Guest guest Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 http://thyroid.about.com/cs/latestresearch/a/celiac.htm Jayne, did you already read this? The Hashimotos Celiac autoimmune connection? 's tested positive for antibodies to thyroid and the celiac tests (antigliadin, antiendomysial etc.). I'm thinking it's probably just a matter of time (and hopefully a long long time) before further autoimmune processes are uncovered once one appears. I suspect alot of our kids have undiagnosed autoimmune disease going on (as might the general population). Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Jayne: Tori was dxd with Hashimoto in Feb. I just looked this up .... I didn't know this either! Wonderful! Liz What is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is a type of autoimmune thyroid disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. The thyroid helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy. Hashimoto's stops the gland from making enough thyroid hormones for the body to work the way it should. It is the most common thyroid disease in the U.S. What is an autoimmune disease? An autoimmune disease occurs when the body's immune system becomes misdirected and attacks the organs, cells or tissues that it was designed to protect. About 75% of autoimmune diseases occur in women, most often during their childbearing years. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a condition resulting from a problem in the body's immune system. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The immune system is a complex network that normally defends the body against " invading " organisms and other foreign substances. When the immune system detects a foreign substance in the body, it responds to this by producing antibodies against the invaders. These antibodies will recognize and attack this foreign substance when they next encounter In Hashimoto's thyroiditis the immune system mistakenly directs an immune " attack " against its own healthy cells. Antibodies are manufactured and misdirected against the thyroid gland. Any condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells is called an auto-immune disease. Inflammation associated with the abnormal immune response causes continuing loss of thyroid cells. Eventually, this loss in function (which may take months or even years) reaches the level where there is insufficient thyroid hormone to minimally support body function, and the person develops the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is more common in women than in men (roughly 7 to 1), and it typically develops in women over age 40 years. It may be much more common than previously thought in older adults. Studies have indicated that up to 15 percent of women over age 60 years have evidence of mild hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Because genetic factors can make someone vulnerable to developing autoimmune disease, it is not uncommon for persons with Hashimoto's thyroiditis to have a history of other autoimmune disorders, including Graves' disease (another thyroid disorder that causes an overactive thyroid gland), juvenile diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia, or the skin disorder vitiligo. In addition, the same genetic vulnerability toward disease means that more than one member of a family may develop Hashimoto's thyroiditis or another autoimmune disorder. If you are being evaluated for possible hypothyroidism, it is valuable to give your doctor any information you have on family or personal history of autoimmune disease, especially thyroid disease (namely, Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease). In the early stages of Hashimoto's disease, inflammation causes the thyroid to become enlarged and rubbery, and this may be enough to be noticeable. Indeed, diagnostic blood testing may be done because a doctor notices an enlarged thyroid during a physical examination. Blood testing typically shows low levels of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 in the blood, high levels of the hormone TSH that stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone, and the presence of antibodies directed against portions of the thyroid gland. Autoimmune diseases Interesting about the autoimmune diseases... had a follow up with Endo yesterday for J ( nightmare for a minute as our appt, booked 6mos ago wasn't put in computer - they didn't have us down for an appt and the doc wasn't there! I about freaked - it's over an hour to this doc! luckily another doc saw us... but anyway...) I was asking him about Hashimoto's vs. just Hypothyroid and we talked briefly about that. He made a statement " which means he's at risk for other autoimmune diseases... " I stopped him right there and tried to gather more info. We have an appt with GI for the first time here in Maine, next month. I mentioned the GI troubles we have and how I've been researching their connection to autism. I knew right there, he wasn't on board with that possibility AT ALL! He said to be careful with what I read. I of course thanked him and made mental note not to have further discussion on this topic with him! LOL! But the part about J being at risk for autoimmune diseases was interesting - since he has Hashimotos... So - how many of you battling other unknown medical problems, does your child have Hashimotos as well????? Just curious... Jayne gldcst wrote: I'm definitely going to ask about the drug...is it specific for autoimmune disease? Right now we've just been told by the pharmacy that medicaid won't pay for 's Entocort (only $400 per month) so we're fighting the red tape. You cannot believe how happy I am for you and sweet Gareth. Sherry --------------------------------- Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 No I hadn't Sherry, thanks for sending that. Another thing to print and put in my binder for my appt with GI on Sept 25th. Anything else you think I should have on hand and tests that should be done? I know we will be just about ready to do another blood test to check his levels for his thyroid so I'd like to combine the tests that the GI doc orders with that draw. Watching some of the videos you sent I listened to some of the tests that Dr. Buie does automatically. Now he's not far from me - just in Mass. I wonder if this GI doc here is familiar with his works... Interesting about the measles strain being found in the bowels of alot of our kids. Dr. Buie said - 70% of kids w/autism have GI problems 36%-50% have food allergies And then there's the acid reflux. 's sister, Emma, has an anaphalactic allergy to peanuts. We've never done any allergy testing with - would be interesting. Acid reflux - he was on propulcid (the one that the fda pulled) as a baby but then we never pursued it after we stopped. So hard to tell if he still has it. I have it and take Aciphex daily. My dad has Barrett's Disease. ???? How do we check for that??? So some tests to check??? Blood count ~ anemia, WBC (he runs wicked low 2.9 on July 10th), sed rate celiac screen - what's the best test??? core immune tests? RAST Stool testing WBC in Stool Malabsortion tests Pure IgA deficiency Just a few things I gathered from the videos any other tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks Jayne gldcst wrote: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/latestresearch/a/celiac.htm Jayne, did you already read this? The Hashimotos Celiac autoimmune connection? 's tested positive for antibodies to thyroid and the celiac tests (antigliadin, antiendomysial etc.). I'm thinking it's probably just a matter of time (and hopefully a long long time) before further autoimmune processes are uncovered once one appears. I suspect alot of our kids have undiagnosed autoimmune disease going on (as might the general population). Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Apparently celiac is associated with autoimmune diabetes too.......all I did was google celiac+autoimmune and there was a whole slew of reports and articles. (what does " slew " mean anyway?LOL) and that was just the first page. Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 << Watching some of the videos you sent I listened to some of the tests that Dr. Buie does automatically. Now he's not far from me - just in Mass. I wonder if this GI doc here is familiar with his works...>> Wow....I'd hop over there right away if I were close. Alot of parents moved from Florida or at least travel all the way up there or to Tx (Krigsman) just to find a GI who " gets " it. You do need to be VERY careful however as Andy Wakefield and the Measles connection is extremely controversial. There's a real history behind him....he published his findings in The Lancet (a prestigious English medical journal in the 90 " s and everyone thought he was a genius...the folks in England decided to stop vaccinating their kids and he became associated with the whole vaccination conspiracy stuff. He was drummed out of England and his article retracted from th journal. This is why I prefaced what I sent to the list and also what I discussed with our doctor by asking him not to get sidetracked by the vaccination debate. I asked him simply to contact Buie and/or krigsman for more answers. You might want to throw in a disclaimer like that before you begin discussions about these doctors simply because your GI might then think you are be a total nutcase and decide not to help you. I mean it's ok if WE know you're a total nutcase but we should keep it a secret from the gastro doc. For me...right or wrong....I LOVE listening to Wakefield talk and I firmly believe he is totally sincere in his beliefs and his desire to help our kids. Unfortunately he has unwillingly garnered the rep as the anti-vaccination guru. Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Interesting Sherry - at the next blood draw in six weeks he's checking glucose and a few other things too just to rule out diabetes. 's fluid intake has increased but I can't really say his fluid OUTput has... The Endo doc thought that he wouldn't be able to make it through the night without peeing if he had diabetes. He thought we'd check some things just in case while we have the blood. I agreed, what's it gonna hurt... Thanks Sherry Jayne gldcst wrote: Apparently celiac is associated with autoimmune diabetes too.......all I did was google celiac+autoimmune and there was a whole slew of reports and articles. (what does " slew " mean anyway?LOL) and that was just the first page. Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 very good advice, thank you. I did tell the Endo Doc yesterday that I am very careful and that I take everything I read with a grain of salt, etc... He seemed more at peace with that and I think brought me back up to educated parent status as opposed to lunatic fringe for the minute I was there! Yes, I agree - it's okay for you all to know I'm certifiably nuts but let's keep that on the down low with the medical groups! J gldcst wrote: << Watching some of the videos you sent I listened to some of the tests that Dr. Buie does automatically. Now he's not far from me - just in Mass. I wonder if this GI doc here is familiar with his works...>> Wow....I'd hop over there right away if I were close. Alot of parents moved from Florida or at least travel all the way up there or to Tx (Krigsman) just to find a GI who " gets " it. You do need to be VERY careful however as Andy Wakefield and the Measles connection is extremely controversial. There's a real history behind him....he published his findings in The Lancet (a prestigious English medical journal in the 90 " s and everyone thought he was a genius...the folks in England decided to stop vaccinating their kids and he became associated with the whole vaccination conspiracy stuff. He was drummed out of England and his article retracted from th journal. This is why I prefaced what I sent to the list and also what I discussed with our doctor by asking him not to get sidetracked by the vaccination debate. I asked him simply to contact Buie and/or krigsman for more answers. You might want to throw in a disclaimer like that before you begin discussions about these doctors simply because your GI might then think you are be a total nutcase and decide not to help you. I mean it's ok if WE know you're a total nutcase but we should keep it a secret from the gastro doc. For me...right or wrong....I LOVE listening to Wakefield talk and I firmly believe he is totally sincere in his beliefs and his desire to help our kids. Unfortunately he has unwillingly garnered the rep as the anti-vaccination guru. Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 K, so what's the difference between Hashy whatever, and hypothyroidism? Maddie's been hypothyroid since she was 3. Donna ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hashimotos-disease/DS00567 <<K, so what's the difference between Hashy whatever, and hypothyroidism? Maddie's been hypothyroid since she was 3.>> Donna, Hashy is that stuff that's made from corned beefy...oh no wait, nevermind......here's a link to Hashimotos. The thyroid gland becomes inflamed and the person develops antibodies to his own thyroid gland which begin to eat it up...just like pacman. Hypo thyroidism is simply an underfunctioning thyroid (due to hormone levels) which can be boosted with meds. I'm not sure but I think they regularly take thyroid antibody tests for anyone who is hypo or hyper just to be sure. 's been hypo since 2 also. And I think I was forever but never got tested till I was 38 (which was just last year har har). Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 With his TSH and T4 and T3 were never quite alarming enough for any medical professional. Then when his symptoms become so blatant they finally tested his antibodies and they were off the charts! They may have never tested Maddie's antibodies... Next blood draw ask them to check her anti-thyroid antibodies. Take care, Jayne gldcst wrote: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hashimotos-disease/DS00567 <<K, so what's the difference between Hashy whatever, and hypothyroidism? Maddie's been hypothyroid since she was 3.>> Donna, Hashy is that stuff that's made from corned beefy...oh no wait, nevermind......here's a link to Hashimotos. The thyroid gland becomes inflamed and the person develops antibodies to his own thyroid gland which begin to eat it up...just like pacman. Hypo thyroidism is simply an underfunctioning thyroid (due to hormone levels) which can be boosted with meds. I'm not sure but I think they regularly take thyroid antibody tests for anyone who is hypo or hyper just to be sure. 's been hypo since 2 also. And I think I was forever but never got tested till I was 38 (which was just last year har har). Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.