thyroid | Arthritis Information

does anyone on here have thyroid problems./thyroid nodules and RA?

thanks

YES!!!! Thyroid problems can be another form of autoimmune disease, it seems to be pretty common that a lot of us with one autoimmune disease may have more than one. I have had thyroid problems for 22 years. Hope this helps. You are not alone!!!hi, did you have thyroid nodules?and can you say how thyroid affected you or how they treated it?my doctor told me nothing except to go see a surgeon or endocrine doctor. thanksI go to an endrocrinologist. I can't remember all the tests they did it was so long ago, but I take Syntroid and it shrunk the nodules. There is a lot of testing you need to have done first though to check the nodules. I also have a good friend that has them and she also takes synthroid for them. She doesn't have RA or any other autoimmune disease, but her sister has Lupus so they do run in the family. Endocrinologist are very good with thyroid problems. But you can have nodules with any thyroid problem such as Graves disease and they can be cancerous so get it checked out!!!ok,I will thanks for info.Good luck, I am sure it will be okay, but it does stink having to add another doctor to your schedule

Laker

Dear Laker,
Could you tell me what the significance of the goiter was in relation
to AI diseases like RA?

I ask because 15 or so years ago, I found out I had a very, very small
goiter. So small the doctor just let it be.

Is there some tie-in between goiters and Auto-immune diseases?
Jinx39180.6528240741

Here's yet another auto-immune thyroid case. I was diagnosed about 9 years ago. The good news is, as far as auto-immune diseases go, this one isn't so bad. Once you get treated and find the right dosage to bring your thyroid hormone level up to normal, you will find most of the symptoms diminish a lot. Nodules do need to be checked, as there are cases of thyroid cancer, however, they are extremely rare.

Jinx, I am appalled that you had a goiter and were left untreated. Normal thyroids do not produce goiters. You should have a complete thyroid work up and find out what your levels are, and begin treatment. In the last 5 years, the level of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which is considered normal has been decreased, meaning that many who were told they were in the normal range before, no longer are, and with proper treatment they can feel much, much better.

Check out this website - it is the most comprehensive one I have found on the subject of thyroid disease:

www.thyroid.about.com

Karen

Hi Hillhoney,
Thank you for the information. I checked out the link -- you're right;
it's a good site.

I will definitely mention to my GP (who is not the same doctor I had
when I found out about the goiter) about this and ask to get my
thyroid levels checked, as soon as possible!

Thanks again!
Jinx

That was a good link. Thanks. I never bothered learning about this because I was young when it was diagnosed.

I don't know that there is a link between goiter and autoimmune disease but Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease.

Laker

Does anyone know if a 50% over-active thyroid should be treated? My local doctor doesnt seem to think so. Will it be the reason my meds aren't working?

My thyroid started as hyperthyroid about 4 years ago. After taking the radioactive pill to kill my thyoid i am hypo and take synthroid. My thyroid problem doesnt bother me to much, but I cant stand having graves disease. I feel like a geiko on that commercial. Iget tired of feeling like a freak. my family says that my eyes dont look to bad, but there is always a few people when i am out that stare. after getting ra my thryoid problem definitely took a back seat.

kkotts8