I have only recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (July 2017) and later with Hashimoto's (Sept 2017) so I would think there are many more experienced members of the group who can comment - however I would say yes, that it will be helpful to you to get those blood test values and then maybe also test for TPOAb - thyroid peroxidase antibody, to identify Hashimoto's disease. I only say that because, Hashimoto's is considered an autoimmune disease and I have made significant changes to my diet as a result. I am currently not taking any other medications or supplements other than the levothyroxine 50 mcg daily. I hope you find the information you are looking for!

Hi Steve,

Stacy is correct. If you can manage to have antibodies added to your blood tests this will tell you if you are simply hypo because of a lack of iodine and other minerals or is as she says something more devious is at play. For too may years doctors have treated both nutritional hypo and Hashi exactly the same. Unfortunately and this will start to sound scary and I'm very sorry for that. Its far from simple. Firstly, everyone's experience of Hashi is different, something like 300 possible symptoms according to one site. Autoimmunity happens when one's immune system considers our own cells as alien and sets about destroying them. In the case of Hashimoto's it the thyroid. The dietary changes Stacy has made will be ones to attempt to reduce the threat to her thyroid gland, doing this is well worth it.

I was given the run around by my allocated NHS doctors. Levo did not help me one bit, amplifying problems in liquid and pill form.

I've read levo and reduce the number and variety of digestive microbes one has. I would hope this could be your answer. Also if you have ever had a course of antibiotics or taken an over the counter pain relief these can also make a difference. Many people think what I have just written is rubbish. I can only say I find using digestive microbes very helpful. I would suggest you try some which do not amplify histamine. I use ones by Optibac they have everyday ones which are not histamine producing, but I recommend ones for use with or after antibiotics, those really helped me and I'd not taken antibiotics for something like 8 years. There are now others you should find them with a search.

I had tests to see if there were any foods I reacted to. It is often suggested to give up milk many are reactive to either the casein, protein or lactose. From my experience you know within 48 hours with no dairy of any kind, like cheese. Another exclusion is gluten, again not everyone reacts, my test said not, but tests are not always right. If you were to set about excluding gluten, its a long hall, some see improvements in 6 weeks others 6 months and if one becomes contaminated it can take equally long to remove. (Please take heart. I was reading up on salicylate intolerance, that is me. It was said by one doctor, its easier to contend with gluten than salicylate, I laughed or I'd have cried, gone back to basics to try to overcome an arthritic flare up of 6 months) Others suggest avoiding cruciferous veg, the cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and the like, avoiding soy can be beneficial, much depends on what effects you.

Sometimes conversion from t4 as in levo to t3, I don't remember the technical term. For the conversion to be made more cleanly the body needs selenium, and other vitamins and minerals, as well as the iodine which levo is a synthetic form of, this is where an optimum diet could come in. Eggs are very good for more or less everything, a medium one has 24micron of iodine it is said one needs 150 or 300 per day a fraction of a teaspoon a year. Fish, dairy and dark green veg are all good. Where conversion is problematical as long as you are not in the UK you could be offered the synthetic form of t3.

This is rather long and not all it is helpful to have in mind. please read from, stop the thyroid madness, many say it is pro natural dedicated thyroid products but its a good place to learn. Hypo thyroid mom is also good. I think both have lists of doctors who take thyroid issues seriously. There are other sites such as national ones.

All the best, once you find what is right for you there is life after hashi. I've been trying to think how to answer you without filling a page full of stuff which may be too much at one go. Sorry, I'll come back if I can help more and when my tea is not on the table.

Best take it one step at a time establish its hashi and go from there.

I hope things are still moving in the right direction. I hope you are experiencing a change for the better.

Oh! Btw, if you have not bought some pulsin whey protein, i'd advise you don't. the pack i have just bought went clumpy in both hot and cold circumstances. I did not mine the pea taste of the pea protein nor minded the grain in the rice one but clumpy, not thanks. I need to look at the dates on it.

All the best

I'm sorry to read of your sudden drop in blood pressure. It is possible a significant b-movement particularly two after a period of constipation can cause a blood pressure drop. Its complicated but if any pressure in the body is reduced significantly the veins and arteries are also under less pressure. It might be an idea to go carefully on the potassium because this is an essential mineral but it is involved in the salt balance which can lower blood pressure through the kidneys. Its probable best to find it in fruit and vegies for better control. Dark green vegies, bananas, oranges and the like. Selenium does aid conversion of t4 to th3 active form t3 which could improve how you are feeling. Not being clogged up will also have helped because the elimination of by-products of life will have been removed along with the potential for toxic build up. There is nothing simple about the way our bodies work.

I'm pleased you are to speak with your doctor in the coming week. I'm sure this will be very helpful, whether you can achieve a t3 test is doubtful. If you can try for antibody testing this will be good because you will know if you have progressed to Hashimoto's, Graves is less likely, both are auto immune and there are other things which can help reduce the antibodies, one step at a time, is good.

When you have a better idea of your current thyroid status there are several UK supplement companies which provide thyroid supplements some use straight forward vitamins and minerals others use plant extracts. Higher Nature is one, BioCare is another. Both are available on line and have an education area on their site and support. Nutri Advanced is a third, all three have been mentioned to me by my nutritionist but I can't remember if you need a prescribing person's introduction for Nutri Advanced. I've not seen their products in our local store but that does not mean they are not available else where.

Try not to take too many steps all at once, it is so tempting. Pprobably keep up with the selenium till after you have spoken with your doctor and may be have had a blood test take. Your base like will be less complicated.

All the very best.

Its good you have more 'fight' in you, its not good when you are down the bottom of a well, relieved it was not a treacle well.

I mentioned your finger prick testing to my phlebotomist this morning. She said, male finger skin tends to be thicker than a woman's. She suggested softening the skin/hands in warm water for several minutes before attempting the test. I should have remembered, in the past she had suggested having a couple of extra glasses of water before having the test drawn. For my sample this morning even with the band we had my arm lowered, fingers to the floor, enabling the blood to flow down. Letting the blood settle into the fingers might have helped. Being stressed will also have made it more difficult.

I also said you had had problems trying to return the kit to the company as they said you should. She says round here the small sub post offices are funny about these packets sometimes. She said you could make a claim for none provision of service. This morning I was asked what was in my packet, even though it said on the sticky label that it was a compliant sample. I stated it was a sample within the legal guidelines, with that it was accepted.

I hope it will not be too far for you to get to one of the private hospitals. If you were to give the finger prick test another try, I would suggest not trying to do it on the day it arrives. Relax, prepare yourself, extra water, soak hands in warm water, let your arm dangle to let the blood be more available in the fingers, its a fair bit of blood one needs to collect from a "pin" prick. I'm sure you are not alone in having had this difficulty. The extra fluids would also help if you can get to a private hospital.

I know it is not easy when you know there is something wrong but the system does not permit you to feel this way. I do not know the means by which levo looses its effectiveness but it can, it may take weeks but sometimes it happens after some years. You will probably find something about this on Thyroid UK or the Unlocked site.

All the best for your conversation about your blood pressure, your improved diet could have made a difference. Take care.

I beg your pardon. You did all you could. I feel as if I've offended you, I'd not do that to anyone.

Travel safely. I'm sure you would not be the first to arrive in leathers. Its possible you could turn heads, in a good way.

I could get myself into hot water, over biking leathers. I remember seeing one lad, he was in those days, walking away from the doctors practice on the Monday morning when he should have been at work. He was sporting a fractured arm but without his leathers it would all have been so much worse. His 650, was his pride and joy, I can't remember the breed, giggle, too much water/bridges. He used to go to the IOM for the tt races, I expect he gave up when he settled down. Over the years I've met several leather wearers, all kind harted fellows. One of them, I met when our sons were playing American Foot Ball, I ask you, over here! giggle. He returned to a bike when the kids were grown and after his wife died young. Don't let anyone judge a book by its cover. Be safe and Be comfortable.

Circular bus routs are a real pain. There and back much better. I need my own transport because, I still react to perfumes and all sorts of smells, I'm putting it down to Spring, plants and everything having a go.

All the best with the phone call.

All is looking up on the BP side of things, good. Its about two weeks till your next appointment so altering the pills now and taking the supplements should have you more where you should be in time for your required pre partner appointment. Enjoy your workouts.

Its good you have an antibody test, its a reasonable investigation. You will get into a stronger position.

Oh! contriving to prevent leather in hospital, giggle. If you can get where you need to be without setting hearts aflutter all to the good. I hope you will no longer be lost.

I had an expensive thought. One way to achieve t3, were it to prove appropriate, could be to take a long holiday with the best insurance possible, in a health system as far removed from ours as possible. My Banana hunting friend probably would say try SA. Because if they have said you need something elsewhere, it should be maintained here. The only downside is, as in the situation of a young boy with fits supressed by an oil in Denmark, was it, which is not believed to be beneficial here. So the child struggles no exemption for him! Very sad as it made a real difference to him.

Take care.