Does anyone suffer from autoimmune disease as well as hypo/hyper-thyroidism?

[mocidoci]

Realise that this has probably been discussed before but am new to the site.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism April 2010 despite listing symptoms to GP on a number of occasions and was only tested because I asked GP to do so (my sister told me to). The year before that I was sent by GP to see a consultant rheumatologist who diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. 12 years ago I lost sight in one eye due to a condition called PIC which is now believed to be an autoimmune disease.

There is a history of thyroid problems in my family (2 sisters, 2 brothers, maternal uncle, maternal grandmother), and also lupus (sister) and rheumatoid arthritis (mother).

Many thanks.

[efilwol]

I have Graves' Disease, which is an auto-immune condition that causes hyperthyroidism. I am also been assessed twice for fibro, and classed as "borderline" in each case. There was also a suspicion that I might have RA (as I have a range of bilateral joint problems) but when I was tested, the rheumatologist just said "no rheumatoid factors in blood, no RA". Which is fine with me; don't really want RA thanks.

No history of thyroid or autoimmune in my family that I have been able to find.

HTH

[Jackie]

Hi If it is autoimmune there are loads of autoimmune conditions that you can develop. My Hepatologist (liver ) always says that they like "to hang around together", which is exactly right. I have so many.

Jackie

[Marz]

Welcome to this site....there is lots of information on here about auto-immune illness and Fibromyalgia. If you click onto tags on the right hand side of this page you will come to A-Z of tags - click onto A for auto-immune and there will be lots of posts for your to read. Click F and there will lots about Fibromyalgia.

Also check out the person called Shaws in the Directory as she will point you to Dr Lowe who was an expert in Low Metabolism being the cause of fibromyalgia. Sadly Dr Lowe died last year and his website is not easily accessed due to Probate. Shaws knows a way !

Do you have Auto-Immune Thyroiditis ? ie Hashimotos ? I was diagnosed with Crohns back in the 70's and struggled with all sorts of health issues until 2005 when I moved to Crete and they diagnosed Hashimotos. Some 12 years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia which had me feeling exhausted much of the time. Once treatment started on a low dose of T4... I felt some improvement. It has returned this last couple of months which my physio assures me is just due to the time of year. Fingers crossed he is right. Aches and pains can also be helped with VitD - have you been tested ? If you are able to persuade your GP to do so then also ask for Serum Calcium and Adjusted Calcium to be tested at the same time. There are excellent websites about VitD and again take a look at the tags on here. VitD needs to be near the top of the range - being just in range is not good enough. Your GP may persuade you otherwise - ummmm !

Wishing you well soon ...........and keep posting.........

[Debs2811]

I had thrombocytopaenia 22 yrs ago which was the start of my auto immune disease's in 2009 I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, followed by Pernicious Anaemia and Depression, last year then saw me diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I also have high cholesterol due to the Hypothyroidism. Ive also got Endometriosis which some believe is also autoimmune triggered. All of my childhood I suffered ill health with one thing or another, never catching just a common cold but always having something slightly worse. Im currently really struggling with severe fatigue and insomnia, I have no quality of life and being unable to work because of it has seen me shunned by family and friends who think im just a lazy moo, I have raised the issue with doctors who seem little interested by it and dont seem to grasp the effect it has on my life.

[shaws Administrator]

I have read that once you have one autoimmune disease you are apt to get more than one.

[MaryMary]

Hi

I have underactive thyroid which is an autoimmune version. I've since discovered that in my family there are many weird as well as more well known autoimmune diseases ( I understand that this includes diabetes and some cancers). So far, have traced it through maternal line.

I understand that once you've had one autoimmune disease you are likely to get another.

Mary

[kim534]

I had a complete throidectomy due to Hashimotos in 2003. Last year I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis which also a autoimmune disorder.I hope i don't get anymore two is enough. I wish you well!

[mocidoci]

I had a suspicion that autoimmune diseases were interlinked but didn't realise how prolific it was. I have a nurse's appointment to check my calcium and B12 levels and also my cholesterol. Both my grandmother and uncle had high cholesterol as well as hypothyroidism and both died of a heart attack.

But enough of being grim, and thank you all for replying.