I was diagnosed with hypothroidism today on blood tests. Have severe MS. Little explanation by GP, should I be worried?

[emerson]

[Hidden]

Hello, Are being given any medications for your MS? Certain medications can cause problems with your thyroid function. This list might highlight something for you:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Can you let us know please.

Sometimes having one autoimmune disease means that you may be susceptible to another. This site might also be of interest to you:

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Multipl...

You should be able to get your thyroid problem under control with the correct thyroid replacement, and make sure that your Vitamin D and B12 and folates, ferritin and iron levels are checked. Your GP can do this.

Jane x

[emerson in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying to me so quickly - I will certainly look up the links you have posted. I have primary progressive MS and there is no treatment available for it - although I am treated for individual symptoms rather than the disease. It has mainly affected my digestive system (so have ileostomy and urostomy) suffer chronic colitis, have impaired swallow and survive on medically prescribed suplimental drinks (and no solids), vertigo, fatigue, impaired kidney function, chronic UTI's, impaired liver function, gallstones and have severe anemia which results in regular transfusions. I think the thyroid slipped through the net as there were so many pressing medical problems with associated symptoms. When my GP diagnosed me on the phone this morning, to be honest I didn't get much explanation, except that he did say that it was not fatal. He's started me on 50 micrograms of Levothyroxine to be reviewed in 3 months. I'm glad I can ask questions on what seems to be a very comprehensive forum. Could my anaemia (it dips to under 7) be caused by hypothyroidism? Thank you.

[Hidden]

Hi,

Goodness, you have a lot to deal with already without being told you have hypothyroidism too. Gallstones, chronic fatigue, UTIs and vertigo can sometimes be symptoms of thyroid problems, but in your case the picture may not be as clear. Your anemia could be caused by B12 deficiency:thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/relate...

Folate deficiency can also cause anemia. Do get those tests done that I mentioned above. Try not to get them done when you have just had a transfusion as the levels will be distorted.

Hopefully the levothyroxine will start to help you, but remember there are other thyroid replacement options if you find that things do not change much.

Do keep us in touch with developments. Jane x

[emerson in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much Jane, I will follow-up on your advice. Regards Sharon x

[Marz]

...so sorry you have so many things to cope with. Once you are on the correct dose for you - remember we are all individuals - you may find that some of your symptoms may ease. Would it be possible that you could post your Thyroid Blood results with their ranges. I am suspecting that your FT3 will be low as you have gut/digestive issues. T3 required in the gut lining and is the only active thyroid hormone. The brain needs the most T3 - followed by the gut - which is of course where the immune system is. I only have this knowledge due to being diagnosed with Crohns some 40 years ago and Hashimotos in 2005.

Did you have your anti-bodies tested ? I know just too much to absorb at present. Three months does seem a long time before your next appraisal/increase in treatment. Think it is usually around six weeks.

Low VitD is often implicated in MS and other Chronic/ongoing conditions. Doctors are rarely up to speed on this one. vitamindcouncil.com may have some useful information for you with it's various articles... and the book - The Vitamin D Solution by Michael F Holick could be a helpful read for you.

Please take Jane's advice concerning additional testing - when all the vitamins etc. that she mentions are towards the top of the ranges I am sure it will help you feel stronger. Do not let any doctor tell you all is well and normal when they are JUST in the range. Keep your own records too - you can ask for all your blood test results.

Please keep posting and we wish you improved health soooooooon !

[Marz]

....sorry - forgot ! As you have an ileostomy then I trust your GP has been monitoring your B12 on a regular basis. I have had several operations for Crohns - hemi-colectomies and resections - and do not have a terminal ileum. This is the most important place for B12 to be absorbed having been transported from the stomach through the gut. I think it may be the same for you........ M x

[emerson]

Thank you Marz for such detailed information which I will definitely pursue. My TSH was 7.31 - this number and its relevance means nothing to me. I would be grateful if someone could explain it for me. The GP didn't mention T3 so I'm in the dark on that one. I've had my ileostomy for nearly 8 years and I've never had vitamins or B12 done - to my knowledge although I do know that my inflammatory markers CRP is always elevated. The same is true for antibodies. On reading this I nearly feel that either I or my GP has been neglecting things.

[Hidden in reply to emerson]

You might find these websites useful on the B12 front:

b12d.org/

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[emerson in reply to Hidden]

Thank you hampster1 and everyone else - you all have made me feel welcome and have posted very relevant threads, x

[emerson]

Just one more question. I had lovely thick curly hair and for the past 4-5 months I've been sheding hair at a terrible rate, I hate having to wash or brush it and believe that I have lost at least 1/4 to a 1/3 of it or so it looks and feels. I have found this very distressing. Bearing in mind that I was started on 50 micrograms of Levothyroxine yesterday (with a review in 3 months and my TSH was 7.31) when should I start to notice a difference in the health of my hair?