hypothyroidism and what to expect

[jewel57]

Hi everyone
I have been following this forum for quiet a while, i have finally seen an endocrinoligist and been diagnosed with hypothyroidism
my tsh on the 13/8 was 8.9 and antibodies were TG 500 and TPO 4673
the endo put me on 50mg of thyroxine and said I would have blood test every 2 months and stay on this hormone for the rest of life
my problem is I didnt ask any questions as I didnt know what to ask
i am going back in feb and would like to know what questions I should be asking
also I believe I have an autoimmune disease because of the antibodies
but I dont really understand all of this
should I be having other tests
could someone please help me out

[GravesLady]

FYI - Antibodies are not curable nor treatable - there is nothing that can be done about them.  The damaged thyroid due to the antibodies attacking is what is treated.

FIY - You want copies of your test with Labs reference range in which you can follow your progress and in time have an influence in you treatment.

My doctor does with the  TSH, Ft-4 and F/T-3.  
If you need other test, like for nodule, etc., doctor will know this and order more test.

Ask doctor what he thinks your optimal level would be.  In other wards, what level is he trying to achieve for you.

FIY - After each med. does change you need retesting minimum of 6 weeks to max. 12 weeks after starting new dose.

FIY - We are always here to help and answer your questions as best as we can..... feel free!

[jewel57]

Thankyou for your help graveslady
another question if i may ask

is autoimmune disease different than hypothyroidism
I mean have I got 2 different diseases
I am still struggling with my diagnoses
and still a little confused about the whole thing
cheers

[GravesLady]

A person can be hypothyroid and not have autoimmune disease,

but a person can not have autoimmune disease/Hashi without being hypothyroid.

Hypothyroid is what is treated, not the autoimmune disease/Hashi. There is no cure or treatment for autoimmune thyroid.

You have one disease if you are autoimmune thyroid. Think of Hypothyroidism like a symptom of autoimmune thyroid/Hashi.

[jewel57]

Ok, I think i get it tthankyou
another question please

so my thyroid is being attacked by antibodies, does this mean that my thyroid is being eaten up by antibodies and will finally disappear
and then what happens
cheers thankyou

[AR-10]

Hashimoto's disease is the most common form of hypothyroidism. Your thyroid is not functioning as well as it used to because the antibodies are destroying it.

How quickly and severely the disease progresses varies from person to person.

You may go along for years with small increases of meds every so often. You may have a more difficult to control form due to the high TPO count. It is hard to say.

If your thyroid becomes damaged enough, you may need to have it removed or radiated. It may eventually become a swollen, pitted, rotted lump of something you WANT out of your body.

Or, LIKE MOST THYROID PATIENTS, you may be lucky and just take a pill every day, have blood tests done every few months, and live a normal life.

With a TPO as high as yours, you will probably eventually not have a thyroid. It could take years, but the antibodies are going to eat your thyroid.

The best thing you can do is educate yourself regarding Hashimoto's and high antibodies, try not to worry about things that haven't happened, and learn to watch for signs or symptoms that indicate you need tests for things other than just blood work.

Find an Endo you are comfortable with, because you may be forming a life-long relationship, and find a General Physician you trust who understands Hashimoto's thoroughly and is willing to read up if he is not sure of something. The GP will do all the heavy lifting (regular visits and testing) and the Endo will make the important, difficult decisions (when the GP says "time to see the Endo").

Good luck and best wishes.  

[jewel57]

Thankyou

Your comments have been greatly received and I am going to try to do some investigating myself
You have put it in a way that i can understand it
thanks again to AR-10 And graveslady

cheers