If you have an underactive thyroid, do you know the cause?

[badgersbadgerseverywhere]

I had a telephone consultation with a GP today about something else and I mentioned I have several autoimmune diseases including hypothyroidism. He asked why I think it’s autoimmune, as nothing in my notes says that. I do have diagnosed hypothyroidism (been on levothyroxine for 10 years plus) but I’ve never actually been tested for Hashimoto’s to my knowledge.

Does this matter? Should I request a blood test to identify why my thyroid is underactive? I’m very confused by the GP because it was my understanding that most underactive thyroid disease in this country is caused by the body attack itself, and I don’t know why he was disagreeing with my assumption.

No idea what caused mine, I was just told over the phone by the GP about 25 years ago that it was underactive and have been on levothyroxine since.

I’d be interested to know, as I now have a different suspected autoimmune condition and I think if you have one autoimmune condition you often have another.

I believe autoimmune (Hashimoto's) hypothyroidism accounts for around 90% of cases.

I do know as I was diagnosed with antibodies before I became hypothyroid, but, truthfully don't know how much difference the diagnosis made as the treatment is the same no matter the cause.

Yes, that's one thing to keep in mind, as @AlcoholicAntibiotic says, if you have on autoimmune issue you have an increased likelihood of going on to develop another.

I’m not medical but Aiui most hypothyroid is AI but not all.

It’s a fair assumption given the prevalence and the fact you have other AI illness.

I guess if you haven’t had it diagnosed as such that’s he’s querying it.

I was told mine was most likely auto-immune as I have a family history of it (on both my mum's and dad's sides). However, they didn't test me for antibodies because I got diagnosed back in the 1990s.

I know some people might end up needing thyroxine following treatment for an overactive thyroid or for thyroid cancer, so maybe that's where your doctor's question was coming from, but it does sound like an odd way to phrase it!

I was wondering this the other day. Do I have an AI, because if so maybe there are things I should be doing or looking out for.

Autoimmune thyroid/Hashimoto's usually stems from prolonged (psychological) trauma.
It can actually "go away", meaning you feel better without Levothyroxine etc. and the hormone levels won't suffer that much. Doctors don't know for sure, but I developed mine at 18 thanks to the behaviour of my absolute shit parents.
At 35, I decided to drop the pills and never go back to them. My hypothyroidism is very mild now at 46, mental health and healing comes first and foremost. Speaking only for myself.
That said, I still wish my remaining parent would burn in hell forever, together with the other one.

This may have worked for you, but that's an extremely suspect and dangerous piece of supposition. Doctors, and particularly endocrinologists do know for sure, and I would advise others with hypothyroidism to stay on their medication. Not taking it can eventually result in coma and death.

I'm sorry that you've suffered trauma.

I have often wondered if there could be any truth to this as I have always been very anxious and I have wondered for a long time if trauma might have something to do with it.

Absolutely. Always get advice from your GP, I have never heard this. Untreated hypothyroidism risks many health issues.

Most underactive thyroid is autoimmune should have been diagnosed by testing for antibodies

Bloody hell!!!! I'm gobsmacked😮. My ds 28 has recently been disgnosed with ai thyroid. Is this true about pschological truama causing this??

I'm open to all kinds of possibilities to what has led to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I have been diagnosed since I was 22, but had fatigue much earlier than this. I always wondered why I was so exhausted. Still after so many years taking thyroxine as a treatment it hasn't made any difference. I got diagnosed with osteoarthritis when I turned 40 which is another condition that causes fatigue especially with the level of pain most days.

I hope your son gets support with his new diagnosis and wish him well. It's not great finding out about any thyroid related disease but there are ways many manage it in order to lead as healthy a life as possible.

I honestly have never thought about it

diagnosed at 35, now 47 and will say that with levothyroxin I’m totally fine

To clarify, the idea is not mine.
But, no endocrinologist tells you what the cause of your antibodies/autoimmune condition is, right? Anti, auto - the body and mind are trying to destroy themselves. Why?
Sad.

I know I have high antibodies as saw results of a blood test. As to the cause - mine came on after having my first child, which was fairly stressful! I’m open to the idea it can go away.

No it’s bollocks. I mean I’m not saying it couldn’t have caused it but the principal risk are genes - ie a close relative with it or another AI disease eg Coeliac or type 1 diabetes; infection; excess iodine; radiation exposure.

I have a friend with Hashimoto’s who grew up in communist state near Russia and experienced radiation after Chernobyl.

That’s a massively simplistic interpretation of AI illness but ok.

I’ve pondered this many times. I have Hashimotos which was diagnosed around 6 months after my first baby. The assumption is that ofegnancy triggered it but I took me a year to fall pregnant with my first baby and once I was diagnosed and medicated, I fell pregnant again four times really, really quickly. So I suspect I had it before, and that’s what caused me to take a while to get pregnant with my first.

A therapist told me trauma can trigger it which I kind of dismissed at the time but I do wonder if there’s something in it

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 7. I did not have any trauma and have never been particularly anxious. I have now also got type 2 diabetes at the age of 47.

My DH is anxious about a lot of things and at one point, didn't leave the house for 3 years due to agoraphobia. He has no AI diseases and doesn’t even have high pressure which runs in his family.

I don’t think it has anything to do with trauma.

Gosh this is exactly the same situation as me. I am certain I had it before too, but pregnancy and birth exacerbated it. 5 years trying for DC1, 1 month (after being medicated) with DC2.

Mine is caused by multiple benign nodules. Half my thyroid was surgically removed – should have had it all removed but the op. had to be stopped when a vocal cord was severed 🙄. The remaining half is more nodule than thyroid now but I don't fancy more surgery.

Hypothyroidism is strongly linked to menopause and that's when I was diagnosed (when I was peri.)

Well, that’s one thing I can rule out having caused mine, as I was 22 at the time of diagnosis and definitely not in peri or menopausal!

I don’t know the reasons but I was told that if you are predisposed to it (family history etc) then it can be triggered by pregnancy or childbirth. Had my son in 2005 age 30 and was diagnosed 2-3 years later.
My mum died when I was 8 and my Nan when I was 18. My Auntie (mums sil) thinks that one or both or them may have had it, but is not certain so not sure if I have family history or not.