Just Got My Hashimoto's Diagnosis

[HopefulMama23]

After a LONG ten months since my last baby was born of cycling between hyper and hypo thyroid symptoms, I was diagnosed this morning with Hashimoto's.

My symptoms are:

(hyper): hair loss (scalp and body), weight loss, loss of appetite, insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, diaarhea

(hypo): weight gain, swelling, fatigue, depression

I seem to do worse when I'm in a hyper state- I just went through one that lasted about 2 months and it took a huge emotional toll.

I went gluten-free six months ago hoping that would help with some of the digestive issues I was having, and it did. I also have celiacs in my family, although my (celiacs) antibody test was negative.

Does anyone have any experience in dealing with Hashimotos? Any advice? My bloodwork is all still within normal range, although my thyroid is enlarged to three times normal size, so my endo is just going to monitor me for now. Are there any dietary changes or nutritional supplements or lifestyle changes I can make to help control this? The idea of continuing to cycle between hyper and hypo for the rest of my life is so freaking scary to me.

ANY advice or personal stories are greatly appreciated.

[burdee]

After a LONG ten months since my last baby was born of cycling between hyper and hypo thyroid symptoms, I was diagnosed this morning with Hashimoto's.

I went gluten-free six months ago hoping that would help with some of the digestive issues I was having, and it did. I also have celiacs in my family, although my (celiacs) antibody test was negative.

Does anyone have any experience in dealing with Hashimotos? Any advice? My bloodwork is all still within normal range, although my thyroid is enlarged to three times normal size, so my endo is just going to monitor me for now. Are there any dietary changes or nutritional supplements or lifestyle changes I can make to help control this? The idea of continuing to cycle between hyper and hypo for the rest of my life is so freaking scary to me.

ANY advice or personal stories are greatly appreciated.

Yes, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 10 months ago after years of hypothyroid symptoms. I had been gluten free since my celiac disease diagnosis in 1994. However, I still had symptoms of low energy, low body temp and chronic constipation despite following all the usual regularity rules (magnesium, fiber, fluids, probiotics), abstaining from my other allergens and treating 8 different intestinal infections over a 4 year period. My doc suspected hypothyroidism, because I had low immunity (continual respiratory infections even after I stopped having gut infections). My TSH wasn't terribly high, but it was over the normal (0.3 to 3.0) range (revised in 2003 by American Endocrinologists). However my T3 level was very low, because I don't easily convert T4 to T3. Also my Hashimoto's antibody levels were within normal range, probably because I had abstained from gluten (which prevents more thyroid damage) for 6 years before my TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibody) test.

Your TSH, T4 and T3 can be normal, but you can still have higher than normal TPOab results. Did your doc give you any thyroid antibody tests? Those confirm Hashimoto's even when other thyroid tests are normal.

[Salax]

I have Hashimoto's as well. I had a goiter, thyroid was enlarged as well. Levels were not normal. I am on a life time treatment of synthroid (spelling?). Which personally I think I need an alternative choice in thyroid meds, something natural. Any ways....

It sucks, but it's not that bad. I still have alot of the same symptoms I had before the diagnosis, but the goiter did receed. So that was a plus. But with Hashi's and Celiac, my body has still not fully recovered I think. I am still tired all the time, the stomach issues are gone and the neuro stuff is also gone since going gluten free. But I do get cold/hot easier than most (which is linked to thyroid), I still get colds/flus easier. Which is something I talked to a immunologist about, he told me that people with auto-immune diseases do get sicker more frequent than people with out auto-immune diseases. And Hashi's is an auto-immune disease. It means that the body is making anti-bodies to fight and attack the thyroid. My understanding is that even with meds it will over time still kill the thyroid at some point, but we can live without one with replacement thyroid meds (like synthroid).

It's going to be ok, it's just something that you need to accept and deal with. It's a pain in the arse, but it could be worse. Don't let it get you down. The name of the disease is freaky, the disease is weird in itself..but you are going to be ok. This is not a serious thing.

[burdee]

I have Hashimoto's as well. I had a goiter, thyroid was enlarged as well. Levels were not normal. I am on a life time treatment of synthroid (spelling?). Which personally I think I need an alternative choice in thyroid meds, something natural.

And Hashi's is an auto-immune disease. It means that the body is making anti-bodies to fight and attack the thyroid. My understanding is that even with meds it will over time still kill the thyroid at some point, but we can live without one with replacement thyroid meds (like synthroid).

When my doc suggested thyroid (T4) supplements, I chose Levoxyl over Synthroid, because Synthroid contains a lactose ingredient. I have casein (dairy) allergy and react to lactose, as do many other celiacs.

Docs (and thyroid 'experts') who don't understand the connection between gluten intolerance and Hashimoto's often tell their patients that they will need more and more thyroid supplement as the Hashi antibodies continue to attack their thyroid. However, most people find that abstaining from gluten (which can cause those autoimmune antibodies) stops the thyroid damage. My TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibody) test showed that my antibodies have actually DECREASED during the past year, rather than increase. I'm controlling my hypothyroid symptoms with a small amount of T4 and T3 thyroid supplements.

[cahill]

In addition to being gluten free,going soy free may be helpful.

Has your doc checked your vitamin levels (especially D and B12)??

Did your doc check you for Graves disease???