My new endo wants me to get an ultrasound on my thyroid and then some blood work. She thinks I have hashimotos. Anyone have this and have experience with it? My friend has given me some good advice since she also has it but I'm just broadening my horizons for info.
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Hi,
I also have Hashi's. I believe it's the most common type of hypothyroidism in the US. It's characterized by antibodies that attack the thyroid. I'm not sure if a goiter and/or nodules are characteristic of it as well but I have both. I'm taking levothyroxine and my TSH is 1.0. Good luck!
I saw your post and I am in a similar situation. My reply is tangential to the Hashi's question, but maybe you will find it helpful. I hope so.
I see that you are on Metformin and B12 and Synthroid. Have you ever been tested for Cushing's? Ever have your cortisol levels tested? I recently went to a naturopath for treatment of my hypothyroidism and she confirmed that I have Hashimoto's. In the process of treating that, she tested my adrenal functioning and my cortisol levels were skyrocketing which may mean Cushing's. I have subsequently researched about Cushing's and discovered that Cushing's can be the underlying cause of the thyroid issue.
High cortisol levels, insulin resistance, borderline high blood pressure, low B12, low vitamin D, and low ferritin can indicate Cushing's.
I am sorry if I sound alarmist. I am just in a mood today.
I support what Black Lilly says. I'm going to a new endo on Tuesday to be evaluated for Cushing's. Many of the symptoms are similar to PCOS. There's a great website with tons of info on Cushing's along with message boards, etc. Google on "Cushing's Help" to find the site.
Getting your adrenals checked is always a good idea because some people that have thyroid antibodies also have antibodies that attack the adrenals. I had bloodwork a couple of months ago, but luckily my adrenals were in good shape.
But to answer your original question, I haven't ever had an ultrasound of my thyroid. I don't have any goiters that I can feel on my neck, maybe that's why my doc didn't think it was nessecary to do one? Good luck!
I also have hashi's. I was diagnosed early 2007 and have just now getting my tsh levels to .75 and feeling better. It may take a while to get your thyroid levels where they need to be. Do you have any specific questions?
Black Lilly, thank you so much for that information on Cushings. I would have never thought to even think that. I am not really sure which blood tests she ran. I got blood drawn yesterday morning. My dr said it would take roughly 10 days before she got the results on them and I'm to call her and she'll talk with me about the results. I know a few were C-Peptide, Prolactin (for possible hyperinsulinemia) and I believe she did Free T3 and T4 but the writing on the script was nuts so I could be wrong. I dont *think* she checked the cortisol/adrenal levels. Right now I feel like my brain is going in every which direction.
Renee- My doctor said my thyroid felt minimally enlarged which is why she wants the U/S. She said it might detect any nodules she cannot feel. I have to call to make the appt tomorrow. Should be interesting....
Loongirl, that is an awesome TSH level. Good for you!! My last one was somewhere around 1.79 taking 50 of Sythroid. As far as any other questions, I wouldnt even know what to start asking since this is all so new. Just any information that anyone has for me, is always greatly appreciated.
Thank you all so much.
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Today i have been dianosed with hypothyroid. Does anyone know if adding iodine to you diet will help? My level TSH(I think) was at 18.??. i am hopeful that the snythriod will help but I just found out about this so I am trying to find out more.
Last edited by festersfavorite; 08-05-2008 at 11:24 PM.
Reason: misspelling
Today i have been dianosed with hypothyroid. Does anyone know if adding iodine to you diet will help? My level TSH(I think) was at 18.??. i am hopeful that the snythriod will help but I just found out about this so I am trying to find out more.
As far as I know, your body only needs a small amount of iodine. So you can simply start adding a small amount of iodized salt to your food and that should be enough. 18 is pretty high. Mine was almost 8.0 and within 6 weeks of taking 50 of Synthroid, it's back to normal limits at 1.79. I'd give it 6 weeks (as it may take that long to see a difference), retest and then go from what the retest level is of your TSH.
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If you have Hashimoto's DO NOT take iodine. It can make your thyroiditis worse...
From medicinenet.com Iodine Excess In making thyroid hormone, the body responds to increasing doses of iodine intake by first increasing hormone production and then decreasing production by blocking the incorporation of iodine into thyroid hormone. This blockage is protective. The body simply cannot allow all of the iodine received to turn into hormone without regulation. If this happened, there could be too much hormone produced, thereby resulting in toxic levels of thyroid hormone.
While this regulation is complicated, a decrease in the utilization of iodide is called the "Wolff-Chaikoff" effect. If a patient has an underlying problem with the thyroid gland, such as Hashimoto's disease or Graves' disease, this protective mechanism may actually be detrimental. In these cases, the gland already is diseased, and, on top of that, the Wolff-Chaikoff effect takes place. In such situations, a goiter can develop or hypothyroidism can occur if large amounts of iodide are given for long periods of time. The gland can sometimes overcome this effect by "escaping" or adapting in a successful way. In these cases, the blockage of hormone formation may be partially relieved and the patient can regain some thyroid function.
I have Hashimoto's and I was initally diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I was given iodine to take. I felt worse when I took it and it also enlarged my thryoid - I was having trouble swallowing. When I was finally diagnosed with Hashi's, I stopped the iodine and felt better immediately.
Beth,
i have not taken iodine in about 6 months, so you think it is possible I fried my thyroid with out knowing it? I went to a naturalist who said i needed it. well long story short I stopped going to her after she gave me a bunch of progesterone and was putting me through menopause. It was kinda bad.
It is possible you fried your thryoid. I went the naturopath route too for a while since I couldn't get my primary care physician to diagnose me with hypo even though my TSH was over 3.5. They standard test levels for TSH were changed about 5 years ago from a TSH over 5.0 to 3.0 as the indicator of hypo, but not everyone has caught up with that change.
I finally found an endo who has been treating me since April. He said he will treat anyone with a TSH over 2 that has the hypo symptoms. He also discovered I was iron deficient and put me on daily iron. That has made a world of difference, my hair stopped falling out and I am finally warm! He's now addressing my PCOS and put me on Met last month.
If you can find an endo you trust, please go to him/her. Have them check your antibodies in addition to your TSH and T4 to see if you have Hashi's.
Other things to avoid if you have Hashi's are things that stimulate your immune system like echinacea. Also, herbal stimulants aren't good either.
I had an US of my thyroid when my Dr felt a nodule in my neck. When I told her I was still tired all the time after being on Met for 4 months, she ran the Hashi test. It came back positive and the US revealed a goiter and a bunch of nodules. My mom also has nodules and with everything else going on, we decided the best way to go was to take the thyroid out. I just had my surgery this week. I am now on Armor Thyroid and feel a little better. I know it may take while, but I also have to get the stuff out of my system fromt he surgery.
Hashimotos thyroiditis 
