hashimoto thyroiditis with osa

[bigenos]

I have been dx for hashimoto's since 1996 I have typical symptoms: htn, constipation, depression, forgetfulness, weight gain bmi (34). my a1c is borderline with fasting blood sugars as high as 120. I and currently taking 150mg levo. I suffered from severe carpel tunnel and ulner tunnel; both hands and arms have been repaired. I complained of sleeping difficulty for 9 years and finally my PCP ordered a Sleep study. I was dx with Sever OSA (85 episodes an hour). I have embraced the C-pap and feel 100% better. My t3-t4 runs 3.4-5.6 my tso is 354. I am trying to establish a correlation between Hashimots and sleep apnea for a medical board hearing. I feel that the weight gain 18 inch neck and slow metabolism are considerable attributing factor that can cause my OSA.    I do not feel that c-pap will cure my hypothyroidism but it provides an essential therapy for improving lab values and energy to decrease weight loss and improve my daily living.  I have found some articles that agrees and some that don't, What is your opinion and can you help with any supporting text?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Untreated hypothyroidism can worsen/cause sleep apnea.  Treated hypothyroidism should have no impact on sleep apnea.  Treating sleep apnea should have little impact on the thyroid.  In your case, you appear to have stable, treated hypothyroidism which is not likely contributing to the sleep apnea.  Hashimoto's is the cause of the hypothyroidism and would not directly influence the OSA.  The high BMI is the biggest risk factor for OSA in this case.

[bigenos]

Wouldn't my thyroid condition make it more difficult to maintain my weight? (Not impossible). and continue c-pap can help reduce my weight and improve lab values? I guess I am trying to establish a secondary affect of my hypothyroidism?

[JenB12]

opps didn't realize this was the expert forum, sorry for the post.... Looking forward to reading the Dr's response about this...

[JenB12]

I agree!

I believe I've seen a few things here and there on the connection with sleep disorders and Hashimoto's. For me about out 6 months after my dx and taking .05 mg (50 mcg) Synthroid, I started to feel a slight pressure on my neck like my air way was significantly smaller. This problem is worse when I'm laying down at night. I sometimes wake up feeling like i'm choking a little bit, as though someone is putting pressure on my lower neck.  I've had the thyroid ultrasound and though my thyroid is slightly enlarged, it's not literally choking my airway.

In my case it is not a weight issue as mysteriously i've lost 15 lbs over the last year and am now underweight. But my neck is still large for my body and I definitely feel like my quality of sleep is terrible.