Hashimotos - More Informaton

[Aaria]

Hi There

I am a 26 year old female with HASHIS, I am 8 months pregnant with my second child. With my first pregnancy My levels went from hyperthyroidism to normal levels, I had a normal pregnancy and have a healthy 3year old.  Only found out that my levels were not right in my 7th week of pregnancy where my TSH was 10 and my t4 was 12.5. Started on altroxin and my levels have been closely monitored and they are perfectly normal and I feel great.

My specialist and my gynae have assured me that my baby will be fine and that his thyroid levels will also be checked after he is born.

1.  I would like to know why is it that high tsh levels can affect an unborn fetus and not the tyroid hormone when that is what the baby requires.

2.  As well as what are my chances of leading a healthy normal life if the thyroid levels are controlled and maintained within the required levels.

3.  Can a person remain on one dosage or does it always happen that more hormone is required.

4.  I also understand that Hashis is associated with other autoimmune diseases, does this mean that you will definitely get it,that you should be screened for others or that the chances of getting other autoimmune diseases such as addersons and diabetes type 1 is very high.

5.  If levels are controlled do other symptoms still persist and do antibody levels decrease if the disease is controlled.

6. Do you always develop a goitre( my tests have shown that I dnt have one yet)

Thanks

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The outcome should be fine given a high tsh of 10 and appropriate control subsequently.  most pregnancies need a 25-40% increase in thyroid, return to pre-pregnancy dose (provided it was appropriate) post-partum.

hashi usually is not accompanied by other autoimmune diseases and antibodies persist and may not decrease with treatment.  goiter development is variable.

[cosmicsoul]

1) TSH shows how much thyroid hormone you are producing - or supplementing dose if it is low or high. It does not effect your baby - thyroid hromone or lack of it effects. TSH is the thyroid stimilating hormone that sends signals from the brain to the thyroid to produce hormones. It if is high - you are not taking or producing enough. If it is a low number you are producing or taking too much thyroid hromone.
2) If you have hypothyroidism even after the birth of your baby - you will have a good chance of living well with hypothyroidism but it will require effort, right medication, correct dosage, life style change and self awareness along with research to live the best life you can live. Doctors will not do 1/4 of these for you so you have to kind of self empower yourself and gain knowledge in the hypothyroid field.
3) Adjustment during the pregnancy and after or for life is required for people who are hypothyroid. The body can fluctuate, so controlling and monitoring it for life is advised.
4) You may not get another autoimmune disease, but the chances that you will is higher. Testing for the 100 something autoimmune disease is proably not logical to do. I suggest you to listen to your body and get annual exams for general blood work, thyroid and such and reqest testing when you are symptomatic.
5) It is hard to tell how your health will be. Some people are doing well when their TSH is really high, some do really bad when their TSH is really low like 3. Especially if you have Hashis - you will be more sensitive than a healthy person. It is the best to educate yourself and live according to the best recommendations as far as the hypothyroid person with autoimmune disease is concerned. You always have to reevaluate your dosage and make sure that you feel well.
6) No. Your doctor should be able to feel this out or you can request an ultrasound to check your lobes for goiter or nodules. I wish you good luck!

[cosmicsoul]

1) TSH shows how much thyroid hormone you are producing - or supplementing dose if it is low or high. It does not effect your baby - thyroid hromone or lack of it effects. TSH is the thyroid stimilating hormone that sends signals from the brain to the thyroid to produce hormones. It if is high - you are not taking or producing enough. If it is a low number you are producing or taking too much thyroid hromone.
2) If you have hypothyroidism even after the birth of your baby - you will have a good chance of living well with hypothyroidism but it will require effort, right medication, correct dosage, life style change and self awareness along with research to live the best life you can live. Doctors will not do 1/4 of these for you so you have to kind of self empower yourself and gain knowledge in the hypothyroid field.
3) Adjustment during the pregnancy and after or for life is required for people who are hypothyroid. The body can fluctuate, so controlling and monitoring it for life is advised.
4) You may not get another autoimmune disease, but the chances that you will is higher. Testing for the 100 something autoimmune disease is proably not logical to do. I suggest you to listen to your body and get annual exams for general blood work, thyroid and such and reqest testing when you are symptomatic.
5) It is hard to tell how your health will be. Some people are doing well when their TSH is really high, some do really bad when their TSH is really low like 3. Especially if you have Hashis - you will be more sensitive than a healthy person. It is the best to educate yourself and live according to the best recommendations as far as the hypothyroid person with autoimmune disease is concerned. You always have to reevaluate your dosage and make sure that you feel well.
6) No. Your doctor should be able to feel this out or you can request an ultrasound to check your lobes for goiter or nodules. I wish you good luck!

[Nuch]

Hi I'm 43 year old male with hashimoto & I have symptoms like fast heartbeat palps & skipped beats,had all kinds of test done by my cardio doc & he said everything is ok with my heart.My tsh varied from 5.6 to 12.86 but my endo says he wont treat me for now. Has anyone had hyper symptoms with hashimoto.
Thank Nuccio

[cosmicsoul]

Your ENDO is an IDIOT. Please find another one. A TSH over 2 should be looked at and treated. Palpitations could be from the hyper episode that all hypos go through before becoming hypo. Hashimotos with high TSH should be treated with THYROID HORMONE. If your ENDO does not know that - his license should be taken back. Fire him and seek a good doctor who will listen to YOU! Hashimotos needs treatment... Especially with a high TSH! Please post your comment again so the doctor here can comment on it too OK? Good luck to you - please get treatment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unhappymoto]

I have experienced severe hyperthyroidism with Hashi's, severe bulging eyes to say the least, and worst of all the coma!