Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's just over a year ago. My doctor caught it on a fluke while looking for any autoimmune condition that could explain how terrible I was feeling.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and my blood work came back with a reading of 501 when testing for anti-thyoglobulin anti-bodies on a scale from 0-40 being normal.
At the same time I was diagnosed with borderline Celiac disease. I saw an endocrinologist and he recommended treating both holistically with a gluten free diet as research has been showing a link between the two. My TSH was 2.9 but still within a normal range and they didn't want to start me on thyroid medicine just yet.
It's over a year later and I'm waiting on a second anti-thyoglobulin anti-body test to see if the holistic approach has helped. My most recent TSH was 1.2.
The doctors found it early enough that with a controlled diet they are hoping to keep me off of thyroid medicine for as long as possible.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and my blood work came back with a reading of 501 when testing for anti-thyoglobulin anti-bodies on a scale from 0-40 being normal.
At the same time I was diagnosed with borderline Celiac disease. I saw an endocrinologist and he recommended treating both holistically with a gluten free diet as research has been showing a link between the two. My TSH was 2.9 but still within a normal range and they didn't want to start me on thyroid medicine just yet.
It's over a year later and I'm waiting on a second anti-thyoglobulin anti-body test to see if the holistic approach has helped. My most recent TSH was 1.2.
The doctors found it early enough that with a controlled diet they are hoping to keep me off of thyroid medicine for as long as possible.
Sorry for the reason you're here but, glad you found us.
I am very impressed about the fact that your endo recommended a holistic approach for you via gluten-free diet.
However, I will not deny that I'm concerned about the decision to keep you off thyroid meds for as long as possible. What was the reason?
Most importantly, how are you feeling?
While many other health conditions can cause the symptoms shared on the site I'm linking below, it gives a good idea of just how hypothyroidism can manifest. Please know that the site mirrors what I've read in thyroid textbooks about the systemic manifestations of hypothyroidism.....it's just written in "English" vs. medicalese.
http://hypothyroidmom.com/300-hypothyroidism-symptoms-yes-really/
If you are dealing with a number of symptoms, you might want to consider pursuing thyroid meds.
TSH alone doesn't tell us much. It's a pituitary hormone and thyroid status is best confirmed by looking at the actual thyroid hormone levels - FreeT4 and FreeT3.
Your older TSH 2.9 fell within a too-high normal range. Most healthy people have TSH around 1.
Yes, your TSH is "better" now but, people can have raging hypothyroidism with a TSH such as that. It again brings us back to the need of checking the actual thyroid hormone levels.
Here's an article written by a doctor who knows how to diagnose and treat hypothyroidism:
http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/diagnosis_comp.htm
Endocrinologists cling to this TSH test as the gold standard - problem is that people with auto immune issues such as Hashi's will suffer because their TSH can remain in the "normal" range for literally YEARS while their Free T4 and Free T3 levels bottom out.
Get your Free T3 and Free T4 tested (your TSH doesn't mean much at this point but if they want to test it so be it). Then decide if you need treatment with a doc who is willing to work with you and not dictate to you. This may mean going back to your GP or going to another doctor (avoid endo-criminologists they live and die by the TSH while their patients suffer and die...).
But it's worth it to feel better.
He had been researching the link between Celiac and Hashimito's and upon discovering my Celiac he was concerned that some the assault on my thyroid was caused by the constant inflammation my entire body was going through from gluten.
Being 30 with no nodules, normal TSH and another autoimmune disease he decided to wait and see. He wanted me off gluten for a year and wanted my numbers run again and every year there after.
He told me that no matter what I will have to go on medication in the future but for now we are just monitoring.
I've since moved across the country and have a great GP. I'll ask her to run those other tests, I didn't know to about them.