posted
Well as some of you know I have been recently diagnosed with Lyme in October 2009. I am 30 years old and I have had Hashimotos since the age of 14.
My LLMD couldn't tell me if I contracted Lyme around the age of 14 or not. He explained that when some people contract Lyme they unexpectedly get thyroid problems. And this may be an indicator of Lyme. However, my doctors never tested me for Lyme when I was 14. By the way, the only symptom I really had at age 14 was EXTREME fatigue. I couldn't even get out of bed to eat. I was just SOOOOOO tired. And my parents took me to the doctor and they discovered I had thyroid issues.
It wasn't explained to me until the age of 25 that I had something called Hashimotos Thyroid Disease.
My aunt is the only other person in my family to have Hashimotos. Therefore, the LLMD can't pinpoint whether I contracted Lyme around the age of 14 or not. But I have been told MULTIPLE times that 14 is an early age to have thyroid problems. In fact, my endrocronologist said she has never seen a patient get diagnosed so young.
Since I have diagnosed with Lyme I have been wondering about the Hashimotos Diagnosis. Does anyone else have a similar story? I have a 2 year old daughter who I have been very worried about. She is cognitively fine, and very intellegent for her age. However, she is VERY petite. She is in the 10% for height and she doesn't even get near touching the bottom percentile for weight.
She repeatedly complains about things hurting. However, she is a 2 year old and I don't know if she truly knows what the word hurt means. She might think that if something itches it hurts. I have had her tested through IgeneX and it was negative.
I just don't want my little one to go through the same thing I have endured. I don't wish this on anyone, but my little girl is my constant worry. Being newly diagnosed I feel like I don't totally understand the whole realm of Lyme, and therefore I am very worried about my future as well as my daughters. My LLMD has assured me that even if she does have Lyme, he will put her on the right track and everything will be fine.
To make matters worse I am very concerned about my husband. They can't prove that Lyme is sexually transmitted, but I have read many stories that explain that it can be sexually transmitted.
If anyone else has similar stories please share them with me.
Besides the interent does anyone go to conferences or support groups?
Posts: 151 | From california | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
julielynne4
Unregistered
posted
My sister and I both have lyme and coinfections, and we figured we contracted it when we were 10 and 12, since that is when our issues started. Of course, all these years we didn't know what was really going on, until I got reinfected last year which led to us figureing it all out.
My sister has Hashimotos as well - diagnosed with it in her early 20s. I am certain it is because of the lyme.
Personally, I think you could have had lyme when you were 14 which would have caused the thyroid issues. Obviously, this is just my guess. I would have your daughter checked and your husband as well - my kids all have lyme which they contracted from me. I know it can be sexually tranzmitted as well.
You might really want to look into a local support group - although I don't go to mine often, it is such a blessing. It is very encouraging to meet with people in person who can share stories and bounce ideas off of.
posted
i was also diagnosed with lyme in oct....got a hashimotos diagnosis from endo in december......will repeat labs in feb....my pcp had thought all my symptoms were hypothyroid...but tsh ok...there just waiting for my thyroid to give up basically.....weird that it all came at the same time (ps ialso worry about my children, and my husband wants to be tested....)
-------------------- Oct 09 Positive CDC Western Blot Jan 10 Positive Babesia Duncani Jan 10 Cd57 28 Mar 10 EBV, IgM, IgG HHV-6 IgG Posts: 739 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I was diagnosed with hashimotos about ten years after being sick. I may have had it much longer, but I don't think I was tested.
My dad,and daughter now have thyroid issues too. But I don't think they have been tested for hashimotos either. They don't seem to test for it very often here?!
-------------------- You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Posts: 807 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
Lymers
Posts: 287 | From Humboldt County, CA | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
I, too, have Hashimoto's. And like you - we suspect that I contracted Lyme as a kid.
I was diagnosed very young with mitral valve prolapse - 12 years old, young for that condition.
At 11, we have doc's records showing that I went in for a large round rash on my leg. (gee, wonder what that could have been?)
After that - many periods of remitting/relapsing illness. Would miss months of school at a time, then improve for months, then relapse again.
I understand your fears about your little one... just keep watching and listening, and if you suspect that she needs to be re-tested through Igenex - do it.
Personally, I would keep a log of any suspicious symptoms or comments she makes. And take note of all developmental issues.
Hopefully she will be just fine!
I hope you are soon feeling better and better.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
How did all of you get diagnosed with Hashmitos?
I suspect this is playing a role in my problems... but I've done the bloodwork necessary to seemingly rule it out.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have it, got it in-97 and I think that is when I got lyme as well. HAshimotos is diagnosed with a blood test.
Posts: 347 | From sweden | Registered: Feb 2008
| IP: Logged |
Jane2904
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15917
posted
I wonder too about this. Our daughter has high Thyroids antibodies and low side of normal FT4.
Her Tsh is always in normal range but just recently went from just under 3 to 1.80 and her antibodies are lower since treating Lyme and Co.
Saw Endo last spring and they were not concerned of the antibodies, but finally admitted she was borderline Hypo. But no treatment.
Even the LLMD is not concerned of the antibodies. I still wonder though.
Take care, Jane
Posts: 1357 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Jane - what is her FT3? Was that measured too?
Tiffagoo (what a name!), hypo runs in families, and probably hashimoto too. Probably connected. So everyone with hypo does not have lyme. It is just a situation that can have more than one cause.
One thing to consider is that women who are inadequately treated for hypo and who have iodine deficit can produce children with health problems as a result of that condition during pregnancy.
There may also be an environmental link to some cases because some toxins adversely affect thyroid function.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
Jane2904
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15917
posted
Lou- looks like her FT3 has not been tested.
Posts: 1357 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Jane,
How can she have high thyroid antibodies and the docs all say... "no worries... move on."
Is checking the TPO and TgAb pretty damn accurate?
I've had these checked before and they came back fine...
but in the back of my mind I wonder if I have Hashmitos.
Grrrrrr
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
There are not a lot of docs who do well with thyroid diagnosis and treatment, and it might be asking too much for a lyme doc to do this too. Most endos can't do it as they rely only on tsh or will prescribe only synthetics. Synthetics do not work for everyone.
Here is a website that talks about thyroid testing. I cannot vouch for everything on the site, but it might be a place to start educating yourself.
Also, articles on the net by Ray Peat are good. Do a search of archives on lymenet. Thyroid comes up a lot and Ray Peat has also been discussed.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am currently taking 112mg Levoxyl for my Hashimotos Thyroid Disease. And my NEW primary care doctor would like to switch me Armour.
I'm really hesitant to do so. #1- I have Lyme and I'm being treated for that right now. I have been on antibiotics for almost 4 months now, and I expect to be on them longer. #2 I have heard bad things about Armour. Such as it isn't a reliable dose amount. Because it is derived from pigs the levels in each tablet are not consistent. At least this is what I have read.
Is there anyone here taking Armour? How is it working for you?
I'm worried because I've been taking Levoxyl and synthroid for 16 years. I just don't want to make matters worse, if you know what I mean.
Thank for all the advice!! tiffagoo
Posts: 151 | From california | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Armour worked fine until they reformulated it. Then there were shortages. So, you can't count on it working or being able to get it either.
Synthetics do work for some people. Does it provide symptom control for you? That is what you should consider. Levoxyl + cytomel worked for me sometimes and sometimes not. The dosing was inconsistent.
You are the only one that knows if your current meds work. If it aint broke, don't fix it. If it is broke, look for a change.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Tiff, it could be either or. Almost everyone in my family has hypothyroidism. It is a common problem.
Lyme definitely throws a wrench in the works too and disrupts normal hormonal outputs.
So the best bet is to stabilize your thyroid with treatment and also address the lyme and/or co's.
Plug as many holes as you can.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
Siciliano
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15920
posted
Count me in......I had lyme for over a year when one day I looked in the mirror and saw this huge "goiter" around my neck and called my PCP right away.
Went in to see my PCP and he knew immediately it was Hashimoto's disease.
I truly believe that you had lyme disease when you were 14 years old, I have no doubts about it.
And, on the topic of lyme being sexually transmitted--I believe it 100%.
The Lyme Dr. with the most years in treating lyme--I think it is over 50 years--says he absolutely believes it is transmitted. Someone with the most experience in treating lyme disease--is someone that knows what they are talking about and if he believes it--so do I!
-------------------- I'm sorry but I am no longer accepting any private messages due to my own battle with lyme. Posts: 3897 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had a goiter for years before they would even test me for Hashimoto's. They didn't treat me until my thyroid was pretty much gone.
If they would have started treatment a lot sooner I don't think I would have lost function of my thyroid. I've dealt with some really stupid doctors! There isn't anyway to get Armour here either, they will only give synthroid or something like it.
Kathy
-------------------- You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Posts: 807 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I, too, have it. My entire thyroid was removed years ago. My LLMD switched me to porcine thyroid as well as Cytomel and I seem to be doing better.
But I agree that thyroid testing is tricky. I would certainly get a second opinion....preferably from a well known endocrinology expert.
I think I had it in my teens or earlier. I had constant pain in my legs that was called "growing pains". Mono at 17 turned into hepatitis. I missed most of my senior year and barely was able to withstand college.
My mother and her mother had it, too.
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic