EM related research suggests that many EM sufferers either present extant hypothyroidism ( developed many years prior to EM) , get diagnosed as hypothyroid (around the same time as EM symptoms) , or develop future hypothyroidism. “Hypothyroidism occurs when you produce insufficient amounts of thyroid hormone or when you have thyroid hormone resistance. As a result, your body cannot maintain normal metabolism, and your ability to convert tyrosine to dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine is impaired. This can cause a ripple effect of symptoms” We have not found research which actually investigates this finding but we have pieced together a few articles to kick-start the discussion. Immune, endocrine, molecular (sodium channels), and nervous system (autonomic dysfunction/ central sensitisation), as well as co-existing medical conditions, side effects from other medications and mere co-incidence are amongst schools of thought. The mod team hope this makes for an interesting and insightful discussion. (1) How does living with hypothyroidism and EM affect you? (2) Why do you think many EM’ers are hypothyroid or thyroid hormone resistant? (3) Is hypothyroidism a cause or effect of EM? Quick facts: Research on the mechanism of chronic pain in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) underpin immune-endocrine system substantially involved, and may have a key role, Immune function was significantly and specifically suppressed in BMS, although the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system were predominantly activated by psychological stress that was not specific to BMS. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24398391?dopt=Abstract2 Burning feet syndrome. Most sufferers were hypothyroid http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1470815011 Many autoimmune disorders increase the risk for hypothyroidism. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes ,systemic lupus erythematosus, pernicious anaemia, and rheumatoid arthritis Perimenopause/menopause .Women over 50 are susceptible to thyroid problems.http://www.thyroid.org/ Interestingly for EM’ers some patients treated for hypothyroidism have symptoms and findings compatible with small-fiber neuropathy or "hyper phenomena" indicating central sensitisation. http://www.painjournalonline.com/article/S0304-3959(10)00584-1/fulltext5 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/169665385 Hypothyroidism frequently found in chronic urticaria – otherwise known as heat allergy (we call it EM), and associated to autoimmunity. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/815273_22 http://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/?doi=10.2340/00015555-0244&html=11 Threshold of pain perception to heat decreased in hypothyroid rats. Synaptic transmission ( firing of neurons – pain receptors) altered http://www.molecularpain.com/content/pdf/1744-8069-10-38.pdf1 Thyroid hormone regulates voltage‐gated sodium currents and modifies action potentials books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=110920576 Autonomic dysfunction – dysautonomia - increased incidence of hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function in EM patients. Hypothesis that inadequate thyroid hormone regulation may be one of the primary underlying factors in many patients with fibromyalgia. Most fibromyalgia patients are either hypothyroid or thyroid hormone resistant.http://thyroid.about.com/cs/fibromyalgiacfs/a/fibrothyroid.htm Endocrine disorder- as in secondary Raynaud’s hormone imbalance .Thyroid requires iodine to produce its hormones and to regulate the body’s metabolism. The simple mineral iodine is like an internal heater. Iodine deficiency causes a loss of myelination of peripheral and central nervous system tissues. A lack of iodine also means the person cannot myelinate their nerves because they cannot access the ketogenic pathway Hypothyroidism = low metabolic rate. Animal research points to slower synaptic transmission, which, in theory, should slow pain signals. Sodium channel blockers based on this premise. Autoimmune disorder Hashimoto’s thyroiditis http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/chronic-thyroiditis-hashimotos-disease/print.html7 Numerous medical conditions can involve the thyroid and change the normal gland tissue so that it no longer produces enough thyroid hormone e.g. scleroderma, and amyloidosis Drugs and medical treatments can affect thyroid levels e.g. antiarrhythmic, antiepileptic, cancer, some antidepressants. Hypothyroidism extremely common. From 10 to 40 percent of Americans have suboptimal thyroid function O

Having hypothyroidism doesn’t just affect your thyroid, it affects other parts of your body and your life, too. Here’s what you can expect with your new diagnosis.The effects of hypothyroidism

The effects of hypothyroidism

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