Can we have both under active thyroid and myasthenia Gravis?

[Barb53]

I have an under active thyroid was diagnosed 12 years ago. I been feeling more sluggish, waking in the morning as if I’ve not slept. Aching- just no energy. By the evening feels like I’ve done a 25 mile run... I saw my doctor last Thursday- she noticed my eyelids were drooping and straight away said she thinks I have myasthenia gravis, had my blood test Friday. Don’t know how long I have to wait for the results? I had never heard of it? Thought my thyroid was out of sinc. Was expecting to have my Levo meds changed. I hope you’re ok and coping well.

Barb

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune, aka Hashimoto's? Have you had thyroid antibodies tested and were they raised?

Having one autoimmune disease means that you can get others. Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disease.

[Barb53 in reply to SeasideSusie]

The blood test I’ve just had is something to do with antibodies (AChR) all totally over my head.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Barb53]

That's to check for the mysathenia gravis.

As you've had hypothyroidism for 12 years, I was asking if you had ever had thyroid antibodies checked which would be Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (TG) to know if your hypothyroidism was autoimmune (Hashimoto's).

[Barb53 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No I haven’t had thyroid antibodies checked, didn’t realise I should. You just trust the doctor. Maybe I shouldn’t have?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Barb53]

Barb

Knowing if you have raised antibodies/Hashimoto's doesn't change the treatment but what it does do is give you the opportunity to try to reduce the antibodies therefore slowing down the destruction of the thyroid (which is what Hashi's does - the antibody attacks gradually destroy the thyroid).

And as I said, knowing you have one autoimmune disease alerts you to the fact that you may get others.

[Barb53 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4, plus vitamins

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get tested.

[Barb53]

Thank you. My Grandmother, Mother & Sister have under active thyroid too.