posted
Is hypothyroidism common with Lyme? Does Lyme cause this? Just seems like so many of my symptoms suggest hypothyroidism.
Could it be hypothyroidism and NOT Lyme?
-------------------- Sofi Posts: 150 | From Northern California | Registered: Jun 2009
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
It can be related to lyme. My hypothyroidism was preexisiting as it runs in the family.
Don't speculate just run a complete thyroid panel if you're in doubt. TSH alone is not good enough.
I will say lyme increased my need for thyroid meds seemingly. I had to up my doses.
There can be a number of endocrine issues created with lyme.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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ukcarry
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18147
posted
Many people with CFS/ME and Lyme become hypothyroid, so it is certainly a good idea to check it out.
Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
In my experience the infection can induce thyroid hormone resistence such that even if the blood levels are normal, the hormone is not getting to the cells that need it.
Prior to thyroid hormone supplementation, my skin turned an amazing yellow orange, a sign of hypothyroidism, even though my hormone blood tests were comfortably within normal range.
Dr Lowe's site has a bit about this, though not related to lyme
ping
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6974
posted
Hypothyroidism is very common among female Lyme suffers. I have it and all my women Lyme friends have it too.
ping "We are more than containers for Lyme"
-------------------- ping "We are more than containers for Lyme" Posts: 1302 | From Back in TX again | Registered: Mar 2005
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I actually had the opposite which is hyperthyroidism. My T4 has been on the high end of normal ever since I became ill. I have lost so much weight.
Since my T4 never got out of the normal range, no doctor ever treated me for it even though I had all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and every single test was on the borderline.
After treating LD for 15 months my T4 finally came back right in the middle of the normal range. So I attribute it to LD.
This does not mean you cannot have a thyroid problem separate from LD. And you should have the whole panel done and treat it if neccessary.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Thing is, I had the panel done about 3 years ago and all was normal (of course).
I have a palpable lump on my throat, have put on 20 lbs over the past 2 years (despite valiant efforts to lose), extreme fatigue, super dry hair and, recently, my fingernails have grown in almost concave - weird. I have almost ALL hypothyroid symptoms.
Guess I could have a panel run again.
-------------------- Sofi Posts: 150 | From Northern California | Registered: Jun 2009
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
My LLD said everyone who has Chronic Lyme also has shot their adrenals and thyroid.
I think some docs read the results differently than others. Since I started meds, my hair has stopped falling out. No other changes yet though!!!
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
My LLMD discovered that I have a slightly enlarged thyroid. Ultrasound showed there is a small nodule and some smaller diffused ones. My thyroid tests have always been normal.
I restarted Armour thryroid again. Previously, it had made me so nauseous I had stopped after a couple of weeks. Now I tolerate it, but at 1 pill 30 mgs. it makes me so sleepy in the am.
I toughing it out as I think this is now important.
My LLMD says that Lyme can instigate thyroid problems, but may clear up after Lyme is gone. No guarantees on this one.
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
Interestingly, people on the Marshall Protocol report decrease in thyroid meds and fairly swift resolution of hypothyroid as one of the first results.
I know I'm hypothyroid, as I have a chronically low body temperature. Check into the Wilson Temperature Syndrome or Wilson Thyroid Syndrome on the net for data about that. This is a sure way to self-test for hypothyroid!
With treating Lyme and Babesia, especially with the Allergie-Immun drops, my temperature now is usually 98.3 instead of 96.8-97.8.
Since hypothyroid can also lead to early bone loss (among other bad effects--the thyroid affects over 200 different things in the body), this is a KEY issue for me!!
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
My LLMD even went as far as to say that Lyme can screw up your TSH levels so they look normal, when they aren't.
If I remember the terms, it was toxins created by cytokenes?
Anyway, he's treating me for hypothyroidism even though my TSH was normal.
Posts: 503 | From Alberta, Canada | Registered: Jun 2009
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Wow, I didn't know Armour made you sleepy; has anyone else experienced this? I'm always so fatigued, it seems I'm sleepy all the time...probably not the cause, but is it common?
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I was just diagnosed with LD after a good seven years of hell (and am on Doxy). When the test came back positive, my primary physician also told me i had hypothyroidism. I am reluctant to take any Synthroid, which he prescribed to me, because he is not a LLMD and I've read the harms of taking thyroid medication unnecessarily (i do not want my thyroid to shut down and be solely dependent on medication for the rest of my life when i truly did not need it in the first place). I just don't want any more issues than I already have to deal with currently!
Posts: 2 | From Fort Edward, NY | Registered: Sep 2009
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
lilmac, welcome
if you were diagnosed with hypothyroidism; TAKE THE MEDICINE PRESCRIBED!!! you will be taking this for the rest of your life as i was told around 20 yrs. ago.
doesn't make any difference if this dr. is NOT A LLMD; blood tests produce these results for the diagnosis.
also, my welcome letter to you....
Welcome; I'm so glad you found us!! You've come to the right place for education and support!
Betty's suggested POSTING GUIDELINES . many of us have neuro lyme where we can NOT read long solid block text and be able to comprehend and read it as is.
please edit your post by CLICKING PAPER/PENCIL ICON to right of your name. that opens up BOTH subject line and body text.
now please break up your WORDY SENTENCES into one sentence paragraphs. Then hit ENTER KEY ``TWICE`` after each paragraph; we need that space for comprehension.
then go to left hand corner and mark box to receive ALL REPLIES, and click EDIT SEND
we thank you for helping us; otherwise, we will SOB, SCROLL ON BY, since we can't read to help you. If I see posts like this, I SOB them; to hard on me. ----------------------------------------------------
I found Turn the Corner Foundation through the website for the Under Our Skin movie. Here is the link for their website. At the bottom of their webpage there is a link to click if you are interested in getting help finding and LLMD.
I emailed them for help and got a response with the names of over 10 LLMDS in two states in less than a days time. What an incredible blessing! Thought I'd pass it on. By member Aimee, 7.11.09 ------------------------------------------------------
People seeking doctors might be able to get help from their state online information and support group. Nearly 3,400 people belong to state groups. Some of the groups are small but more than 20 of them have 50 or more people and seven have over 100.
The groups are moderated and you have to apply. Most don't allow doctor names, but once on the group, you can ask for doctors in a certain area and ask people to email you privately. *******************************************
This explains the medical politics around lyme WHY you need an ILADS-educated or ILADS-member LLMD (and there are also some ILADS-member LL NDs (naturopathic doctors):
You should also be evaluated for coinfections. Not all tests are great in that regard, either, but a good LLMD can evaluate you and then guide you in testing. One of the top labs is:
"With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years.
Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.
But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.
Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result.
Response to antibiotics is the same if either is positive, or both. Some antibodies against the borrelia are given more significance if they are IgG versus IgM, or vice versa.
Since this is a chronic persistent infection, this does not make a lot of sense to me. A newly formed Borrelia burgdorferi should have the same antigen parts as the previous bacteria that produced it.
But anyway, from my clinical experience, these borrelia associated bands usually predict a clinical change in symptoms with antibiotics, regardless of whether they are IgG or IgM." ===========
ILADS The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) provides a forum for health science professionals to share their wealth of knowledge regarding the management of Lyme and associated diseases.
UNDER OUR SKIN dvd LYME DISEASE documentary, www.lymediseasefilm.com go to this site to view trailer of UNDER OUR SKIN 5 min. Clip! Premiering 2008!! on big screen 09 in 10 LARGE CITIES ONLY!
* Please note: What you are about to read below is NOT meant to scare any of you from any lyme testings done; it's meant to be informed PRIOR to going into having various tests done and then be told what the costs will be! * Mine was sticker $$ shock on various testings done by my 2nd LLMD/new to me in 4=06. Those tests/results are found elsewhere in my links/advise.
* Igenex's charges for these below things cost $905, which I figured up the last 2 days for 2 other folks includes
* The below tests were done for ME; you MAY NOT NEED them all ok! :
* western blot IGM & IGG, this is MANDATORY for you which costs $200 total for 2 tests done; 6.09 same prices still. * * ******************************************************* * OPTIONAL ONES ARE:
* co-infection panel for YOUR AREA OF COUNTRY; * PCR WHOLE BLOOD...this is what my LLMD ordered!
It's PREPAY! unless you are on medicare; IGX will file the paperwork & it's FREE to you.
go to www.igenex.com and read over their info. Prices go up twice a year: MAY and NOVEMBER!!
* * have blood drawn MON. or TUES. only; you don't want your blood sitting in post office over the weekend; will ruin the results!
* Also, call 1-800.832.3200 for CURRENT PRICES! * They will also send you a ``test kit'' with their required form, all the test vials, & box to ship it in! OUT OF USA will take longer to receive!
* You need to DOWNLOAD IGENEX's required form.****************************************************** * * MD, DO ,ND, AC, DC are all fine** must sign, date, and show DIAGNOSIS CODE on there why he's ordering the test.
Make sure you show to FAX results and SNAIL MAIL PAPER COPY! My results were lost for 4-5 weeks! Bettyg * * When you get your results, please post them in MEDICAL; * Post ONLY the POSITIVE & IND ones .... not the negative ones!
GET COPIES OF ALL YOUR SPECIAL BLOOD TESTS: western blot igm/igg and/or co-infection tests always!!
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