Hashimoto's Disease

Posted by suerte @suerte, Feb 28, 2025

Just recently through a routine blood test I was diagnosed with "hypothyroidism" which is an underperforming thyroid. High TSH levels. I was put on Levothyroxine and now my thyroid TSH level is back in the normal range.
I have numerous overactive autoimmune systems issues when doing a search for the impact of autoimmune system on the thyroid I came upon this information.
Hashimoto's Disease
Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Causes
In Hashimoto's disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and damage. This damage reduces the thyroid's ability to produce thyroid hormones.

The internet is a dangerous place, and you can diagnose yourself with all kinds of disease. I have no idea if I have Hashimoto's, but only post this to wonder if anyone has actually been diagnosed.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

Profile picture for fionalauren @fionalauren

So I now have 3 different opinions from 3 different people on my symptoms.
Two are doctors, one is a thyroid expert.
Functional MD says my thyroid labs are all normal/great even though on the higher end, and that all my symptoms are from low iron. My iron is the best it's been for years though, so this doesn't make sense to me. My ferritin is 28, (it was 19 before surgery and never had symptoms like I do now) he wants it bw 50-100. He advised not to go on thyroid meds, that it will disrupt or suppress my natural thyroid function which is good atm.
Another online thyroid MD wants me to get my TSH to 1.5-2 and take Armor Thyroid, lowest 15mg dose. Third Thyroid expert says all symptoms are Hashimotos and wants me to go on LDN for antibodies. I had been on LDN last year briefly. But my antibodies at present are 389 which has greatly reduced from months prior where they were over 900, so this also makes no sense why I would feel worse when my iron is better and my antibodies are better.
None of them make sense. I realise many people say even if their thyroid labs are normal they don't feel great and feel better on thyroid meds. I don't know if I should try the Armor or not now. Why do none of the doctor seem to know how to deal with thyroid. Argh.

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@fionalauren
Do you have heavy menstrual cycles and are you vegetarian or vegan? This can make it hard to bring up your iron levels. I had to have a d&c to remove 3 polyps causing extremely heavy periods and I had an IUD put in. I was iron deficient like you at the same time I was dealing with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. They never treated my Hashimoto’s with any medication. Now I want to go check my TPO to see if I should be treated. 😉

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Profile picture for dlydailyhope @dlydailyhope

@fionalauren
If I was in your situation, I would want to improve thyroid function and bring down your TSH (your pituitary is working hard to make thyroid hormone). I would also want to improve your iron since oxygen is not being optimally carried throughout your body which causes widespread problems over time.

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thanks for this! I agree with you, BUT
The functional MD says thyroid hormone will disrupt my currently normal/healthy working thyroid, as does the thyroid expert who is pretty experienced. However I am surprised Dr seems so sure my symptoms are from low iron, especially as it is steadily improving, so I am onto that and have been for months. Funct MD suggested doubling my iron bisglycinate supplement daily dose. It is the only supplement I can tolerate, cannot even tolerate infusions, I have a reaction.

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Profile picture for dlydailyhope @dlydailyhope

@fionalauren
Do you have heavy menstrual cycles and are you vegetarian or vegan? This can make it hard to bring up your iron levels. I had to have a d&c to remove 3 polyps causing extremely heavy periods and I had an IUD put in. I was iron deficient like you at the same time I was dealing with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. They never treated my Hashimoto’s with any medication. Now I want to go check my TPO to see if I should be treated. 😉

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yes I have heavy cycles. I have been anaemic in the past and consistently low iron for a while (not anemia). I also have endometriosis.
LDN is suggested for hashimotos to lower antibodies, if you haven't already tried this. Also obviously AIP diet etc. My TPO has lowered a fair bit without specific medications. Most doctors will say the antibodies will always be present.
I don't want to take any medication unnessarily, it's a big deal for me to start thyroid meds. Especially since levothyroxine made me so unwell. But at the moment I am dizzy non stop and just cannot know whose opinion to take.

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Profile picture for bereese @bereese

I have had hypothyroidism since 1991 and after having covid in 2020 it escalated to hashimotos and then Thyroid Eye Disease.... my thyroid meds have changed 15 or 20 times since 2020 and now I take two thyroid meds and get checked every 6 months... some of your symptoms will improve with some exercise and determination. Hang in there❣️

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I developed the bulging eyes you can get with TEDs. I elected to have the surgery vs that 500,000-dollar biologic that works 80% of the time. The surgery has a success rate of 95% and Dr. Soparker , here in Houston, who is a PhD, MD, plastic surgeon invented the procedure.
Now the eye orbs have been pulled back into each space, and I look normal again. Medicare paid for the surgeries.

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Profile picture for urbanjane @urbanjane

I developed the bulging eyes you can get with TEDs. I elected to have the surgery vs that 500,000-dollar biologic that works 80% of the time. The surgery has a success rate of 95% and Dr. Soparker , here in Houston, who is a PhD, MD, plastic surgeon invented the procedure.
Now the eye orbs have been pulled back into each space, and I look normal again. Medicare paid for the surgeries.

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My eyes hardly bulge and at 78 yrs old it's not a huge worry with no change since 2021, but I'm happy to know the surgery works if my eyes do get worse! I wish you good health and happiness🥰

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Please check your iodine levels. Been there. Done that.

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Yes, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism in November of 2023 and take Synthroid to control my Hypothyroidism. I have eliminated eating Gluten, Dairy and Soy from my diet to control my Hashimoto’s. My body inflammation dropped to almost 0 after doing this diet for a few weeks. There is a good book I read written by Izabella Wentz, M.D. on how to treat Hashimoto’s that I thought was very helpful. The book is called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause. You won’t be disappointed in this book as she simply breaks things down so you can easily understand it. All I can tell you is that I am much better now than when I was first diagnosed and that’s because of this book. Good luck on your health journey!

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