I’m one of the 20%

[Dizzy444]

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis.

What would show up on the ultrasound scan to indicate hypothyroidism

[radd]

Dizzy444,

Evidence of Hashi-hypo can be any mix of a goitre, cysts, nodules and/or atrophy. (shrinkage).

Hashi activity results in fibrosis gradually reducing thyroid gland function, and then as thyroid hormone production becomes less efficient, the gland may enlarge and the swelling is known as a goitre, whilst making a jelly substance called colloid that may result in cysts and nodules.

Nodules may be solitary or multiple, then known as a multinodular goitre. If it extends down behind the breastbone it is known as a retrosternal goitre. Atrophy is poorly understood and caused by TBAb’s (TSH receptor antibodies but the blocking variant of TRAb’s) which are hardly ever tested.

Even with elevated TSH, TBAb ’s can block TSH stimulation of the thyroid gland. If we don’t use the thyroid gland , we lose the thyroid gland and it will start to shrink. We also require TSH to up-regulate D2 deiodinase enzyme in order to convert more T4 to T3. If TSH signalling is blocked by high TBAb’s it impairs conversion, T3 levels will drop and TSH will go higher.

[Dizzy444 in reply to radd]

Thank you for this detailed description. I had subacute thyroiditis, 90% of people regain normal thyroid function but I was given levo when my tsh reached 75, a couple of months after I recovered from the virus. I have been taking them for two years now but wonder if I would have regained normal function without the medication. I suppose the only way to find out is to stop my medication and see what happens. I wonder if it’s the case that if you are supplying t4 with meds the thyroid will slow its functioning

[Torquaygirl]

interesting never knew that, have you found any research about that?

I have been told I need an iodine uptake scan (think I have that right), I had a recent neck ultrasound scan and they never reported finding anything (this was previous to finding out I am sub clinical hyper). As I have sjogrens but anti bodies all negative, but I suspect it is all linked…….

[radd in reply to Torquaygirl]

Torquaygirl,

I presume to are responding to me?

The Spectrum of Thyroid Autoimmunity by Tania Smith ... thyroidpatients.ca/2020/04/...