Links between Hypothyroidism and Chiari Malformation

[MBentzler]

My twin sister moved from Los Angeles to Colorado and quickly began to gain weight. Within 1 year of residence, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Chiari Malformation. We were 33 at the time and it was suprising her symptoms were not noticed until she moved.  Now that she has had decompression surgery, her weight continues to rise with little help of relief from her surgeon. Is there a link between hypothyroidism and Chiari patients?

[ChitChatNIne]

I wanted to let you know I've read your post .. you may want to post on the Dr. patient forum .. i

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/120

It is very odd that the issue of Chiari Malformation came up on this board and on my Kidney Stone MSK (Medullary Sponge Kidney) board that I participate in, too .. a 24yr old women there just posted the other day she has the MSK and most likely has Chiari also (they did an MRI suggesting so) ....... if you'd like to send me a message thru MedHelp I would very much like to put the other young lady in touch with you for advice?  Would that be something you may be interested in?

As far as hypo and Chiari .. it is beyond my scope of any info or knowledge at all .. sorry :(

Good luck and pls let us know what you find out ok?

Cheryl

[Nicki1433]

I asked my nursing instructor, who has a daughter with chiari malformation, this question and she said yes...there is a link between hypothyroid & chiari.  Her daughter has both.

Good luck!

[MBentzler]

Please feel free to have your "MSK" person correspond with me by emailing myrna_marien2003***@****. Since my twins diagnosis and decompression surgery
I've researched many medical postings and can share some insight to the diagnosis based
on my twin's experiences.  I'm continuing research and emailing with a variety of medical
specialists to narrow down my twin's condition.

[ChitChatNIne]

Thanks for the e-mail but the system blanks it out.  If you hit my profile on a blue screename you can copy your post filling in the blanks and it should be ok.  Thanks and the best of all to you and pls. feel free to stick around here!

C~

[Amanda_in_Maryland]

I firmly believe there is a connection.  I am diagnosed with chiari I.  Also with Occult Tethered Cord Syndrome (which did not show up on MRI).  I was born with a red birthmark on my lower back (an indicator of my tethered cord problem) AND with one on my throat.  At age 28, I developed a sore throat that I have to this day (now 37 years old).  I have many very subtle hypothyroid symptoms.  My TSH reading was 2.73 (normal by lab standards).  BUT, in searching sites like www.thyroid-info.com, I have discovered that in 2005, experts recommended the normal range for TSH be changed to .5 - 2.5.  But here we are in 2008 and doctors/labs are still using the outdated standards.  Go figure...