Hashimotos
 

What is Hoshimotos:confused:?

Thank you,

Chronic progressive thyroiditis, or Hashimoto's disease, is a disorder of the thyroid gland where antibodies are produced by the body to work against the thyroid gland.

It's a fairly common autoimmune condition mostly (but not always) affecting women, and it causes the thyroid to become enlarged (goitre).

There have been a number of posts about the condition here on the site, and a search has brought up the following : http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/se...to%27s+disease

I also did a Google search for you and found heaps of information.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...imotos+disease

I hope you find something helpful amongst it all.

I had had hypo-thyroid for a number of years...then?
 

Came the 'hashimoto's', diagnosed two years after my neuropathy onset.
Hypo-active thyroid usually occurs in women entering menopause and is easily treated with thyroid substitutes. It often takes a long while to get treatment doses to the 'just rite' level. As we are changing during the whole meno process. However Hashi's is when your bodie's antibodies attack and kill the thyroid. Still treatment are the thyroid substitutes.
This is a good site to check out [click on the blue] http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyroid.html This site will give you more than you ever wanted to know about the endocrine system and you'll find that some other parts of that system can 'kick in' to a limited degree and help things along. But meds are a super boost to the overall problem.
Do a web search of 'Hashimoto's' and stick to what appear to be reliable medical sites such as the NIH and many research hospitals. Don't get swayed by any site that 'promises' cures! Don't even GO there!
The endo system is a complicated one, and one that does a heap of work for our bodies that we never appreciate until? Learn, ask questions and become amazed at how your body deals with it all.
Since Hashi's is an Autoimmue issue? Take a look at the Autoimmune forum further down the NT menu. It's just super that you got diagnosed so fast! Super job by your docs! Some folks go for years in misery and aren't diagnosed. :hug::hug::hug:'s - j

Watch for any sudden weight loss
 

I've had Hashimoto's - basically an underactive thyroid with autoimmune issues (Koala77's post is excellent) - for about 15 years (my husband had Grave's until medivac'd from Iceland by the Navy for radio-a treatment to deactivate his thyroid - we've had interesting discussions re: Synthroid for years ;) ).

In March, '09, 4 months after surgery for a simple broken hip and pelvis, I started losing weight dramatically. Drs 1st wrote it off to inactivity, but I suddenly developed projectile vomiting to the point of not keeping food or water down. Drs started new treatments and also responded to what they thought was Raynaud's (my symptoms were severely painful, pure white hands - an innocent but drastic misdiagnosis).

I then lost 70 lbs in 4 short months, leaving me under 110 lbs at 5'10". My Rheumo arthritis Dr had me rushed to the hospital after 2 blood tests 10 days apart. He was positive that the 1st results were completely misread - they read like something from an autopsy. ER informed my husband that I was 2 hours from death due to organ shutdown caused by severe malnutrition, and to call family rapidly.

Many tests, dollars, and months later, my neurologist pinned it on a "Thyroid Storm". With Hashimoto's and too infrequent blood tests for Synthroid management, other organs "scream" at your thyroid for increased output. Your thyroid "wakes up" and goes into super overdrive like a space shuttle launch. The other organs go into shock from thyroid-output starvation to output overload; a GP will not catch this with longterm Hashimoto patients and blood-testing only during your yearly physical checkup.

Everything happens in what seems like the blink of an eye. The permanent damage of severe malnutrition is irreversible, devastating, and painful beyond belief.

If you do not have them, consider getting a regular endocrinologist and neurologist to help with your Hashimoto management. The best of luck to you, sincerely, in learning to deal with Hashimoto's - just watch out with Hashimoto's, it's sneaky. It can cause a life-and-death situation in an instant and the longer a person has it, like me, the less attention is paid to it, as if it were poison oak from a nice weekend camping trip.

I really hope this helps you and anyone else new to Hashimoto's. I learned, almost too late.

I too had a 'storm' after my neuro PN onset?
 

Took about 3 years to actually get Hashi's as a diagnosis...,but only following other immune issues 'popping' up!
That 'storm' was both fast, dramatic, scary and well- more? Every doc sort of went "DUH"? Afterwards... To which several years later I go HUH? WHY DIDN'T you catch something soo common and so easily fixed?
I grant you, that mine hadn't gotten to your point of issues, but bad enuf! May we all learn from each other and not repeat these problems! And...may others learn not to just 'ignore' some things!
Sometimes it creeps up on you? Other times it can crash down on you! But it can and does happen! Do Not Ignore some of those signs! Either way, ignoring it all can do more damage to you that you really do not need.
Hope and good docs and treatments for all! - j :hug:'s

is the OP referring to thyroid or encephalitis??

Dahlek, you are truly a rare and precious resource for us! You need to go kick some Dr's backsides, and I'll join you! Thyroid Storms are yes, so very, very common and so treatable...when caught early. But, they are most common in the Graves crowd, and fairly rare in us Hashi's. Hashimoto is truly more of an autoimmune disease and toys with the thyroid, as almost an afterthought. However, a storm is a Storm is a STORM in either case!!! Drs see Hashimoto history and toss a possible storm right out the window - to them, they're taught it is rarely a consideration.

Dahlek is dead on, As the one with the diagnosis, NEVER ignore a symptom that is different to YOU . Pound the change into your Dr's head, if you have to (if he's clinging to schooling that says "Nah, this shouldn't be happening"). Learn all you can from others. That might very well save your life,

Thanks. It can be sort of hard to ignore tho?
 

When your feet swell up three sizes larger than normal? Obviously this was something that docs could actually SEE.
It was [inevitably] right before a holiday weekend and I was able to get into an emergency medical outlet to get bloodwork done. It wasn't till the following week tho, that the tests came back and f/u w/my GP led to a BIG increase in Synthroid doses.
It was one miserable wait for diagnosis and for treatments to kick in tho... :eek:.
Wish it hadn't gotten to that point, but, at least it's easy to SEE when it happens? Unlike the more subtle things that happened before it becomes a disaster. BTW? It took well over two years for docs to really see it as Hashi's and not just 'hypo-thyroid'. And only after a few other immune issues popped up. Don't forget? You can use your cane as a weapon if necessary [I don't, but it IS a nice thought at times].
:hug::hug:'s to all and hang in there! - j

Dead on, again, Dahlek. Edema is pretty hard to ignore when you first see it, and you have none of the common conditions that cause it (congestive heart failure, COPD, diabetes, etc). Your storm screamed. My storm took the sneaky route. No matter the method the storm chooses, the recipient suffers, big time. My old mantra that a storm is always a storm :winky: I had a new GP who did the most basic of thyroid tests, and modestly increased my Synthroid, which was like tossing gasoline on a raging fire. But, the sudden and extreme neuropathy I presented, and the massive weight loss? Come on, some Dr people! :rolleyes:

More importantly, thanks for pointing out, again, that Hashimoto's and hypo-thyroid really are two different animals. I really did a mis-service in my initial post.

My Hashimoto's was diagnosed because of autoimmune issues, long before it hit on my thyroid. Unfortunately, it is easier for GPs to lump Hashi and hypo together when the patient does Not have Hashi and the thyroid first is noted with low output I'm starting to think we're a pretty good team, here :) :)

Hi,

I'm sorry, but the more I read about the thyroid and the more values I see as to what is in/not in the normal range, the more confused I get.

Was told by the endo that I "probably" have Hasimoto's. What does "probably" mean. Did he say that because I was diagnosed just prior with Sjogren's/neuropathy.

Somebody suggested I ask the doc if I should be taking BETWEEN the 0.25 and 0.50mcg dose based upon my most recent numbers, or something like 0.37 mcg. Guess that would mean cutting the 50 mg caplet to 2/3 its size instead of in half?

Sheltiemom

Usually when no dose exists for an intermediate need, doctors have the patient take the higher dose and skip a day or two per week, or the lower dose and double it a day or two a week.

Since levothyroxine is not "active" but is stored around the body and converted, it does not have an instant effect, like T3 does.

I know my endo would not let me cut my 50 mcg to make 75 when I was raised. (he told me to throw them out)
Since a 37.5 does not exist, the alternative is to skip days with either one step higher or lower.

Are your antibody levels still elevated after years on synthroid/replacement? I was diagnosed in high school and on synthroid for a few decades. Over the last nine years, I've had a lot of neurological problems and medications have been added and adjusted as needed. At one point, a doc re-tested my autoantibodies and I was positive for the thyroid antibodies. I was just reading again about Hashimoto's and it said that antibodies may be positive for a while after starting treatment.......but how long?

This goes to the heart of why I'm here.....trying to understand Hashimoto's encephalopathy. If I'm on replacement hormone, does my body stop attacking the thyroid? Even if I have circulating Abs? Or, if I do have an active immune reaction going on, what are the symptoms?

And I'm researching this concept of "Storm", which I'd never heard of before. If I'm on replacement but a big stressor comes along (like MOVING across the country), could my body push the thyroid to respond? And what would the consequences be?

I had a lot of energy (surprisingly) to deal with the move, and was on overdrive for about three weeks.....lost 10 lbs without working out over about a month's time (could be from moving in the heat, or from my body malfunctioning, don't know). Then I suddenly had trouble sleeping for about five nights, was up for HOURS sweating every night. And then I crashed. Couldn't get out of bed, no energy, stopped losing weight....

I have "adrenal insufficiency", too, so I thought it was that, but since the thyroid deals with metabolism, could it have been the thyroid? Gah, too many malfunctioning parts of me!

question about Hashimoto's and thyroid storm
 

Hello--just joined this forum and am reading your post for the first time. I realize that it has been a while since you posted your message.

My question is in regard to your white hands. I was first diagnosed with a goiter at age 15, and have been on thyroid medication my entire adult life. This past year, it became more apparent that my hands were turning white. I thought that it was vitiligo. It also goes up my forearms on the underside. But earlier in my 20's, I had been diagnosed with Reynaud's disease. This is unlike those symptoms which included a reaction to cold temperatures. My fingers would slowly turn yellowish white, and my toes eventually, turned a blackish red color on the bottom. I took some RX which eventually helped the feet. And over the years, my cold sensitivity waned.

But I am curious about the white hands you have described. A nurse friend had warned me in the past of a thyroid storm.

I appreciate anyone's input they would care to give and share here.
Thanks.

Hashimoto's Disease
 

Boy Everybody, you scare me. I was diagnosed with Hashi's about 25 years ago and have had no problems that I know of related to that. No goiter, in fact the way my dr explained it, he said my body was attacking and destroying my thyroid. I seem to have very little thyroid left. My meds change a little evey once in a while (have been between 88mcg and 125 over 25 years - currently on the low end). Endo says there is an inverse relationship between cholesterol and TSH/T4. Way over my head, guess I wasn't good at chemistry. I accept that. Now, however, I have paresthesia/neuropathy on my face and the question that was brought up was does it have anything to do with autoimmune disease. 7 months with no taste, semi numb (tingling, shooting stars, etc - feels like novocane is wearing off, but it never leaves) lips, mouth, tongue, cheeks and nobody knows why. I thought it was related to the anethetic used (articaine) and now??? New thoughts are going through my head.

Ugh. I'm certainly not new to NeuroTalk but new to this forum. Just diagnosed with this so I'm just learning. (Big sigh.) I'm glad to find there are conversations on NT about Hashimoto's.

Hashimotos and Joint Pain
 

I was diagnosed with Hashimotos a few years ago. Fairly controlled through Synthroid. I've had two break throughs of Hyperthyroid. Back under control with lowered dose of Synthroid.

Over the past 6 months began with joint pain in index finger and 2nd toe. Both are painful but inconclusive with x-rays. Had MRI of foot and it was normal.

There is no swelling just pain.

Very frustrating because I am very active and the joint pain limits the exercise I can do.

Anyone suffer with joint pain? Thanks.

Hello everyone. Been here lately to help daughter with her issues. When she moved away (marriage) her doc found a swelling and ordered Ultrasound of thyroid. Her bloods were ALWAYS "normal" or "within range" Found nodules, removed HALF of LEFT lobe and she was put on synthroid.

Gained 25 pounds within mere weeks. Tired. Crabby. Weepy. Exhausted. Husband filed for divorce. She had JUST signed up for college. oh my.

It was a bad two years for her! Now? Hashimoto's, Hypothyroid, PCOS *she does NOT ovulate, anemic *periods are BAD/painful/heavy/every three weeks, EBV from mono? that does NOT go away I have read, possibly a GLUTEN sensitivity so she is totally gluten free, had Round One of the GARDASIL junk and I just wonder about if that is causing these freakish symptoms? She is TIRED. OVERWEIGHT (but eating a sensible healthy organic diet) and complains alot!! Fogged beyond foggy. New: swollen, red stiff fingers. Hmmm....

She is now on a compounded med for thyroid but it seems to have lost it's usefulness. It is in capsules and I am not sure whether she can increase or decrease. She is a brand new PAID intern for a new job fresh out of college so NO MEDICAL COVERAGE...still!

I think I should order/pay for some new blood work up - but not sure what or which that would indicate what is going on with her finger joints?

I am SURE I will find the info HERE--there is so much and so many great people that are willing to share and suggest! :)

Hashimoto's and swelling
 

I have Hashimoto's (among other things) diagnosed some 15 years ago (following Interferon Alpha therapy for Hep-C--it seems the Interferon may have kicked off the Hashimoto's and other things). Anyway, I've recently had problems with my feet and lower legs swelling up 2 - 3 times normal and the doctor is having trouble finding a cause, so this post got my attention. I'd like more info, please, on edema and Hashimoto's that I could point my MD to.

Thanks!

Did you ever watch any of the youtubes by Dr. R. Tent from Novi, MI about immunity, viruses, vaccines, etc?

He makes alot of sense. Some do not agree with his treatments or way of diagnosing. But he doesn't require you to take dangerous drugs, or expensive damaging tests, or wait until the drug reps leave before he can see you.

I am considering the supplements he suggests and looking into eating for my nutritional type and getting daughter to join me.

I hope you find answers, soon.

Thanks for the site link Dahlek
 

Good to know -- I didn't know the onset of Hashi's was correlated with menopause. I just found out I have entered both stages, so that makes sense why it is now showing up as Hashi's instead of just hypothyroidism. Thanks so much and good thoughts to you!