I had an ultra sound scan on thyroid a couple of years ago. The just said it looked fine. Does that mean its not hashimotos? Would it have shown if I have that?
I have low anti bodies and not aware of them being high and was told that it’s primary hypothyroidism from age 19 (now 36).
Hashi's is classed as Primary Hypo, because it's the damaged thyroid that is at fault. Secondary Hypo would be when it's the PItuitary and Tertiary when it's the hypothalamus.
And that's the key: damage. Hashi's would only show up on an ultrasound if the damage was such that it was visible. It wouldn't show up in the early stages.
I’ve had ‘primary hypothyroidism’ since I was 19 and never been told any different. My ultra sound was 2 years ago and they said it looked fine and I’ve never been told I’ve had high antibodies. But could I still have hashimotos then?
Well, in theory you could. A lot of things could have changed in two years, and not all Hashi's people have over-range antibodies - have you had your Tg antibodies tested? Or just TPOab?
But, I think if you had it you would notice that your levels were unstable, going over-range with no change in dose. Does that happen to you?
this was the latest test… but they have started around the same give or take, every time I’ve had it tested really over last 2 years.
My TSH has only gone over 4 since I’ve started eating more (which I desperately need to do as I’m underweight). I get low stomach acid, muscle aches and horrendous fatigue but when I increase my meds my t4 is already too high and it’s gone even higher and I’ve been having a whole load of over active symptoms the last week or so including a dodgey heart, chest pain, breathless, sleep issues, increased anxiety etc so I’ve had to reduce dose back down the last couple of days but I’m waiting for the TSH to go up again and the only way I can bring that down is to eat a little bit less again 😞 I feel trapped. I can’t put weight on either ways. Either low stomach acid and can’t eat/digest food or over active metabolism due to high t4 and both at the same time too 😞
Sounds as if you're a poor converter. Have you never had your FT3 tested? That's the most important number.
this was just before I started increasing my dose as my tag was going over and I was having under active symptoms as I started eating more which I need to do and was starting with low staomch acid and tingly arms and achey muscles. This happened before so I knew my tsh was going over. However my t4 is consistently high and when I’ve increase thyroxine the last 2 weeks slightly I have been having awful over active issues affecting my heart etc. I’ve had to put my thyroxine back down to what I was taking before and now I am trying to control it by eating a bit less again which is not enough. I start to feel sick and anxiety when I don’t eat enough but I can’t eat more coz I need to increase levo but I can’t coz of the high t4 😞 I feel trapped between the 2.
No, you don't need to increase T4 if it's already high. That's not a good thing to do at all. If you're a poor converter it's T3 you need to take, not more T4. And, if your T4 is high, and so is your TSH, then your FT3 is more than likely low, meaning that you're a poor converter. But I don't see how that has anything to do with how much you eat. In fact, you need a good level of calorie entake to be able to convert T4 to T3. But, it's essential to get that FT3 tested to know what's going on.
OK, just seen the results below. 
And yes, you are a poor converter. Your FT3 is too low and that's why you can't put on weight. But you don't want your FT4 any higher than that - in fact, ideally, it should be lower. So, what that means is, you need some T3 added to a lower dose of levo.
Have you talked to your doctor about T3, and asked for a referral to an endo?
Results before I increase dose. I have since made the t4 so much worse and my health. But I can’t deal with the under active symptoms like low stomach acid, muscle aches and fatigue like I’ve never felt before when TSH goes over 4. I am really ill either way. I know that high cortisol is probably the issue but I can’t take anti depressants as they affected my heart too.
The ultrasound looks for size, tumors and cysts. It can not visualize other conditions. Lab work or biopsy with diagnose the rest of it.
Hi Tlflom , The ultrasound looks for size, tumors and cysts. It can not visualize other conditions. Lab work or biopsy with diagnose the rest of it.
it is sometimes possible to visualise hashimoto's on ultrasound , but it is dependant on the stage / severity.
See description on radiology page below (apparently it resembles the pattern on giraffe skin) :
radiopaedia.org/articles/ha... radiopaedia.org/articles/hashimoto-thyroiditis
Ultra-processed vegetarian & vegan foods
Ultra Thyroid Complex Dietary Supplement - views please!
Could ultra low TSH be due to pituitary issues?
Does this sound familiar?
Does this sound like Lyme?
