Hi! I have Hashimoto's disease. My thyroid peroxidase levels before going on levothyroxine were 152, and my doctor was very concerned and gave me that diagnosis. I guess it's different from hypothyroidism because it is your own antibodies attacking your thyroid which are causing the levels to be low as opposed to something else. I didn't even know I had anything wrong with me until I got blood work done for a different problem and this showed up. I have been on 88 mcg of levothyroxine for about ten months, and so far I assume I'm healthy. However, I had to take the initiative with my doctor to make sure I was on the correct dosage of the medicine. I am still waiting for those results. I've been disappointed in how they haven't followed through to make sure I'm being treated correctly, so I'm not surprised the specialist didn't seem concerned. I would see a different doctor or insist they explain why your levels are so high! Good luck!

I feel your pain and frustration. That was me too. My doc just wouldn't listen to all of my symptoms. My tsh numbers were fine. By the time I pushed him to test again (3 months later), they had skyrocketed. He also tested for the antibody for Hashimoto's. Surprise, surprise, it was positive. In 3 short months my thyroid was completely shutting down due to the disease. That was just over 2 years ago. I am now on 87 mg of synthroid daily. Most symptoms completely gone. I am thankful I have my naturally curly hair back (it had gone nearly straight) and the depression is gone. My weight continues to be an issue and I am hoping this site will help with that. Keep pushing your doc or find one who will listen. Good luck.

Please educate yourself as best as you can about your thyroid -- this is a great site: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease where your body is producing antibodies that are attacking your thyroid. Eventually, it will make you hypothyroid if you are not already. My antibodies has been 200 - 250 for about a year now -- my ND is trying to get them down, but they are still high.

What your doctor did not test is your Free T3 levels -- just because your TSH and T4 look "normal" -- these are not an indication of your metabolishm -- T3 is the active hormone and if you don't have enough of it, you are hypothryoid.

He also needs to check your Iron/Ferritin levels as well as Vitamin D levels -- it's typical for hashi/hypo patients to have low iron and Vitamin D - which will make you fatigued.

On the stopthethyroidmadness.com site there are links to common symptoms, labs you should ask for, and treatments.

No one knows your body better than you! I went to my doctor many times complaining of many symptoms and he kept telling me I was over reacting. I finally demanded he refer me to a specialist and what do you know? I have Hashimotos and they found nodules on my thyroid. My doctor didn't bother testing me for anything. It was me that demanded to go to someone who would listen to me. Just because they're doctors doesn't mean they are always right. Hang in there!

Don't give up and keep pushing. You are not reading your levels wrong! Your thyroid can change drastically in months time, keep going for blood work and YES, have your T3 levels checked!!! I started with fatigue and weight gain and went back and forth between doctors unfortunately because my mind was so hazy I do not remember every detail and levels. I eventually had a scan and ultrasound done that showed nodules, was put on a low does of generic synthorid and went about a year before being checked again, as I just didn't want to deal with doctors anymore. That was my mistake, taking what they said and dealing with the symptoms. By the time I returned my nodules had spread and I was sent to a specialist, found out that I indeed had hashimoto's and my biopsy for cancer came back clean. Decided to have part of my thyroid removed as hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease that kills your thyroid anyways. I am not saying this is what everyone should do but it was right for me as I was done dealing with the ups and downs. After my first surgery I was ready to start feeling better but at my check up I was told I infact did have cancer and would be having surgery again the following week. Needless to say my thyroid was completely removed along with my parathyroids and lymphnodes and I am now on a daily dose of Synthroid (still working out the right amounts), even though my TSH levels were rising I was feeling horrible and gaining too much weight, comes to find out my T3 levels were in the basement (as my doctor likes to say) and I am now on liothyronine daily to raise my T3 levels. Still working everything out and still a bit tired. As Jenni3001 said no one knows your body better than you! Had I listened to my doctor and not had my thyroid removed the cancer would have spread and turned into lymphoma, lesson learned follow your instincts and do what you can to feel better! GOOD LUCK :flowerforyou:

hi! I feel you pain and frustration. I was dianosed with hashi's after almost 8 years of strange illnesses that would not subside. I went to many Dr.s who assumed the weight I was gaining was due to steroids I was on and me eating too much! I gained 50 pounds in 5 months and lost my hair. I was finally diagnosed after a baseball sized tumor was discovered in my neck. All the woman in my family have Hashi's . I would keep pushing this issue. I finally got Ill enough that I was able to get into University of Chicago. While there they found I have Celacs as well. Have your Dr. Screen for autoimmune. Now I am finally feeling partially human Don't let the dr. Push you around and keep advocating on your behalf, we are our best supporters! Hope this helps!