Just wanted to take an unscientific poll to see how many other Chiarians here have thyroid issues?
I have hypothyroidism, it seems like lots of Chiarians also have some issues with their thyroids. Anyone else?
I have had hypothyroidism since i'm 7yrs old. Over the years my levothyroxine has been increased.
No thyroid problems here.
I was told there is no connection of thyroid issues and Chiari. I was diagnosed with a thyroid goiter at the same time I was told I have Chiari. Wow, what to deal with first? Some of the thyroid symptoms overlapped my CM symptoms, swallowing, breathing difficulties, choking sensations. I had the CM surgery April 10, 2012 and will be having surgery to remove my entire thyroid on Feb. 12, 2013. I have a nontoxic multinodular goiter. My left side of the neck is very large, with nodules on both sides of the thyroid. When I asked what causes the goiter, The exact causes of thyroid nodules or multinodular goiters are unknown. In general, the development of goiter is due to a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors. It is not associated with abnormal thyroid function. Nice scar down back of my head and neck, and soon one across the front of my neck. Beautiful!
Crisker said:
I was told there is no connection of thyroid issues and Chiari. I was diagnosed with a thyroid goiter at the same time I was told I have Chiari. Wow, what to deal with first? Some of the thyroid symptoms overlapped my CM symptoms, swallowing, breathing difficulties, choking sensations. I had the CM surgery April 10, 2012 and will be having surgery to remove my entire thyroid on Feb. 12, 2013. I have a nontoxic multinodular goiter. My left side of the neck is very large, with nodules on both sides of the thyroid. When I asked what causes the goiter, The exact causes of thyroid nodules or multinodular goiters are unknown. In general, the development of goiter is due to a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors. It is not associated with abnormal thyroid function. Nice scar down back of my head and neck, and soon one across the front of my neck. Beautiful!
Weird that they can say they don't know what causes it, but can be certain it has nothing to do with Chiari.
I was told chiari had nothing to do with my hearing loss by a neurologist and then when seen by an otolaryngologist who said it definitely played a role in it. And I have heard from MANY Chiarians who have also had hearing loss like mine.
I think they know so little, it will be nice if one day they can actually agree that Chiari causes more than headaches lol.
I'm sorry to hear you have to go through more surgery, that sucks.
Thanks Wendy,
With all my different Dr. appointments, I find it amazing the little awareness of Chiari. Most of the medical professionals I have been dealing with have little of no knowledge of it. I have to disclose my medical history and have to explain over and over what it is. I finally just printed out a sheet explaining and showing what it is, and what decompression surgery does. I believe it does contribute to more than just headaches!! LOL
Wendy said:
Crisker said:
I was told there is no connection of thyroid issues and Chiari. I was diagnosed with a thyroid goiter at the same time I was told I have Chiari. Wow, what to deal with first? Some of the thyroid symptoms overlapped my CM symptoms, swallowing, breathing difficulties, choking sensations. I had the CM surgery April 10, 2012 and will be having surgery to remove my entire thyroid on Feb. 12, 2013. I have a nontoxic multinodular goiter. My left side of the neck is very large, with nodules on both sides of the thyroid. When I asked what causes the goiter, The exact causes of thyroid nodules or multinodular goiters are unknown. In general, the development of goiter is due to a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors. It is not associated with abnormal thyroid function. Nice scar down back of my head and neck, and soon one across the front of my neck. Beautiful!
Weird that they can say they don't know what causes it, but can be certain it has nothing to do with Chiari.
I was told chiari had nothing to do with my hearing loss by a neurologist and then when seen by an otolaryngologist who said it definitely played a role in it. And I have heard from MANY Chiarians who have also had hearing loss like mine.
I think they know so little, it will be nice if one day they can actually agree that Chiari causes more than headaches lol.
I'm sorry to hear you have to go through more surgery, that sucks.
Well, I'm not 100% sure yet what my thyroid issues are. My Chiari was just found in November, and I just went for my C&T spine MRI last week. The MRI showed nodules on my thyroid. When I called to follow up with my PCP about them he told me it was normal and nothing to worry about. I go for blood work tomorrow, but I have heard that there could be problems with the thyroid that won't necessarily be represented in the blood work. What other testing should I push for? I also have swallowing issues. Thanks for any advice!
I' ve had hyptothyroidism/Hashimoto's thyroiditis since I was 12 y.o.
Diagnosed with thyroid cancer March 2010 - had complete thyroidectomy May 2010 - interestingly many of my neck/chiari issues began after that surgery....where my head/neck was hyperextended for 6 hrs!!!! Had no idea that I had chiari/retroflexed odontoid prior to surgery
At present, still cancer-free....next check will be July 2013
Glad you are getting good reports after your thyroidectomy Di, that is strange- how these issues cropped up after that.
I've read that it can take any sort of trigger to cause the downward spiral that occurs with chiari and related issues. One issue mentioned is head or neck surgery where your neck is hyperextended for a length of time. Makes sense to me. With a retroflexed odontoid there is compression of the brainstem so I suppose having my neck hyperextended for 6 hrs was probably bad. Then the whole mistake of going to a chiro for almost a year..... that did me in!
I have hashimotos, and a nodule that is 3 cm....I'm deailing with Chiari now, then I will look into my thyroid. ugh. :(
I'm hypo as well, though only mildly.