posted
Hi! It has been a long time since I last posted on this board, but I still visit on a regular basis. Has anyone experience thyroid problems since being diagnosed with Lyme disease?
I have completed 14 months of abx treatment since beng diagnosed in Jan. of 2007. My LLMD has now referred me to a neuro for treatment of the constant pain I experience. I've had MRI's, x-rays, and bloodwork and none of these tests reflect a muscular/skeletal reason for my pain.
Recent bloodwork has reflected almost no thyroid activity. My neuro referred me to an endocrinologist who has started me on thyroid replacement therapy.
In addition to the thyroid replacement hormone, I take oxycodone, oxymorphone, neurontin, relafen, and cymbalta for pain issues. I am on ambien to help me sleep and provigil to keep me awake and functional at work.
Dispite the medication, I still experience almost constant pain in my hips, knees, and feet. Some mornings, I can barely walk when first leaving my bed. I have a desk job but some days are torture and I often take a break and just lie in the floor to get some relief.
Since my Lyme diagnosis, I have lost 20 pounds. I now weigh 160 lbs at 5 foot 10 inches of height. I also experience "hot flashes" and can become drenched in sweat in only a few moments.
disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
Yes, many many people who have lyme disease have thyroid issues.
I found out about my hypothyroidism before I knew I had lyme. When I first got very ill, I had went to the ER two times in the same day and the only thing they could find wrong was that my thyroid (TSH) was high. For a long time after this, I believed that hypothyroidism was my only problem and it was the cause of all my ills even though I was put on medication for it.
Took me a year later to find out that I had lyme and co-infections. I spent a year thinking it was my thyroid making me so ill... come to find out it wasn't causing much, if any, real symptoms. Most of my symptoms turned out to be from lyme and co's. Treatment has helped many, many of the symptoms diminish quite a bit and a few of them to go away completely.
It's good that you found out about your thyroid though and are treating it! To me, though, your pain just sounds like lyme to me and not the cause of your thyroid.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
posted
Hi jed275,
So sorry you are in so much pain. Pain is very hard to deal with. I hope the thyroid replacement hormone helps. I have had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis since I was 17, I did not know at the time I had Lyme. I think there is a connection.
I felt much better after treatment for Babesia, that seemed to get some of my inflammation down.
Were you treated for any possible co-infections? Do you have any food allergies or yeast issues? Maybe something like that would help?
I hope you find something that helps and feel better soon.
-------------------- God Bless You! Everything..is just my opinion. Posts: 6641 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
The first thing that should be thought of when the thyroid tanks is iodine, a deficiency of this vital nutrient can cause thyroid dysfunction, and replacing thyroid hormone without replacing iodine disconnects the natural thyroid regulation system from your nervous system...Google "iodine deficiency" and see what pops up.
Posts: 442 | From Biddeford, ME | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
My daughter has had major Thyroid issues in the past. Before DX of Lyme but while she had it. Cysts, then a tumor resulting in a lobectomy of the Thyroid. Just one of many things Lyme messes up. I hope your problem will be resolved soon. Best of Health Peedie
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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posted
I also have anti-thyroid antibodies, which some people call Hashimoto's, but since there is a connection to lyme, not sure if this is the correct name. Recently a herxheimer reaction caused a major thyroid storm, as if my thyroid meds had stopped working. My interpretation of this is that keets take up residence in the thyroid.
But despite thyroid meds, I still have frequent episodes of overheating suddenly, at night this is accompanied by tachycardia. So is this adrenal fatigue, hormone disregulation, or what? And does salt craving exist in connection with iodine deficiency?
Sure wish the endocrinologists were more educated about lyme.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
My hypothyroidism (runs in the family) was well-maintained with meds before Lyme. Now with Lyme I've been really struggling to find the right dose.
I think for some--I know for me--Lyme can derail the endocrine system to some degree and can disrupt normal thyroid function as well as the function of other hormone producing glands (i.e. reproductive, adrenals, pituitary, etc.).
One has to hope the correct antibiotic regimens will result in a correction of hormonal outputs. Otherwise, hormone replacement is the ultimate option but not one that is most desirable.
I think too that these hormone disturbances are in part responsible for the often overwhelming fatigue that presents with advanced Lyme.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Have any of you folks looked at all of your hormones besides the thyroxine.
In men, low testosterone can cause muscle and joint pain along with longer recovery times. It also produces anxiety, depression and night sweats.
Not getting the TSH into therapeutic range is also said to produce muscle/joint pain.
Has anyone (males) tried boosting up testosterone levels? Mine have dropped off recently since I fell ill and now I think they are inhibiting my recovery. I mat try using a gel until I am back to my old self.
Any thoughts?
Also all should pay attention to Candida, it can have adverse effects on endocrinine system
Posts: 69 | From New York State | Registered: May 2008
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
With Lyme, my testosterone has been low-normal. Replacement with T is obviously tempting.
However, if you suspect Lyme is throwing off your levels, then I'd suggest toughing it out until you give a good treatment regimen a try.
Replacement, if not done correctly, can suppress you further or make you a slave to hormone replacement.
But why not wait to see if your body can bounce back? Some LLMDs say that endocrine abnormalities will correct with proper treatment.
In the meantime, extra sleep can't hurt, good food, and some supplements may be helpful--fish oil, Acetyl L-Carnitine, good multivitamins/minerals, B-complex, etc.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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I hope the thyroid replacement hormone helps. I have had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis since I was 17, I did not know at the time I had Lyme. I think there is a connection.
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