Thyroid Problem and IC???

[molly648]

My GP doctor tells me that my thyroid is enlarged and has ordered tests for me. I had the blood work done last week and a thyroid scan will come next week. I read the symptoms and found that some doctors believe that bladder problems can come about from an over active thyroid. I guess the hormone released can damage the nerve endings in the bladder? Does anyone have any experience with this? If the thyroid is the cause of the problem when treated will the bladder begin to heal, or am I stuck? I'm really pretty upset about this. After seeing 5 doctors, tests upon tests, and surgery the thyroid was NEVER even explored as a potential problem.

[DawnsRuby19]

Hi Molly,

I feel your pain! One of my doctors thought that I had an thyroid problem as well, but all the tests came back normal. Then I had more tests done and found out that I had severe allergies and asthma. The steroidal inhaler I was put on, had a negative affect on my bladder so I stopped using it. Hopefully they to the bottom of what is going on with you!

-Crystal

[sweetangel2080]

I have had an underactive thyroid which was very very low at diagnosis and been on meds for nearly a year. I felt better thyroid wise so stopped them for 2/3 months but then the thyroid levels were dangerously low. Interestingly now have this so called nerve pain I think as have urethral pain and also now vulvodynia type symptoms which are new for me..

Using gabapentin at the moment...

Did wonder if the thyroid contributed....

[Silverfox]

Molly and others, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (underactive or low thyroid). My Doctor calls it one of the diseases that is confusible with IC. Hypothyroidism will very often cause neuropathy (damage of nerves) and this nerve damage also is scattered throughout the body.

I was told that I suffer with distal sensory neuropathies and these can result in very painful nerve sensations. I have this in my hands and feet along with the pelvic/bladder area.

I also have autonomic neuropathy (dysautonomias) and these affect those nerves that function without our thinking about them. We often do not feel these, but they are noticed intensly when an organ or system in the body is not working right. I have many related problems due to autonomic nerve damage. It can cause bowel problems, respiration problems, heart and gland problems, and low blood pressure.

I also have motor nerve problems, these are nerves that control mussels movements. I was very severe, and I think that most are milder, yet, any problem with the nerves is terrible and so often painful.

Hypothyroid nerve damage is common with those who have a low thyroid function. Treatment is safe, simple and cheap considering all that patient spend on IC treatments. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment the better the nerve recovery, and just a warning that with long untreated hypothyroidism nerve damage recovery can be long and difficult.

I've had some of my Urologists and other Doctors tell me that they didn't know anything about hypothyroidism, and this must be why they missed even looking or considering this as a cause for my problems.

Well Geesh, I saw so many fine Doctors and none of them thought that it was thyroid related, and for years I underwent so many tests and treatments for IC that just made me worse!

Make very certain that your Doctors are not overlooking hypothyroidism as a possible cause of your IC/painful bladder symptoms.

I also use Gabpentin (Neurontin) yet even this only helps a little bit, as nerve pain is a very difficult pain to treat. I use it mostly to help with sleep.
Strangely, my hands and feet were numb yet ached for years and after treatment with thyroid hormones feeling returned and was replaced with sensory nerve burning. My hands feet and bladder always burn with the same intensity.

I have never undergone a small nerve fiber biopsy because I read that it might cause more nerve damage and I didn't need that. I believe they have a new improved test now for this.

Despite all the burning neuropathy pains, my general all over health is greatly improved now on thyroid hormone.

[ICNDonna]

One good thing is that over active thyroid is a treatable condition. Hopefully you'll have your answer soon.

Donna

[molly648]

Thanks everyone! I have my scan on Tuesday and will see the doctor at the end of the month. I certainly would help to know what caused this problem if it turns out to be the Thyroid.

[SandyRN]

I'm hypothyroid, not hyper so I don't really fit into the profile of over active thyroid but it does make sense that it could cause some problems. I think every hormone producing organ in my body is malfunctioning sometimes. I take 30mg of Armour thyroid a day and even though my levels are normal now I still feel tired and sluggish but it is better since I changed my meds. I was taking Synthroid and it did nothing to make me feel better at all. When I miss a day or two of my meds my heart races, my bladder FREAKS out, my bowels STOP and I can barely get out of bed from the fatigue.

If it's not one thing it's another and I'm sorry you've got one more possible problem on your plate.

Sandy

[Silverfox]

Molly,..... I'ts good you are getting the thyroid tested. Please come back and share the results with all of us here. I and others are interested as there are many with thyroid problems along with the IC.

Sandy,..... I love my Armour thyroid. Perhaps you still would benefit with an increase of your dose of Armour. My Doctor tells me that 3 grains is the aproximate amount the thyroid gland makes each day and that he used Armour thyroid for years and patients did very well.

My Doctor switched me to Synthroid just before our family went to live in Sweden for a year. As winter came on, I began to notice so many hypo symptoms returning and I was puzzled.

I was very sensitive to the cold, and sometimes walking I noticed fibro like pains returning and a lack of feeling in my feet and my legs felt so weak.

I also had asthma type breathing problem and asthma medications did not help. One week before I returned home it dawned on me that I felt so much better on Armour thyroid. Once I returned I had my Doctor put me back on my 2 grains of Armour thyroid.

I saw a new Doctor who listened me explain all my symptoms, and raised my dose again to 3 grains of Armour thyroid. Soon after I was feeling so much better, weakness gone, sensitivity to cold gone.

I learned that I did not have asthma at all. I think that my breathing problem was somehow related to phrenic neuropathy (a problem sometimes in hypothyroidism and diabetes when the phrenic nerve gets damaged and doesn't stimulate the diaphram to move properly). Thats why my lungs couldn't fill up completely and it felt like I had to strain to pull in a breath.

Silverfox

Hypothyroidism 3 1/2 grains Armour thyroid
diagnosed with sensory polyneuropathy
motor neuropathy
autonomic neuropathy