Has anyone who suffers Hashimoto's thyroiditis been awarded DLA or PIP?

[IrnBruTheNoo]

I was just wondering about this a while ago now and thought it may be a good idea to ask if others online may have claimed DLA or PIP for this condition. I know it varies with each individual, but some days I am really fatigued to the point DH has to help with every day tasks that others take for granted.

I feel so sorry for you - I know what it is to feel constantly fatigued and it's horrible. PIP is unlikely to be a solution because to get PIP you have to show that you are disabled and that the disability causes you care needs. Your example of your DS having to come in to have a bath early because you'll be too tired is about your ability to care for him, rather than you having care needs yourself. If you struggle to have a bath in the evening, for example, but can cope with having a bath in the day time, then you wouldn't qualify as having a care need.

I hope that the good advice you have been given up thread will sort your symptoms.

Gee thanks Batman

I expect she doesnt feel better on increased dose as by the time it full takes effect her tsh has probably risen already anyway
Mine has risen from 1.8 to 2.4 in 3 months
I am also on a very low dose 25mcg.

Just to update after visiting the GP, who then increased it to 75mcg daily for six weeks my blood results came back and TSH is now sitting at 2.97. In July it was sitting at 4.92 when taking 50mcg daily. So it's coming down which is good. GP offering to increase it to 100mcg next...

That sounds like a result. How are you feeling?

I still feel crappy RockinD, but willing to try 100mcg next for six weeks and see how I get on with that. I'm not expecting a magic wand but to feel less exhausted would be good. I am just doing the bare minimum most days as that's all I can manage.

I am just severely pissed off that I've been feeling this way for years and I've had to be the one to push to have the thyroxine dose increased. Why had a GP not suggested this??

p.s. Thank you for asking :)

Hi
Sadly I have to agree that NHS facilities are failing many patients with Hasimotos. My 17 year old daughter has no quality of life at the moment whilst her disease is not treated. Her current TPO antibodies are running at 2,665 and whilst she is on 50mg of thyroxine since March 14 her symptoms are far worse. She has just come out of hospital following high body temp, resting pulse and a low blood pressure of 95/45. The bloods show her TSH are sitting at 2.6 which is a big come down from 35.5 and her T4 has elevated to 17.5. She has glucose in her urine, which has not been followed up and her inflammation markers are high.
Sadly she has lost her Saturday job due to attendance, despite medical evidence and as her memory is poor with blurred vision and lack of energy she is unable to attend her drama college course.
The hot flushes and sleepless nights add to the mix making her one very unhappy girl. The frustrating thing is she was a hard worker, a kind and considerate girl who does not abuse her body with smoking, drinking and drugs but her illness has taken her away from all the important factors in life such as work, college, education and social interaction.
I have considered suggesting she looks at a PIP but feel she will be rejected which adds to her sense that no one gets how debilitating it is for her.
She is under a Gyne for issues related to the reproduction, often a complication of hasimotos and she is also under a Endo but each seem to be waiting on the other to take in on and get to grips with it so she can try to work it all out.
The most frustrating bit is that we were informed a month ago that there were markers in her blood at the age of 5 which indicated she was hasimotos. This was not shared and acted on so she has had 12 years of struggling unmedicated. Cant help but think an earlier treatment would have reduced some of the long term conditions she now has.
As an onlooker and parent I can empathis with the frustration of living life with minimal effort. I can see in her eyes and hear in her voice she thinks she is a burden and over time she is losing her self worth. Each day I remind her that its not in her mind, the bloods are screaming out an issue but that it is the NHS who should be the ones with a poor opinion of themselves.
I spend most of my time researching and doing my best to have knowledge so I can try to make NHS listen.
If you apply for a PIP please let me know how it goes, and I will do the same xx

As someone who has successfully applied for PIP ( for a completely different condition) may I advise that you certainly do apply ( initial phone call counts as the day you applied and payment is backdated to this date if you succeed). However, get expert advice on filling in the forms from CAB or a disability charity. The wording and way you explain your condition is crucial. Also add as many pieces of supporting evidence as possible. Good luck.

hope your dd is getting good treatment now, Marci. sounds awful

glad your gp is increasing meds, IrnBru you will be amazed at the difference i am sure. take the 100 and get that tsh as low as you need it to go

I have hashi's and on a low dose of levo, it hasn't really made much difference but this week I decided to go gluten free yesterday and today are the first days in months I have not had an afternoon nap!
Also are her ferritin, vit d and b12 at top end of range?