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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Is there a relationship between thryroid § fibromyalgia?
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Is there a relationship between thryroid § fibromyalgia?
by jays67, Jan 16, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 38 year old female. I have been experiencing fatigue, lower back pain, severe headaches, earaches and all over pain for awhile now. My family doctor referred me to a rheumatology specialist. She ran a complete blood work up. The only tests that show positive is the ANA and the thyroid peroxidase antibody which showed 70. The diagnosis was fibromyalgia. She said the thyroid test was something to watch and we will do more blood work in a month. I have been reading on the internet that the thyroid test is normal at 0-2. I am also scheduled to have back and neck x-rays to check for a problem there. Is there any danger in waiting a month with these test results?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jan 17, 2004 12:00AM
These positive test results can represent an underlying inflammatory condition. I assume you have had other thyroid tests to check the thyroid function. I am not aware of any danger waiting a month to recheck the tests. However, many of these issues are related to Rheumatology and not Neurology. Perhaps asking your rheumatologist or the rheumatology site wold be reasonable. If the headaches are new for you, an imaging study of your brain such as a CT scan or MRI would be reasonable at some point. Sorry I could not be more helpful. Good luck.
The peroxidase antibody test on your thyroid tested 70. I'm thinking this is just one type of test for thyroid. Was this the type you looked up on the internet and which site did you get it from because the difference between the numbers are so off the charts, it would make anyone worry.
I'm so sorry about your FM diagnosis. However there is a group called The Fibromyalgia Partnership that is the best. They have all kinds of researched information, doctors and clinics they can refer people to anywhere in the world, videos, books, ausio cassettes, etc. Just keyword the name into your search and press enter. There are many support groups online as well.
If caught in it's earlly stages, it can be managed, but you may have to make some decisions about the level of stress you are currently experiencing. The important thing to remember is that this is a viable, very real disease and your family, friends and co-workers will need to be compassionate and understanding.
In order to do that, they will need to be educated, so they know this isn't some "phase" you're going through. The level of pain usually increases with the level of stress.
There are many books by and Dr. Pelligrino, who has researched this since FMS broke out as an epidemic in the U.S. and the U.K. in the late 1970's. It is called the "Invisible Disease" because you may look perfectly fine on the outside, but you feel dibilitated and in pain on the inside.
An MRI would be a very good idea as well, as there may be some neck or low back problems that may be exacerbating the disease.