MS -OR-THYROID

[airplanehi]

This is the cliff note version...

In 2003 I was dx with MS based on MRI and symptoms
In 2004 I was told that I didnt have MS but it was something maybe fibromyalgia
in 2006I was again told I have MS based on MRI and past history
Now in 2008 I am told that it is possible that all my problems were caused by my thyroid because I have thyroid antibodies.

I have lesions in my brain and I do have considerable change in lesion activity from the 2004 MRI to the 2006 MRI.

My neurologist said he has never heard of a person with thyroid antibodies having brain lesions especially where mine are. I even had a neurologist from the cleveland clinic take a look at my MRI's and she seems to believe I have MS.

Has anyone ever heard of a person having brain lesions caused by thyroid antibodies?

xx

[Amyloo]

I don't know the answer to that, but is it possible you have both MS and a thyroid issue?  Are you on treatment for MS, and have you seen an endocrinologist for the thyroid?  Amy

[JemmAus]

You pooor thing.....all I know is I asked a neuro last week if you can have MS plus other things that cause lesions or symptoms,a nd he said you can have any number of things all at once.

Such a cheerful thought....aint life grand?

[Deb61]

I've never heard of thyroid antibodies causing brain lesions.  However, thyroid disease can make you feel pretty bad and some of the symptoms from out of control thyroid disease can cause neurological problems.  

I have thyroid disease and MS.  This is not uncommon with people with MS.  I've also been told I had fibromyalgia before my MS diagnosis, but my neuro said I was misdiagnosed with this.  

I'd believe the doctor at the Cleveland Clinic.

Deb

[monotreme]

Autoimmune diseases usually occur together, in other words, when you have one autoimmune disease, you have a tendency to develop additional autoimmune diseases.  I have never read that autoimmune thyroid disease causes brain lesions.  It can cause a vitamin D deficiency and you should have your D3 blood level checked.  It may also cause a B12 deficiency and make you feel lousy, but brain lesions are doubtful

Please believe the neurologist from CC and get some help and good follow up care.

Elaine

[Quixotic1]

MS and thyroid disease occur in the same person with astonishing regularity.  In fact, of all the other autoimmune diseasesexcept for Sjogren's Syndrome, thyroid disease occurs most often along with MS.  So, I would suggest that you very possibly have both diseases and both should be treated.  The numbers are that autoimmune thyroid disease occurs three times more often in MS than in the general population.

Yes, doctors are always taught to try to sum up all the problems with a signle diagnosis.  That keeps our thinking good and tight.  But, the reality is that people often have two or more things going on, especially as we age.

So, I agree with all of the above.  It is more likely both than just MS or just thyroid.

Quix, MD (unofficial and not a neurologist, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express)

[meg321]

I dont have an answer but found this interesting,  I was just treated for thyroid before we looked at MS...and they told me to continue the thyroid meds. The tyroid meds alone did not help me at all.

I know nothing but i can relate to so much i read on here.

meg