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Since MS can mimics a lot of illnesses, because a lot of diseases are stepping stones towards MS and Hypothyroidism where the thyroid is not working properly. To understand this problem and what is or will happen to you, read:
In 4 months I gained 100
pounds. I tried everything to stop it, but still it came. What I
didn't notice was increased fatigue & muscle cramps, tingling in
the fingers, loss of equilibrium, dry itchy skin, cold intolerance, memory and
mental impairment, decreased concentration, irregular-heavy menstruation,
drooping swollen eyes, and a slowed heart rate. I blamed it all on MS, but
it wasn't, it was hypothyroidism and MS. The MS cause the signals from the
brain to get scrambled and cause the thyroid not to do it's job correctly.
Doctors often forget to tell
people with MS is they are highly susceptible to hypothyroidism. I
have included the following information so you will recognize what's going on
instead of being in the dark as I was.
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SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM
Hypothyroidism has many levels, ranging from
borderline to the more severe, Hashimoto's disease. The severity of the disorder
is characterized by the amount of decrease in the hormones secreted by the
thyroid. The symptoms that occur with the disease vary depending on the length
of time the body has been deprived of the proper amount of hormone.
Mild cases of hypothyroidism usually have few
symptoms and patients feel fine. However, after being treated report that they
do have an improvement in the way that they feel. Because symptoms are not
present, or are usually so vague, treating or diagnosing mild cases are often
very difficult. Testing levels of TSH (thyroid - stimulating hormone) in the
blood stream along with the reduction in the amount of thyroid hormone levels,
is the only definite way to diagnose mild hypothyroidism.
More severe cases of hypothyroidism are easier to
diagnose. Symptoms include fatigue and muscle swelling or cramps (mainly in the
arms and legs), tingling in the fingers, loss of equilibrium, weight gain or
increased difficulty losing weight, dry sometimes itchy skin, cold intolerance,
coarseness or loss of hair, husky voice, constipation, memory and mental
impairment, decreased concentration, goiter, depression, irregular or heavy
menstruation, infertility or miscarriages, drooping swollen eyes, and a slowed
heart rate. The two most common symptoms are fatigue and cold intolerance. Not
all of these symptoms may occur, usually just a few, but with the severity of
the disease the more will be present.
Symptoms usually disappear after treatment has
taken place. Since hypothyroidism is a deficiency in thyroid hormones, treatment
includes the replacement of the hormones the thyroid should secrete. Once
diagnosed, the treatment is easy, the most difficult part is trying to determine
if the deficiency is present, and to what degree. Many of these symptoms occur
naturally with age. The presence of two or three symptoms should be of no
concern. However, if several of the symptoms are present, you may want to have
your hormone levels checked.
The key signs to secondary hypothyroidism are a
history of absence of menstruation of three or more periods in a row (known as
Amenorrhea). In secondary hypothyroidism, symptoms include low blood pressure,
hypoglycemia (often found because of a concomitant adrenal insufficiency or
growth hormone deficiency), a reduction in breast size, skin depigmentation, and
dry skin and hair.
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Hope this is a help to you.
Fore-warned is fore-armed!
Best wishes,
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