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Hyperthyroidism and Lyme Disease

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Posted 10/14/2014 8:30 PM (GMT -5)
hi... In July of this year I got bit by an insect and developed a bulls-eye rash that lasted a month... At the time I didn't know what it was called and minimized the event. Never saw a physician to have it looked at, but did take photographs of it. In September, I went to the doctor for a regular checkup and she noticed my thyroid was visibly enlarged. She ran a thyroid panel and my TSH was 0.03. I had an ultrasound and radioactive iodine uptake scan. I have a multi-nodular goiter and nodules throughout my thyroid. I have surgery scheduled in 3 days for a total thyroidectomy... When I asked the endocrinologist what causes hyperthyroidism he said it was an auto-immune disorder of unknown cause. Could I have contracted Lyme Disease? If I am diagnosed with Lyme, could treatment restore my thyroid function to normal levels? Should I go through with the removal of my thyroid gland? I have not told my physician or endocrinologist about my bite and bulls-eye rash. It only dawned on me today.
Posted 10/14/2014 8:33 PM (GMT -5)
Before removing your thyroid, you should look into other options. Just saying... because once you remove it, you can't put it back. Hopefully someone comes along here who is knowledgeable and can give you some good advice. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice, but I think it may be possible to help your thyroid without surgery.
Posted 10/14/2014 8:36 PM (GMT -5)
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to dither. My thyroid is so large it is interfering with my breathing and swallowing.
Posted 10/14/2014 8:38 PM (GMT -5)
If you can deal with it, keep it!!!!! You will have a harder time fighting Lyme without it if it is the cause!
Posted 10/14/2014 8:54 PM (GMT -5)
Does anyone know of any LLMDs near Minot, ND?
Posted 10/14/2014 10:01 PM (GMT -5)
My husband had a similar problem, he was having problems lying down and being comfortable cause of a goiter. He had throat issues with it. He also had a few nodules on it but they started him on armour thyroid and it went down pretty quick.

I would get a second opinion before I had it removed.
Posted 10/14/2014 10:17 PM (GMT -5)
Wow
Posted 10/14/2014 10:43 PM (GMT -5)
Hypo or Hyperthyroidism? They usually only remove it for Hyper. An auto-immune disorder is usually Hoshimoto's Hypothyroidism and that would require medicine to take care of it, not removal.

Armour Thyroid (as posted by Revive) is the natural form...I'd recommend it (as opposed to Synthroid which is the synthetic version).

It sounds like it's getting out of control pretty quick but I wouldn't just have it removed without making sure that's the issue.
Posted 10/14/2014 10:59 PM (GMT -5)
It's definitely hyperthyroidism, but either way, it's all autoimmune related, is it not?
Posted 10/14/2014 11:06 PM (GMT -5)
They firstly, recommended I-131 radioactive iodine ablation, however, it's getting so large they are afraid the ablation process would take months and require multiple doses... My primary concern is the cause of the thyroid dysfunction as it relates to the bullseye rash and possible Lyme Disease. If I do have LD and it is treated will my thyroid function return to normal levels and make this permanent solution unnecessary?
Posted 10/15/2014 7:26 PM (GMT -5)
Hyperthyroidism is a condition which feels like you drank 15 cups of caffeinated coffee. It is treated with Methimazole. ArmorThyroid is a hormone replacement drug which will probably make your situation worse.
Wikipedia is a good information source among others.
Allergens can contribute to hyperthyroidism. Try to eliminate unnatural additives in foods, soaps, creams...
Antibiotics are used to treat Lyme.
These thoughts may or may not be related to swollen thyroid.
Wishing you the best.
Posted 10/15/2014 7:34 PM (GMT -5)
Update: Told my primary care doc about the bite and bullseye rash from July... She ran a Lyme panel but wants me to go forward with the thyroidectomy on Friday.

Thanks All!
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