<p>Does anyone know anything about this disorder, and if there is any treatment? Any symptoms with it? Thanks.</p>
<p>I happen to have an article that one of my endocrinologist’s wrote many years ago with regard to the diagnostic features of the various forms of thyroiditis. Under the heading Hashimoto’s thyroiditis the following features were noted: enlarged, nontender firm gland, showing lymphocytic infiltration microscopically; high antithyroglobulin antibody titer; elevated serum TSH level in later stages; uneven thyroid scan - “hill and valley” distribution; positive iodide-perchlorate discharge test. There should be updated info with reference to current treatment on medical websites relating to Hashimoto’s/thyroid endocrine disorders, etc.</p>
<p>It’s an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland which usually eventually results in a need for oral thyroid hormone replacement. I have this condition, and it’s quite common. I have a small goiter which is not that noticeable, and my thyroid levels are well controlled. I’m 48 and was diagnosed with this a couple of years ago - all sorts of weird, seemingly unrelated symptoms which were caused by low thyroid production. Dry skin, thinning hair, cold all the time, female hormone wackiness, foggy thinking, achy muscles, etc. I’m fine now, don’t ever even think about.</p>
<p>I had it years and years ago and ended up with the thyroidectomy and subsequent replacement medication- no problems. The symptoms were extreme hyperthyroidism- I miss that high energy level and the ability to eat anything I wanted and burn it off!</p>
<p>nyumom, Thanks. newtoallthis, your screen name is how I feel. I was diagnosed with this today. I have many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism but always had them. Some have mildly increased in severity, so I went to an endocrinologist because I knew that I had a granmother with a goiter. I had bloodwork done, and my T3, T4, TSH are all normal, but my TPO was “off the charts”. I really don’t know what off the charts would be, but lets just say that number jumped off the page for me. The doctor told me that I don’t require treatment, but to just have a blood test done with my regular doc in one year. That was it. He told me that I don’t even need to see him again. There was little discussion except to tell me that in a few months, or in 20 years, I would probably, but not definitely, be diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I currently have no goiter, so he said that I more than likely will not develop one. I do have a family history because my grandmother had a rather large goiter (at least I considered it to be large).</p>
<p>Somemom, I just cross posted with you. Oh, I wish it were hyperthyroidism instead. I know that one can get hyperthyroidism before the thyroid burns out, but I unfortunately don’t have those symptoms!</p>
<p>Northeastmom - I have been hypothyroid since I was diagnosed with acute goiter at 10, and developed Hashimoto’s after the birth of my second D. Once I started producing the antibodies (the autoimmune thing where you are trying to kill off a part of yourself), I started going HYPERthyroid since that was my thyroid’s way of “defending itself” - lost a ton of weight. Then when the ol’ thyroid just gave up the ghost I went big time hypo and pretty much was left with no metabolism at all. All the symptoms stated in previous posts are possible…the female part so bad for me that I had to eventually have surgery.</p>
<p>My one suggestion - get a good endocrinologist!! While many with this disease can be diagnosed and/or treated by their general physician or an OB/GYN if female, an endo is the best way to go. It may be months or years before your levels (and dose of hormone replacement) are stable, and you should be retested every six months once that is reached, since any of a number of things may result in your needing an adjustment.</p>
<p>Another suggestion - read “The Thyroid Solution” by Dr. Ridha Arem. My endo recommended this to me when I was going through the “female hormone wackiness”. The chapters on dietary adjustment and dealing with depression saved me, literally.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post, but PM me if you have specific questions.</p>
<p>Looks like we cross posted…glad you have an endo!</p>
<p>I was diagnosed at age 9 and have dealt with this ever since. Medication dosages change several times a year, which is annoying. But it is completely treatable. Just make sure to get blood tests several times a year and take your medication at the same time every day on an empty stomach.</p>
<p>This must be my week for contributions to the CC health threads - first diabetes, now Hashimoto’s Disease! (Really, I’m not that sickly… really.)</p>
<p>I’ve had Hashimoto’s disease for 18 years, but in my case, I had a small goiter and was hypothyroid from the start. All in all, it’s not that big a problem - as zoosermom said, you have your tests and you take your meds (when/if the time comes). Sometimes it takes a while to find the right dosage, as Rachacha said.</p>
<p>I always thought it was funny when my endocrinologist told me that the symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, dry skin, weight gain, and feeling cold. Sounds like winter time in Michigan - which it was…</p>
<p>NEM- clear your PM box, you are full!</p>
<p>I was diagnosed about 14 weeks after my first son was born, when I had a goiter the size of a tennis ball. Yes, really. I got a good endo who started me right away on Synthroid, and it took several months until I felt sort of normal. (I remember the endo asking me if I was tired. Well, yes, but I have a three-month-old. Are you thirsty? Well, yes, but I’m breastfeeding. Are you cold? Well yes, but it’s January in New York.) </p>
<p>That was almost 23 years ago and I’ve been on Synthroid ever since. I get checked every year or so and sometimes they adjust my dosage (usually up). </p>
<p>It is an autoimmune disorder, and about four years after the Hashimoto’s was diagnosed, I developed some other nasty autoimmune symptoms – dry eyes and dry mouth, resulting in a diagnosis of something funky called Sjogren’s syndrome.</p>
<p>So find a good endo and stick with him/her.</p>
<p>somemom, Sorry. The PMs just flooded in all at once, LOL!</p>
<p>Thank you all for these posts, and for the PMs. I had no idea as to how common this seems to be. I am going to definitely follow up with another opinion after the holidays, since this doctor does not want to treat me, and only wants to monitor me right now.</p>
<p>I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis probably 12 years ago. I think my situation was rather unusual, though. I was at the ENT for a sinus infection, and while he was examining my glands, he felt a very small lump on my thyroid (every consultation I had after this, people asked who found the lump because it was so small - they were impressed). So off I went to an endocrine surgeon for evaluation. Let me preface this by saying I grew up in the Houston area with access to the Medical Center, so I tend to be pretty particular about doctors I see, and always search out the top of their game. So I found one in the Chicago area, who followed me for quite a few months. There were a few tests… scans, biopsies, etc. None of my blood work came back not normal, so he wanted to follow me medically. Put me on the synthroid equivalent to see if the thyroid would settle down and allow the tumors (there were two other very, very small ones) to dissipate. But it didn’t happen, so I had surgery to remove 1/2 of my thyroid. Although I could still live perfectly fine with the other 1/2, he (and other endocrinologists agreed) told me that the best way to avoid the inflamation of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was to maintain the synthroid, that by taking over for my thyroid, it would essentially keep the thyroid from producing the tumors.</p>
<p>So I’ve been on levoxyl ever since the surgery, get my blood work up done once a year, and everything has been fine. No more tumors.</p>
<p>Since my surgery, one of my cousins developed Grave’s disease and we learned that the two are somewhat genetically linked, that it’s not surprising to find both located within relatives.</p>
<p>That was my experience… the surgery was actually relatively easy - I wouldn’t be surprised if they do it with a one-night stay now. My worst complications were due more to the breathing tube down my throat and the hyper extended position that my neck was in during the surgery. I had internal stitches, but they used steri-strips on the outside, so you have to really look to see the scar.</p>
<p>However, I return to my original disclaimer of locating a top-notch endocrine surgeon/endocrinologist. The surgeon I saw just does thyroid surgery - that’s all; he’s affiliated with a major medical school. There are some risks associated with the surgery that have to do with nerves leading to the vocal cords. If they are traumatized, there can be complications. Other than that, I’m not aware of any other particular risks.</p>
<p>teriwitt, If you had not had surgery, and took the synthroid, would the tumors have shrunk on their own? I currently do not have a goiter. The doctor thinks that since I have not developed one that I probably will not go on to develop one. This is probably gentically linked for me too. I had a grandmother who had a goiter ever since I can remember. Eventually she had it surgically removed, but she must have lived with it for years before surgery (I remember her enlarged neck).</p>
<p>Notheastmom - I’m not teriwitt, so I obviously can’t speak to her tumors, but over the years my small goiter did eventually grow to a size that needed attention. In my case, I was given the option of surgery or radioactive iodine. I chose the latter (fear of surgery!) and have not regretted it. PM me if you’re curious about the details.</p>
<p>The worst part was the 6 weeks of the low-iodine diet I had to eat before the procedure. I couldn’t eat ANYTHING! (… or so it felt.) Who knew there was so much salt/iodine hidden in everyday food??</p>
<p>scout59, I sent a PM to you. I am very curious. I am trying to learn everything that I can about this. Thank you very much for offering me the information.</p>
<p>NEmom, my husband has this. He went almost a decade undiagnosed and we almost lost him. He was diagnosed when his mom, my motherinlaw, called to say she had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (Hashi’s). We looked it up to see what in the heck that was, and went, “WooooOOOoooo. THIS is what you have, too.” He called the doc the next day who was skeptical, and H’s TSH levels were off the chart. H. had every symptom in the book and doc could have picked it up had he been more in tune with symptoms, but men are supposedly less likely to have this.</p>
<p>Symptoms:</p>
<ul>
<li>Your whole system is sluggish, since the thyroid controls your metabolic rate.</li>
<li>Swollen face </li>
<li>Swollen hands (palm side can look yellowish, fingers swollen) (my H. had carpal tunnel surgery)</li>
<li>Itchy skin (We tried every skin cream to no avail)</li>
<li>Dry hair</li>
<li>Constipation</li>
<li>Achy joints (H. could not kneel, carry baby in backpack, could not jump, was considering surgery)</li>
<li>FUZZY BRAIN (difficulty thinking)</li>
<li>Sensitivity to cold (air conditioning will drive you nuts in summer)</li>
<li>Low energy</li>
<li>Low libido</li>
<li>Depression (Wouldn’t you be depressed with all these symptoms?)</li>
<li>Often high blood pressure and high cholesterol come along with Hashi’s - I don’t know why, not sure current medical system accepts that there is an association with Hashi’s and BP + cholesterol. But when you go on BP meds with undiagnosed Hypo, it seems to drag you down fast (at least it did my H. and a friend with same).</li>
</ul>
<p>Get on this list - very very helpful:</p>
<p>[Thyroid</a> Disease - Hypothyroidism - Hyperthyroidism - Cancer - Autoimmune Disease](<a href=“http://thyroid.about.com/]Thyroid”>http://thyroid.about.com/)</p>
<p>Two more things:</p>
<p>1) Research adding T3 to your medicines (in addition to the standard T4 that the doc’s will prescribe). You are on a journey, and the first medical regime you go on will not be your last. You will be adjusting med’s for a while as your body adjusts, but your doc’s likely won’t tell you this. You will have to do some self advocating, some studying up, and some finding of a good doc who will work with you. Some doc’s will be great, some not so much. Finding the right doc will help a ton.</p>
<p>2) This runs in families. When my mom in law was diagnosed, so were my H. and all his cousins. Looking back we realized his Uncle had died early of heart disease, and had many symptoms (it’s his daughters who have all been diagnosed). Mominlaw was diagnosed when she told her doc she felt she was going down same road as HER mom (H’s grandmother.) who had never been diagnosed but lived many years in a mental twighlight state (Fuzzy brain to the nth degree).</p>
<p>Make sure all the folks in your family hear your story, and have your kids checked. We have both children checked every 5 years (simple blood test).</p>
<p>Good luck, hon. It’s great that the doc’s are catching this thing earlier than later these days, because I’m telling you it’s no good to live with Hashi’s undiagnosed for a decade. And Hyperthyroid is no fun at all, either - racing heart and pulse, coughing, anxiety, weight loss, bone loss, diahrea. One of the benefits of adding T3 is you can decrease your T4 and stay out of the Hyper zone…but you will learn all this. </p>
<p>Bottom line:
You will feel so much better on the proper meds!!!</p>
<p>Adding one thing: Another poster recommended Dr. Arem’s book. Do not walk, RUN to the library/bookstore and get this book. It’s a bible. Especially since your are in a borderline situation, with one wacky number…this book will help you understand what’s going on.</p>
<p>My mother has it and is 98 today. Doctor just upped her amount. I have had it for over 10 years and just got my medicine increased. I was borderline for awhile and now feel like a new person! If you have this, treatment can change your life!</p>
<p>Overseas, how is mother doing at 98? Not asking because of Hashimoto’s, but because it is wonderful to be 98, if you are healthy for a 98 y/o. Glad to hear that you are feeling better.</p>
<p>firsttimemom, I am going to need to get the bookstore. I am glad that your H’s doc finally diagnosed him. Sorry it had to get to such a serious point. Right now my DH is laughing at my diagnosis, but I guess it is not so funny if left unchecked. Currently I am not not requiring meds (according to that doctor anyway). Seems that there are differing opinions for someone with my numbers. Oh, and about those sympoms, the doctor dismissed them, as vague symptoms that many people have who do not have a thyroid disorder. I am sure that this is true too, but it is frustrating.</p>
<p>northeastmom - the surgery was done after a many month’s trial of medication, with hopes to shrink the tumors, but that didn’t work. This is why I was insistent on working with the best there was in this field - my surgeon actually treated me for almost nine months before we decided surgery was needed - experience shows that many surgeons would have just taken the surgery approach from the beginning. At least I felt we tried the other option. </p>
<p>They had biopsied the tumors (in his office - took about 10 minutes) toward the beginning to make sure we weren’t dealing with something malignant. But they also biopsied them after surgery to double check, and I was given the all clear. During this time, I was told thyroid cancer (if it was that) is the most treatable form of cancer there is.</p>
<p>northeastmom - I understand your anxiety. This was my first major medical issue as a young adult (I was in my early 30s). It literally scared the crap out of me - I had just weaned my youngest child (actually I used one of the tests as an excuse to wean her since she couldn’t nurse for a couple of days with the chemicals they gave me - besides, she was over two and I was ready). I became so anxious that I lost my appetite… that was my way of dealing with stress at the time. I dropped to 100 lbs. on a 5’6" frame which then added to my worries - I knew this was not healthy. But I knew it had nothing to do with the thyroid - it was all stress related, not knowing what was growing in my body.</p>
<p>Once the surgery was over and I was reassured there was no cancer, my appetite returned and I began to put the weight back on.</p>
<p>I would just like to reiterate that for the most part, my numbers were relatively normal, but upon examination, the endocrine surgeon could tell my thyroid was inflamed and ‘spongy’. That, with the tumors is what led him to diagnose Hashimoto’s. It’s not unusual for someone to not have all the landmarks of Hashimoto’s, yet have it. It takes a very accomplished clinician to follow it.</p>
<p>I also want to make it clear, I never had a goiter - I had small tumors growing within the thyroid.</p>