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Vitiligo and Hashimoto's
First I noticed vitiligo on my inner wrists and a small amount near my mouth. Then a year later was diagnosed as hypothyroid. Next, I seem to not have the general health I used to -- find I'm much more susceptible to viruses, etc., even ending up with shingles at one point. Seems like my immune system is failing me in several areas. Anyone else with Hashimoto's experiencing this same pattern? Any suggestions to halt or slow down this decline?
Thank you both so much for taking the time to offer some guidance. You've been very helpful in pushing me in a good direction. After doing a little research myself, I can see where my PCP hasn't been as thorough or directed as I'd like and will be scheduling a consult with an endo. BTW, I am so appreciative of this forum. What a gold mine for those of us new to this world!
I would agree with LazyMoose (Because he knows more than Me) , but I think it would be wise to see an Endo and get another run at all the tests to determine your situation, and if you have Hashimoto's your thyroid production decreases over time and medications need to be adjusted. Good Luck and Welcome to the forum. FTB4
By current belief, your noddles are not exactly small. 4.7 cm is kind of big.
Usually any noddle bigger than 1 cm in any direction is reason for FNA. A second opinion from a different doctor might be wise.
Its best for all thyroid patients to get Free T4 / T3 and TSH all tested.
Usually any noddle bigger than 1 cm in any direction is reason for FNA. A second opinion from a different doctor might be wise.
Its best for all thyroid patients to get Free T4 / T3 and TSH all tested.
Thank you for the suggestion to request F3 and F4 data. Am quite certain these tests have not been run for several years as I keep copies of my labs and maybe you are right that they should be explored again. My doctor has only requested F4 testing if the TSH is elevated beyond normal limits. I have a lot of confidence in my physician, but sort of feel like maybe I should be looking for a work up by an endocrinologist at least to quiet my mind regarding the path I'm on. Does this seem necessary?
My doctor has diagnosed my hypothryroidism as caused by Hashimoto's. He did that after detecting a goiter with nodules. The nodules are in the right side only and the bigger one was considered not large at 4.7 x 1.9 x 1.7 cm. I don't have any current T3 or T4 numbers but my latest TSH was the lowest in five years (I've been on levothyroxine during that period) at 2.87. Should I request he get the T3 and T4 info and should the nodules have been biopsied? You're right that vitiligo is not, thankfully, life threatening. Just want to contain its spread if I can. I'm a little confused if vitiligo is not related to hypothyroidism, since my dermantologist tested for it when I first saw her for the vitiligo looking for a cause of that (I hadn't been diagnosed as hypothyroid at that point and my result then was a TSH just under the lab's normal numbers). The dry eye is more of a nuisance and controlled pretty well with Restasis and a steroid (FML). Are you aware of any nutritional supplementation out there that might help? Thanks for your input!
You say you have hypothyroid, but is it Hashimoto?
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder independent of Hashimoto. That was one clue that led to my thyroid testing though, even though they are independent many have both.
It is very common for a person with one autoimmune disorder to eventually develop three. Even though Vitiligo is visually noticeable, on the bright side there is no real threat to your health from it, but the areas are supposedly more easily prone to damage from prolonged sun exposure.
Having vitaligo, I have looked into any treatments.......no good ones exist. I did have some recede on my neck/throat, but it came back. Does not seem to correlate with thyroid treatment at all and my doc seems to agree. It seems to have a mind of its own.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder independent of Hashimoto. That was one clue that led to my thyroid testing though, even though they are independent many have both.
It is very common for a person with one autoimmune disorder to eventually develop three. Even though Vitiligo is visually noticeable, on the bright side there is no real threat to your health from it, but the areas are supposedly more easily prone to damage from prolonged sun exposure.
Having vitaligo, I have looked into any treatments.......no good ones exist. I did have some recede on my neck/throat, but it came back. Does not seem to correlate with thyroid treatment at all and my doc seems to agree. It seems to have a mind of its own.
I have read that these are among the many symptoms of Hypothyroid, You shouls post your last lab results, Free T4 Free T3 and Tsh with the reference ranges provided, it is possible you are still symptomatic because your medication may need adjustment. If you post your labs and members can comment and advise. Good Luck FTB4
Forgot to mention that I also developed chronic dry eye after being diagnosed hypothyroid. Am feeling all these things are related.
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