Re: Hashimoto's thyroiditis

[Guest guest]

My endocrinologist stated that he had seen many Hashimoto patients with

hiving problems. I had been on Synthroid for several years even before

hiving. The doc took me off and put me on Cytomel (T3) only since June.

Hives have been about 50% less. The doc now started me on Levothroid (low

dose) less than a month ago. The hives perked up for about a week and now

they are much less and the combo seems to make me feel much better. I also

have gastrocrom (which I take ONLY if the hiving is large or angio) instead

of any prednisone. I do not take any other pharmaceuticals. I take Vit C;

B-12; slow-niacin and Co-Q 10 daily. The endocrinologist really seemed to

know his stuff. Most docs won't even treat Hashi's let alone consider a

T3/T4 combo. He stated that it may take awhile, but we will have to find the

exact combination to help the thyroid--which he feels will then help out the

hiving. He stated the bottom line is, however, that the Hashi's and the

hiving is a sign of larger underlying autoimmune disease that has just not

manifested itself enough yet to be determined. (eg. lupus; RA, etc.)

Hope this helps -- but all in all I am doing MUUUUUCCHHHH better than a

year ago.

SJJ in Michigan

[Guest guest]

Hi Lori,

I'm told I do not have Hashimoto's but I do have thyroid antibodies. I

started taking synthroid and it sent my hives packing! I don't know of

anyone else on this list that this has worked for but I thought I'd let you

know. Synthroid worked for me.

[Guest guest]

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. In time, production of thyroid hormone stops. When the thyroid gland stops working, Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels rise in an attempt to spur thyroid hormone production. High TSH levels, therefore, call for an increased dose of thyroid medicine. Treatment is straightforward. Supply the missing hormone. For a patient whose body has grown accustomed to low thyroid hormone levels, doctors often follow the medical adage: Start low and go slow. Once optimum blood levels of thyroid hormone are attained, you have every right to feel 100%. Most patients require around 0.1 mg-0.2 mg of thyroid hormone (Synthroid). If the dose needed exceeds 0.3 mg, something is wrong. The intestine might not be absorbing the drug.

Does this help?

Marilyn from California

[Guest guest]

,

Was it the same test used to determine if you had Hashimoto's or

thyroid antibodies?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi and all,

I just got back from the endocrinologist. SHe reviewed my blood tests (TSH

and the antibody test) and said it was Hashimoto's thyroiditis. SHe also

wanted to know when I got my very first gray hair. I was about 26-28 years

old and she said that was premature which confirms the Hashimotos. I told

her about the allergy diet I was on and she asked if it helped. I think it

has kept my symptoms from breaking through the allegra, but it did not

remove them. She has seen other patients with the same complains I have and

said that a thyriod supplement alleviates the symptoms in some cases - but

they do not know why. She has me on .05 mg of synthroid for the next 6

weeks with a blood test (TSH only) secheduled for 12/6/00. She picked the

..05 mg because it is a white pill and contains no dyes. I asked about the

ANA test and her response is that it is for Lupus (I think). She asked if I

had been given a broad spectrum of tests for other auto immune diseases and

I said no. She said I should, so I am going back to my GP for these tests.

Ironically my allergist called me last night to ask about the diet and the

visit. We talked about it and he said to take the synthroid like the

endocrinologist says and after 2 weeks to stop the allegra to see what

happens. I am now adding back foods on my diet. This week it will be

orange juice and he wants me to try Sunny Delight on Friday because it

contains dyes. I was pleased that he has been reading my faxes and phone

messages. I was even more pleased that he would call to check on me. I am

not pleased that the GP has not done more tests. I hate to do this piece

meal. I am going to ask the allergist for the remaining tests if the GP

doesn't volunteer any information.

The bad news for me (but possibly good for you all) is that the

endocrinologist has to leave her practice and start all over again in the

Atlanta, Georgia area. Her husband is relocating and she was a little

annoyed by it. I think she is excellent. Maybe someone out there can

benefit by seeing her. Too bad she wasn't going further South to help out

Theresa. She will not be moving until the end of December and it will

probably take time for her to get re-established. I can find out where she

is going if someone is interested.

(Itchy in Pa.)

>

>Reply-To: urticariaegroups

>To: <urticariaegroups>

>Subject: Re: Re: Hashimoto's thyroiditis

>Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 16:58:37 -0330

>

>

>You asked,

>Was it the same test used to determine if you had Hashimoto's or thyroid

>antibodies?

>

>From what I know, these are two different tests. TSH (or T3 and T4) are

>done to determine thyroid levels and there is another test for antibodies

>but I'm not sure what that is called. Most doctors just run TSH but in my

>case, I asked specifically that my antibodies be checked as well, which

>turned out to be elevated but my TSH levels were normal. Hope this answers

>your question.

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

You asked,

Was it the same test used to determine if you had Hashimoto's or thyroid

antibodies?

From what I know, these are two different tests. TSH (or T3 and T4) are

done to determine thyroid levels and there is another test for antibodies

but I'm not sure what that is called. Most doctors just run TSH but in my

case, I asked specifically that my antibodies be checked as well, which

turned out to be elevated but my TSH levels were normal. Hope this answers

your question.

[Guest guest]

Hi Lori,

I have also been suffering with this for about 4 years, recently a goiter was discovered, and I wondered what if any link there was along with thyroid trouble, Debbie