Atrophic Hashimoto Thyroiditis

[Jackie419]

Huh? I had an ultrasound yesterday, ordered by the last endo I saw. Last summer, I had another doctor tell me I had Hashis and posted my antibody tests here:

antithyroglobulin ab     <20   UI- ml     (0-40)
TPOab   6  (0-34)

Everyone was in agreement then that I do not have hashis. When last endo felt my neck, he said it felt like a "hashis neck" and guessed I had nodules and ordered this ultrasound. I was quite surprised to get the results last evening:
"Your thyroid is small and irregular which is typical of atrophic Hashimoto thyroiditis.
No nodules which is good."
No other thoughts or explanations and this is not making sense at all. I see my new doctor tomorrow, but thought I would post this. Second time hashis is mentioned...is that just a catch-all for some?? Thanks!

[Anniegoose]

good luck jackie -- keep us all posted

it's always good to get a second opinion - sometimes even a third or fourth


blessings to you

[Barb135]

Hashimoto's is the most prevalent cause of hypothyroidism in the developed world, so there are those who simply "assume" that since a person is hypo, they have Hashi's. There are some people diagnosed with Hashimot's without elevated antibodies, though I've never really understood that.

It doesn't really matter that much, because the treatment is going to be the same, whether you have Hashi's or not, unless you have a pituitary issue or something.  

The main time a diagnosis of Hashi's is good to have is in the beginning, because that will tell you that there may swings to hyper, and that as progression advances, you will need periodic changes in med dosages.