Guest guest Posted January 15, 2006 Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 Hi Andie, When I was diagnosed with RA(about 18mo ago, summer 04) I was also diagnosed at the same time with a nodule on my thyroid. I was shuffling weight around, like 30lbs back and forth and just seemed to always have enlarged glands in my neck so we checked my thyroid out. I was perosnally getting worried I was growing a goiter. I had a pretty thourough exam (several) that summer and ultimately got an ultrasound of my thyroid and found one nodule. Surprisingly, the only thing we've done about it is that I had it rescanned 6mo later to see if it stayed the same size, and thankfully it did. I was then just told that we'd let it go " for awhile " and see if anything comes of it. That chances are way better than not that theres nothing wrong with it and that most people have nodules on this or that at some point in their life. Thanks for reminding me about it though. I think I was supposed to rescann it a year later, which would be like.....now. > > My rheumatologist recently discovered that I have thyroid nodules which may or may not be cancerous. I went to the endocrinologist (after waiting 2 months for an appointment) and am waiting for the results of some blood work before he can create an action plan regarding getting a biopsy. I read some literature he gave me regarding thyroiditis and it sounds like it is condition related to the same immunilogical disfuntion that causes RA. > > Has anyone else been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder or been told that it could be related to RA? I'd appreciate any insight I can get. > > Andie > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Photos – Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover > Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2006 Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a couple of years before my first symptoms of RA. The hypothyroidism is well controlled with Levothyroxine and except for taking my medicine daily I don't see any symptoms or problems because of it. I've never been diagnosed with thyroid nodules or been examined specifically for that. God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: Andie Fleming Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:54 PM Subject: Thyroid issues and RA My rheumatologist recently discovered that I have thyroid nodules which may or may not be cancerous. I went to the endocrinologist (after waiting 2 months for an appointment) and am waiting for the results of some blood work before he can create an action plan regarding getting a biopsy. I read some literature he gave me regarding thyroiditis and it sounds like it is condition related to the same immunilogical disfuntion that causes RA. Has anyone else been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder or been told that it could be related to RA? I'd appreciate any insight I can get. Andie Photos – Showcase holiday pictures in hardcoverPhoto Books. You design it and we’ll bind it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 My 10 year old daughter had a thyroid nodule with no other symptoms. I took her to an endocrinologist who started her on Synthroid and it went away. Her blood work showed an underactive gland. She still takes the Synthroid but no more nodules. Maybe your's isn't related to RA. StaceyAndie Fleming <Andie_Fleming@...> wrote: My rheumatologist recently discovered that I have thyroid nodules which may or may not be cancerous. I went to the endocrinologist (after waiting 2 months for an appointment) and am waiting for the results of some blood work before he can create an action plan regarding getting a biopsy. I read some literature he gave me regarding thyroiditis and it sounds like it is condition related to the same immunilogical disfuntion that causes RA. Has anyone else been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder or been told that it could be related to RA? I'd appreciate any insight I can get. Andie Photos – Showcase holiday pictures in hardcoverPhoto Books. You design it and we’ll bind it! Photos Got holiday prints? See all the ways to get quality prints in your hands ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Hi everyone- Hyperthyroid here. I have a node or goiter or growth as they say. I have had it for years. I kept telling my doctor I didnt feel well and that my heart was beating really fast. My blood pressure was elevated and I was having palpitations. After a dye test and CT Scan they found the culprit. The thyroid is made up of many sections or lobes and a node on it can cause metabolism issues. Since the hormone and pituitary glands are tied into the thyroid, all this can also affect RA. It is common to get goiters from autoimmune disease. I couldnt get my Thyoid levels down to a place where my endo was happy. He wanted to ablate the thyroid which is to kill it with radioactive iodine but I became too sick off of the PTU or thyroid medication to have them try it. They kept after me, badgering me to do it, and I read there isnt a high success rate so I waited. And Waited. I couldnt gain weight and stayed at 90 pounds or so. Hyper you lose weight, hypo you gain. I think its when I started MTX again after being off of it for the longest time on a regular basis. Suddenly I started to gain weight, and experience severe hormonal changes. My pcp tested my thyroid and it came back normal. My endo tested and again normal. This is after 5 years of overactive levels. My Estrogen and Progesterone are normal but my testosterone is very low. I have no interest in "you know what." When the moon is full, I get lumps under my armpits and ovary pain. Other than that I am just fine. I dont know why but my body seemed to regulate itself. It may not stay this way but you never know. I am 110 pounds now and I hope I dont gain anymore. I am only five one. Yours, Deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Stacey, I started with Synthroid but then switched to a generic, Levothyroxine, and saved quite a bit on the cost of the prescription without losing effectiveness. God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: stacey rutledge Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 4:29 PM Subject: Re: Thyroid issues and RA My 10 year old daughter had a thyroid nodule with no other symptoms. I took her to an endocrinologist who started her on Synthroid and it went away. Her blood work showed an underactive gland. She still takes the Synthroid but no more nodules. Maybe your's isn't related to RA. Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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