hashimoto's disease

[phronsias]

Hello

May I ask what difference does a diagnosis of hashimoto's disease make to a person who is already being treated for a underactive thyroid.

Thanks in advance

Frank

[RedApple Administrator]

A positive antibody test simply confirms that your hypothyroidsm has an autoimmune cause. In the UK, most doctors do not use the name Hashimotos, just calling it AITD (autoimmune thyroid disease). It makes no difference with respect to the medication prescribed.

[greygoose]

It explains why your thyroid hormone levels might suddenly shoot up to mild hyper levels with no change in dose. Something that doctors don't understand and and want to slash your dose or stop levo all together. They talk about 'going hyper'. Well, yes, it's a Hashi's 'hyper' swing. But it's not true hyperthyroidism and the levels will eventually go down again by themselves. Doctors don't know that, so it's as well that you do.

[FallingInReverse]

Positive antibodies and an autoimmune cause for me also gives confidence that treatment (Levo) is the right move.

Hashis is a one way street. It means it’s just a matter of time before your thyroid stops working entirely.

There are other causes, obviously, and some unknowns, for why a thyroid is underactive. For example, my daughter through her teens - I held off on Levo because she might grow out of the hormonal imbalances. So some people find value in waiting to make sure it won’t get better on its own.

With a hashi/autoimmune cause, that’s definitive. And one can confidently know that they will ultimately need a full replacement dose of their thyroid hormones, and it’s just a matter of time before starting.

[phronsias]

Thanks for al the replies!

Is a hashimoto's disease test a blood test?

[RedApple Administrator in reply to phronsias]

Yes, it's part of a 'full thyroid panel'. which is TSH, FT4, FT3 , TPOab and TRAb. More info here btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-ant...

[phronsias]

Hello My GP agreed to have me tested for hashimoto's disease on the 12 th of Dec, what do I look for when I get the results? TIA