Atrophic thyroiditis

[The-Wasp]

Hi there! I recently found out from a CT scan that my thyroid is severely atrophied (and lobulated). I'm pretty freaked out because I googled it and it sound like atrophic thyroiditis might be a more aggressive type of autoimmune illness than Hashimoto's (which I've thought I had for the past 14 years -- that is after thinking I "only" had hypothyroidism for 15 years prior to that. Should I be worried? It's so hard to find a specialist who cares about people suffering from thyroid disorders. Honestly, I'm at my wits end. I read a scary case history about a woman with atrophic thyroiditis who died quite suddenly from it. The terror and confusion and loneliness from this illness never ends. I would be grateful for any and all help! Thank you.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

I wouldn’t scare yourself there no need to be worried.

The autoimmune issue is very much the same. 

It’s possible you have higher “blocking” antibodies than with Hashis.    

These antibodies aren’t tested with under active.  TSH receptor antibodies are tested for overactive (TRab).  However the test includes - stimulating, neutral & blocking antibodies.  

A high level of TRab with hyper assumes hyper stimulating Graves - but in under active it would be a high level of blocking type.  

Swollen goitre typical with hashis whereas shrinkage occurs with atrophic version.  

They are treated the same - ie the autoimmune aspect isn’t managed -  the low levels are restored with replacement hormone, which is why you should worry.

Lobulated means the thyroid has nodules which are very common even in healthy individuals. 

[The-Wasp in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you for your response! You're very kind.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Atrophy of the thyroid is completely normal in Hashi's. Honestly nothing to be worried about, it's the natural course of things and you take thyroid hormone replacement to compensate. 🙂

[The-Wasp in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you Jaydee!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Ord’s is particularly common in N Europe, so many many members have Ord’s thyroditis

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ord%2...

Ord's thyroiditis is a common form of thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease where the body's own antibodies fight the cells of the thyroid.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

When were your thyroid and vitamin levels last tested

Always test thyroid levels early morning, around 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Have you had coeliac blood test done

Are you on strictly gluten free diet or dairy free diet

[The-Wasp in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for responding! I'm on 100 mcg Levo and 5 mcg Cytomel. I just moved here from Canada and I have a couple of appointments with various practitioners to try to find someone who will prescribe some form of T3 or combo as I don't have anyone here. Yes, I'm gluten, dairy and low iodine. I've read all the Thyroid Pharmacist's books as well as the thyroid Reset Diet by Alan Christianson. A lot of the things they suggest helped right away, but I tried too many things at once so I don't know for sure what is working or why. I've got serious spinal inflammation/issues and I'm sure it's thyroid related because when I'm gluten/dairy free it improves drastically. Wish I'd understood all this 30 years ago before I had such determination and 3 artificial discs implanted. I'm doing a Medichecks advanced blood panel on the Jan 4th. Thanks again! I'm still confused, but am feeling less alone and upset. I'll read all the links today and will probably feel better still once I do.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to The-Wasp]

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of thyroid specialist endocrinologists and doctors who will prescribe T3 or NDT if clinically appropriate 

[e-mail]

[The-Wasp in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much! Yes, I did already and have an appointment with on the list.

[humanbean]

You might find this thread of interest :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

in-depth article here

thyroidpatients.ca/2018/12/...

[Hidden]

Don't forget, you've had 30+ years of autoimmune disease.That sounds completely normal to me, that it's atrophied. It can't be eroded forever!

[The-Wasp in reply to Hidden]

Yes, sad, but true.

[silverbelle51]

Really do feel for you. I have reached an opinion that Naturopaths are only doctors who care about our HEALTH. INTEGRATED HEALT PRACTICES! They start with a vitamin and mineral profile when doing lab work. 99% of all illness I believe is linked to imbalance either caused by deficiencies or triggered by chemical ingested from our foods or drugs ingested. The HUGE issue is that kind of treatment is not profitable in the same way main stream is. Been reading how the" many faces of soy" are linked to much of the thyroid problems also Bromine additives as well.( gutsygril.com informative site ) Sadly I think doctors' role are to help you navigate unwellness and maybe even contribute to it. None of any of our health issues/challenges I believe occurs in isolation . Scanning people exposes you to unnecessary radiation! Why not do vitamin and mineral profiles?

[The-Wasp in reply to silverbelle51]

Thank you for your kind reply! I agree 100 percent. Really cheered me up to read your comment. Yes, I feel betrayed as my symptoms have been minimised for 30 years I half believed all the gaslighting after a while.