rheumatoid arthritis

[sharon62]

Marvellous, just got back from doctors I now have rheumatoid arthritis, so have to start medication for this as well. Anybody else got this as well as underactive thyroid?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As you have Hashimoto's which is autoimmune, other autoimmune disease is more common

Are you correctly medicated for thyroid? Perhaps post your most recent results TSH, FT4 and FT3 and also vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

As you have Hashimoto's are you on absolutely strictly gluten free diet?

Gluten intolerance is very likely with Hashimoto's and can apparently cause similar symptoms to RA

glutenfreesociety.org/glute...

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

And onother link about gluten and arthritis

arthritis.org/living-with-a...

[sharon62 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon, thanks for your reply, I have had underactive thyroid for approx. 19 years now, but over last few years had terrible dry eyes, eye ulcers etc. Then a couple of months ago started with feet swelling painful above toes and trouble with joints, frozen shoulder, night sweats you name it I got it.. Numerous blood tests later thyroid in range, but inflammatory markers raised so had feet scanned and a more detailed blood test came back today with high rating RA. Also seen on the scans, been given injection today and chest x ray, they want me to go for eye test then doctors for Flu and pneumonia jab, then they are starting me on 2 medications Hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate.

I have not looked at a G I diet but will try anything to see if it works.

Thanks for the links I will have a look.

Thanks Sharon

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sharon62]

Definitely get vitamin B12 tested for night sweats

Plus folate, ferritin and vitamin D

[Fruitandnutcase]

No but I’m I need remission from Graves and I’ve got RA - well inflammatory arthritis.

I went totally GF abut three years ago when I was found to have arthritis (yet another autoimmune condition!) to see if I could reduce my thyroid antibodies.

I started it as an experiment thinking I’d give it three months, there was such a difference that I’ve continued with it and over the time I’ve been GF my antibodies have come right down, they have not totally gone but they are very, very low now.

Being GF isn’t difficult and needn’t be expensive. My arthritis hasn’t got worse and rightly or wrongly I feel as if I’m doing something positive to fight back so I’d definitely recommend it.

I started on a three month course if steroids- huge dose tapering off over the three months and now I take 200mcg Hydroxychloroquine every day.

[sharon62 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you for your reply, I will definitely have a look at GF diet. I am going to be put on 2 medications one same as you and also methotrexate, just got to get jabs update first. Thank you

Sharon

[Serendipitious]

sharon62,

Aside from gluten a category of vegetables called nightshades are thought to cause rheumatoid arthritis. This may or may not be the case with you. Some people find going on the Autoimmune Paleo AIP diet to find out their exact food triggers useful. This excludes several food groups until your symptoms improve, a minimum of 4 weeks, and then you add each food back and see how you feel.

thepaleomom.com/start-here/...

[sharon62]

Thank you I will have a read through.

[Marz in reply to sharon62]

I have read that VitD is more effective than the flu jab Why put more toxins into your body than you have to ? Do you know your VitD level ?

As others have mentioned there is a benefit from being Gluten Free. Any condition ending in 'itis' - means inflammation - and most inflammation comes from the gut and spreading everywhere in the body - including the brain ! Gluten can be a cause of inflammation in the gut - as can dairy and other known foods. The health of our gut is so important.

I was diagnosed with Crohns way over 40 years ago and have remained drug free. I have had painful joints - and still do from time to time - but know it is to do with foods.

news.com.au/lifestyle/healt...

Link above is about VitD for Flu

[sharon62 in reply to Marz]

Thank you, but I have been told they need to get this under control before damage to my feet I am struggling walking now with the flare up, so I am going to have to try flu jab this year until I hopefully get it under control. I do know what you mean though about toxins and well done managing your Chrohns disease drug free. I am going to research further though as well.

[Marz in reply to sharon62]

I appreciate it is difficult to go against the advice of the medical profession - but do your research carefully - especially the side effects and whether or not your RA drugs are contra-indicated with Levo. The PIL should help ....

RA and Hashimotos are both auto-immune - and it is well recognised that auto-immune issues start with the gut. Medications will just upset the gut flora even more. VitD is anti-inflammatory - and is needed in every cell of the body - so that's an awful lot of D Do you know your level ?

In addition to Crohns I had Gut TB at 27 - both conditions I now know are linked to LOW VitD.

[sharon62 in reply to Marz]

No I do not know my levels of Vit D. I will look up PIL. thank you

[Marz in reply to sharon62]

PIL = Patient Information Leaflet - that must be with your drugs. The information should be contained within

I really do not understand how the flu jab will bring things under control as mentioned in your Reply above - been re-reading !

You are entitled to have ALL copies of your blood tests - that way you can monitor your progress - it helps with posting here - and also you can spot what the Docs have missed. Yes it happens ! So do ask for copies when next you are there - or you can phone and ask them to be left for collection.

So B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD are the results you need to know. these levels must be optimal for your thyroid hormones to work in the body - the ones you produce and the ones you take !

[sharon62 in reply to Marz]

Thank you, they say I need flu jab as the tablets lower my immune system so cant risk getting flu, haven't picked the tablets up yet as got to go for a lesson with a nurse first, so can`t read all info yet. But I have been warned that if I leave it to long I could have damage to my feet as I had a high reading of RA and the scan showed all the fluid in my toe joints where swelling is. So I was given an immediate steroid injection to help me whilst I get everything sorted.

[Marz in reply to sharon62]

Maybe pick up copies of your results when you are there !

[sharon62 in reply to Marz]

Yes I will try. Thanks

[Hidden]

Why have the flue jab it is putting more toxins into the body and with your problems could make it worse.

The only people to gain from the flue injection are the Giant Pharma Companies.

Change you diet and have your vitamins and minerals tested first please and then post the results on here for more help.

[sharon62]

Thank you for the reply, I am however worried about the damage they have said could or might have already been done, So I am going to research but have try treatment as well,

[Marz]

ehealthme.com/drug-interact...

Link above about Levothyroxine and Methotrexate ....