Strep A and thyroid

[Kari55]

Could strep A cause problems with thyroid? I had massive problems with throat in the spring and was dismissed by GP, but because I couldn’t get rid of it for 2 months she eventually did a swab which came back positive for strep A. Has anyone had a similar experience?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looks possible

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Molecular mimicry is the theory that bacterial cells or other microbial “triggers” have a similar appearance to the cells that make up parts of our physiology or “self” antigens.

When an infection occurs, these infectious cells are recognized as foreign. This is really great for getting rid of the infections, but sometimes the immune system targets proteins in the infectious cells that resemble the proteins in our own cells. This inadvertently causes a cross-reaction with our “self” antigens, i.e., our own cells. This case of mistaken identity is thought to trigger the start of autoimmunity.

One example is Streptococcus pyogenes. This is the bacteria that causes the common throat infection known as “strep throat.” In some cases, especially when the infection is not treated with antibiotics within two to three weeks, the immune system will start launching an attack against the Streptococcus bacteria

[Kari55 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you! I think it’s possible. Also my ferritin level was 5 before the strep and 16 after and I remember I was shocked as I stopped supplementing during my throat infection. Perhaps things have started happening then 🤔

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kari55]

I would think that your hashimoto’s was responsible for the extremely low ferritin…..so probably started long before Strep infection

But being hypo/anaemic would make you more susceptible/vulnerable to infections

[Kari55 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m actually hyper, never been hypo. I have very heavy periods too. Hard to tell what was first but definitely something started to happen after I nearly died at labour 🤷🏻‍♀️

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kari55]

Well your results here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

These results suggest early stage autoimmune Hashimoto’s …..transient hyperthyroid result as thyroid breaks down before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

Rather than Graves’ disease

Don’t think you have actually had TSI or Trab antibodies tested for Graves’ disease yet?

Hashimoto’s frequently starts after pregnancy

Very heavy periods are a hypo symptom

Heavy periods tend to result in anaemia

Being anaemic often exacerbates heavy periods

[Kari55 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m waiting for TRab results, should have them next week. Heavy periods were first, started once my period returned in 2021 after pregnancy. I had thyroid checked in 2022 and it was all fine TSH 1.35 so I don’t think I have a reason to think that hypo or hyper was first 🤷🏻‍♀️ I feel like I should get to a root cause but it might not be easy. Just got an Endo visit for 6 June ! 🤦🏻‍♀️ so definitely going private once I have TRab and ultrasound done.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kari55]

I had thyroid checked in 2022 and it was all fine TSH 1.35

was test early morning?

Were Ft4 and Ft3 tested or vitamin levels

Low ferritin will tend to lower TSH

[Kari55 in reply to SlowDragon]

It was a fasting test in the morning, I will try and dig out what has been tested.

[Kari55 in reply to SlowDragon]

I got diagnosis of Graves’ disease today, TRAb test was positive. I wasn’t able to get my exact results but they will be sent to me soon. I’m on 10mg of Carbimazole. Will do a post once I get my results.

[humanbean]

Whether you are hypothyroid or hyperthyroid, your ferritin level of 5 or 16 is absolutely dreadful. I would guess that you feel exhausted, tired all the time, and breathless.

Any level under 30 is classified by NICE as deficient.

You might find this link of interest :

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

You might want to ask your doctor for an iron infusion. If the doctor says no, then it can be done privately (search for "iron clinic" in the UK) but it isn't cheap.

There are lots of iron supplements available for sale in the UK. Prescriptions aren't required, although the stronger iron salts (ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate) can only be bought in pharmacies. Iron salts are poorly tolerated by many people - and ferrous sulfate is the worst.

It has been recently discovered by members of the forum that heme/haem iron supplements can be more easily tolerated and absorbed than the cheap iron salts.

Some useful links :

threearrowsnutra.com/en-uk/...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Kari55 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you, I got Graves diagnosis today. I think I will repeat ferritin test before supplementing. I used fumarate and sulphate and they wrecked my stomach so I think next time I would try heme although this is probably not ideal either as it might increase my cancer risk. I understand that now my iron might be higher because of the inflammation in the body. Not sure how this works.

[humanbean in reply to Kari55]

I would try heme although this is probably not ideal either as it might increase my cancer risk.

I have never heard of this connection before. Can you remember where you read it?

[Kari55 in reply to humanbean]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

One of the examples

[pennyannie in reply to Kari55]

I'm sorry to read of this as I remember replying to you 4 years ago regarding your husband's diagnosis :

Can I ask how is he doing and what treatment option was chosen ?

Everything I wrote then still stands - and we do now have some research papers that you may find interesting -

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/338...

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

and for all things Graves, as before, elaine-moore.com

You can find all your previous post/questions and all your replies by going to your Profile page - just press the icon marked Profile probably either top right on a laptop or bottom left on a mobile.

[Kari55 in reply to pennyannie]

Aww that’s amazing that you remember me! 😊 isn’t it weird that I ended up having the same illness??? I need to refresh my memory and read so thank you for the links. My husband is doing well, he is in remission since 2020, he is still gluten free and regularly checking blood via Medichecks. He has refused surgery so far. How are you doing?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kari55]

More unusual to have low ferritin with Graves’ disease

Usually ferritin is highish

You could have BOTH Hashimoto’s and Graves, though it’s rare to have both

Have they tested TPO and TG antibodies

[Kari55]

TPO is 172 (0-5.6), can’t see any TG. Also, this is from 2 weeks ago. I’m going to get results from today within next days. I will check my ferritin soon as I think it has gone up because of my condition.

[pennyannie]

I'm ok and have been self medicating Natural Desiccated Thyroid for the past 5 years and much improved.

Just wish I never had RAI thyroid ablation but knew nothing back in 2004/5 and simply trusted that the doctors knew best.

Just angry that this treatment is still a first line treatment and for some people the only option -

Details on my Profile page - don't wish to go into the detail - think I'm now with some sort of NHS/PTSD :

Just press my icon alongside my name :