Hashimoto’s and Fibromyalgia

I have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, and a Vit D deficiency for the second time.
I am now being referred to rheumatologist with the view I have fibromyalgia.
I’ve read the links and percentages of Hashimoto’s thyroid patients have Vit D deficiency and fibromyalgia.
Anyone here experience the same or
Similar?

R

AlfaLady - just remember fibro is a label given to a wide variety of symptoms. Most of the symptoms are also hypo symptoms. And.......not all Drs interpret a complete thyroid lab correctly. Some only go by TSH, which can be a big mistake.

I would suggests posting your lab test if you feel comfortable with that and would like others opinions.

Sometimes a different thyroid med or brand can also make a difference. Although Levothyroxine / Synthroid works for many, it is not for everyone.

I had nodules and enlargement for over 15 years. Eating a Whole Foods, non-processed gluten free diet, most likely calmed down my celiac disease and my Hashimoto’s for the past five years. My TPO antibodies were over 2,000 for years. Recently, they were 300, but I had a hidden exposure to gluten and it set off both a Hashi and celiac flare-up (had daily hives for six months which could be CD or Hashi’s related). I am still nodule free and no enlargement, so hopefully my TPO antibodies are down now. I just had my celiac antibodies re-tested to see if they have improved, nothing like getting good Lab results to see confirm if I have been doing a good job. The results will probably take another week. I did get back my HA1c (blood sugar three month average) and it is normal now due my low carb high fat diet on top of the other restrictions). So, yes, my diet is really restrictive, but it works!

I just encourage people to get tested before trying the gluten free diet. Celiac disease is genetic, so a diagnosis can help more than just the patient, but the entire family. Also, 1 in 125 people have celiac disease, but only 20% are diagnosed. Autoimmune stmptoms overlap, so best to get tested, like you did. Then trial the diet. There is so much that researchers are learning about the gut and health. More illnesses could possibly resolve if we ate a healthy diet and not processed foods and that includes all that hidden sugar (That is another topic!). So, I would keep to your diet. It seems to be working. Celiacs have lots of other intolerances (they vary from person to person) so identifying them through a food journal is helpful. Food can heal!

Oh, I test really weird for celiac disease. I only had one positive (DGP IgA) on the complete panel. If my doctor had just ordered the screening TTG IgA, my diagnosis would have been missed. My biopsies obtained via endoscopy found the severe intestinal villi damage. Even in follow-up testing, I still test this way. So, look at your records. You may very well be celiac! And... you can develop it at any age. My own kid gets tested every few years.

To the OP, I am on Armour Thyroid and it works best for me.

Post Edited (cyclinglady) : 12/7/2017 9:59:35 AM (GMT-7)

Sure. Here is a link to the University of Chicago to explain everything, but I will list them:

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/screening/

TTG (IgA and IgG versions)
DGP (IgA and IgG versions)
EMA IgA
IgA — Immunoglobulin A — in the case of celiac disease it is a control test that validates any IgA test.

The TTG is the most commonly ordered test. It is very good. The U of Chicago used to just list that one, but they realized they were not catching all the celiacs. Not to mention that 10% of celiacs are seronegative. In that case, a biopsy should be ordered if celiac is suspected. For example, I had Iron deficiency anemia which is very common. So, even with my unusual result, my GI moved forward. (I just went in for a routine colonoscopy since I had hit 50). My GI reviewed my chart, saw the anemia and Hashimoto’s and ordered the complete panel.

It is a crap shoot. Experts recommend about a slice of bread a day for 8 to 12 weeks. The problem is that as individuals, we can build up antibodies fast or slow. No one can predict for sure. It might be worth trying. Total cost for the panel is around $400 if you do not have insurance. You might just consider going strictly gluten free for six months to see if your TPO antibodies come down. You are in a tough spot.

It drives me crazy that AI/thyroid websites promote the gluten free diet. First rule out celiac disease and then trial the diet. Why? Because Celiac disease impacts so many body systems. It helps to have that diagnosis and to really adhere to the diet. No doubt!