Hashimoto and Lupus

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis at age 21, I started on medicine for my Thyroid. My father has Lupus so I was afraid that once I had Hashimoto I would get Lupus too. The doctor said not worry, it did not have to happen. I dont know if we could have prevented it but at age 24 I was diagnosed with Mild Lupus or Inflammatory Arthritis and have been on Plaquenil since. The upside of the story is that even though I have to take my medicines I have been fairly healthy, aside from the fatigue and insomnia and occasional sadness, I lead a normal life. Now I have a baby boy, the pregnancy went well, but he was born a little low weight, they say lupus causes restriction in growth of the baby, but he was born at 37 weeks and perfectly healthy and is now 1 year 4 months and running about. I had to go on prednisone just at the end of the pregnancy and have not been able to get off it. I am currently taking such a low dose 5 mgs one day 2.5 the next. But I try to lower it more and I start to feel sick. I have been having a very hard time loosing weight or even maintaining it.
I dont know if one disease comes with the other but please ask if you can do something to prevent getting Lupus.
I know I would have liked to prevent it.


This discussion is related to Autoimmune Diseases - Hashimoto's  and Lupus.

[TamraW]

Lorena, unfortunately, it is common for these auto-immune diseases to run together. All of us here with Hashi worry that more diseases will follow. I don't understand how you can be diagnosed with either arthritis or Lupus.

I will tell you that my mom, who is 75 and has no signs yet of slowing down, has terrible arthritis. Sometimes it is so bad, I wonder if she's got mild Lupus. She also has Hashi. Those two combined are terrible. Still, she manages to keep a busy lifestyle. I don't know how she does it!

She's my inspiration.

In the meantime....POST YOUR BLOODWORK!
We can't tell you if we think you're getting enough meds if we can't see the bloodwork. If your doctor hasn't ordered these tests, then get them!

TSH
FT4
FT3

:) Tamra

[Barb135]

I don't think there is any way you can prevent lupus or any other autoimmune disease.  It seems that a lot of us with one autoimmune end up with another (or more).  I, personally, have both Hashi's and pernicious anemia.  My son is type I diabetic and my daughter has lupus and is watched very closely for other autoimmunes, but I do know that some of the same tests are used to dx more than one disease.  For instance, I've read that TPOab is used to dx both Hashi's and lupus.

It would be good if you could post your thyroid labs.  Sometimes the results can be in the "normal" category but just not be right for YOU....I think lupus and Hashi's present similar symptoms; therefore, your symptoms could be more thyroid related than lupus and thyroid issues will also make you gain weight and/or prevent you from losing it.