Jean in Newcastle Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Someone told me recently that it is important to know if I have Hashimoto's or not because treatment would be different than for just regular hypothyroidism. Is this true? I've had testing of both T3 and T4 levels and with Naturethroid both are within normal limits. Is there something else I might be missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/hashivshypo.htm http://thyroid.answers.com/hypothyroidism/understanding-the-differences-between-hashimotos-and-hypothyroidism http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/hashimotos/ It seems Hashimoto's is an auto-immune disease, whereas hypothyroidism is a condition sometimes caused by Hashimoto's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Treatment would not be different. Hashimotos causes hypothyroidism, there is no treatment for Hashimoto's itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I have Hashimoto's….but my treatment is the same (Synthroid). Apparently, it may be related to my gluten intolerance/Celiac's. (Never dx with a biopsy, but I do have the genes and extreme sensitivity for the past 25 years.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 OK - according to Liz's links I'm doing everything recommended for Hashimoto's anyway so knowing specifically if my hypothyroidism is caused by that wouldn't make a difference in treatment and would just be a "now you know" sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displace Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 It's usually more of an academic question if the cause of hypothyroidism was Hashimoto's. In general, it's recommended to check a full thyroid panel at diagnosis (including TSH) to make sure there isn't another cause. Treatments are the same whether it is Hashimoto's or another benign cause of hypothyroidism. Beware, if you get pregnant in the future you need your meds adjusted at the first positive pregnancy test. An OB may or may not adjust meds as quickly as necessary and may play catch up with levels. Also norms during pregnancy tend to be different than lab norms given which an OB may or may not follow. I think it's worthwhilwork have an endocrinologist treat your hypothyroidism if there's a chance of pregnancy in the future just to have him/her adjust the meds as soon as possible. In general you don't need an endo for this, but I like to be conservative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I wanted to add something since you mentioned you have a normal thyroid level. There isn't a difference in treatment when the thyroid is abnormal but there is a difference when the thyroid is normal. Many Drs do treat people with Hashimoto's with a low dose of thyroid hormone even if the thyroid is normal. There is a "normal" thyroid level and then there is the level where people suffering from Hashimotos feel best. http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/hashivshypo.htm The practice of treating patients who have Hashimoto's thyroiditis but normal range thyroid function tests is supported by a study, reported on in the March 2001 issue of the journalThyroid. In this study, German researchers reported that use of levothyroxine treatment for cases of Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis where TSH had not yet elevated beyond normal range (people who were considered "euthyroid") could reduce the incidence and degree of autoimmune disease progression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiMi 4under3 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I have Hashimoto's….but my treatment is the same (Synthroid). Apparently, it may be related to my gluten intolerance/Celiac's. (Never dx with a biopsy, but I do have the genes and extreme sensitivity for the past 25 years.) My friend "cured" her Hashimoto's through diet - mainly by going gluten free. I don't know specifics, though - it happened years before we became good friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Very unlikely chance of pregnancy. I'm 50 and use birth control. My levels are only normal with and because of thyroid meds. They aren't normal on their own. I've seen gluten free recommendations before. I'm basically gluten free anyway right now because I'm eating paleo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann.without.an.e Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I would think it would only matter for two reasons: With hashis you should avoid gluten and maybe even dairy (for some) since it exacerbates auto immune issues If you have a dr who understand hashis then they will know to keep your tsh very low, much lower than the "normal" range. My dr basically medicates me so that my thyroid isn't producing much natural hormone. By suppressing my thyroid, it turns off the auto immune trigger and keeps me from having auto immune symptoms. I feel so much better - no eye twitches, joint pain, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 What they have said. I'll add that from a naturopathic point of view, avoiding iodine rich foods or supplementation is avoided with autoimmune/hashimotos, but iodine supplementation is ok with normal hypothyroidism. Likewise, immune stimulating herbs like echinacea and elderberry are avoided and adaptogenic herbs are used instead when you have Hashi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 That reminds me…when my TSH levels are off, I can tell because my hair hurts. I know it sounds weird, but it's completely true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 That reminds me…when my TSH levels are off, I can tell because my hair hurts. I know it sounds weird, but it's completely true. Like when you take your hair out of a tight ponytail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Like when you take your hair out of a tight ponytail? Yes, a lot like that….but I have short hair. It's bizarre…but I know if I forgot my meds or things change (like with a pregnancy) that is the tip-off that I either need new blood work, to check which brand of levothyroxin I was given (different brands work differently, really…nothing like Synthroid), or to make sure I'm taking it on an empty stomach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I also have Hashimotos. It's treated with a combination of Synthroid (t4) and Cytomel (t3). I've felt much better since adding the Cytomel. My dr likes to keep my tsh right at 1, and checks free t3 and free t4 as well. My endo says 'most' people in the US with hypothyroidism have Hashimotos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Jean---if you are in Newcastle, WA, I highly recommend trying to get in to see endo Dr. Robert Murray at the Polyclinic in Seattle. He is excellent with thyroid. He has patients that come from all over the country to see him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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