Hypothyroidism and What It Shares with MS
In 2004, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid is underactive and doesn’t product enough important hormones. Six years later, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Naturally, I became curious as to whether a link might exist between between hypothyroidism and MS.
I am sure that there many people living with layers of health issues in the world. For those of us with MS, who have been diagnosed with other diseases or complications, I wonder: Is there a connection, or is it just a random occurrence?
According to a Mayo Clinic list, hypothyroidism may be accompanied by these symptoms:
• Fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Weight gain
• Puffy face
• Hoarseness
• Muscle weakness
• Elevated blood cholesterol level
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
• Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
• Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
• Thinning hair
• Slowed heart rate
• Depression
• Impaired memory
Hypothyroidism results from the thyroid gland not producing enough hormones. The disease, however, may be due to many factors, including an inflammatory disorder known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Autoimmune disorders are when your immune system creates antibodies that attack your body, including the thyroid gland. This can be due to a virus, bacterium, or a genetic flaw. Most likely, autoimmune diseases result from more than one factor.
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Regardless of how such a disease may develop, it always seems as if inflammation is involved in some way.
The Mayo Clinic also lists the following risk factors for hypothyroidism:
• Being a woman older than age 60
• Having a family history of thyroid disease
• Having an autoimmune disease
• Having been treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications
• Having received radiation to the neck or upper chest
• Past thyroid surgery (partial thyroidectomy)
• Have been pregnant or delivered a baby within the past six months
It is very apparent to me that the similarities between hypothyroidism and MS are undeniable. Inflammation is a powerful contender to deal with, and it appears to be a key player in many diseases, especially autoimmune ones.  In an upcoming column, I will examine the beast known as inflammation, researching on what contributes to inflammation, and what we can do to combat it.
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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
About the Author
Nick
I think the commonality between MS and hypothyroidism is they are both conditions indicative of a deficiency of vitamin D.
Debi Wilson
Hi Nick,
I agree Vitamin D deficiency seems to be a big part of chronic illness as well. I cannot ignore though all I been reading and discovering about inflammation and the huge impact it has on our health. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject! Debi
Mimi Corby Sprague
I have been reading The Medical Medium by Anthony Williams ... He correlates both diseases to Epstein Barr Virus.
Debi Wilson
Hi Mimi!
I agree with that theory as well! I even wrote an article on it recently http://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/2017/04/10/ms-and-birthday-party-game-of-spin-the-bottle-then-mono-and-ebv/.
What I am finding whatever the theory one of the constants always seems to be inflammation. I am researching and writing an article on that subject currently. Thanks for your comment! Debi
Keri
I had mono when I was very young...around 5...
Now I was recently diagnosed with hashimoto’s. Bit of my antibodies are high, actually.
I am being followed for MS right now. I had two lesions on a brain scan, but not in a typical area where MS is seen, and I have twitching and cramps all over my body. No other blood levels were problematic My vitamin d was pretty low, and I am taking that now as a supplement.
Have you seen this with your research??
Mary Holmstrand
Hi Mimi, I love MM's books...look forward to his new one! Glad to see someone else finds his work so empowering...my neuro thinks all a bunch of hog wash...well, she ain't my neuro doc anymore!!
Gloria
I have hyperthyroidism and am treating it with a gluten-free, noninflammatory diet and supplementation, as described in Izabella Wenzt's book: Hashimotos Thyroiditis Lifestyle Interventions for treating the Root Cause. Seems to be working as TPO aby levels and other markers are way down and my Vitamin D is 86 ng/mL even after a winter up north.
Debi Wilson
Great! Thanks Gloria for sharing that! Debi
Heather Mouzakis
My daughter is 17, they said she has Hashimoto’s and celiac. Low Vitamin D and B’s levels. She also has ADS, ADD and SPD. Her doctor thinks she might have lyme disease? She is Extremely fatigued. Her joints are achy and her anxiety is through the roof. Is it possible it is MS and not Lyme?
David
Those symptoms sound like me 6 mths ago. I was treated for late term lyme and many of the symptoms have abated. The reality is that the Lyme Disease spirochete is a common thread in MS, Parkinson's, ALS abd othwer neurogenerative diseases
Catherine
I had MS diagnosed first and then 6 months later hypothyroidism, it does look like there is a connection.
Debi Wilson
Yes it does, thanks for sharing Catherine!
Ursula
I have hypothyriodism and take Tecfidera for P.P.M.S. After reading about the claims re - biotin & M.S. I started self-medicating biotin with diasterous consequences. As biotin is basically a vitamin I thought that I would not require input from my doctor. How wrong was I! My throid levels became dangerously high. It has taken 6/8 months to get back on track.
Debi Wilson
I'm very sorry that happened to you Ursula! It is always very important to consult with your Doctor before starting anything new! I was told recently that with high dose Biotin you can get false lab readings especially thyroid. They suggest stopping Biotin 1 week before having lab tests. Yours took 6-8 months to correct so it doesn't sound like a false reading. Best wishes Debi
Elizabeth
I have hypothyroid, MS and still having hormone problems years after the change. I'm in a wheelchair majority of time. I've known for years in my heart they're tied together.
Jacquie
I have MS & underactive thyroid, my daughter has fibromyalgia and ME I’m sure there is a connection there also, thank you for your research
Regards Jacquie
Jaclyn Picone
Hello. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism years ago after taking prednisone it threw my thyroid levels off. I am very sensitive to all medications. In 2014 I was diagnosed with MS. I feel like these are related in someway however I don’t believe one causes the other. Since both are related to autoimmune I think that you must be careful with what medications you take because I know I have sensitivities and allergies to many things, which throws my thyroid off. Just going to the dentist Lidocane threw me off and I’ve had heart palpitations ever since. So be careful everyone and pay close attention to what your body tells you.
Casie
This sounds so like me right now. Im so scared, I was diagnosed at 16 with underactive thryroid taking 2.0 milligrams synthroid feel lethargic all the time, joints hurt pain in arms and legs, everytime I take medication i break out is super hives (welts look like bee stings) went to dentist a few weeks ago for fillings and the gave me litocane and the pounding in my chest and the hot feeling rush through my body was horrible took me 4 days to recover.
Ana
Dentist procedure is how I noticed I was supersensitive all of a sudden and went to neurologist. Recently I also tested positive for antibodies. My DM still thinks I am fine. Hope you've found a way to get .
Heather
If you have MS you are missing Phylenol which the body need to make one of the Thyroid hormones. I've been sick for years and have been through hell. I'm a nurse of 20 years and had to fight to get my Thyroid diagnosed. I believe I have had MS for a while to but this past September got really sick now I think proving the MS should be obvious but I'm having to prove it and it socks that these doctors aren't putting it together! It's ruined my life! I know i have MS and I'm really scared!
Peta McIntyre
Thyroidism is prevalent in both sides of my family. I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease aged 16. Twenty years on and it became underactive. I have since been diagnosed with M.S. and Parkinson's Disease. A cousin in my paternal family, was the first diagnosed with M.S., then last year, one of my daughter's was diagnosed with M.S. Neither have thyroid problems...so far.
My mother was one of six children, four of whom were female. All bar one of them, was diagnosed with underactive thyroids in their early 60's. The one who wasn't died of Parkinson's Disease, in 1970. She lived in New York at the time, and was on the first trials for dopamine.
Donna
I was diagnosed first with MS &fibromyalgia. A few years later, a heart attack. Next I was told I, “ no doubt “ had generalized Dystonia. Now I have hypothyroidism. Are they all somehow connected?
Smad4 and HHT also run in the family, as well as cancerous polyps and various other types of cancer, stomach,colon, liver and lung
Christine
Hi, I had 3 uncles on my dads side and one Aunty with MS, my brother died at 52 with MS. I have FB and ha hashimotto, 14 month ago had thyroid cancer, they rent the whole thyroid part of the parathyroid and 8 lymph nodes. Parpillary cancer. My health is just deteratatimg and I am so weak and exhausted and have memory loss etc ... I think I have MS pretty sure I do- but just get told it’s FB and I need to take it seriously. I can’t keep pushing, I’ve decided when I got diagnosed with FB at 32 I wasn’t going to stop me- I have pushed and pushed myself- I can’t anymore I’m 56 .... I can’t do it anymore. My dr thinks it’s too hard for me to get disability support. Really I can’t. I’m a Tafe teacher, my brain gets lost, my balance goes, students thought I was going to faint last week. My vision is crazy my hands and arms are crazy my little fingers are changing direction ( lol best way of explaining it) I don’t know what to do or what to ask for when is see the dr.
Bonnie
Christine it would be very wise for you to get a second or even 3rd Drs opinion. Or find a good Thyroid specialist and ask for a referral to have thyroid antibodies blood test. Even though you had thyroid removed It would still be wise to have thyroid antibodies test done. Also there is a test called a Reverse T3 blood test. Most importantly You need to have a brain scan done as MS often will show up on scan. ALWAYS ask for a copy of any test results you get. Please take special care.
Bonnie
Jennifer
I would also recommend getting a consult with an actual Multiple Sclerosis Specialist, not just a Neurologist and see if you need a lumbar puncture/Spinal Tap to see what your opening CSF pressure is that information in combination with any brain MRI's could be very vital in the possible diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, in my opinion.
Heather Green
I'd ask for a MRI of at least your brain, they do brain, cervical and thoracic MRIs on me every 6 months, then if there are lesions the can test further from there. I was dx'd with Fibromyalgia in 2008, also at 32, CFS in 2010,then hypothyroidism in 2012, Chronic pain in 2012,and finally MS in 2016. I currently have some crazy infection in my thyroid that has made it huge. The doctor doing the imaging for the bx I was meant to have of a large nodule in there thought I was a completely different patient and had to ho back and check the images from my prior scan again. My thyroid hurts so, so bad and I deal with pain from nerve damage, neck injury and back injury, the thyroid pain makes the rest of it look like nothing. Now I'm on steroids and a beta blocker for the dumb acute thyroiditis! It's all so irritating. I'm the only one in my family with all these crazy health issues.
Dee
Hello
Your condition is not stable
U are eligible for social security
I just applied and they honored my condition
It’s similar to your but your sound worse off
I’m so sorry u are going thru this
She is the head of ss
FriendofMSperson
Have you looked at the work of Dr. Coimbra who successfully treats autoimmune diseases with high levels of Vt D?
Bob
I also have MS, induced by damage caused by Agent Orange, as well as many of the major health issues associated with that "safe" defoliant. I also suffer from Hypothyroidism. I have used natural supplements for decades to help stave off the affects. Diet alone has not been enough.
I wonder if all the hormones and all the pesticides and such, once considered safe, are major contributors to having a generation of people suffering from so many auto immune related illnesses? That coupled with mis/ under-diagnoses?
The medical community has recommended to the VA Secretary that Thyroid issues be added to the list of things attributed to AO. Of course the Secretary said he would consider it after assessing the financial and political ramifications.
With things such a Roundup,( similar to AO) still being used despite overwhelming evidence that it is a real threat, I suspect that in the future, we will see a much larger percentage of the population dealing with Autoimmune deceases and Thyroid issues.
Debi Wilson
You are probably correct, Bob. Great information, thanks for sharing. Debi
Dee
Bob,
My husband also has MS, that we attribute to Agent Orange. It was well controlled by Tysabri until he was forced off it 2 years ago. This opened a floodgate of symptoms. He then tried Tecfidera, but apparently it was not strong enough for it. So, he is now completely paralyzed. His thyroid levels have changed and they recently upped his thyroid medication. He is now without MS medication, and is SPMS. We've consulted several neurologists, all of which say palliative care. I am encouraged by the investigation into sobetirome, which I think may help if it is released in time. It is a thyroid hormone mimic, (as I understand it) that would stimulate remylination, without adverse side effects.
Until then, I'd like to know what natural supplements you have been using to help with your MS, since you've had some success and my husband is no longer being prescribed MS medicines. We are using 2000 IUs of Vitamin D. I've heard of lipoic acid and wondered if you had tried it.
KIM
I was DX in 2012 with MS. Just this week I had an ultrasound on my thyroid. My Dental Hygienist noticed it was swollen and asked my Dr to have it checked( Small town bonus) Well, it appears I have goiters on my Thyroid, I have to go for a biopsy to rule out Cancer. Yay me.
Arlene Kashishian
I have graves disease.i have been dealing with this since 1979.i was 14 when diagnosed. I ended up with rapid heart beat.i had lived in New Jersey and pennsylvania for 30 years.in 2016 I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.i am sure these 2 autoimmune diseases are related.i was exposed to alot of radiation due to X-rays and living near three nuclear power plants have they made any new links between these co-occuring auto Immune diseases?
Carri Milosz
Im 39. I have hypothyroidism since i was 12 and MS was diagnosed last year after 10 years worth of documented symptoms not caused by thyroid.let me tell you that was one hell of a fight to get someone who finally believed me and not tell me it was all in my head. I have tried every possible treatment and cure all out there and gone through book and article on both diseases. Heres what i know... flouride is your enemy.i dont know why but just get it out of your life right now. Adding vitamin d to your system is a bandaid and your going to build up an immunity to it.so heads up on that.it stops helping after 10 or so years. Tea tree oil is a cure all ! start putting 3 drops in some water and rinsing your mouth with it. 100's of your minor issues just go away. Rub it on your numb arms or legs daily. Slowly feeling will return over time in can take months but it works. add it to your moistureiser. Your muscles and skin will start ... regenerating for lack of a better term. 3 drops on the back of your neck will cure your migrains. 1 drop in you ear rather than ear drops will improve hearing issues and get rid of an infection if used for one week once a day... this list goes on and on. The only thing i have changed is my attitude. I am not a victim. Nothing anyone has done has helped me.but this is not anyone elses fault or problem. Its mine.stop blaming drug companys for your issues you took those drugs willingly stop blaming agincies that fed you the wrong foods or genetics. I keep hearing were all unique but it runs in my family. So are you unique or are you the same as your parents? Which is it? I am me this is what works for me and nothing in my past is due to anyones choices but my own. I am a prouduct of my own making and not the result of someone elses desisions or opinions. If you choose to stop being a victim you will get better sooner. I make no promises of a cure. But its your attitude and that weird tree and its oil that work. I dont know why tea tree oil works. Or how it does all the things it does. But i have yet to get someone to try it and have it not work so..... thats what i know. And i spent 25+ years having doc after doc tell me it was all in my head. Good luck to you all. Just dont give up and stop being a victim. Its your life and your choice to live it or not
I still have days i have to remind myself of that.but it truly changes everything once you get it.
Natalie
Carrie, did you find a way to use it for memory? I'm struggling with my memory the most right now.
Im 33, was diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2015, just diagnosed with essential tremors last week even though I've been shaking since high school. The tremors finally got so bad I sometimes have difficulty eating. The neurologist also wants to keep an eye on me for MS and do another MRI in a yr but I want a second opinion. I'm too active and too young to give up.
Phyllis Stalvey
I was diagnosed with hashimotos several years ago. I could only take natural thyroid meds but it didn't help with fatique,weakness,etc. I finally figured out it was iodine that I was lacking. My energy level was up and down but never good. Now my energy level is normal and for the first time my tsh is normal. You have to have iodine for your thyroid to work. Wake up docs.I have been anemic in the past but it doesn't compare with the fatique I have felt being iodine deficit. Don't go crazy taking too much iodine but good luck if you find a doctor who knows much about iodine.
Neil
I am 36 diagnosed with hyperthyroidism at 26 after legs went numb.
Just diagnosed with ms, not sure how it’s related but feel it is. Worries me that my kids could get ms one day. Some say its not hereditary but others say it is. All so confusing. I currently have shooting leg pains and pain in arms with face tingling and legs. Have not started therapy yet. Am on medicare and looking for medigap plans and prescription plans if anyone has a helpful suggestion on plans
Mariet
I am 55. was diagnosed with Graves Disease in 2017. Had a rollercoaster ride with TSH up and down. Radiation to Tyroid 2017. sinc then just strugling with cramps, numb legs and feet, tingling feelings in hands. Extreme tiredness etc. Now TSH 87.6. Now Dr think it might be MS. wà lk with walker refused wheelchair will walk as long as I can. Devestating effect on my family. Cannot drive due to vertigo so highly frustrated and depressed. Ther must be a link between Ms and Graves.
Jessica
I was diagnosed with under active thyroid back in 2011 and was just diagnosed with MS last week after dealing with issue for 2 years. I also have low Vitamin D. I have been watching for Hatchimotos for a few years because I have had Thyroglobulin antibodies in my blood and I have a cousin with the disease, but I have never been diagnosed with it because my thyroid ultrasounds look fine. I found this thread because I was curious if MS could also produce Thyroglobulin antibodies or if I should still be on the look out for Hatchi's. Also, has anyone noticed if their thyroid improves when they start MS medication?
Marla
This is what I know....
I was diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2015. I have had a whirlwind of symptoms for years. I can't remember the last time that it didn't feel like I was walking on bruised feet, at least since 1996 and I was born in 1975. I have severe environmental allergies and have severe medicine sensitivities. Like with any other Hashimoto symptom I have several thyroid nodules, extreme joint pain and stiffness, weakness, hair loss, weight gain and many other symptoms. I have anemia and low Vit D, I am +MTHFR gene. Last week I was told by my Doc she suspected MS. I had blood work done by an allergist that was overlooked back in 2019. 4 of 5 Subset B panel done was extremely high, which is a huge indicator of MS studies say now. I do believe I have had MS since the start of my symptoms in 1996. Because some symptoms, which is polyuria (not associated with diabetes) is a positive symptom when I would have a "flareup" Anyways anyone having the weird symptoms or sensitivites, I am right there with you.