Polymyalgia Rheumatica

[Donna5658]

Just wondering if anyone else with Grave’s Disease has also developed Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)? My third autoimmune disease just got diagnosed this month. The only treatment is steroids, which have numerous side effects, one of which is they seem to lower my FT3 pretty dramatically. I take Armour Thyroid plus a small dose of supplemental Synthroid. On Prednisone, my FT4 is at the high end of the normal range while my normally middle of the range or higher FT3 has plummeted. This is happening on the same dose of replacement that I have always taken. Anyone knowledgeable about the effects of steroids on FT3? And if so, what to do about it?

Thanks!

[Nutty56]

I can’t answer your question but it makes interesting reading! My gp initially diagnosed me with PMR and I started steroids however rheumatologist said it wasn’t! I am now on trial T3 following months of trying to get diagnosis wondering if it was something else steroids caused ?

[Batty1]

Its very possible to have multiple diseases at the same time … I have hypothyroidism and developed psoriatic arthritis.

[arTistapple]

Nutty56 and Donna5658. Same thing happened to my brother-in-law. He just did not have it. Who to believe?

[Puska]

I now have four. Hashimotos, Lupus, ApS and now this. On steroids, the only treatment.

[pennyannie]

Hello Donna :

I don't know if you are aware of the Elaine Moore Graves Disease foundation :

elaine-moore.com

Elaine's first book Graves Disease - A Practical Guide - was my first book and where I started my research into my Graves though I was already post RAI thyroid ablation some 8 years when my health nosedived and found no answers through mainstream medical.

Right or wrong I blame this toxic substance for all my current stiffness and we now have this one research papers which covers a multitude of health issues that patients find themselves dealing with.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/306...

Having been refused both T3 and NDT through my surgery and hospital I now self medicate with NDT and am much improved.

I just wish mainstream medical would read and implement the research of this poorly understood and badly treated auto immune disease.

RAI for Graves Disease serves no healthy purpose for the patient but is a quick, cheap fix by the hospital and primary health care ill prepared for the consequences and even unable to run the necessary blood test or offer the appropriate treatment options when T4 monotherapy fails to restore health, well being and hormonal balance.

[Donna5658 in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks for your reply! I’ve been following Elaine for years now and she is great! I take a combination of Armour and Synthroid as the Armour alone is too overstimulating for me. I felt absolutely horrible on Synthroid alone and luckily I had a doctor who could think outside of the box and suggested I try Armour.