What’s your experience? I’m trying desperately to shed a few lbs. I’ve been counting my calories religiously, weighing my food, exercising and the scale isn’t budging. I’m tempted to ask my endocrinologist about GLPs but I’m also nervous to take that leap, so I’m trying out CICO first. Has anyone in this sub had success with CICO?

I should mention that I’m currently “subclinical”, and my endocrinologist has not yet put me on medication for my Hashis. However, I’ve been slowly gaining weight without changing much of diet or lifestyle over the last few years.

Has anyone actually gotten their Hashimoto’s antibodies down and, more importantly, felt normal again?

I’m honestly reaching the point where I feel like I’m losing hope. I’ve been dealing with symptoms for about a year now and I feel completely unlike myself. I’m exhausted every single day, have basically no energy or motivation, struggle to even get through work, and constantly feel “out of body” or disconnected from myself. I’m also severely depressed from feeling physically and mentally awful for so long. It’s gotten to the point where I’m scared this is just going to be my life now.

I’ve technically had hypothyroidism since I was 13, but I never felt anywhere near this bad. I apparently have had Hashimoto’s since around 2020, but no one ever told me or explained that to me until this year. I’m 22 now, and I keep wondering if knowing sooner would have made a difference or if my thyroid has been struggling for years without me realizing what was actually going on.

On top of the Hashimoto’s, my ferritin is 9, and my vitamin D and B12 are also low. So I know there are multiple things that could be contributing to how terrible I feel. I’m currently seeing a naturopath and trying to get everything addressed, but I’m honestly overwhelmed and exhausted from trying to figure this out.

I’m especially curious about people who have had really high thyroid antibodies — what actually helped you? Did treating iron deficiency, vitamin D/B12 deficiencies, changing your diet, taking selenium, managing stress, treating your thyroid levels, or anything else make a noticeable difference? And did your antibodies actually come down?

More than anything, I just want to know if it’s possible to feel like myself again. I don’t necessarily care if my antibodies are never “perfect” if I can actually function and feel present in my body again. I’m just so tired of waking up every day feeling sick, exhausted, disconnected, and wondering when I’m going to get my life back.

If anyone has been in a similar place and eventually got better, I’d really appreciate hearing your experience because right now I genuinely need some hope.

Hi all, I'm 34 with a 2 year old girl. After she was born, I was diagnosed with severe PP thyroiditis which evidently turned into Hashimotos. Currently unmedicated as my thyroid markers have always been "normal" but my TPO antibodies are sky high.

I've had 2 miscarriages in the past year and now this is my fourth pregnancy. I'm currently 9 weeks 2 days and had my first ultrasound today - they were able to see an empty sac with yolk but no fetal pole.

My OB was slightly hopeful but my gut tells me otherwise. I have to get bloodwork done to test my HCG levels every 48 hours to see where they're trending.

Feeling so helpless as this will potentially be my third miscarriage in a row.

Anyone else experience this? Advice? Anything is helpful.

I'm newly diagnosed in January after experiencing symptoms for about 6 months before that (and honestly probably longer than that, I just didn't realize it). I was started on Levo 25 mcg in January. My TSH went from 5.9 in January to 2.5 after three months on the Levo and I was generally feeling better. But I just switched to a new endo who ran a bunch of labs and as of 7/28/26, my TSH has crept back up to 4.1. Over the past week, I've started feeling really crummy, worse than I've felt since I originally started having symptoms that led to my diagnosis...crushing fatigue, achey all over like I have the flu, joint pain, headaches, brain fog...

I have an appointment for repeat labs next week to recheck my TSH, Free T4 and T3 before I see my endo on 9/29. I'm just wondering if there's any benefit to requesting that my antibodies be rechecked as well? From what I've read, most doctors don't ever recheck that and aren't concerned with it but I've seen some experts say that it's helpful to know if they are elevated.

Today, for example, I was fully prepared to study, but I woke up feeling horrible: extremely sleepy, tired, brain fogged and completely unmotivated. As a result, I haven't studied at all.

This has been happening to me for years, but I only found out about two months ago that Hashimoto's could be the cause. Before I knew this, I felt like a piece of shit. I thought I was just lazy and lacked the willpower to do anything. Knowing there might be a medical reason behind it makes me feel a bit better about myself, at least...

Today was a total wash. I still have a few hours left in the day, so I'll try to get some studying done, but the day is pretty much lost. I'm afraid I'll fail my exams and lose another year unfortunately, but at this point I don't even care, I want my health back first.

I just wanted to share this and see if others can relate. Also any advice is very welcome.

For context:

TSH:12.2 mIU/L (normal: 0.27–4.2) — high

Free T4:1.25 ng/dL (normal: 0.92–1.68)— normal

TPO antibodies: >600 U/mL (range not reported)— high

Vitamin D: 24 ng/mL (range not reported) — low/insufficient

Triglycerides: 196 mg/dL (normal: 50–200) — near upper limit

I've been on 25 mg of levothyroxine for 2 months, no improvements in symptoms.

My partner has been diagnosed with hashimotos and recently got a CPAP for sleep apnea. She is going to ask her doctor but does anyone have a similar intersection of these issues and found that treating one alleviated symptoms with the other? After a few weeks with the CPAP she looks more awake and I can tell she has more energy. Wondering if there is more to look forward to and if breathing better while asleep can help manage fatigue related to hashimotos

Hi everyone. I finally got great test results after 3 years since my diagnosis and got a green light to start trying. This may be TMI but we started trying this past month August 10-17 with my expected ovulation date being Aug 17. My expected period was supposed to start August 31 which it did, but I weirdly started cramping like 4 days before, which never happens to me. I also started spotting this light pink spotting which usually never happens either. It’s either spotting of red or straight into a light flow. Since yesterday night, my flow has gotten a heavier and my cramping has intensified. I’ve taken two test so far and both ended up being taken wrong, I’m probably nervous and keep doing things wrong. I’m also feeling extremely tired lately, like falling asleep once I get to bed which never happens to me and having these weird spurts of not having any appetite and then having intense hunger. Now I know, I’m most likely I’m not pregnant because of my period but I read about implantation bleeding? What are the odds that this might be the case for me? I’m really hoping it is because I was devastated when my period came lol also what are your experiences with trying to get pregnant as women with Hashimotos? What have you done to help your body?

I’ve had muffled hearing and ear fullness for a few years (started around COVID), but it’s gotten much worse this past year. Recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and Sjögren’s, and now my doctors think it might all be connected.

Quick facts:

Hearing loss in both ears, confirmed worse on recent testing
ENT found inflamed tissue growing in my middle ear — not infection, not a cyst
No fluid found on exam, so it’s unclear if surgery would even find anything to drain
Ear tubes and antibiotics didn’t fix it
Starting high-dose steroids now to see if it’s autoimmune-driven inflammation
Surgery (opening the mastoid bone) may be next if steroids don’t help

Anyone with Sjögren’s or Hashimoto’s had similar ear issues, especially post-COVID? Did steroids help? Did you need surgery? Any advice welcome!

Hi everyone. I’m hoping to hear from people who have both Hashimoto’s/hypothyroidism (or persistently elevated TSH) and Addison’s disease/ adrenal insufficiency.

My TSH was 6 in 2024 and still 6 this year, but my doctor only started me on levothyroxine last month. I’ve had a lot of brain fog and cognitive issues, so now I’m wondering if I should have been treated sooner instead of having to deal with these symptoms.

I’m also frustrated because I asked my endo for a more complete thyroid workup, but he basically told me to “trust him” and did not order it. Now that I want to try for pregnancy, I’m questioning whether I should find a doctor who listens more carefully and is more proactive.

I’m worried about managing both levothyroxine and hydrocortisone during pregnancy. If you have Hashimoto’s/high TSH and Addison’s or adrenal insufficiency, I’d really love to hear your experience: how long did it take you to conceive, how often were your thyroid levels checked, and how much did your levothyroxine dose change? If you take hydrocortisone/steroid replacement, did you need to updose during pregnancy, labor, or postpartum and was it a major change? How was pregnancy, delivery, and recovery overall?

I know every case is different, but I would really appreciate any detailed personal experiences, things you wish you knew, or advice on what type of doctor/team was most helpful and/ or anything you want others to know.

Hi, sorry in advance if this is boring but I just need to rant somewhere where people might understand. I don't expect advice, it's a tricky medical situation, I just need to scream into the void. 39F UK, if it matters.

Over the past few months I have been bone-tired. Daily function is massively reduced, I can't walk or stand for long periods because it tires me out. I've been taking 5 hour naps if left unsupervised. Also hair loss, weight gain, struggling to lose any weight unless I drop to about 500kcal a day. Strong family history of hypothyroidism and autoimmune disease. Due to all this, GP checks my thyroid 3 weeks ago, along with some other tests.

TSH 5.89, Free T4 9.1, T3 not tested. Positive AnA with 1:320 titre and homogeneous pattern. B12 and vit D both perfect, no worries there. Iron is another story but we'll come to that later. GP says I have subclinical hypothyroidism and agrees to retest whilst adding TPO antibodies, says if TSH comes back above 5 again she'll trial me on levothyroxine. Doesn't seem the slightest bit concerned about the AnA.

Those results come back today - TSH now 3.34 (didn't test FT4 due to this) but 89ui/mL on the TPO. Didn't give me a ref range, but clearly marked on my file as abnormal, so likely Hashimotos. But seeing as I don't have two raised TSH results yet, levo trial is now off the table until ny TSH decides to raise itself again, whenever that may be.

Onto the iron: Ferritin 25, TSAT 63%. I can't supplement iron due to non-penentrant haemochromatosis phenotype (C282Y homozygous) so my low iron could also be causing my fatigue and hair loss but with my genetics it's not as simple as "give her iron pills and she'll be fine." I also know that thyroid function is affected by ferritin levels.

It's so frustrating to have three things that could be making me feel like I'm genuinely dying, but two can't/won't be treated any time soon, and as for the positive AnA, my GP seems reluctant to investigate further. I'm sat here feeling like death warmed up, yet I can't have levo because my labs are seemingly okay, and I can't have iron in case my wonky genes decide to hoard it and try to kill me off. I am so tired of being tired. I want my life back! I'm so exhausted that the only place I go now is to the GP, because I don't have the energy to do anything remotely social.

TLDR; sorry, just venting. Possible Hashimotos, subclinical hypothyroidism with borderline TSH means I can't get levo just yet. Low ferritin but stupid genes mean I can't supplement. Unknown potential autoimmune condition the doctor doesn't care about. Tired girl absolutely crashing out 🙃

Not everyone with thyroid eye disease has been diagnosed yet.

If your eyes have started to bulge, water, or feel sore, and you have been diagnosed with Graves, it could be TED. A clinical research study is enrolling adults with thyroid eye disease.

Learn more about the condition and the study:https://lpcur.com/rhashimtotos1

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with Hashimotos and have been taking medication for a little bit (one month) and I expect the medication will take a while to have an affect on me but I am dead tired all the time and am wondering how long it took for others or if it worked at all. I'm an English teacher with very little to no job security so I can't afford to be caught sleeping but I get close to dosing off mid day often. I'm always oppressively tired and want to have energy but I'm a little worried I'll never fully recover back to 100%. People all around me tell me my early 20s is supposed to be a crazy time of exploring and energy but they don't understand I have the energy of a 60 year old.

Guys, just wondering if you had an unusually low heart rate when you were diagnosed with Hashimoto’s?

I never really thought much of it, but my resting heart rate is around 54-60 range mostly.

Just wanna know if anyone else experienced this.

My TSH 246
Free T4 0.23
Free T3 1.59
TPO AB > 1000

Does anyone have hashimotos and Hidradenitis suppurativa? I was wondering if maybe these are correlated, I have both and didn’t know how common or rare this is

Following up on my post from last week. Didn't expect 53 comments, so thank you.

For anyone who missed it: my mom has Hashimoto's and has spent years being told her labs are "normal" while continuing to feel terrible, so I built her a structured report that plots every lab result against standard reference ranges and the tighter functional optimal ranges, with medication dose changes and symptoms on the same timeline. From the analysis, her doctor did finally acknowledge a dose change correlation with her symptoms and has since adjusted her medication :)

A lot of people asked for the template so I've turned it into something anyone can use and wanted to share it. It's a spreadsheet with three tracking sheets (labs, symptoms, medications) plus a prompt you paste into Claude or ChatGPT. Attach the file, paste the prompt, and it generates a structured doctor visit summary automatically.

The template is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m2VcoT6mdUADKo0DMUuYX2ihdB008UOv/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107188264494532813725&rtpof=true&sd=true

Note on Rule 1: I want to be transparent. I built this for my mom, who has Hashimoto's. I'm sharing it because this community asked for it and because it might help people in the same situation. I'm not here for commercial gain.

One thing the responses this week made me realize: the spreadsheet works but it's clunky as you still have to attach files, paste prompts, and re-enter things manually. A few people DM'd asking if there was a simpler version. I've started looking into building a proper app that does all of this automatically. If that's something you'd find useful, I've set up an early interest list at haloscan.co. No commitment, totally free, and just a way to let me know if it's worth pursuing.

Hopefully this is helpful :) I understand how difficult dealing with Hashimoto's is, so have been trying to make it easier for my mom and similar patients in my free time.

Would you say my thyroid looks enlarged?
I took notice to it around 2019 but I have photos going back as far as 2011 with it looking enlarged but not to the extent it is today back then.

It has been the size it is today at least the last few years. I also on the side that appears the most swollen right up to under my jaw I feel a swollen lymph node I believe it may be anyway down under the jaw area and I noticed that back in February .

Literally everyone on my mother’s side of the family has thyroid problems.

I currently have “normal” thyroid labs but I believe I have hashimotos judging by my symptoms that I have been struggling with for the last 10-15 years. I’m coming here incase anyone has some insight on how my neck looks. I’ve asked my doctor once to test me for a full thyroid panel including antibodies but he said that they only test that stuff if you already have a thyroid condition 🙄

I want to go back to see him and push for the full thyroid panel and possibly an ultrasound of my neck if I can convince him that my thyroid is indeed enlarged…

For Hashi folks specifically who are currently taking or have taken only T3 for a given period of time, would you please share your experience with it? Pros and cons, dosing, timing, symptomology, labs (if you’re comfortable), why you started taking it and what you have seen improve, etc. Thanks :)

Please tell me I am not the only one and how do you deal with it?
Every so often I get major health anxiety always assuming the worse 🥺
Mainly because of symptoms
Tingling - related to bad posture
Muscle twitches -
Fatigue
Brain fog
Joint pain
Hair loss

I’ve been diagnosed with Hashimotos for about two years now no meds because my “thyroid hasn’t stopped working “
I have a dr appointment later this week what questions should I be asking?

I’ve been doing my job for 15 years (since graduating uni), moved up the ranks over the years and know others expect me to keep climbing. I just don’t know if I can handle the stress now with Hashi’s. I manage multi-million dollar projects for clients, manage a bunch of staff who have their own projects, attend industry events, responsible for business development, and much more.

I’ve been considering either taking a sabbatical for a couple months (leaving lots for others to shoulder which I hate), or just taking a break and switching into a less stressful career (with a salary decrease).

I could stop doing other stuff in my life that I love outside of work, allowing me more time to focus on the job, but what’s the point of that?

Anyone else have bad reactions with stress and end up having to take a step back from work?

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in September of last year, and then Hashimoto's a few months ago. I've been on meds for about a year now and my levels have been in a good range.

About a week and a half ago I started to wake up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. I would feel this full body ache almost like I have a flu, but without any of the headache or above the neck symptoms I get when I have a virus. I noticed that the feeling was significantly worse if I had worked out the day before (running, tennis, or weights). On days I didn't work out it was still there, but less intense.

The feeling lasts all day but is improved a little bit when I take my med and get my day started.

I don't think I've had a "flare up" before this as my meds helped me feel much better and I thought I'd returned to normal.

I'm wondering if others would share what flare ups feel like for you and if exercise has an impact?

Sooo after being diagnosed and noticing the impact of dairy and gluten on me, I started trying to cut them off and finding better replacement for some things. After a long looooooong search for a good protein powder that won’t have any dairy, gluten, peas, soy, or a mill other things I finally found this babe, still gotta try it but never thought I’d be this happy about buying pumpkin protein powder.😅

EDIT: just received it today, will post an update once i try it

Hello all! I'm very new to all of this. Back in December I got bloodwork and my TPO was 409. Redid bloodwork a couple of weeks ago and it was down to 250 but my Tgab was like 1200 😳

My other thyroid numbers were okay, but after reviewing all of this with my new NP (private practice, hormone health focused), she shared that this was most likely going to be a lifelong thing and that I could avoid meds but she recommended getting on a very low dose.

Looking for what to expect!! I'm not overweight really, maybe -10 pounds -- puffy face (partially just genetic but they're puffier than they were like 8 or more years ago) and struggle with some energy, hunger and losing fat. 40 year old female, no other health issues.

22F here, i’m fairly certain i have hashimoto’s but have yet to get a diagnosis. it’s been a long, grueling process, as i’m sure most of you know.

accompanied by a boatload of other symptoms, i’ve had what i’m certain has been an enlarged thyroid for over ten years now. it’s not super noticeable on the outside unless you feel around, but internally it feels like i’ve had a marble lodged in my throat 24/7 since sixth grade, not getting worse but not getting better. it is significantly worse on my right side.

i got an ultrasound done for the first time on thursday and i was so excited, thinking this would finally provide some necessary evidence of whatever my problem is. then i received this with a message from my doctor saying nothing but “labs look normal,” and i just broke down sobbing. HOW did nothing show up as abnormal????

if any of you have had an uncomfortably large thyroid as well, i’d love to know what the measurements were for you. i don’t know what is considered normal but apparently this is.

i’m so sick of this.