OT-Thyroid | Arthritis Information

Just complaining because my appointment is still a week away and my symptoms are making me a bit crazy. And they don't match up quite right. Mostly I am STARVING and plan my day by making sure I can eat but I'm also FREEZING all the time. And then all shaky this morning. I think my scan basically confirmed that I have either Graves Disease or Hashimotos Thyroiditis. Now I'm thinking I am having hash*toxicosis. I am hypo (have lots of hypo symptoms) but keep having these hyper episodes because the attack on my thyroid is making it release all sorts of thyroid hormones. I think that's one of the only ways I could have normal TSH but increased uptake on the scan.

Also I am very weak. Muscles weak and shaky. This is interfering with work much more than the RA (more brain fog from this, not so much RA) so I just can't wait for my silly appointment and to get some answers.

So now I'm wondering how all of this will mesh with RA drugs too, and with hoping to have a third baby in time. I'm only 30 so there's time and I'm fine with 2 kids if that's the way it goes, they are great boys. It's complicated because I have work considerations too.

Also one handout on hashi's talks about things that can co-exist:

Type 1 diabetes (nope, and not in family)

Graves (maybe)

RA (yes)

Pernicious anemia (nope)

Addisions (my dad has it)

Early menopause (I hope not!)

Vitiligo (nope)

Thrombocytopenic purpura (my sister had ITP when she was 5!)

Lupus (nope)

It's all so strange. Also I don't know if thyroid antibodies are always present where there is disease? I hope so. Because I have an aggressive case of RA but I'm RF negative and anti-CCP negative.

I can admit one thing that will make me happy--if hashi has been the cause of my frequent hair shedding (Pre-mtx too) and horrible, terrible, wouldn't wish it on my enemy constipation. I can eat cardboard all day and it's still a problem.

Thanks for letting me ramble!

Oh, I see my RD tomorrow, and the Vandy RD next Thursday. Will see about biologics, and about whether I am involved in choosing which or they will do that for me?

KatieG2008-11-24 14:19:45hash*toxicosis, that is too funny. I am tired, can you tell?

can't wait for thanksgiving break!

kids were sick all weekend so it wasn't very relaxing...

Oh I am so sorry you are having such an awful time. Let us know what happens at your appts. hopefully you can get it all figured out soon. Hang in there!!Katie,

What do you mean by:

So now I'm wondering how all of this will mesh with RA drugs too

I have Hashimoto's and RA both. I don't have any problems with drug interactions. Is that what you are talking about?

Katie,

So sorry to hear of your continued problems. As for myself, my Hashimoto's goes between hypo and hyper states. I was told by my endocrinologist that that is fairly common. I was also told that bloodwork alone doesn't always give you an accurate picture. When is your endo appointment? I can't remember. As for the biologics, I am on my third week of enbrel and have noticed a change for the better. I had a choice between enbrel, humira or remicade. My insurance company approved all three and left the choice to me. I chose enbrel because remicade infusions may be a bit difficult with my work schedule and thought I'd try treating it at home and save the infusions if God forbid, the enbrel doesn't work. Please keep us posted and remember to share all your symptoms with the endocrinologist. Good Luck...Hiking_gal

I too alter between hyper and hypo and it's a nightmare for medication adjustment. Most of it is due to age. The older the more difficult it is for medication adjustment. Four months ago I was hyper - dose adjustment, 2 months later I was hypo - dose adjustment. Am getting ready for another test and who knows. Hopefully, they'll be able to get you under control. None of my meds seem to be the culprit. LindyHi Katie, I am so sorry you are experiencing all these problems, try to relax over your 4 day break with your family and write down any info that you need to share with your Drs, all the best, Janie.Good luck tomorrow- hope you get your answers. Thanks everyone! I guess I'm wondering more if I have Graves about issues with the drugs. But I have definitely had more problems with hair loss/coldness/fatigue that I would guess I am overall hypo and having hyper episodes. But since the only bloodwork I've had is normal, I'm just guessing, and the scan results said indicative of "Graves/thyroiditis", which I've finally figured out probably means Hashimotos thyroiditis. I am so glad I had that test and that it showed something because my body has a knack for normal bloodwork despite symptoms. To the point that some sick part of me was happy when I had erosions on my x-ray, so at least they aren't guessing about that dx anymore! I did read that people sometimes have hashi's without the antibodies, but I'll just have to wait until next Tuesday and get the bloodwork, wait for results, etc. With the holidays I have a feeling I won't get answers until next year, we'll see. I am so anxious only because it really is affecting me at work, I am SO out of it some days, leaving for lunch at 10 am some days, cuddled up to my space heater on others.

Deep down I am happy that I know the thyroid is more easily fixed and I will get answers! My dad is on a huge dose of synthroid (1.75) so I guess this isn't a shock, but my bloodwork had always been fine so I talked myself out of it...Good luck - remember that Hashimotos and Graves are "localized" autoimmune diseases, where RA is a "systemic" autoimmune disease. Two different specialities - endos and rheumies. Make sure your two exchange notes and work together, its important. Take care CathyKatie, I have to ask again. Did they give yout the TSI antibody blood test. It pretty much confirms Graves.

I have Hashmotis thyroid disease, I take synthroid, my thyroid went nuts and my muscles ached and I felt like I was wading through a pool of water fully dressed. Several years later I got DX with Multiple Sclerosis, and now 8 years later RA. I believe somehow these are all autoimmune connected.

I really wanted to say for me, the synthroid does the trick and life is as usual. I hope the same for you.

I also want to add, autoimmune diseases are very personalized to an individual, no two experiences are the same, just similar

Best Wishes,

Lisa

(oh yeah I suck, and I am fat and meanI have Hashmotis thyroid disease, I take synthroid, my thyroid went nuts and my muscles ached and I felt like I was wading through a pool of water fully dressed. Several years later I got DX with Multiple Sclerosis, and now 8 years later RA. I believe somehow these are all autoimmune connected. I really wanted to say for me, the synthroid does the trick and life is as usual. I hope the same for you. I also want to add, autoimmune diseases are very personalized to an individual, no two experiences are the same, just similar

Best Wishes,

Lisa

(oh yeah I suck, and I am fat and mean[/QUOTE]

........oh and i hate these people, i love to cause problems on this board, i'm full if sh*t, fat, ugly, and love to fool everyone by having so many alias names....you all have no clue.................hahaha...............so funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have always felt my RA was triggered by my taking Synthroid for an underactive thyroid. Funny now my TSH´s are normal or at least they appear to be, who knows?

Good Luck!

A good friend of mine was having similar symptoms Katie. It ended up that she had Grave's, but she continued to have symptoms after treatment. After exhausting just about every test, it turned out she had Celiac's disease as well. Now she is gluten free and is back to life as usual. Thanks Lisa!

I have only had TSH test, which was normal. Nothing else. Yet I've had an ultrasound and I-123 (u/s ordered by GP, and I-123 by GP after radiologist reading u/s said it should be done). I asked GP if they could run more bloodwork before my endo appointment. No. Asked endo if they could run blood work before my appt. No. So I am having to wait until then to have whatever officially ordered. I can see where it's expensive tests and they want to be careful, but I think it's obvious that I need the antibody tests, at minimum! So I am doing my very best to be patient, as I have no choice...

The endo should give you script for bloodwork so that he has it at the appointment. Your GP should recommend it also. Who are these guys/gals ? TSH by itself is really not all that helpfull. This is an interesting post. Graves disease and low thyriod also both run in my family. The docs have all thought i had thyriod problems but it does not show on blood work.

I hope you get some answers soon. The shaking and all sounds miserable.

Just to note. I am RF positive and have an anti-ccp score of 100. It does not not impress RD's any more than if it was negative. That is they still want more stuff on your bloodwork than that. But thats all i have got to give them. So they are still confused.