hypothyroid and ms

[fdmh]

Hi, forum.  I have just joined your community, in addition to the MS community I am in.  I've had congenital hypothryoid since birth, but last summer when my TSH was not going in the right direction I was found to have thyroglobulin ab but not the thyroperoxidase ab.  Around this time, looking back was when my parasthesias started.  Followed by an abnormal MRI that could be suspiciious for MS.  That has been stable, (at least 4 areas of increased signal), and my parasthesias haven't lasted over 24 hours.  Ever since December my TSH has been stable, but I continue to have various sensory issues, bouts of fatigue, etc.  Do ATA stay in your system forever?  Would my MRI changes that could have been caused by thyroiditis go away once my tsh is normal?  Lots of questions.  Can't wait to look around.  

[thyroidian]

Your so interesting,because your symptoms are very similar to mine,i am 39yrs,and like i say i had my first thyroid surgery in 1998,for graves disease,then after my sub-totalthyroidectomy, i was getting neuro symptoms and i was diagnosed in 1998 with MS,which was hell off a year.
Can i ask do you have an auto-immune thyroid illness, like hashis or graves?
Because if you dont know i think you should have some anti-body tests to find out.
Also can i ask you have you had any vitamin tests,like vitD vitB12, done, because usually thyroid patients can have low levels off these vitamins, and they can give you neuro problems.
It would be worth checking in your shoes.
Fine hand tremors can also be thyroid, because i have fine hand tremors with my graves disease, and i cant stand heat, i go all gooey, and fatigued,
I do think there is some neuro-endocrine,connection with all off this i just dont know what
I am still being assesed of my neuro, for my sensory symptoms,
I hope i havent bored you, but with some simple bloodwork i would look for auto-immune thyroid, and vitamin levels to start off with.
Keep in touch, we could perhaps help one another.
Thyroidian

[fdmh]

I'm 37, and have been having sx for since summer 08.  Vague parasthsias and eye flickering, came and went.  Came back stronger in January.  My specialist said since my 2 MRI's were stable as far as the white spots, and my sx weren't lasting long enough, didn't have the sx to be considered either RRMS or PPMS, he said he would defer on the LP because he still wouldn't treat at this time.  So careful watching.  The thing is now my labs are all normal.  I have fine hand tremors always, exercise and heat intolerance, etc.  My nuero exam was normal though, so watch and wait.

[thyroidian]

Well looking at your symptoms, along side mine, they are pretty much similar, ive had the eye flickering, numbness in one side off my face,bladder problems, and chronic fatigue, weakness in legs,etc,etc
I am more up on MS, than thyroid issues,as like i said i was diagnosed in 1998, with MS.
I do know that once you have an auto-immune disease your more suspectable off getting another one.
Also MS can run in familys, but we dont have it in ours.
May i ask how old you are, and how long have you been experiencing neuro problems?
Have you had a lumbar puncture, to look for the olio bands, which are seen in MS?
Recently my thyroid as been playing up again, and i found this lovely forum, were i got the best advice ever,off some very knowledable people, and they have helped me more than anyone, which im very greatful too.
Ive just had my second thyroid surgery done, but still get my neuro symptoms?
I think its a neuro-endocrine thing,altogether.
Keep in touch, and i hope you get sorted out soon.

[fdmh]

Great name!  I am in the US, and I now see an MS specialist.  He did several lab tests but not EBV?  I don't think I've ever had that.  My grandfather also had MS.  I was diagnosed with hypothyroid by my genius pediatrician who suspected it when I was only a few months old, before they started screening newborns routinely for it.  I too have primarily sensory sx.  The autoimmune component does put me at risk for developing MS.  I've had 2 mri's that show the same UBO spots, basically unchanged.  My neuro is watching me closely, but suspicious slightly of the thyroid component.  My sensory sx include daily vertigo, occasional issues with stress incontinence, urgency, feeling like I'm urinating when I'm not, some eye flickering, numbness in left side of lips and left hand.  Episodes of fatigue that last for a couple days,  and exercise intolerance in my legs, even though I have been an avid exerciser for years doing yoga and running.  None of these sx are severe enough to make me feel disabled, just annoyed.  The 1.28 is free t4.  I am very aware that TSH is a stimulating hormone.  

[Barb135]

If you have an autoimmune thyroid disease, it will not go away, even if your TSH is normal.  Remember -- TSH is a pituitary hormone and not necessarily indicative of what the thyroid is doing.  You need to have Free T3 and Free T4 tested along with TSH.  

You said your Free T4 has always been "normal".  It's important to understand that just because you fall into the lab's "normal" category, that might not be "normal" for your body.  The T4 that you listed above as 1.28 -- is that Free or Total?  And what is the lab range?  Different labs use different reference ranges, so it's always helpful to post the range along with any results.  That gives the  members more information to comment on.  

[thyroidian]

Well what an interesting post,
Like yourself ive had a thyroid problem since 1998, when i was diagnosed with graves disease, which is auto-immune
The same year i developed neurological symptoms, primary being sensory, disturbed feelings , tingling, numbness, etc in different parts, of my body, also bladder problems,
I was diagnosed with MS in july 1998, of a neurologist,
Last year i had an MRI BRAIN SCAN, my second scan and was told, that maybe i dont have MS, due to changes,
Can i ask you have you ever had the epstein-barr-virus?
as i have and wonder if this is the after effects.
Have you seen a neurologist, and which country are you in.
I would be very interested, in your out come
Maybe its a neuro-endocrine thing?
But you results for your thyroid seem ok to me, but its not the results its how you feel what counts.
Im wishing you all the best, and hope you feel well soon.
Please keep in touch as i would like to know more.
And maybe able to help you on your journey.
Thyroidian

[fdmh]

My last TSH this week 1.63, T4 1.28.  My Free t4 has always been normal.