Thyroid?

[Guest guest]

thyroid?

I think my thyroid is acting up. I'm exhausted, and I mean exhausted, I

paradoxically have trouble sleeping, my skin is extremely dry, my eyes

are dry, my hair is thinning, I've got tinnitis, my lips are developing

sores in the corners, I've got a dry cough at night that won't go away.

I was diagnosed earlier with 's Syndrome by a naturopath--the

leading guy in this problem, apparently; WS is the inability of the

body to convert one type of thyroid hormone to another. I was on a

regime of time-release T3 and T4 hormones that helped so much that my

hormone levels seemed to stabilize without medications--my thyroid

seemed to heal, which my ND said could happen.

Now all the symptoms are back, in spades, and I have no money. Like,

NONE. Every single dollar is spoken for through the end of the month.

We don't have a credit card. I'm trying to make payment arrangements

with my ND, but in the meantime, any recommendations?

=====================

Lynn,

I have 's Syndrome as well. I find that I need a strict diet that

includes animal protein at every meal, and no grain--certainly no glutenous

grain--and a minimum of fruit. In other words, no carbs or low carbs. Dairy

doesn't sit well with me, either. I find that a surprisingly high number of

people with thyroid problems have issues with dairy and grains.

Regular exercise and rest are key. Requirements for certain minerals are

high: iodine (major food for the thyroid, also is a great anti-microbial),

and selenium and manganese (help convert T4 to T3).

Check your liver function. It's the liver that changes T4 to T3.

The adrenals play a major role in this drama too, but right now I'm

forgetting exactly what. I will take my own advice and go to sleep; it's

late.

Good luck.

Nenah

[Guest guest]

>I think my thyroid is acting up. I'm exhausted, and I mean exhausted, I

>paradoxically have trouble sleeping, my skin is extremely dry, my eyes

>are dry, my hair is thinning, I've got tinnitis, my lips are developing

>sores in the corners, I've got a dry cough at night that won't go away.

>I was diagnosed earlier with 's Syndrome by a naturopath--the

>leading guy in this problem, apparently; WS is the inability of the

>body to convert one type of thyroid hormone to another. I was on a

>regime of time-release T3 and T4 hormones that helped so much that my

>hormone levels seemed to stabilize without medications--my thyroid

>seemed to heal, which my ND said could happen.

>

>Now all the symptoms are back, in spades, and I have no money. Like,

>NONE. Every single dollar is spoken for through the end of the month.

>We don't have a credit card. I'm trying to make payment arrangements

>with my ND, but in the meantime, any recommendations?

>

>Lynn S.

Can't help with the Quickbooks dept, but what is your diet

currently? I get " low thyroid " symptoms when I do dairy,

including the " cold " and tinnitus. And very cold hands and

feet. It happens for about 48 hours after eating any dairy,

including butter. I expect different people have different

things they react to, but the point is that *trace* amounts

cause the problem. So if you are suddenly having this

problem, you might look at what is going on in your

life that has changed?

== Heidi Jean

[Guest guest]

Yeah. I wonder if you've had a major life trauma recently?

Having no money could qualify!!!

> So if you are suddenly having this

> problem, you might look at what is going on in your

> life that has changed?

>

> == Heidi Jean

[Guest guest]

Unless you know that you are high in zinc, you could try supplementing that.

It's pretty cheap, and with our kids with DS, who almost always have thyroid

problems,

many have been able to get the thyroid function boosted with zinc

supplementation, usually with a tiny bit of selenium too.

This has worked for some moms too.

I'm sure diet is very important too, as someone said, but a precaution on

iodine,

some is good and necessary, but too much can also cause thyroid problems.

You can test to see if you need iodine, and dose it too, here's a quote:

==

And then do the iodine skin test. You can paint a silver dollar size circle

of iodine (NOT MERCURACHROME!!) on your child's thigh and if it fades quite

rapidly, he is probably deficient. Add more if it fades before 24 hours.

When it finally stays on for a 24 hour period, he has enough. You can do

this once a month to make sure all is well. Only a trace of iodine is

needed by the body and is essential for the thyroid, as is zinc and

selenium.

====

Q. You feel that a number of factors can contribute to the inability to

convert T4 to T3, including:

1. Deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iodine and iron

2. beta blockers, Dilantin and certain other drugs

3. Alcohol and pesticides

That quote came from here -

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/brownstein-hormones.htm

=====

HTH

Take care,

Alice - HSing mom to Alice (DS) born Thanksgiving Day 1995 :-)

Hopewell Junction, NY

http://users.bestweb.net/~castella

----- Original Message -----

I think my thyroid is acting up. I'm exhausted, and I mean exhausted, I

paradoxically have trouble sleeping, my skin is extremely dry, my eyes

are dry, my hair is thinning, I've got tinnitis, my lips are developing

sores in the corners, I've got a dry cough at night that won't go away.

I was diagnosed earlier with 's Syndrome by a naturopath--the

leading guy in this problem, apparently; WS is the inability of the

body to convert one type of thyroid hormone to another. I was on a

regime of time-release T3 and T4 hormones that helped so much that my

hormone levels seemed to stabilize without medications--my thyroid

seemed to heal, which my ND said could happen.

[Guest guest]

> So if you are suddenly having this

> problem, you might look at what is going on in your

> life that has changed?

Nothing, really, except that I got lazy and haven't kept up with my

fermenting and stock-making. Yesterday I spent what energy I did have

on re-setting my fermentation schedule: I made gallon batches of white

kimchi (kimchi de provence--garlic and herbes de provence with napa and

a shredded turnip, it's outstanding) and sauerkraut, bottled my last

kombucha batch and brewed the tea for the next one, cycled out the

kefir grains into fresh milk and cream. Now I just have to get nuts on

to soak and make some stock.

If anything I've been eating erratically--not eating much of anything

or grazing. This didn't suddenly come on; it's kind of built over time,

though last week I did have a really sudden " jolt " feeling one night

and have never gotten better. I thought I had a virus. I got very weak,

faint, exhausted and cold; I shivered for a couple of hours. The

coldness has come and gone but the weakness and exhaustion has stayed.

This is all familiar to me from when my thyroid was wonky last. I

should also say my bp has gotten pretty low again. I just checked my

log book for that day. I ate a lot of fruit that day (I was tired and

there was a bowl of grapes right there), way too much really, and some

fresh coconut I'd just cracked open (not young). For dinner I had

leftover homemade tamale pie (masa harina batter over meat filling with

a little cheese--pretty damn good) and kale. The thing is, if it was a

food reaction why hasn't it ever gone away?

thanks everyone for contributing to my understanding of this.

Lynn S.

------

Lynn Siprelle * web developer, writer, mama, fiber junky

http://www.siprelle.com * http://www.thenewhomemaker.com

http://www.democracyfororegon.com * http://www.knitting911.net

[Guest guest]

The cracks in the corners of your mouth can be caused by low B2, IIRC.

Got any liver around? It's really great for B vitamins and minerals.

If we eat lots of starchy food and little meat, we get a tiredness

that

won't leave until we eat a nice, big hunk of meat. My favorite is

the

8-hour pot roast with attached fat (though your tamale pie sounded

really good!), along with traditional sauerkraut and swiss cheese.

Kind of like a reuben sandwich without any bread.

DH thought we could get along just fine on beans. So we tried it in

Jan. and Feb. because we had to spend lots of money on other stuff.

Instead of spending $500+ on food those 2 months, I spent around $200

each month. DH won't eat cornbread or rice, so I had to mention that

he was not getting " complete " protein, for whatever that's worth.

But we both started complaining of feeling tired and draggy until we

finally got some meat meals in our tummies. We still had our eggs in

the morning, but not getting any meat to speak of did not make us

feel

good.

Some may disagree, but I'd wager that even a little cheap liver is

better than none.

[Guest guest]

> Now all the symptoms are back, in spades, and I have no money. Like,

> NONE. Every single dollar is spoken for through the end of the month.

> We don't have a credit card. I'm trying to make payment arrangements

> with my ND, but in the meantime, any recommendations?

>

> Lynn,

Coconut oil? Do you have any? Also, check your tongue: stick it far

out, but keep it relaxed. If it is flattened at the tip, instead of

pointy or rounded, that indicates low thyroid.

B.

[Guest guest]

At 08:58 PM 6/8/05 -0000, you wrote:

>

>

>> Now all the symptoms are back, in spades, and I have no money. Like,

>> NONE. Every single dollar is spoken for through the end of the month.

>> We don't have a credit card. I'm trying to make payment arrangements

>> with my ND, but in the meantime, any recommendations?

>>

>> Lynn,

>Coconut oil? Do you have any? Also, check your tongue: stick it far

>out, but keep it relaxed. If it is flattened at the tip, instead of

>pointy or rounded, that indicates low thyroid.

> B.

And this is why we need you, Ms. B. Because other than your snippets of

truly useful information, at this particular moment in time, there are

probably several dozen people right now sticking their tongues out at

themselves in the mirror.

egads

MFJ

What the world needs is more thingies.

[Guest guest]

> And this is why we need you, Ms. B. Because other than

> your snippets of

> truly useful information, at this particular moment in time, there are

> probably several dozen people right now sticking their tongues out at

> themselves in the mirror.

>

> egads

>

LOL. I had my tongue out when I read your message. How far out? How

relaxed? Yikes!

Ron

[Guest guest]

At 05:32 PM 6/8/05 -0400, you wrote:

> > And this is why we need you, Ms. B. Because other than

>> your snippets of

>> truly useful information, at this particular moment in time, there are

>> probably several dozen people right now sticking their tongues out at

>> themselves in the mirror.

>>

>> egads

>>

>

>LOL. I had my tongue out when I read your message. How far out? How

>relaxed? Yikes!

>

>Ron

You have to play with it. The definition of " relaxed " appears to be

relative. Ask your wife, she might be able to help.

(you have a mirror next to your computer? Egad! Yikes!)

MFJ

Ideas are funny that way ... you go and let one loose, and suddenly it's

crashing about the place, bashing up against other peoples' heads.

Somebody oughtta control that. Pesky things, ideas.

[Guest guest]

> I think my thyroid is acting up. I'm exhausted, and I mean exhausted, I

> paradoxically have trouble sleeping, my skin is extremely dry, my eyes

> are dry, my hair is thinning, I've got tinnitis, my lips are developing

> sores in the corners, I've got a dry cough at night that won't go away.

> Now all the symptoms are back, in spades, and I have no money. Like,

> NONE. Every single dollar is spoken for through the end of the month.

> We don't have a credit card. I'm trying to make payment arrangements

> with my ND, but in the meantime, any recommendations?

>

Lynn,

Do you do CLO or anything with A & D? Sores could be viral or A deficiency can

be mouth cracking and skin dryness. Sounds like the beginnings of my mystery

illness 16 years ago. St. 's wort and olive leaf extract are antiviral

herbs. Good quality whole herb capsules are less than $20. Zinc suggested

antiviral too.

Wanita

[Guest guest]

> Do you do CLO or anything with A & D?

I just started doing CLO again. Carlson's is all I can afford right

now, but I figure it's better than nothing.

> Sores could be viral or A deficiency can

> be mouth cracking and skin dryness. Sounds like the beginnings of my

> mystery

> illness 16 years ago.

Did you ever figure out what it was?

Lynn S.

------

Lynn Siprelle * web developer, writer, mama, fiber junky

http://www.siprelle.com * http://www.thenewhomemaker.com

http://www.democracyfororegon.com * http://www.knitting911.net

[Guest guest]

> (you have a mirror next to your computer? Egad! Yikes!)

>

No, no, no. I was practicing so that I could get it right when I finally

got to the mirror.

Normal rounded, BTW.

Ron

[Guest guest]

hello lynn,

something i recently read somewhere seems to fit with your symptoms, if i recall

correctly. i can't recall source but thought i should mention it anyway so you

can decide for yourself whether to investigate it a bit or not.

magnesium deficiency.

the corner of lip cracks

the cold feet

and some of the other symptoms you mentioned in your first email

it sure would be a lot better and easier if it were just a simple magnesium

deficiency/imbalance rather than the whole thyroid issue, wouldn't it?

peace,

angel

From: Lynn Siprelle <lynn@...>

Nothing, really, except that I got lazy and haven't kept up with my

fermenting and stock-making. Yesterday I spent what energy I did have

on re-setting my fermentation schedule: I made gallon batches of white

kimchi (kimchi de provence--garlic and herbes de provence with napa and

a shredded turnip, it's outstanding) and sauerkraut, bottled my last

kombucha batch and brewed the tea for the next one, cycled out the

kefir grains into fresh milk and cream. Now I just have to get nuts on

to soak and make some stock.

If anything I've been eating erratically--not eating much of anything

or grazing. This didn't suddenly come on; it's kind of built over time,

though last week I did have a really sudden " jolt " feeling one night

and have never gotten better. I thought I had a virus. I got very weak,

faint, exhausted and cold; I shivered for a couple of hours. The

coldness has come and gone but the weakness and exhaustion has stayed.

This is all familiar to me from when my thyroid was wonky last. I

should also say my bp has gotten pretty low again. I just checked my

log book for that day. I ate a lot of fruit that day (I was tired and

there was a bowl of grapes right there), way too much really, and some

fresh coconut I'd just cracked open (not young). For dinner I had

leftover homemade tamale pie (masa harina batter over meat filling with

a little cheese--pretty damn good) and kale. The thing is, if it was a

food reaction why hasn't it ever gone away?

thanks everyone for contributing to my understanding of this.

Lynn S

[Guest guest]

> >--- In , Lynn Siprelle <lynn@s...>

wrote:

> >

> >> Now all the symptoms are back, in spades, and I have no money.

Like,

> >> NONE. Every single dollar is spoken for through the end of the

month.

> >> We don't have a credit card. I'm trying to make payment

arrangements

> >> with my ND, but in the meantime, any recommendations?

> >>

> >> Lynn,

> >Coconut oil? Do you have any? Also, check your tongue: stick it

far

> >out, but keep it relaxed. If it is flattened at the tip, instead

of

> >pointy or rounded, that indicates low thyroid.

> > B.

>

>

> And this is why we need you, Ms. B. Because other than your

snippets of

> truly useful information, at this particular moment in time, there

are

> probably several dozen people right now sticking their tongues out

at

> themselves in the mirror.

>

> egads

>

>

>

>

> MFJ

> What the world needs is more thingies.

Doh!

Busted!

[Guest guest]

FYI: I'm going to the allopathic dr's this afternoon--they think I may

have strep! I have insurance coverage for them.

Lynn S.

------

Lynn Siprelle * web developer, writer, mama, fiber junky

http://www.siprelle.com * http://www.thenewhomemaker.com

http://www.democracyfororegon.com * http://www.knitting911.net

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn,

I just posted this to GFCFNN, but couldn't remember if you were over there,

so here it is again in case it's helpful for you.

I'm taking an Applied Musculo Skeletal Anatomy class at the moment, and

something was mentioned on Monday that might be worth looking at for extra

help with thyroid problems.

We were studying neck muscles, and most of the class are studying advanced

massage, so the tutor was talking about some of the clinical situations he's

had with tight neck muscles. One of them was a client whose neck muscles

were so tight, it was affecting his thyroid. In NeuroMuscular Therapy, they

work on " trigger points " which are sensitive points that radiate pain to

other areas. This guy had a trigger point referring directly to his thyroid.

Once that was cleared, his thyroid came back to normal, and he easily lost

all the weight he'd suddenly put on.

So for anyone with thyroid issues, and with tight neck, throat or jaw

muscles, it might be worth getting checked out. Make sure it's a massage

therapist who has studied NeuroMuscular Therapy and knows about trigger

points though.

Cheers, Deb

-----Original Message-----

I think my thyroid is acting up. I'm exhausted, and I mean exhausted, I

paradoxically have trouble sleeping, my skin is extremely dry, my eyes

are dry, my hair is thinning, I've got tinnitis, my lips are developing

sores in the corners, I've got a dry cough at night that won't go away.

I was diagnosed earlier with 's Syndrome by a naturopath--the

leading guy in this problem, apparently; WS is the inability of the

body to convert one type of thyroid hormone to another. I was on a

regime of time-release T3 and T4 hormones that helped so much that my

hormone levels seemed to stabilize without medications--my thyroid

seemed to heal, which my ND said could happen.

Now all the symptoms are back, in spades, and I have no money. Like,

NONE. Every single dollar is spoken for through the end of the month.

We don't have a credit card. I'm trying to make payment arrangements

with my ND, but in the meantime, any recommendations?

Lynn S.

rummaging around my QuickBooks to see if anyone owes me money...

[Guest guest]

Ever since my implant i have had a lot of fatigue, dizziness,

shortness of breath, hot flashes, slight weight gain and more

symptoms. I was wondering if this sounds like a thyroid problem or if

the implants can just give off symptoms like this. I did bloodwork a

year ago and the thyroid came up fine although my adrenal glands and

liver werent where they should be. The fatigue just keeps getting

worse and i dont know what to do, some days i can barely read my

computer screen. I am awaiting my consult with Dr. Huang, but i was

wondering if anyone has any suggestions to help with the fatigue in

the meantime. thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

I know where you are with the fatigue. I was there myself when I got

sick from implants, and it was horrific. I can't say that there was

anything that helped with this awful sluggish feeling...the only thing

i had to look forward to was explant, and after that, patience as I

worked to detox my body.

I took quite a few months for that feeling to go away. Please

continue your efforts to read and become educated about implant

induced illness. YOu will gain a great amount of new knowledge about

your body, health, and our failing medical system. Be proactive in

your own care. Learn to eat healthy, and help your body get rid of

its toxins.

It may seem like forever until your consult and explant, but take this

time to treat yourself well, TLC is needed! Your immune system is

pretty whacked out and it takes time to let things get back to normal.

The thyroid could be playing a part in this, (as it was in my health

decline), but I didn't test positive for thyroid disease until 4 years

post explant. Until then, you will have to experiment with different

things to find out what helps you feel better. I started off with

supplements, then a changed diet, and then moved onto detox therapies.

Hope this helps,

Patty

> Ever since my implant i have had a lot of fatigue, dizziness,

> shortness of breath, hot flashes, slight weight gain and more

> symptoms. I was wondering if this sounds like a thyroid problem or

if

> the implants can just give off symptoms like this. I did bloodwork

a

> year ago and the thyroid came up fine although my adrenal glands and

> liver werent where they should be. The fatigue just keeps getting

> worse and i dont know what to do, some days i can barely read my

> computer screen. I am awaiting my consult with Dr. Huang, but i was

> wondering if anyone has any suggestions to help with the fatigue in

> the meantime. thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Implant related illness does seem to mimick thyroid disorders. I took

huge doses of thyroid meds while I had implants and am now off of them

completely.

I know exactly how you feel regarding the fatigue. I wish I could give

you a better answer than.... get explanted as soon as possible.

The thyroid meds I took helped with my fatigue and other symptoms but

at the same time I was somewhat hyperthyroid in order to accomplish

that.... and with the destruction to your body that hyper T causes, it

may do more harm than good at this point especially if you are

considering explant soon. On the other hand it could help you greatly

in the interim to get a leg up on the situation prior to the explant

and then see what happens after. It's a call only you can make

obviously since you know your body.

Dawn

> Ever since my implant i have had a lot of fatigue, dizziness,

> shortness of breath, hot flashes, slight weight gain and more

> symptoms. I was wondering if this sounds like a thyroid problem or

if

> the implants can just give off symptoms like this. I did bloodwork

a

> year ago and the thyroid came up fine although my adrenal glands and

> liver werent where they should be. The fatigue just keeps getting

> worse and i dont know what to do, some days i can barely read my

> computer screen. I am awaiting my consult with Dr. Huang, but i was

> wondering if anyone has any suggestions to help with the fatigue in

> the meantime. thanks

[Guest guest]

-

Hey

I was just wondering how old you are. HOrmones changes in the late

thirties, forties and early fifties can cause these symptoms also.

Hugs, kathy

-- In , " auw_bree " <auw_bree@y...> wrote:

> Ever since my implant i have had a lot of fatigue, dizziness,

> shortness of breath, hot flashes, slight weight gain and more

> symptoms. I was wondering if this sounds like a thyroid problem or

if

> the implants can just give off symptoms like this. I did bloodwork

a

> year ago and the thyroid came up fine although my adrenal glands and

> liver werent where they should be. The fatigue just keeps getting

> worse and i dont know what to do, some days i can barely read my

> computer screen. I am awaiting my consult with Dr. Huang, but i was

> wondering if anyone has any suggestions to help with the fatigue in

> the meantime. thanks

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents:

I was on minocin for over 2 years...100 mg am and 100 pm...it did wonders for

me...my pain, eye problems associated with SD and RA went away...joint problems,

etc...all went away...

In 2003 I began having breathing issues, despite having had normal PFT's all

along...every year I had a pft and a Ct scan...in 2003 after 6 months of telling

my now-long ago fired rheumy that I was having trouble breathing...I went to see

a Pulm...He promptly admitted me...my diffusion was down to 55% and my pulse ox

was at 85...I was on 24/7 oxygen for 6 months and high dose steriods.

My lung issue, diagnosed as Obliterative Bronchiolitis...does occur in

autoimmune disease...particularly RA....AND there have been cases in the

literature about minocin induced OB...(the minocin in the case studies had been

prescribed for acne I believe)

My longtime rheumy backeast, Dr. Whitman, immediately requested I terminate

minocin use as it could have caused my severe lung problem...So was it the

minocin, the RA/SD? we don't know...but he will not allow me to go back on

minocin...For many years my joint pain and swelling was gone...my epi scleritis

eye problem had disappeared with minocin use.....No DR can be sure what caused

the OB...and since OB can occur in RA and SD and in patients taking

minocin....we will never know...but it is considered risky for me to take.....

Just wanted to put that out there...minocin use is not without risk.

Debbie

Re: rheumatic thyroid?

At 04:52 AM 12/15/2007, Kathy wrote:

Is there any connection between thyroid and RA? I'm just wondering.

I've thought I had thyroid problems for YEARS but the Drs don't

agree. I've had 2 tests where it was high and others where it was Ok

so they wont do anything about it. I just got another " high " test so

now I'm getting more tests (been there done that) then those tests

will be Ok and they wont do anything about it (my hairs " shedding "

and I have no fingernails... anyway. I'm wondering if theres a

connection to RA and also any connection or concerns with the minocin? Kathy

Kathy and Group,

If you think that Minocin is totally benign, please read on.

The fact sheet that accompanies bottles of Minocin shipped by Lederle

Pharmaceutical Division includes a fact sheet with these warnings:

" CARCINOGENESIS, MUTAGENESIS

Dietary administration of minocycline in long term tumorigenicity studies

in rats resulted in evidence of thyroid tumor production. Minocycline has

also been found to produce thyroid hyperplasia [enlargement] in rats and

dogs. In addition, there has been evidence of oncogenic activity in rats in

studies with a related antibiotic, oxytetracycline (ie., adrenal and

pituitary tumors). Likewise, although mutagenicity studies of minocycline

have not been conducted, positive results in in vitro mammalian cell assays

(ie, mouse lymphoma and Chinese hamster lung cells) have been reported for

related antibiotics (tetracycline hydrochloride and oxytetracycline).

ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY

MINOCIN minocycline HCl has been observed to cause a dark discoloration of

the thyroid in experimental animals (rats, minipigs, dogs, and monkeys). In

the rat, chronic treatment with minocycline hydrochloride has resulted in

goiter accompanied by elevated radioactive iodine uptake and evidence of

thyroid tumor production. Minocycline hydrochloride has also been found to

produce thyroid hyperplasia in rats and dogs. "

It turns out that 20% of single thyroid nodules and 10% of multiple thyroid

modules are malignant. 70% of thyroid cancers are capillary carcinomas, one

of the more treatable forms of cancer.

MY STORY

I was diagnosed with RA in 1999 at age 58. In 2000, I became aware of the

AP, joined this group, and started treatment with 100 mg of Minocin per

day. I gradually got better until June 2004, when I was down to 100 mg of

Minocin every other day and my formerly acute RA pain was mostly a memory.

In June 2004, I started to get worse again. But that's another email.

In 2001, as part of my routine annual physical, my GP felt a node on my

thyroid (lower front of the neck). He recommended an ultrasound, which

showed a single 1 cm diameter nodule. I was sent to an endocrinologist, who

stated that we should simply watch the nodule with annual ultrasounds,

since the 1 cm size is too small for a biopsy (wrong!). The later annual

ultrasounds kept showing the same 1 cm nodule. I changed HMO's. In early

May 2005, my new endocrinologist recommended an ultrasonically-guided

needle biopsy of the nodule.

In May 2005, I was shocked to that the nodule was a capillary carcinoma. The

nodule and thyroid were surgically removed that same month. The removed

thyroid was also found to have a carcinoma spot. In June 2005, I underwent

radioactive iodine treatment to hopefully kill off any stray cancerous

thyroid cells elsewhere in my body.

The Minocin may or may not have been the cause of the cancer, but it

may have been a contributing factor.

LESSONS LEARNED

If you are on the AP, have your thyroid checked annually with an ultrasound

if you can, just as women above a certain age are to get an annual mammogram.

If a nodule is detected, have it biopsied immediately. Better yet, have it

surgically removed. Do not have them watch it for 4 years as in my case.

A lady in our church was just detected with a thyroid nodule. Her doctors

had the nodule removed with no biopsy, but the nodule was then found by the

pathology lab to be cancerous. She too will now have her thyroid removed

and undergo radioactive iodine treatment.

NEXT STEPS

I am having seconds thoughts about the AP. What organs other than the

thyroid are at risk?

Sincerely, Harald

[Guest guest]

So what are you doing to treat your ra without ap?

Sue

Re: rheumatic thyroid?

At 04:52 AM 12/15/2007, Kathy wrote:

Is there any connection between thyroid and RA? I'm just wondering.

I've thought I had thyroid problems for YEARS but the Drs don't

agree. I've had 2 tests where it was high and others where it was Ok

so they wont do anything about it. I just got another " high " test so

now I'm getting more tests (been there done that) then those tests

will be Ok and they wont do anything about it (my hairs " shedding "

and I have no fingernails... anyway. I'm wondering if theres a

connection to RA and also any connection or concerns with the minocin? Kathy

Kathy and Group,

If you think that Minocin is totally benign, please read on.

The fact sheet that accompanies bottles of Minocin shipped by Lederle

Pharmaceutical Division includes a fact sheet with these warnings:

" CARCINOGENESIS, MUTAGENESIS

Dietary administration of minocycline in long term tumorigenicity studies

in rats resulted in evidence of thyroid tumor production. Minocycline has

also been found to produce thyroid hyperplasia [enlargement] in rats and

dogs. In addition, there has been evidence of oncogenic activity in rats in

studies with a related antibiotic, oxytetracycline (ie., adrenal and

pituitary tumors). Likewise, although mutagenicity studies of minocycline

have not been conducted, positive results in in vitro mammalian cell assays

(ie, mouse lymphoma and Chinese hamster lung cells) have been reported for

related antibiotics (tetracycline hydrochloride and oxytetracycline).

ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY

MINOCIN minocycline HCl has been observed to cause a dark discoloration of

the thyroid in experimental animals (rats, minipigs, dogs, and monkeys). In

the rat, chronic treatment with minocycline hydrochloride has resulted in

goiter accompanied by elevated radioactive iodine uptake and evidence of

thyroid tumor production. Minocycline hydrochloride has also been found to

produce thyroid hyperplasia in rats and dogs. "

It turns out that 20% of single thyroid nodules and 10% of multiple thyroid

modules are malignant. 70% of thyroid cancers are capillary carcinomas, one

of the more treatable forms of cancer.

MY STORY

I was diagnosed with RA in 1999 at age 58. In 2000, I became aware of the

AP, joined this group, and started treatment with 100 mg of Minocin per

day. I gradually got better until June 2004, when I was down to 100 mg of

Minocin every other day and my formerly acute RA pain was mostly a memory.

In June 2004, I started to get worse again. But that's another email.

In 2001, as part of my routine annual physical, my GP felt a node on my

thyroid (lower front of the neck). He recommended an ultrasound, which

showed a single 1 cm diameter nodule. I was sent to an endocrinologist, who

stated that we should simply watch the nodule with annual ultrasounds,

since the 1 cm size is too small for a biopsy (wrong!). The later annual

ultrasounds kept showing the same 1 cm nodule. I changed HMO's. In early

May 2005, my new endocrinologist recommended an ultrasonically-guided

needle biopsy of the nodule.

In May 2005, I was shocked to that the nodule was a capillary carcinoma. The

nodule and thyroid were surgically removed that same month. The removed

thyroid was also found to have a carcinoma spot. In June 2005, I underwent

radioactive iodine treatment to hopefully kill off any stray cancerous

thyroid cells elsewhere in my body.

The Minocin may or may not have been the cause of the cancer, but it

may have been a contributing factor.

LESSONS LEARNED

If you are on the AP, have your thyroid checked annually with an ultrasound

if you can, just as women above a certain age are to get an annual mammogram.

If a nodule is detected, have it biopsied immediately. Better yet, have it

surgically removed. Do not have them watch it for 4 years as in my case.

A lady in our church was just detected with a thyroid nodule. Her doctors

had the nodule removed with no biopsy, but the nodule was then found by the

pathology lab to be cancerous. She too will now have her thyroid removed

and undergo radioactive iodine treatment.

NEXT STEPS

I am having seconds thoughts about the AP. What organs other than the

thyroid are at risk?

Sincerely, Harald

[Guest guest]

I've had both; hypothyroidism and RA for years. Initially the RA was

undiagnosed as test and Xrays kept coming up negative but I was just

having a lot of joint pain with increased fluid. The thyroid issue

came as a shock during a normal exam the NP was palpating my thyroid

gland and felt a goiter. They ran blood work and determined I was hypo.

I've been on Enbrel and minocycline for about 3 years with much

improvement. However, due to some stressful situations, my health has

recently started changing; extreme fatigue, headaches, very sore trap

muscles (even when I haven't worked them out), mood changes and that

stiff painful joint feeling is creeping back in. Someone suggested to

me that it sounded like fibromyalgia.

I had an ultrasound of my thyroid a couple of years ago and they said

it appeared that at one point part of my thyroid had been killed off.

Suzie