Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

[sacausa]

How many of you that have IC also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?

Or

How many of you have an autoimmune disease?

[liznazz]

I have Hashimoto Thyroid disease. Have for about 25 years now. Am on Synthroid daily. liz

[donutgirl]

I'm currently being tested for Lupus....tests so far are inconclusive. I have an appt. w/ a rheumatologist, but he doesn't have an opening until Jan. 13th. WOW....long time from now.

Diane

[DonnaReagan]

Yes, I've had Hashimoto's since my daughter was born 10 1/2 years ago.

For years, my thyroid stayed stable - yet over the last 6 months my thyroid med (Synthroid) has almost DOUBLED - up to .175 mcg - which I think is a fairly "high" does. And all my various symptoms and "syndromes" are just going crazy. I definitely feel like there is a link between all my pain & fatigue - with the thyroid.

In addition to IC & Hashi's, I've also got IBS, Chronic Fatigue (or active Epstein Barr virus), Migraines, and apparently Fibromyalgia - just to name a few.

FYI - I've recently read (on the net, of course) that some people don't do well on Synthroid cause it only supplies T4 (whatever that is). Apparently, some of the T4 is supposed to convert to T3 in the body. However, some people's bodies don't cooperate - so I asked my doc to switch me to Armour Thyroid, which is a "dessicated thyroid" (whatever that means) but it supplies T4 AND T3. I've only been on it a week - so I think it's too soon to give it a thumbs up - but it seems like I'm staying "UP" a little longer.

However, it is time for my nap.

I'm very interested in learning more about Hashi's & the world of autoimmune diseases, because I must be my own advocate. Because if I don't - I don't know who will. Feel free to email if you want to chat about Hashi's...or whatever.

DonnaReagan
donnareagan@sbcglobal.net

[Jean12]

I started with a bout of thyroiditis when I was about 15. Had a lump in my throat the size of a baseball. That eventually calmed down and when I gave birth to my first daughter ended up with another huge lump in my throad. The gyn said it was probably Hashimoto's but wasn't too worried. Long story short by the time I had my second daughter 2 1/2 years later another lump. This time I saw and endocronologist and had all kinds of tests done. He followed me for awhile and we ended up having to take the thyroid out all together because it kept going hot and cold. Overactive, underactive, overactive, underactive. Turned out it wasn't cancerous but the cells were precancerous.

I am currently taking .075 mg. and am stable. I have my T3 and T4 checked yearly. I also read about the whole T3, T4 thing and my primary ran the bloodwork anyway but according to her it wasn't as big of an issue as the write ups were making it seem. I don't remember the exact explanation but I was satisfied with how she explained it.

Jean

[rjyoon]

So far, my thyroid has been normal. I have other autoimmune diseases, though. (See signature list)

[Vonnie]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 18 yrs old. I was recently diagnosed (age 42) with undifferentiated mixed connective tissue disease and raynauds syndrome. I have a positive ANA, occassional butterfly rash, low white blood cell count and achy joints. My Rheumatologist is not ready to call it lupus.

[Ginny]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's about 10 yrs ago by Dr. Kristene Whitmore (Urologist). It's pretty common in women with IC. Anyway, I was told there was nothing I could do about it. Last year it became Hypothyroidism and I am now on Synthroid.

Ginny

[crabby1]

I had thyroid cancer and when they removed my thyroid, they found out I also had Hasimotos. That was almost 5 years ago. The connection prob is b/c of the fact that Hashis is an autoimmune disease.
I havent been diagnosised w/ IC yet. I did have a cystoscope and found out I have cystitis of the bladder. I am curious about the conditions of the thyroid. It seems as though the thyroid affects everything in the body.

[kadi]

I do not have thyroid disease, but my mother does, her mother & aunt did, my dad's mom also did, so did my dad's cousin. My family is quite small, this is the majority of my family members! I won't be surprised if they eventually figure out the link!

[Mel53H]

I was just recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Is that the same thing? I take Levothyroxine. I think that is a generic for Synthyroid. In a few weeks I have to have another blood test to see if it is enough or too much they are giving me. They have been monitoring me for over a year.

[crabby1]

Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid. It means your thyroid isnt producing enough TSH. That is different from Hashimotos Thryroiditis. Hashis is an autoimmune disease. The thyroid hormone actually attacks itself. That is the way all autoimmune diseases are... its like your body is fighting itself.
I went undiagnosed for 4 years until they found the tumor. I take Levoxyl which is a hormone replacement like synthroid. Being "hypo" is no fun.

[sacausa]

When someone has hasmimotos thyroiditis they most likely also have hypothyroidism. However, blood tests should show antibodies to be diagnosed with hasmotos.

[Scomegys]

I don't have Hypothyroidism now, but when I had severe IC symptoms my body temperature was always running around 96.8 degrees, had constant yeast issues, IBS, and other things. I don't know if I had any type of hypothyroidism then, but now that my symptoms are under control I do not have that nor do I have the other symptoms. Actually there is a link that talks about this and all sorts of related IC syndromes. Thyroid issues are found to be common for those with IC. I have the link on that, plus alot of other helpful information that the link provides that the ICN does not, if you are interested in reading about these things just let me know. I can't post links on here.

[lkkinney]

I was dignosed with Hypothyoidism, about 2 years ago. It still is not regulated properly. Last August I went to the doctor, with what I thought was a severe bout of UTI. Took antibiotics, nothing. I've had constant pain and pressure ever since. Both conditions have thrown my life upsidedown, but I'm a fighter, so I'll keep on fighting. It's interesting to hear others stories that are similar to mine.

[KChideaway]

So have we then concluded that IC is an autoimmune issue?

[ICNDonna]

Nobody knows what causes IC. I think it can be from different causes.

Donna