Re:Thyroid issues, eosinophil levels, Chiari malformation , TCS and CTD

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray, For the record, I think there are likely many people who have hypothyroidism but have no clue they have chiari/TCS. I have chiari and TCS as well as hypothyroidism. I believe there's a good chance hypothyroidism is connected with chiari. fyi, I was born with a red birthmark on my lower back and on the front of my throat. I feel strongly that BOTH of these birthmarks were indicators that something was/is structurally wrong (you'll find plenty of research about birthmarks on the lower back being indicators of a hidden tethered cord....but nothing about birthmarks on the throat). I am 37 now and have had a sore throat for NINE years. Is it merely a coincidence that I had a birthmark on my throat...and now have this sore throat? I think not. Most people who have structural problems don't have a birthmark as an indicator.... Here is a short excerpt that I wrote about the potential link. I hope it helps... in land THE POTENTIAL THYROID CONNECTION I went years struggling with all the “typical” chiari/tethered cord symptoms: fatigue, headaches, brain fog, skin problems, sore throat, constipation, poor circulation, carpal tunnel, etc. I was so enveloped in my pain and my pursuit of treatment for chiari that I didn’t

have the energy to focus on any other potential causes. And I figured, “hey, I’ll fix the big problem first…then deal with whatever is left later.” So let me tell you what was left… Having surgery to address my major problems (chiari, tethered cord, etc) fixed my major problems – but not all of them. I’ve been headache free for over a year now but several annoying little symptoms persist: fatigue, brain fog (trouble concentrating at work), low sex drive, etc. So I began researching the possible reasons why. I rewatched the Mystery

Diagnosis special about Marissa Irwin (who also has chiari). I listened…and heard that she was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I thought to myself, “I am pretty sure my doc checked my thyroid already”. But the more I read up on it, the more I was amazed – at how MANY of the symptoms mimic those of chiari. And, here’s the kicker: Hypothryoidism (if not detected

early enough in life) can affect bone maturation. I’m not implying a connection here…but find this intriguing, nonetheless. We know that chiari involves an underdeveloped skull. And searching online, I was able to find that there have been studies to determine if there is a link between hypothyroidism and Neural Tube Defects. The information I found suggested that there is not a link – but doctors have been wrong before. Doctors have been saying for years that CMI is not a neural tube defect. Well, I have my doubts about that. Something is causing the skull to be underdeveloped – the question is, what? Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include: fatigue (not feeling refreshed no matter how long you sleep, brain fog, trouble focusing), skin problems, trouble swallowing (feeling as if something is caught in your throat), ringing in the ears, headaches, MODEST weight gain,

carpal tunnel, intolerance to cold (poor circulation), constipation, low sex drive, shedding hair, skin problems, brittle nails, aching joints/bones/muscles, lack of appetite in morning. Sound familiar? So, I went to my PCP and asked him to test my thyroid. He ordered the standard blood tests and they came back normal. He told me I did not have hypothyroidism. So guess what I did…the same thing I did when I was pursuing a diagnosis of chiari: I signed up for a yahoo support group (there are two: “Thyroiditis” and “NaturalThyroidHormones”). It was here that I learned my test results

weren’t really “normal” and that I should see a more liberal minded doctor. I found a list of recommended doctors at www.thyroid-info.com and went to one. Sure enough, he confirms that the current standards used by labs and most doctors are outdated and highly inaccurate. He put me on medication immediately. After one dose of levothyroxine, I woke up the next morning feeling like a new person. I mean, completely alert and full of energy. I felt so good that I thought, “This can’t be legal!”.

I am still in the very early stages of medication…and the effects are not lasting…it takes quite some time for everything to balance out. My meds will have to be adjusted every few weeks until we find the right dose. But now I know I am going to feel better. If you suffer from these symptoms, I highly encourage you to get your thyroid tested! If your results for TSH are outside the range recommended in this article: http://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/a/garbertsh.htm then you should also check out the links below and find a specialist. http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/long-and-pathetic/?PHPSESSID=2cdd832be94d0427d872ff05f4c46084 http://www.thyroid-info.com/ http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/index.htm

[Guest guest]

you don't use aspartame do you?

just asking because sometimes intracranial hypertension has been linked

to chiari....i even suspected it in my case of IH....but eliminiating

aspartame fixed the problem. but i agree with you that there could be a

connection between hypo/chiari.

cindi

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> For the record, I think there are likely many people who have

hypothyroidism but have no clue they have chiari/TCS. I have chiari

and TCS as well as hypothyroidism. I believe there's a good chance

hypothyroidism is connected with chiari.

[Guest guest]

what is chiari/tcs? Thanks :)To: Thyroiditis From: cindi22595@...Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 15:51:34 +0000Subject: Re:Thyroid issues, eosinophil levels, Chiari malformation , TCS and CTD

you don't use aspartame do you?

just asking because sometimes intracranial hypertension has been linked

to chiari....i even suspected it in my case of IH....but eliminiating

aspartame fixed the problem. but i agree with you that there could be a

connection between hypo/chiari.

cindi

E-mail for the greater good. Join the i’m Initiative from Microsoft.

[Guest guest]

Cindi, I've never touched aspartame or any other artificial sweetener. I also don't eat "diet" anything (I don't like the funky taste of low fat dressings, etc). I AM guilty of overdoing it on sugar (bigtime weakness for m & m's and coca-cola)!