True hashimotos disease is caused by antibodies against your thyroid. The american endocrinology association aace recommend treatment with synthroid or amour thyroid to prevent total distruction of your thyroid. This is not a temporary treatment, but a permanent one. Your thyroid could also still be completely destroyed, but the medication will slow the destruction.

The most frustrating feature of hashimoto's is that it fluctuates...Which would explain your symptoms, which are all classic. I continued to increase my dose until I got too much and then backed off. I've also heard that symptoms could be worse in the winter, so you may need more medication. Make sure you listen to your body. If you aren't feeling well, then your doctor needs to do something...Adjust your meds, etc. If they are unwilling to work with you, find another doctor.

There is a lot of info on the web about hashimoto's. Check into the american endocrinology association. If your doctor is reluctant to increase your meds, print off some helpful info and mail it to him about a week before your next appointment and then take a copy with you.

You might also check out books by mary j shomon, a patient advocate that suffers from hashimoto's.

Good luck! Kathie

I had 2/3 of my thyroid taken out in 1999. I have been taking levozyl ever since. You have to learn to deal with the symtoms and not dwell on them. I also found out two years ago that my thyroid has calcified(hard as a rock). I am on 175m of the levozyl and am tested every 3 to 6 months to see if my levels have changed. It will be a life long thing and I also have ms so I have other symtoms that I deal with day in and day out.

im only 19 and I was diagnosed with hoshimotos when I was about 9
they found it by accident my hip bones had come out of place,my hip bone diagnosis was also a accident. They found that cause I was having pains in my ankle and in my knees the x-rays proved everything was fine in those two particular places...But wanted to do test on my hips and sure enough my hipps had come out of place due to tissue deterriation,wich they figured had to do with my thyroid because my weight was fluctuating so much. The doctor said it is very rare for what happend to me to happen.
They said my bones were basicly rubbing aginst the sockets when I walked with no tissue...And talk about some major pains...Wouldnt wish that on my enemy!!! My thyrois was completely eat'n as the doctor said...So im suppose to take synthroid for it,but since medicare and all that stuff it makes it hard to get. Well anyways, just thought I had an interesting story about hoshimotos.

Hi, I am a 41 yr old male, up in canada. I was diagnosed with hashi's about 1 1/2 yrs ago, after finding a large goiter in my neck. At that time I saw an endocrinologist and he put me on synthroid 100mcg in hopes it would shrink my goiter. At the time my tsh was 10 and my t4 and t3's were normal. My microsomal antibody count was 20,000. The med had no effect, symptoms were becoming quite annoying...Dry skin, tiredness, fatigue, lack of concentration, poor memory, decreased sex drive, and my goiter only got larger. Medication was increased with no result, and surgery was planned to remove said goiter. Post surgery, synthroid moved my tsh down to 4.75, but within 3-4 weeks, I got a phone call from the endo saying my tsh was up to 30. Symptoms became worse, now with hypertension, increased cholesterol and another increase in the synthroid to 200mcg. 3 more weeks later, my tsh is down to 18. I have now begged my gp to put me on something else, and to see a different endo(for more reasons than I will mention here). I am trying to go back to school, but with the ongoing signs and symptoms, it is a slow uphill battle. Can anyone tell me or share some good info as to medications or alternate therapies. Thanks and sorry for the diatribe. Lafter.

Hi, I have been suffering from Fibromyalgia and PTSD for many years, but found myself having trouble with weight gain and swallowing within the last two months. I am taking Levothyroxine for my thyroid, but no one tested me for Hashimotos. I was diagnosed via biopsy of a rash on my hand with Lupus. So I was sent to the Rhumi. He did the blood tests and physical, and told me right away my thyroid gland was swollen. I told him I was aware of it but no one else would check it. So they took blood, took Xrays of my neck and back, and told me to call today. Well, the results are Hashimotos disease, osteoarthritis, high cholestoral, HBP, as well as the Fibro and the mental issues I go through. But at least I got someone to listen to me. I am hoping that surgery isn't necessary, but will cross that bridge when I get there. I am really tired all the time, and my weight just went through the roof. So now to wait for the docs to get together and figure out what to do with me next. Nice to be in a group with info.

Daymay

Hi rb. Im a 27 yr old female and have had hashimotos diease for 6 yrs now.
I know you asked to hear from males, but I couldnt resist as its nice to share with someone, who gets where your coming from.
It took me years to find the right dosage of my thyoxine. And even now it changes with my hormones so I'll probably be monitoring for a while.
I understand the other problems you described that escalate from this condition. I suffer from depression, insomnia, and always always fatigue...
Id really like to find some natural remedies to help in anyway.

I would love to hear from you.