Do I have Hashimoto's? and latest results.

[robynrose67]

Hi all,

I found an OLD letter from my endo from 2005 it was when I was first diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. This is what it said:

TSH is >99

Free T4 11.3

Free T3 3.96 and thyroid peroxidase antibodies 260 giving a diagnosis of autoimmune hypothyroidism.

My question is does this mean I have Hashimoto's? I never really understood it and asked my docs recently if I have hashimoto's and they said no i don't.

Recently I have been suffering with really high anxiety, palps, feeling a bit shakey and on edge. I'm 36 now, take 100mg Levo everyday, take the same brand.

I had my thyroid tested recently but they only tested t4 and tsh.

T4 16.8 [11 -23]

TSH 0.07 [0.27 - 4.5]

My levels seem to change over time. I seem to differ from 75mg - 100mg. If I just take 75mg my thyroid goes under if I take 100mg over time I feel slightly over and start getting symptoms. I have been on 100mg and 75mg alternate days which seems to work well but this changed two years ago when they put me on 100mg a day a little too late because I miscarried because I went underactive when pregnant and they left me 4 weeks without upping my dose. I am still trying to conceive.

I also suffer with a lot of water infections. Sorry this is a lot of information just building up the picture of my situation.

The doctor is ringing me tomorrow to talk about my latest results. Any advise would be appreciated.

[tattybogle]

So you definitely have 'autoimmune hypothyroidism'

(the TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) prove that autoimmunity is the cause.

Technically "Hashimoto's " was originally defined as 'hypothyroidism with a goiter' ( enlarged thyroid gland) .. it was later found to be an autoimmune disease.

There are presentations of autoimmune hypothyroidism that do not have a goitre.

Ord's Disease was the original term for 'hypothyroidism without a goitre' (before Dr Hashimoto discovered the form with a goitre)

So if you never had a goitre , then your GP is technically correct ... you don't have Hashimoto's ,you have a non goitrous form of autoimmune hypothyroidism .

Some would call that Ord's Disease, but the term is rarely used today. The definitions of the differing forms of autoimmune hypo are very woolly .

As a general rule the NHS don't use the term "Hashimoto's" .... they tend to call all forms "Autoimmune Hypothyroidism" and don't distinguish between them because it makes no practical difference , the cause is still autoimmune and the treatment is the same regardless of having a goitre or not .

On the internet all forms of autoimmune hypo have tended to get called Hashimoto's, even those without goitre. Some Doctors don't seem to like using the term Hashimoto's , (probably because it has become so common on the internet).

[robynrose67 in reply to tattybogle]

Hi tattybogle, no I have never had a goiter. Thank you very much for explaining that to me.

[Litatamon in reply to robynrose67]

But you have had a thyroid ultrasound? Asking because I know a few people that are given a diagnosis of hypothyroidism through blood work, but have never had one. And goitres can not always be felt through a physical test. Mine was not by a GP, and two of the modules were a good size (3.2 cm & 3.9?cm).

[robynrose67 in reply to Litatamon]

Hi, no i have never had a thyroid ultrasound and was never offered this.

[Litatamon in reply to robynrose67]

Well that still might mean you do not have a goitre of course, but it is not impossible to have one and not know it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When were vitamin levels last tested

Presumably you are Female?

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested 

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

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 in rest of world

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

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 all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 and includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£29 

randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

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

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[robynrose67]

Hi SlowDragon,

I haven't tested my vitamins if the doc won't do them I will get them checked privately.

Yes I am female.

Yes I am on same brand Mercury Pharma.

Yes I got my thyroid checked before 9am, fasted and didn't take tablet till after bloods.

Thank you for the information.