Thyroid Condition: Is it considered an autoimmune disease?

I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It’s autoimmune but there seems to be a genetic link. I have two sister who have had thyroid irradiation. One of them has Graves’ disease.
A couple of nieces have hashimotos.
One niece and I had chronic hives. I think that’s a precursor to hashimotos. I am not sure how helpful that is but it at least shows there may be a genetic predisposition to thyroid disease.

Hoshimotos is an autoimmune disease. Just a normal problem is not from what I understand.

@dablues An autoimmune condition is when the body attacks itself with antibodies turned against the organ. Hashimotos Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease. I have that, and in my case, it seems to have been triggered by old dental silver amalgam fillings according to my environmental medicine doctor. That has been substantiated by my dentist replacing all the old silver fillings which helped my thyroid improve a lot. At one time, the antibody levels were off the charts. After the silver fillings were gone, much lower, and now about 10 years later, there are very little traces of anibodies against my thyroid. Sometimes it is a toxicity of some sort like the mercury that was leaching out of my old dental fillings that caused the immune response. So that also suggests that it is worth looking into prevention with functional medicine or environmental medicine doctor because sometimes things can be changed.

So I have a Low Thyroid does that mean I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? All I was told when I kept gaining weight and was told to eat less when I wasn't a big eater and then they Finally did a thyroid test after a year was that my thyroid was not even in the range at all. So they put me on meds. I have no clue but being my age, and had fillings like you have wondering if I do!

I have low thyroid, hypothyroidism, due to my thyroid being removed. I've never had Hashimoto's, but I was a Graves Disease, hyperthyroidism, causing the need to remove it with radioactive iodine. Just stay ontop of you thyroid levels, get your TSH tests as recommended, or when in doubt request one yourself.

There are other types of hypothyroidism.

So, how do I find out. None of my primary doctors over the years told me why I have it. Just my thyroid level is low. I thought that was a normal answer. I didn't think their were other things involved with it.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease when I finally made the trip to Mayo in March of this year. What a difference the medication has done on my life already!
I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is an Autoimmune Disease as well. We were told at Mayo that once you are diagnosed with an AI, it’s very likely that you have others.

@nana75165 I’m so glad I saw your post just now in another group...regarding the Canadian Honker restaurant! A favorite of ours too! Especially the cocoanut cake! LOL

I’d not seen any other posts and was wondering how your trip to Mayo turned out and if there was any news. Wow! It’s wonderful you’re already experiencing a positive impact from the medication. What a relief for you and your family.

What medications are you taking to treat your thyroid and RA?
It could be beneficial to other members to share your story. ☺️
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rheumatoid-arthritis-ra-introduce-yourself-and-meet-others/

@dablues Autoimmune diseases can be very confusing. You’re wondering if low thyroid, which you have, means that you have Hashimotos. Correct? Did you see an endocrinologist when you were diagnosed with low thyroid? They are the best doctors to ask questions of. Do you have a good endocrinologist in your area?