Thyroid - antibodies, help please !

[lloydjam]

Hi Everyone

I recently had my thyroid antibodies checked as I have been told (by ultasound) that I have a goitre. I am currently on 50mg thyroxine (recently upped ) for hypothyroidism.

The surgery have told me I am auto immune which Im guessing means I have antibodies - unfortunately I cant speak to a doctor until Tuesday so I would be grateful if you could let me know what this means - It would be great to have some guidance as to what to ask the dr. I have read it may be Hashimotos but could it be anything else? and is there any other treatment or tests needed to rule anything else out.

Any advice would be greatfully received

Thank you !!!

The presence of antibodies does indicate it is an autoimmune thyroid condition. If you are underactive then yes it is Hashimoto (if your thyroid is overactive it is Graves Disease). This doesn't really change that much in relation to your treatment i.e. thyroxine which you are already on.

One thing to bear in mind is having one autoimmune condition makes you more susceptible to 'acquiring' others in your lifetime.

This shouldn't alarm you. I have Hashimotos, also had a goitre. Mine grew during pregnancy so I had mine removed but I live in a country where they are a bit more inclined to operate a goitre than the UK I believe. Going on thyroxine should shrink your goitre though anyway.

For me a few years after diagnosis and post op, I feel in very good health, have normal energy levels again and finally was able to shed a few of the kgs I gained before diagnosis. And I haven't acquired any more autoimmune illnesses as yet (touch wood). Plus (don't know if this is relevant) I was lucky enough to get pregnant easily twice post diagnosis once my med levels were right.

Hope you feel better soon too.

And my antibody levels dropped quite dramatically too once the meds were right, which I think just means the illness is less active. When my thyroid was taken out, it was yucky (medical term) and had grown under my collar bone.

Thank you Fruit - thats very useful.
Yes I have been reading about other autoimmune diseases and interesting enough this year my daughter has been diagnosed with Coeliacs disease so I think there is a link there. I was testes but was negative (to my surprise as I really thought i was going to be positive).

Yes it's hashimotos disease... Very common in women.
When I saw a private endocrinologist about mine he tested me for a whole range of auto immune disorders as they often come in packs :-(