Hashimoto's vs. Hypothyroidism

[bknowles]

How is it determined that a patient has Hashimoto's and not just hypothyroidism? I have no signs of goiter or enlargement of the thyroid gland but yet have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Thyroid antibodies against TPO (thyroperoxidase) & Tg (thyroglobulin) - if positive and you have hypothyroidism -- this is Hashimoto's.

[AppleJacs]

I think its when they test your antibodies and they abnormal.  I think thats whats happening with me.  My last blood work came back abnormal antibodies.  I just can't say for sure yet because my follow up its for a while. She will probably tell me then whats going on.

[jd2]

i have hashimotos (and hypothyroidism). when i was first tested they tested my antibodies (which i had - meaning i have hashimotos), and my tsh (which was normal (4 - a little bit higher than normal actually), as i was having a hashimotos attack).
when you have hashimotos your tsh can go up and down depending on whether you are having a hashimotos attack or not, so it could be normal, low or high! this is why they test your antibodies. my tsh was mostly low (hypothyroid), but normal and high during the last hashimotos attack. But i think with hashis you will always have the antibodies.
not sure if that helps?!

[jd2]

oh yeah sorry i dont have a goiter or enlarged thyroid gland either. although they checked for this.