B12, RA & Underactive Thyroid

[DBT776]

Hi Guys

Is anyone else experiencing ALL of the above? What can you tell me about it and is it all connected?

Thank you for your time.

Debbie

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum DNT776

All of the above are autoimmune diseases, which means our body is attacking itself. The following is an explanation:-

"An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune disorders.

medlineplus.gov/ency/articl...

So we have to use other replacements in order for our body to behave as normal. For some, the doctor or specialist will prescribe for them (if we're fortunate).

When you get a blood test for your thyroid hormones, it should always be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levothyroxine (I am assuming you've been prescribed) and the blood test and take it afterwards. Always get a print-out for your own records and post if you have a query.

The aim is that our TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) - it rises when our thyroid gland is beginning to struggle - is brought done to 1 or lower. The Free T3 and Free T4 (rarely tested) should be in the upper part of the ranges.

Your B12 deficiency should be be tested to ensure you do (or don't) have pernicious anaemia and if you have a deficiency you have to have B12 injections around every 8 to 10 weeks for life. There's also a P.A. forum on HU and they will advise how best to keep your B12 optimum.

It is stated that if we have one autoimmune disease we can develop others.

This is the method when getting blood tests for the thyroid gland.

1. The earliest appointment, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levothyroxine (the replacement tablet - also called T4).

For underactive thyroid, the blood test should be at the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levothyroxine and the test and take it afterwards.

Always get a print-out of your results, with the ranges and post if you have a query.

Ask GP to check Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Thyroid hormones have to be taken on an empty stomach with one full glass of water (usually when we awake) and wait an hour before eating.

Always get a print-out for your own records.

[DBT776 in reply to shaws]

Thank you so much. I already have RA and B12 Deficiency. I take methrotrexate and I am on B12 Injections 12 weekly, they now think I may have underactive thyroid. Is this common? I am a little concerned now. Bloods this Thursday.

[shaws Administrator in reply to DBT776]

It is not uncommon to develop more than one autoimmune condition if we already have one.

I have P.A. Alopecia, Hypothyroidism,

[DBT776 in reply to shaws]

How are you doing with all that?

[shaws Administrator in reply to DBT776]

As long as my thyroid hormones are optimum (I take T3 only) I'm fine. I've lost hair every summer for the past 10 years and it grows back for winter. I would like it to be the other way around.

[DBT776 in reply to shaws]

That's a tough one. What causes that. My hair is thinning and feels weird, but I think that is due to the methotrexate I take for RA

[shaws Administrator in reply to DBT776]

Alopecia areata occurs when the body's immune system mistakes hair follicles as foreign and attacks them. This causes the hairs to fall out. This specific form of autoimmunity is a lifelong tendency that can be inherited from either parent.6 Jun 2017

(Neither of my parents had alopecia).

Methotrexate: The most commonly prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) for rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate is responsible for hair loss in about 1 to 3% of people. The hair loss happens because methotrexate is doing what it's supposed to do – stop cells from growing.

Arthritis Medications and Hair Loss | Arthritis Foundation

arthritis.org › treatment-plan › diseas