Neurology illness do to hashimoto

[nancypapa]

Does anyone has developed neurological illness do to hashimoto? I have an appointment with a neurologist and would like to get your help on your diagnosis and symptoms?

[billyblondehill]

Hi there - yes - I too have neurological symptoms which I now firmly believe is down to high levels of thyroid antibodies (which I believe is a marker for Hashimotos). Diagnosed some 20 years or so with underactive thyroid and prescribed Levothyroxine (been on 125 mcg for a number of years now). Despite all my blood tests returning as normal - never felt quite "right" then 5 years ago started feeling "lightheaded" and problems with my balance. Also started to experience a "pins and needles" type sensation and numbness in my legs/feet (neurophathy) which is very painful at times. Have seen consultant neurologist and had MRI scans of brain and spine which whilst thorough (and ruled out some of the main brain conditions) have all returned normal. I am now semi-housebound and having to use a mobility scooter (for the past 3 years) and just told to manage as best I can as they can find no obvious reason for my mobility issues and refuse to believe there is a link with my thyroid issue. This was all pre-covid but have seen quite a few similarities with those who are having "Long Covid" symptoms (though thankfully at present I have not contracted Covid itself). I have been trying to do my own research over the years to try and improve matters -but have found it very frustrating and been trying some alternative treatments such as acupuncture but without success. However, I have recently read an informative article about "Low Dose Naltrexone" which helps "calms" the immune system down apparently so might investigate further. Hope this may help a little bit with your appointment - hope you can get some answers - would be interested to hear how things go - Best of luck!

[nancypapa in reply to billyblondehill]

Hummm I also have high levels of antibodies. Thank you for your information my appointment with neurologist is in January and my first question will be if ever had patients with hashimoto then from there I will go. I will let you know how I do. I believe I have peripheral neuropathy from everything I read also all my symptoms are the right side of my body . Thanks again

[Alejandrita17 in reply to nancypapa]

I don't have Hashimoto and therefore I don't antibodies. Nevertheless, my main complains since I became hypothyroid are ALL neurological and muscle related. No doctor seems yo understand why, but i'm pretty sure it's due to low range t3. I'm a poor convertor, but I fear t3 treatment.

[Alejandrita17 in reply to billyblondehill]

Hi Billy, are you a poor convertor? Which are your levels of t3?

[radd]

nancypapa,

Hypothyroidism is known for causing fatigue, constipation & hair loss but lots of the other symptoms are brain based such as brain fog, memory loss, poor balance, lack of motivation, depression, etc. There two main issues :

The first is to do with the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid) that directly mediates or is mediated by thyroid hormones, deiodinases enzymes, transporter proteins, receptors, etc. Inadequate thyroid hormone meds (or adequate doses that aren’t effectively working due to deficiencies in iron, etc) cause dysregulation in these balances, and especially low T3 which is a neurotransmitter as well as a thyroid hormone. T3 has more receptors in the brain that anywhere else on the body, regulating the action of serotonin, noradrenaline, GABA, etc. Insufficient amounts can result in neurotransmitter abnormalities and neurological change.

The second consideration relates to autoimmune issues. The brain is made up of two types of cells: neurons (brain activity, ie intelligence, emotions, ability to breathe, etc ) & microglia (immune cells, ie dissolve dead neurons, attack infection we hope we never have such as meningitis but also invoke an immune response in the presence of other unwanted/unknown antigens.) Similar to leaky gut resulting from ongoing inflammation where food proteins cross the intestinal lining, the same can happen to the blood-brain-barrier which then lets through antigens instigating a similar immune response.

Datis Kharrizian claims on-going brain fog to be the result of uncontrolled systemic inflammation that extends to the brain, and a direct gut-brain connection has been evidenced by research showing G.I. immune cells (enteric glial) triggering the brains astroglial immune cells. This is why some members have found eating gluten gives them brain fog caused by the generated brain inflammation.

Another angle to consider is an elevated level of autoimmune antibodies often predisposes us to others, and the possibility of the autoimmune attack extending to the nervous system. This may be identified by positive antibodies to neurological tissue but is an expensive test, not widely available. Datis Kharrazian advocates a leaky blood-brain-barrier challenge involving GABA supplements but I haven’t tried this.

A small amount of inflammation is healthy in helping to heal ourselves and control infection but the amount of systemic inflammation induced by autoimmune issues is often very destructive. Managing thyroid antibodies is to try keeping the autoimmunity in remission/in-check by reducing antibodies and so the inflammatory response. As conventional medicine doesn't recognise Hashimotos destructive extent, you may find your neurologist unhelpful in associating these brain issues with elevated autoimmune antibodies, and a good read for further understanding is ‘Why Isn’t My Brain Working” by Datis Kharrazian.

[bookish in reply to radd]

Absolutely agree about the book recommendation. My neuro symptoms seem to be Small Fibre neuropathy, but various possible causes for that. B12 and methylfolate helped a lot but now working on low ferritin/iron to see if I can reduce symptoms further. FT3 is now below range and FT4 pitiful. Cheers x

[Alejandrita17 in reply to radd]

I've also heard that if you have low normal t3 your body "adjustes" itself by making more "efficient" (so to speak) the level you now have. What's true and what's not true about that statement?

[radd in reply to Alejandrita17]

Alejandrita17,

I agree it's certainly true the body compensates in many ways to overcome any deficiencies, elevations, genetic impairments and other disabilities. And it depends on numerous factors such as other health conditions, and longevity as to how successful it can be.

Here we are a thyroid forum where most are ill requiring higher levels of thyroid hormones to achieve that well-being but of course 'low' in range T3 could be enough for others to function their best, so when I referred to 'low T3' I was referring to a level that was insufficient for an individual to feel well.

[Alejandrita17 in reply to radd]

Thanks!! I am considering the addition of a little t3 ( I never had energy or weight problems, my main conplains are neurological and muscle-related). But then I read these things about how the body compensates itself, and remain doubtfull.

[nancypapa in reply to radd]

Thank you so much you are being so helpful to me I can’t express my gratitude with words I’m suffering a lot and scare to death of paralysis. I have my first neurologist appointment in January and will update how it went I will ask if he ever treated patients with hashi ( hypothyroidism) and from there I hope I can get some answer I will follow up on this forum. God bless you all, happy holidays 🙏🏻💙

[Alejandrita17 in reply to nancypapa]

PS. I've also heard that Long Covid carries neurological symptoms too. I've had them for a while now (before the Covid issue started) but maybe this virus tends to worsen it. To my knowledge, I haven't caught Covid so far, but who knows. ..

[chrisbuy63]

Hi please do some research on high dose thiamine therapy, that is what I am currently trying and it is too early to say for sure it will eliminate my problems but I am noticing some improvements. I have neurological symptoms of not being able to stand long before shaky and spastic legs come on , I have Hashimoto's. Here is a link that might help you to start looking in to it.

hormonesmatter.com/adverse-...

[nancypapa in reply to chrisbuy63]

Thank you ☺️