What could have caused my Hypothyroidism?

[missouriangel]

I have been diagnosed with Hypo, now I have Neuropathy. My doctor believes the Hypo is the cause of my Neuropathy, but swampy and I wonder if there may be a more basic cause? He suggested I try the thyroid forum, if anyone could help I would appreciate it. Most of my info is posted in my journal/profile, and I am willing to answer any questions. I'm very sick and trying to hang on til my doctor can help, talking about it seems to help.

[missouriangel]

Thank you for your post, it is very encouraging. All of my symptoms I have had for a long time, except the new leg fire, electricity, cramping, broken, needle sticking, tingling, numbness, etc. I was just officially diagnosed last week finally. In the past I just thought I was lazy and a hypocondriact (however you spell that). I'm not sure how I'm going to live with this for the rest of my life, but I have already began altering things. I am a Certified Nursing Assistant CNA, and I used to work in nursing homes as I love the elderly. I know that I will not physically ever be able to do that again, and my heart is broken. I have realized I will need a desk job, but I have not given up (that is the important thing), so I have decided I want to be a social worker... so I can still help people and make a difference in peoples lives for the better. My doc believes that if he fixes my thyroid that it will stop the progression of the other diseases - Neuropathy and Connective Tissue Disease. He has told me that with those diseases the damage that is done is done, but we can stop it from further damaging. I love my doctor that he is honest, he has told me that we can try therapies, but not to get my hopes up to high. I will try, but I will accept and find another way to get things done.

[dakota_girl]

I posted on your journal but I will give you my experience.I have hypothyroidism(2 years) ,just dx 2 days ago with Hashimoto's,Neuropathy(15 years),Hypertension(12 years),Cholesterol or 548(2 months ago,now down to 240), and all the symptoms you have described.My doc and I have been working over the last few months with my meds trying to get my symptoms right.They are improving especially the neurological, which gets worse when I get a med increase for a few days but then goes away.I think there is hope.With everything improving with each dose change i'm assuming its the Thyroid causing EVERYTHING.

[AR-10]

TMI! LOL!!

Some drugs will interfere with thyroid production while you are taking them. Some drugs, like Lithium(the only one I can think of) will damage your thyroid permanently.

My guess is Hashimoto's. The simplest explanation is often the correct one. You have the family history. You have statistics that say it is likely. You have the gland for it.

Monday should bring you an answer.

I haven't gotten bored with you. I've been keeping track. ;-)

[missouriangel]

Well Hello, I haven't heard from you in awhile. I've missed you and your brain! I thought you got bored with me, as I am not as smart. It is very possible I have Hashi, it runs in both sides of my family. I will know for sure when my labs come back, probably Monday.  I have Thyroiditis, and there has been mention before of an iodine, potassium, and iron deficiency. I believe the iron was only when I was pregnant. As many test as they have done I know I've had radiation exposure. I had like 4 CT scans in a week. 1 was canceled because it hadn't been 24 hours since the last one. I've had atleast 10 x-rays last month. When I was an early teen I did use Meth to control my weight. I was not a heavy user. I have always taken pretty good care of myself and been pretty healthy, didn't really do bad stuff other than the occasional use of Meth to control weight for cheerleading, and I eat very healthy.

[missouriangel]

I've had a couple of EEG's go for distressed EEG in Oct. That is encouraging that when my Hypo gets under control maybe my migraines, seizure/spells, and vertigo will go away. Boy would that be nice. If they test your thyroid antibodies by blood I'm sure my doc has tested them. He has tested my blood for everything under the sun or his nurse is a vampire. He just recently got me as a patient and is working very hard and very fast, also he just recently received the rest of my records. I was unaware he didn't have the last 3 months of procedures or labs. Now he is really putting the pieces together.

[AR-10]

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's. You are waiting on tests to confirm or exclude that.

From the description of your ultrasonund tests and whatnot, your thyroid sounds pretty beat up, which is typical of Hashimoto's.

There are other causes, but some of them are transient. Post partum hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, deficiencies in iodine or several other minerals or vitamins, radiation exposure, other drugs, ...

The antibody tests should tell the story.

Hope you get the other issues under control fast.

[kitty9309]

I just looked at your list of recent tests.

Have you had an EEG to diagnose the possible seizures?

It was one of many tests I had.( Mine was normal. )

I was on Topamax for supposed Migraine Associated Vertigo. It actually stopped the muscle twitches. They came back after I stopped the med and are now nearly gone as my treatment for hypo is underway.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested? (Maybe you already said so and I missed it)

What are your thyroid levels?