Hashimoto: A family affair

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It's a family affair; most of the women on my mothers side of the family have it. My grandmother (my mothers mother) had Hashimoto and underwent an operation to have her thyroid removed. My mother has been upp and down (hyper to hypo) but I don't know her antibodies ~ so I could not say if she is Graves or Hashi. Half of her thyroid was removed. 

Myself; I have the thyroid disease. My antibodies levels indicate Hashi (my Anti-TPO is elevated) but I have mostly been hyper since I became an adult (my levels were never checked while I was still a child). The specialists assumed, for many years, that I was just "hysterical" and needed anti-depressants and it wasn't until I turned almost 30 years old, that a doctor at my local ER asked me why "my neck was so swollen" that someone finally did something. 

Bloodtests showed that I was hyper - my hormones were flying all over the place (hence, I couldn't keep my weight up and I had all the symptoms of a hyperactive thyroid) and I was finally treated with Neo-Mercazole. My hormones have been within the normal range for a few years now, but my TPO levels are still at 1500 ~ which is abormal, for I should be well below 100. 

I am in what might be called "remission" ~ that is, my antibodies are still attacking the thyroid, but I am not in need of any medications right now. That means, that I have to check my thyroid hormones regularly and be aware that there is no "cure" ~ only pauses. I could go hyper or hypo any day now. 

My son, 7 years of age, is also affected - his thyroid is hypo and he takes Levaxin every day. His Anti-TPO levels are the same as mine, around 1500 - which explains to me that the thyroid condition (Hashi) is a family affair ~ it is intertwined with our DNA. 

What good comes out of this is a mutual understanding; I can relate to what my mother has gone through, I understand my sons complaints when he tells me that he finds it hard to swallow. I know from experience, that my son and my mother are experiencing a real condition, that is far from being "hysterical" like the doctors once told me, long before anyone thought of measuring my thyroid levels. It helps me to have the same condition, for that way I can be of support to my own family. 

There may not be a cure, but there are certainly ways to learn to live with Hashi - Graves, whatever names we choose. Antibodies, hypo or hyper - we are all on the same boat and what we can do, is offer support and knowledge to one another. The best and most accurate help and advice I have found through online support groups, members that have gone through what I am battling and understand my need to ask questions and connect with others who are like me. 

Thank you all for your support.