Re: Prednisone and hypothyroidism

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/12/2000 12:42:12 AM Eastern Standard Time, BU007@...

writes:

> What are you doing taking prednisone? This glucocorticoid is a

> well-known inducer of hypothyroidism. Also it's a very dangerous drug. I

> had a dog that died from this drug. Why are you taking it?

>

For rheumatoid arthritis.

I can't take anything related to aspirin.

Usually I'm taking 5 mg a day of prednisone. I keep planning to taper off of

it but haven't be able to so far. I have to be able to walk.

It's puzzling cause I don't have any deformities or real signs of rheumatoid

arthritis.

Just heat and swelling and pain mostly in my feet and recently, since I

started hormone replacement, it's in my hands.

Prednisone or high doses of DHEA fixes it.

As I see how much my endocrine status changes my arthritis

I have hopes that the bout with Graves disease turns out to be a blessing.

All my health problems started at age 50 probably about the time when

hormones get out of balance. Maybe that's the key.

It may be my imagination but since I started Armour thyroid my arthritis is

better..it's too soon to be sure.

Any ideas?

Ann

[Guest guest]

Ann, I have had swelling and pain in my feet and ankles most of my life until

my thyroid was regulated, now all is normal...after a doctor gave me

prednisone for hives in 1993, I started gaining weight and looking orange

(hypo) and then went into Graves disease...I would not take the prednisone.

Sheri Lynn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/14/2000 9:17:40 AM Eastern Standard Time,

BPICKER2@... writes:

> Ann, I have had swelling and pain in my feet and ankles most of my life

until

>

> my thyroid was regulated, now all is normal...after a doctor gave me

> prednisone for hives in 1993, I started gaining weight and looking orange

> (hypo) and then went into Graves disease...I would not take the

prednisone.

>

> Sheri Lynn

>

Question. What did you do to get your thyroid regulated?

[Guest guest]

To get my thyriod regulated per your question, I took Tapazole for 7 months

and then needed to add back with Levothyriod which I am still on at 25mcg per

day now having hypo symptoms but with all my ranges in the normal zone. I do

have a nodule that the endo did a scan on, but she said it was working with

the thyriod so she will just monitor it for now. Sheri Lynn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2000

> > Ann, I have had swelling and pain in my feet and ankles most of my life

> until my thyroid was regulated, now all is normal...after a doctor gave me

> > prednisone for hives in 1993, I started gaining weight and looking

orange

> > (hypo) and then went into Graves disease...I would not take the

> prednisone.

> > Sheri Lynn

> >

> Question. What did you do to get your thyroid regulated?

Dear Sheri Lynn,

I too developed Graves disease after prednisone. I had been taking it many

years and was able to wean myself off it using high doses (200mg) of DHEA.

I have read several articles documenting that STOPPING prednisone too rapidly

can be a cause of Graves disease.

So I went back on prednisone (and dropped the DHEA down) with the hope of

going off prednisone much more slowly.

I don't know what regulated my thyroid. I did so many things at once.

I took copper and most of the 's recommended supplements.

I took minocycline. I took chinese herbs. I had accupuncture.

Now I'm taking a small dose of Armour thyroid daily

because my temp runs low even though TSH is in normal range. Alternative

doctor's recommendation.

I'm taking hormone replacement therapy.

Presently I'm trying to follow celiac's disease diet to see if it helps my

arthritis.

It's amazing how you never run out of things to try, trying to stay healthy.

It's been an education.

Ran across an interesing book in the library.

It an old one...copyright 1984.

" Solved: The Riddle of Illness " by E. Langer, MD with F. Scheer.

It's a book about thyroid health and supplements. Really interesting.

Sorry to be so late in answering my mail. Been swamped.

Ann

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/16/2000 5:39:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

carolann@... writes:

> t really amazed me reading about the connection between Graves and

> prednisone. I too have taken prednisone on and off during my life because I

> have asthma....if there is a relation between the two, I am truly amazed to

> hear about it for the first time now. Any info on this is greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Carolann

>

When I was doing research on the causes of Graves disease

that I saw a brief statement about going off prednisone and developing Graves.

I don't remember the places I saw it. There was no explanation. It was

just a lists of possible causes of Graves disease.

I was on prednisone for a long time and I came off of it rather quickly.

----------------

Have you seen the site www.myasthma.com?

Sorry to not be of more help. I read, and just bits and pieces stay with me

over time.

Best wishes,

Ann

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/16/2000 7:29:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

carolann@... writes:

> Is Graves in your family anywhere? Or do you believe that you might have

> gotten it from the presnisone?

>

Graves was never diagnosed in my family. They didn't see doctors till they

died so who knows.

I'm still suspecting another cause and maybe that stopping prednisone was

just the final push.

My current project to to be on a diet to avoid all glutin. That mean giving

up all wheat, rye, barley, oat products. There are these grains in almost

everything.

I've read celiacs disease (sensitivity to glutin) can cause autoimmune

problems.

The change I'm noticing with this diet is that

in the morning when I wake up, I'm not as tired, sluggish and puffy as I used

to be.

I have no times of being full of gas any more.

By the way, I'm vague remembering something about prednisone potentially

messing up the hypothalmus, pituitary, adrenal or something or other

axis.

That can affect everything including thyroid function.

At any rate. I guess the effect of going off prednisone leaves after some

time.

This is unrelated to thyroid but

I guess you know that if you take prednisone long enough to suppress you

adrenal gland....

..and then abruptly stop prednisone that you could die from circulatory

collapse.

Anyone taking prednisone,

be careful. Take the instructions seriously. Read the brochure.

Keep in touch,

Ann

[Guest guest]

It really amazed me reading about the connection between Graves and

prednisone. I too have taken prednisone on and off during my life because I

have asthma....if there is a relation between the two, I am truly amazed to

hear about it for the first time now. Any info on this is greatly

appreciated.

Thanks,

Carolann

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ann, I think it is important to know info like that because it could

very well be a possible cause. I am going to ask my endo about that

possibility and see if I can get some more info on it.

Is Graves in your family anywhere? Or do you believe that you might have

gotten it from the presnisone?

Thanks Carolann

[Guest guest]

Oh...thanks for the asthma link too! All info is greatly appreciated!

[Guest guest]

Yes Ann....you are right. Anytime I took prednisone I always tapered off it

as per doctors orders. I am also going to be tested for celiacs disease

because I have so many stomach problems since Graves started. Thanks again

for the info.

Best Wishes,

Carolann

[Guest guest]

Dear Ann,

Just a word re Prednisone. As you say, going off abruptly can be DANGEROUS.

Staying on it for long periods is dangerous too. There are many supplements

with anti-inflammatory properties that can be taken together with Prednisone

that can help someone to take less Prednisone, and to make the weaning

process easier when trying to get off the drug. I don't know what the

supplements are off-hand, but I'm sure many of them are on 's list, and

others on this board will probably know about the rest of them.

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/16/00 12:51:47 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

ABerry3837@... writes:

<< Dear Sheri Lynn,

I too developed Graves disease after prednisone. I had been taking it many

years and was able to wean myself off it using high doses (200mg) of DHEA.

I have read several articles documenting that STOPPING prednisone too

rapidly

can be a cause of Graves disease. >>

Hi Ann,

After reading this letter I added a new section to the website

(iThyroid.com). Under hyperthyroidism causes, I added a page for describing

possible drugs which can lead to hyperthyroidism. It would be great if you

could write up the story and we'll get it posted on that page.