Hypothyroidism and RLS?

[LanaCSR]

Does anyone know if there is a relationship between hypothyroidism and RLS?

[Hidden]

Yes there is a relationship between Hypothyroidism and RLS.

In very simplified terms, there are 2 types of RLS. Primary or "Idiopathic" RLS occurs on its own and is thought to be a genetic condition.

Secondary RLS is where the symptoms are due to some other underlying condition. There are several conditions which can cause RLS symptoms, hypothyroidism is one of them.

If you're suffering uncorrected hypothyroidism and also suffering RLS then it is possible that you have secondary RLS. If this is the case, then raising your thyroxine could relieve the symptoms.

Unfortunately, there are no tests for RLS, so it may be someone has hypothyroidism and ALSO has primary RLS, in which case treating the hypothyroidism may not relieve the symptoms. As far as I'm aware there's no way of predicting with 100% certainty.

[LanaCSR in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[kelirock in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your comment, I have hypothyroidism and RLS but have never connected the two. I will advise my GP who doesn't really know too much about RLS... just one thing, I noted you said there are no tests for RLS. I was first diagnosed by a neurologist who used a nerve conduction test to confirm the diagnosis of RLS.

[Hidden in reply to kelirock]

Hi Kelirock

Idiopathic RLS is usually diagnosed by the four cardinal symptoms plus a medical history.

A nerve conduction test is normally not necessary as Idiopathic RLS does not involve any nerve damage. I guess if your neurologist suspected your symptoms may be secondary to a neuropathy then a nerve conduction test would be carried out to eliminate that.

nhs.uk/conditions/restless-...

[marsha2306 in reply to Hidden]

Agreed

[kelirock in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your response. I don't really understand what the Neurologist was looking for, he did diagnose bilateral RLS and commenced me immediately on a very large dose of Sifrol which caused augmentation after a couple of years and after many increases in dose. I am managing it now with a quarter of the dose he prescribed plus a very small amount of cannabis when needed. This is by no means a cure but it dose help me keep comfortable most of the time.

[Hidden in reply to kelirock]

I've never heard it called "bilateral RLS" before, but since it's "legS", plural then it's both of them, two, one on each side, so it's not incorrect, just unusual. As is doing a nerve conduction test for RLS.

It sounds as if you're still taking Pramipexole, just a smaller dose, which is fine if it's working.

[Sara_2611]

Hi

Oh I see ive never heard of Hypothyroidism or "Idiopathic (RLS) I just thought that it was one whole condition in itself (I think caused by circulation -I think it is in my case -hence my use for Balneum cream which does it the world of good so I can sleep at night)-

Ive learnt something there

[marsha2306 in reply to Sara_2611]

Hmmm...never heard of RLS being caused by circulation. Not to be insensitive, but are you sure you have RLS?

[Sara_2611 in reply to marsha2306]

Yes because my legs keep kicking out

[Hidden in reply to Sara_2611]

Sara, Idiopathic RLS is mainly associated with a dysfunction of two neurotransmitters, chiefly in your brain. One is failure of dopamine receptors in some brain cells. The brain produce dopamine but it doesn't work properly.

The other neurotransmitter is glutamate.

I've never heard of Idiopathic RLS having any connection with poor circulation.

Secondary RLS can be caused by hypothyroidism, (where the thyroid gland fails to produce enough of the hormone, thyroxine). It can also be caused by anaemia, pregnancy, end kidney failure and some neuropathy. Neuropathy is a problem with nerves and can be related to poor circulation e.g. due to Diabetes Mellitus.

[Sara_2611 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Manerva

Thanks for the explanation . Much appreciated -Ive learned something now

[tmshepard35]

I also have Hypothyroidism as Hashimoto's along with RLS. I have read that there is a connection but no doctor has ever mentioned to me the connection. Going gluten free definitely helped my thyroid but now I've been taken off synthroid since my thyroid is considered "normal" even with my hair still falling out, still being exhausted, etc.

[Hidden in reply to tmshepard35]

Sounds a bit odd, I've never heard that Hashimotos just gets better. Your thyroid can only be considered normal if your thyroxine and TSH levels are normal without any treatment.

Hair falling out and feeling exhausted doesn't sound as if they're normal.

Do you still have them monitored?

[tmshepard35 in reply to Hidden]

I had them monitored every 3 months in order to refill the synthroid. Its not normal, but my doctor considers my range to be within normal limits now. But clearly something is still wrong. Hashimoto's is caused by in my case, gluten intolerance. My body began attacking my thyroid. I've been gluten free for quite a while and my symptoms have slowly improved and my thyroid function is slowly returning.

[Hidden in reply to tmshepard35]

Just to clarify, you write that you were monitored every 3 months in order to "refill" the synthroid. i'm not sure what you mean by "refill", but you also wrote that the synthroid was stopped. Are you still being monitored 3 monthly?

Interesting since I read that Hashimotos is thought to be triggered by a bacteria or virus, or is possibly a genetic flaw. No mention of gluten intolerance.

As in other autoimmune diseases, with Hashimotos your body starts to produce antibodies that attack your thyroid gland. I can't think that even if a gluten intolerance triggered this, that a gluten free diet will "switch off" the antibodies.

As you say, you still have symptoms. I'm not sure what to make of it, I'm sorry.

I do also read that about 35% of people with gluten intolerance have RLS and a gluten free diet can relieve the RLS.

It must be awful to have gluten intolerance, but I have Idiopathic RLS and no gluten intolerance.

[tmshepard35 in reply to Hidden]

Are you a doctor? All I see is you questioning people about their experiences. Yes I have Hashimoto's and yes it is from gluten intolerance. Maybe you should do some more research? That is where I found most of my information doing research.

[tmshepard35 in reply to tmshepard35]

This suggests a gluten-free diet can yield clinical results for those with Hashimoto's. Hashimoto's is not considered curable at this time, but improvement of clinical symptoms can lead to a discontinuation of chronic medications and improve quality of life.Jan 22, 2019....

please see the info above...

[Hidden in reply to tmshepard35]

Sorry, I was intrigued by what you wrote and confess not knowing much about Hashimotos disease. I tend to do research only on things that directly affect me I'm afraid.

I also tend to be a bit sceptical, especially about what some doctors say and do question things when they sound unusual or illogical.

I would be interested in reading the connection between Hashimoto and gluten intolerance and you do refer to "info above" but I can't find any.

However, a quick search reveals, quite a lot of information on the benefits of gluten free diet for Hashimotos. I stand corrected!

[Pippins2]

I have Primary (genetic ) type of RLS. My thyroid is the opposite of hypothyroidism -I have an overactive thyroid -hyperthyroidism.

[involuntarydancer]

Dr. William Ondo MD (a director of the RLS Quality Care Centre in Houston Methodist Nerological Institute) recently presented a webinar for the US RLS foundation on comorbidities and RLS. I haven't had a chance to view the webinar yet so not sure if they mention hypothyroidism but it might be worth a look as Dr. Ondo is generally very well regarded in relation to RLS. You have to be a member of the foundation to view their webinars but membership is well worthwhile - as well as their webinars which are incredibly informative, they also have a quarterly magazine and fund research into various aspects of rls.

[Hidden in reply to involuntarydancer]

I just happened to come across this article which gives an overview of RLS causes (including hypothyroidism) and treatments.

jnnp.bmj.com/content/71/2/143

[involuntarydancer in reply to Hidden]

I think Joolsg is treated by Dr. Chaudhuri