencing a sudden onslaught of symptoms. The worst being anxiety and panic attacks. I was fixated on a personal worry that didn't warrant that level of obsession. At first I thought it was the issue causing my anxiety and rumination but even after resolving the problem, I continued to experience the same level of anxiety.

This was when I went for a blood test and found out my TSH dropped to 0.01. I dropped my dose to 50mcg again. Although the panic attacks reduced, I noticed the fatigue was unbearable and my constant rumination and anxiety didn't subside.

I finally got to see an endo this week who immediately diagnosed me with Hashimotos when she noticed my Anti TPO count was over a 1000.

For some reason, two GPs missed this, it was the fantastic members of this forum who pointed out to me I'm most likely dealing Hashimotos. My endo found that I've developed a small goiter and that I have tremors as well. She attributes this to me presenting hyper symptoms due to the rapid level changes.

For now, she's taken me off Eltroxin for the next month. We'll run blood tests again and then start treatment again, most likely on a smaller dose until we build up to the right amount.

I just wanted to find out whether I'm on the right track to dealing with this? The fatigue and anxiety has been accompanied now by some bad mood swings and depression. I hate feeling like a shell of my old self.

I've always been an upbeat, positive and kind of carefree person but the last 3 months has turned me into someone I don't like being.

Has anyone else experience a relief in these symptoms once their thyroid/hashimotos was adequately treated?

I'm also 3 days into a strictly autoimmune paleo diet because I'm committed to getting my health and life back.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recommend getting vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested

Extremely common with Hashimoto’s to have extremely low vitamin levels

Ask GP or test privately

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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

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)

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...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk