Hashimoto's

thegoLdendoLL · 07-23-2004, 08:11 PM

I was just DX'ed with this on Thursday 7/22 by my RE (who i adore!)
I was given an RX to "start Levoxyl NOW, so later on,
in the event of a pregnancy, it would help to prevent miscarriage
since the thyroid-antibodies can lead to that & also, to get a
head start on hypothyroidism"
-per RE

Any ladies here with this strangely-named disorder?!

sha-sha · 07-23-2004, 10:12 PM

I had been told in the past that my symptoms were consistent with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. That was several years ago.
However, my TSH levels were "ok". Finally, this week, after several years and a few doctors later, I was given an Rx for Levoxyl. (0.075 mcg) Hopefully this will help me with my problems!

thegoLdendoLL · 07-24-2004, 11:08 AM

Exactly me! Never had a "high TSH level", nothing!
but carry the ANTI-BODIES

so, on to levoxyl. Yay! =| *hope all goes well with both of us*

sha-sha · 07-25-2004, 10:14 PM

It may be my imagination, but I seem to feel better already. A family friend is a nurse practicioner. She says it will probably take a month or so before I start to feel better.
I agree, maybe the Levoxyl will help our problems!

prunepie · 07-25-2004, 10:29 PM

check out www.thyroid.about.com go to the message boards... tons of people with hasimotos..good luck oxoxojenn

shenacat · 07-26-2004, 05:05 AM

Hashimoto's , or hashi's as we call it, is the most common form of thyroid disease.

It means you have an autoimmune disease. It is good to supplement now, your doctor is a good one, you are lucky to have him! You must try and keep the antibodies down, because not only can they cause miscarriage but they will kill your thyroid and make you very sick. Also, the antibodies can slip up and move to other areas of the body and give you other autoimmune diseases like Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

You should also avoid taking vitamins with iodine, and avoid supplements with iodine like kelp, seaweed etc. Iodine feeds the thyroid, and taking extra will stimulate it and cause more antibodies.

CelticSpirit · 07-27-2004, 01:07 PM

Just my 2 cents here...listen to Shenacat! She knows what she's talking about...

Also, I have Hashimotos. I have no idea how long I've had it since I have no idea if my antibodies were tested all along. But, I've been hypothyroid probably since my teens. Make sure you get the right treatment NOW...very important!

Good luck and big hugs!

cynderella · 07-27-2004, 03:34 PM

What is the test for the antibodies? Is it an ANA test? I have been dx with hypothyroidism since age 9 and have been on medication ever since. I now have a new endocrinologist since moving and he asked me if I had Hashimoto's. What is the difference between hypothyroidism and hashimoto's? I have all the problems with miscarriage and two ectopic pregnancies with no explanation as to why. I don't have Lupus or RA but am taking a medication for these because of symptoms which indicate something is brewing. Any words of wisdom?

CelticSpirit · 07-27-2004, 03:39 PM

Ok, the difference between Hashimoto's and hypo is that Hashimotos is an autoimmune disorder. It means that your body is attacking your thyroid. With hypo, your thyroid just isn't working right. Hope that clears things up.

For more info and advice check out: Thyroid Info.

Hope that helps...

StacieD

thegoLdendoLL · 07-28-2004, 12:50 AM

Does being on MET as well as LEVOXYL (for the auto-immunity)
help to achieve pregnancy better than just MET alone is you have "Hashi's"?
Did anyone get pregnant after starting the thyroid meds for a while
after being DX'ed at first? Do you think that would hinder pregnancy?
I believe it may have something to do with my NEVER getting
pregnant for 8+ years of trying. hmmm...

TIA!

prunepie · 07-28-2004, 12:54 AM

there are many studies saying that if your thyroid issnt optimal..it definately can affect fertility..i believe for fertility they want your tsh around a one...with your free;s in a good range... xoxo jenn

thegoLdendoLL · 07-28-2004, 01:01 AM

all of my TSH levels in the past 4 years have been between 1.42-1.56 (good news for a change!) so being on the Levoxyl is a GOOD step

my thyroid antibody levels were 22 & 28. my RE
said those weren't high levels at ALL, but he doesn't want to "risk
anything in the longrun with me and play it safe."

i do thank you for all your replies, keep 'em going! &hearts;

shenacat · 07-30-2004, 08:13 AM

I started thyroid meds and met around the same time. I got pg for the first time after that, miscarried, and got pg again 5 mos later and had my son after a full term uneventful pregnancy.

Of course postpartum is a time of stress for the thyroid... so things didn't go smoothly after I had the baby.. but I expected that. Thyroid needs to be monitored closely during pgncy and afterwards. Being hypo during pregnancy will cause developmental delays and problems with the fetus like low IQ and birth defects.

Jen312 · 08-16-2004, 03:02 PM

My blood levels have always been in the "normal" range, but I swear I have all the symptoms of hypothyroid. I keep asking my Dr if I have something wrong w/ my thyroid. Reading this thread triggered something I had forgotten about...when I was like 12 or 13, I was exhausted all the time, etc. Lots of blood work. Found I had a positive ANA but no lupus or anything. Nothing was really done with that info. My mom used to get false pos. for lupus and was later DXed with a pituitary tumor (benign, thank god). I'm so glad I'm going to my endo tomorrow for my 6th month check up, because I'm LOADED with questions now! Get ready doctor!

Also, they have done thyroid ultrasounds and have discovered a small cyst, which was "nothing to worry about" according to the doctor. Ummm, I don't think so, especially when my aunt had a cancerous tumor on her thyroid and when talking with her recently she told me that hers started as a "harmless cyst"!!!!!!!

CelticSpirit · 08-16-2004, 05:25 PM

I'm really beginning to hate doctors!

I had an ovarian cyst that got quite large and the doctor just gave me bcp and said that I would be fine. yeah right! It got so big that it was really hurting me and bothering my intestines. It hurt to have sex, I had problems with b/m (sorry, tmi) and I was just plain miserable.

Thankfully my new OB was willing to do a lap and remove the thing (which had grown quite a bit during the month a half between the u/s and the lap!

I swear I hate them anymore!