Re: Friedrich's or thyroid problems?
Re: Friedrich's or thyroid problems?
Posted by CCF Neuro MD on August 16, 1997 at 12:53:11:
In Reply to: Friedrich's or thyroid problems? posted by Russ on July 25, 1997 at 14:17:32:
: It started nagging me the other day when I was looking at a site someone had given me. The subject was ataxia and information was given on it. Hypothyroidism can cause an ataxia, wow! Something even more intresting; Abe licoln suffered from this. This condition affected his features, geneticly I'm sure, making him tall and thin with long hands and big feet. This is me too a 't'. Furthemor, no known family member has ever been diagnosed with Friedrich's Ataxia, mother's or father's side. Thyroid problems are all over my mom's famil, but I do not know about my father's side. In fact my mom has these problems and 4 of her sisters along with one who died of thyroidmadness. I am doing my own researc, I never did trust drs. (most of us can agree that doctors are just overpaid oppinionated people), so if you got any information you wish to contribute, please do. My address is BFiocco929@aol.com Russ
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Dear Russ:I am not sure that you value an opinion from an MD; I shall nevertheless offer one.
It appears from your question that you suffer from an ataxia, and that probably your doctors think it may be Friedreich’s ataxia.
As you doubtless know, ataxia (or incoordination) commonly implies affection of the cerebellum or its connections, and that the condition has numerous causes. The causes can be grouped into three convenient classes: heredofamilial, sporadic degenerative, and secondary. In the secondary group are numerous causes such as stroke, MS, tumor, malformation, toxic, nutritional deficieny, and metabolic. Hypothyroidism is one of the listed causes of ataxia; but as all neurologists know, this is quite rare. Most neurologists, however, will rule out thyroid disorder in any individual with the appropriate clinical picture of ataxia. Sporadic degenerative ataxia (or sporadic OPCA) tends to occur in somewhat older individuals who may or may not have associated parkinsonian/autonomic features, and other members of the family are not involved.
Heredofamilial ataxias are numerous, and are broadly divided into three subgroups, depending upon the inheritance: Autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and other (i.e. X-linked, mitochondrial). Friedreich’s ataxia is the commonest cause of an autosomal recessive ataxia. Almost by definition, neither parent has the ataxia, but they are both carriers. Sibs have a 25% chance of having the ataxia. Autosomal dominant ataxias are different in that one of the parents has to have the disease for it to be passed on to the offspring. This, however, may not have been recognised, or the parent may have died before the disease could manifest. There are at least 8 types of autosomal dominant ataxia. One of these (SCA 5) has been linked to Abe Lincoln’s paternal grandparents. As far as I know, the president himself did not suffer from the disorder. Autosomal dominant ataxias tend to occur somewhat later in life than recessive ones. Interestingly, however, these dominant ataxias often occur at an earlier age in later generations than in earlier generations. This phenomenon is called anticipation.
Although we have no specific treatment for most heredofamilial ataxia, we have learnt a lot about these interesting disorders in the last decade or so. The genes of several of these, including SCA 1, 2, 3, and Friedreich’s ataxia, are precisely known, and can be tested for. A precise diagnosis is important for genetic counselling, and potentially for treatment in the future.
You will find some useful information on this matter at www.ataxia.org, which is the National Ataxia Foundation website. The phone no. is (612)473-7666.
In case you live near Cleveland, we at the Cleveland Clinic would be very happy lo look into your problem diagnostically, and help you. You may want to see Dr. R. S. Burns, who is an expert on the subject. The number for appointments is (216)444-5559, or (800)223-2273 toll free.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.
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