Hashimotos Advice (my child)

[Bear91]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s about 2 years ago now after my thyroid function was up and down for years and years.
Even now I don’t fully understand my condition. When they first said my antibodies were positive my Thyroid function was still normal so they didn’t treat. Then my thyroid went into underactive and they decided to put me on Levothyroxine.
Last year my 11 year old daughter was complaining of tiredness and headaches. I noticed her thyroid gland was enlarged kind like mine so I took her to the doctors and he agreed it was large and said he would do thyroid function bloods ( even though I knew they could be normal whilst having autoimmune thyroid antibodies) but anyway I agreed and her thyroid came back normal with low vit d.
I left it and went back to the doctors 2 weeks ago and I literally had to beg the doctor to take any bloods. I told her I wanted the antibodies test taken on the thyroid and function and other tests. The doctor made me feel stupid and asked me why I thought she needed that. I explained her thyroid is enlarged and I have Hashimotos.
After nagging she agreed to do the tests and today I received a test to say I was right and my daughter does have positive thyroid antibodies and will be referred to hospital team for further instructions.
Im gutted that she has it but slightly relieved that I was right and abit scared that they didn’t think todo this in the first place. They must know that you can have Hashimoto’s and have normal thyroid function!

Anyway as I’m new to my diagnosis and now I know my daughter has it I was wondering if anyone else on here has Hashimotos and knows abit more or who has seen more specific people than I have or who has a child who has it.
Ive never understood if you can get symptoms with Hashimotos if your thyroid is normal or do you only get symptoms if thyroid isn’t working..
I’ve read you can get symptoms and also read only if thyroid isn’t being treated.

If my daughters thyroid is normal will the Hashimoto’s cause symptoms still?

any advice would be appreciated
:)

Not my personal experience but my friend has it and has symptoms all the time no matter her thyroid function. She’s 41 and had a horrid time the past 8 years.

She’s had better success with eating a vegan gluten free diet which seems to ease most of her symptoms

Go on Thyroid UK website they are really helpful.
Good luck
It's GF not vegan for hashimotos

My daughter was diagnosed with hashimotos at 10, I was diagnosed at 47 and my other daughter at 20. My 10 year old was referred to Endocrinology who treated and monitored her throughout her childhood, teens and early adulthood, after which she was discharged back to GP care. They did regular tests and adjusted her levothyroxine as she grew and went through puberty. All questions were answered fully and any symptoms were minimised due to regular testing.

My DD has hashimotos.

It took a few years to be diagnosed.

She is currently in a flare triggered by Covid. Her Levo is being adjusted again every couple of months.

Apparently viruses can trigger another reduction in thyroid function.

She has widespread pain and joint problems.

When her Levo isn't well adjusted her hair and nails fall out.

No experience with children but I have Hashimotos and gluten free definitely seems to help. Also a diet rich in whole foods. There's a school of thought that links thyroid disorders with environmental toxins so avoiding them in household products (air fresheners, cleaning products, deodorant etc) is something else to consider and might be good for both of you. Follow Alice Godfrey on Instagram or Facebook- she is a nutritional therapist who has hashimotos herself and sometimes does sessions about things you can do to support thyroid function.

Well done on pushing your GP by the way. I'm on levothyroxine and my thyroid function tests come back as normal so the doctor won't accept that there's any issue but I've still had lots of horrible symptoms such and joint pain and exhaustion. Good luck!

The British thyroid foundation are very good on childhood thyroid issues - I'd check their website and give them a ring.

They're the charity attached to the British association of endocrinologists so have consultants as a part of their charity.

If you become a member you receive a quarterly magazine which includes lots of research. They also run some groups around the country and have help lines.