Is there a relationship between thryroid § fibromyalgia?

[jays67]

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?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

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.

[mls2go]

Dear Jays,  I have had Fibromyalgia for 15 years. I have never taken a thyroid test, but if you are anxious at all abut these numbers, I wouldn't hesitate to call your doctor and get that blood work done ASAP. Tell her what you found on the net and ask her what the significance the significance of what you found opposed to what your bloodwork says. Ask her if you are in any danger. There may be a physiological reason for the wait.  If you are still not satisfied and do not want to wait that long, you have the right as a patient to ask for the blood work sooner.  All she has to do is fill out a lab sheet and send you to a blood lab.

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.

[PatJo]

I have had pain in my neck and back of my head for a month and a half since I had a cold in December.  Have wondered if it was Fibromyalgia because I've had pains in shoulder, back, knee and other places.  The worst has been up the back of my head and neck.  I had Cardiomyopathy in 1995 so I've been on Accupril and Lopressor.  Internist took me off the Lopressor and my heart rate went awry, rapid and irradic.   He took a thyroid blood test and it shows the TSH as 0.26 (out of range)  So I'm going for a scan and uptake of the thyroid and then to an endroconologist.  Just wondering why some people are sent to Neurologist and others sent to other specialists.  I hope to get to the bottom of my problem soon and be able to resume life with less pain.  It certainly interferes with everyday life.  I would appreciate any input that you have.

[memorylane4ever]

I was just recently dx'd with FM also, i can't believe it really. I guess because I have had so many problems since around the age of 13. I started off then with having grand-ma seizures, and abnormal EEG's, then being Dx'd with Syndrome X, now fatty liver, on the vurge of Type2 diabetes, cardiomyopathy (hypertrophic), and well I gained around 30 lbs suddenly 2yrs ago, still hanging at 163, and now FM. I think there is more to all of this than FM. I am only 28, son with auto-immune disease, and auto-immune disease runs in my family on both sides. I really believe something is wrong here. I hope things work out for you, well for allof us.. Lyn

[jays67]

Thanks for all of your comments.  I go back to my doctor on Friday for results of neck and back xrays and thyroid blood work.  I have recently found out that my 2 sisters have underactive thyroids and that my grandmother had a tumor on hers and had it removed.  They are all on medication for theirs.  Does anyone have symptoms worse around their ovulation cycle?  I have the headaches and tingling fingers more around that time.  Thanks again for your comments!