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Lyme and Its Connection to Thyroid / Adrenal Problems

Wayne

Senior Member
Messages
4,300
Location
Ashland, Oregon
I've had a Lyme diagnosis for over three years now, and this past week got a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) blood test reading of 98.04 (normal is around 2-3 or so). I discovered in my research there is likely a connection between my diagnoses of Lyme and Hypothyroidism. Here's a link to a lengthy article: Lyme and Its Connection to Thyroid / Adrenal Problems

Here's an edited version (1 page out of a 10 page article)
STRONG LINK BETWEEN MY SON’S LYME DISEASE and THYROID DISEASE

Now you have read my own son’s story of his Lyme Disease and his subsequent Hypothyroid diagnosis. And my goal here is not only for you to be aware of Lyme Disease, but to highlight that there is a strong link between LD infection and later developing Thyroid Disease, Auto-immune Dysfunction and/or Adrenal Dysfunction.

John D. Bleiweiss, M.D., a Lyme Disease specialist, states, “Increasingly, I am encountering thyroid disease in LD. A local endocrinologist has remarked to me privately that the incidence of thyroid involvement in LD may be greater than expected from the normal population.” He goes on to say, “In many of these patients, the thyroid dysfunction was seen to originate in the pituitary or hypothalmus. Remaining alert to the possibility of thyroid disease is essential because there can be considerable clinical overlap with LD. Subacute thyroiditis is the most prevalent thyroid phenomenon I see in LD. Hypoadrenalism can uncommonly develop.

Dr. James Howenstine, a Lyme Disease expert, states, “Profound dysfunction of the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, thyroid glands and gonads is very common in mycoplasmal, fungal, and anerobic bacterial infections. He goes on to say, “There is considerable evidence that many patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease have an infectious disease. Lyme disease needs to be considered in every patient with a chronic illness.”

Many of those who have Low Thyroid or Low Adrenal function have also been diagnosed with either Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which to me are “catch all” diagnoses that Doctors have used in order to “label” us with a disease they don’t understand.

There is considerable evidence that these diseases are actually caused by either a bacteria or virus. And, because of these infections, our bodies’ immune systems’ are weakened. That theory, in turn, pre-disposes us to developing various autoimmune disease as well as Thyroid and Adrenal disorders. My own son was perfectly healthy until he was bitten by a Lyme infected tick. This, I truly believe, set the stage for his own Thyroid to fail.

It is true that Thryoid disease in my own family is rampant. Many of us have developed Low Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders. I, personally, was diagnosed with Low Thyroid in 2004. I suspect that I have suffered from Low Thyroid most of my adult life. I too have some suspicion that I could have been infected with LD during my early years and will soon be testing for it. It could very well be that I was bitten by a tick during one of those summers I spent in Northern Wisconsin. Certainly Wisconsin is an epidemic state according to the CDC. — [No More References to Thyroid Going Forward]
....................................................................................................

The Lyme Bacteria, “”Borrelia Burgdorferi”, has now been found in mosquitos, biting flies, fleas, and various other vectors. It can be transmitted in utero and by breast milk. So it can be impossible to know for sure who is really “safe” from this insidious and very destructive infection. There is evidence that “b. Burgdorferi” bacteria could even be transmitted, sexually. We all know that the “b. Burgdorferi” cousin, Syphilis, can be spread through sexual contact.

“Transmission of the disease has been clearly documented after bites by fleas, mites, mosquitos and ticks. There is compelling evidence that Lyme disease (LD) can be spread by sexual and congenital transfer.” — “The Sacramento, California blood bank thinks that LD can be spread by blood transfusions. The CDC (Center of Disease Control) in Atlanta, Georgia states that their data indicates that Bb can survive the blood processing techniques used for transfusions in the US.” — “Biology professor, Lida Mattman, author of Cell Wall Deficient Forms: Stealth Pathogens, has been able to recover live spirochetes of Bb from mosquitos, fleas, mites, semen, urine, blood, and spinal fluid.
 

Wayne

Senior Member
Messages
4,300
Location
Ashland, Oregon
I had my first visit with my ND today (2nd overall) to discuss treatment for my newly diagnosed hypothyroidism / Hashimoto's disease. I furiously scribbled some notes, and then compiled them after I got home. I e-mailed these notes back to him to make sure I got everything; thought I would post them here as well.

I left the visit feeling optimistic about what we may be able to accomplish, though he cautioned me it will take many months, and perhaps more than a year before I start feeling significantly better. I told him if I KNEW I would be feeling better within five years, I would be ECSTATIC! --- Wayne
...........................................................................................................

Treatment of Lyme Disease, Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s Disease, & Autoimmunity

Organs are likely not working well.

Thyroid Destruction — It’s possible most of my thyroid tissue has been destroyed.

Autoimmune Response is like a FIRE. Putting this fire out is the TOP priority.

Consideration of any kind of thyroid extract, such as the well known prescription Armour Thyroid is at least six months away. Same with starting a constitutional homeopathic remedy.

Hashimoto’s Disease requires large amounts of Vit. D - It’s almost certain my Vit. D levels are low.

Start on These Supplements:

Moducare - NOW Brand Sterols and Sterolins would be OK to substitute

Cod Liver Oil - Carlson’s brand at CO-OP - Lemon Flavored, 4 tsps/day (shuts down auto-immunity)

Vitamin D (Emulsified ONLY) - 5000 IU / Day

High Potency Probiotic (Non-FOS) - Pick up next week (should positively affect immunity) Jarrow Probiotic is a good one.

Selenium - 200 mcg 2 x / Day (Brings down antibodies, may have kept my Hashimoto’s in check)

TWO Lyme Herbs

Cat’s Claw Tincture - 1 Droppersful 2x/Day

Teasel Root - Follow This Schedule

______________________Morning / Noon / Evening

1st Day - 1 Drop _______________ 0 - 1 - 0
2nd Day - 2 Drops ______________ 1 - 0 - 1
3rd Day - 3 Drops ______________ 1 - 1 - 1
4th Day - 4 Drops _______________ 2 - 1 - 1
5th Day - 5 Drops _______________ 2 - 2 - 1
6th Day - 6 Drops _______________ 2 - 2 - 2 (Proceed with this pattern up to 9 drops/day)

ROCKY ROAD could ensue - Call if I hit a rough stretch.
 

Wayne

Senior Member
Messages
4,300
Location
Ashland, Oregon
Regarding Teasel Root:

My ND says he's had extremely good results using this for his Lyme patients. A friend of mine got bit by a tick three days ago, and has been considering whether to do two weeks of antibiotics in case it carried the Lyme bacteria. I asked my ND if he thought teasel root was able to quickly eradicate any Lyme bacteria he may have picked up, and avoid the whole antibiotic therapy. His answer was unequovocal: "Absolutely!" --- He definitely has a lot of confidence in TR.
 

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
Some people say that the Cat's Claw must be TOA free...and Burbur is another herb that can help with the herxing. My doctor considers it a vital part of making the process tolerable. You might ask your doctor if it would be a useful adjunct for you as well.

PRPs are supposed to tamp down inflammation. I use Immulox by NutraSumma.

I hope you aren't too severely hypothyroid...6 months could feel like a dog's age without thyroid meds.

Glad you had a successful visit!

Ema
 

Wayne

Senior Member
Messages
4,300
Location
Ashland, Oregon
I just found some interesting comments from a flower essence website pertaining to Teasel Root. Below is the final paragraph. Here's link to the whole description, which includes references to chakra alignment and the body's electrical system. --- TEASEL Dipsacus sylvestris
Teasel Flower Essence is an excellent remedy for Lyme disease. I learned this from the deer as well as from the Angel of Teasel. When I left Teasel plants over wintering in the garden, I noticed deer digging up the snow so they could eat the plants. I had to build a structure of branches over some of the plants so there would be enough Teasel for us as well as the deer. In this way, the deer alerted me to the support Teasel offered their community, beleaguered as it is by Lyme disease. We will keep it available for all affected by this disease.

Teasel.jpg
 

Wayne

Senior Member
Messages
4,300
Location
Ashland, Oregon
Some people say that the Cat's Claw must be TOA free...and Burbur is another herb that can help with the herxing. My doctor considers it a vital part of making the process tolerable. You might ask your doctor if it would be a useful adjunct for you as well. ......... PRPs are supposed to tamp down inflammation. I use Immulox by NutraSumma. ......... I hope you aren't too severely hypothyroid...6 months could feel like a dog's age without thyroid meds.

Hi Ema, thanks much for the tips. I'll definitely check out the TOA free aspect, and whether Burbur (or anything else) might help with herxing. ---- It appears I'm severely hypothyroid, with my ND mentioning the possibility most of my thyroid tissue may be destroyed. We'll see.

I feel I've identified one more important factor, and am feeling optimistic I can make at least some progress as I address it. One concern I have is how much my severe hypothyroidism might complicate any herxing reactions I might experience. Also, whether any methylation dysfunction on top of this could further complicate all matters involving detoxification.
 

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
Yipes. I somehow missed the TSH of 98!

Did you get your frees run at the same time?

What was the reasoning behind waiting so long, I wonder?

Ema
 

Rand56

Senior Member
Messages
675
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
hi Wayne

Forgive me for my ignorance for not really knowing enough about this, but I'm just curious as to why iodine would not be part of this protocol or is this added in "down the road" also? Or maybe not at all...idk.
 

Wayne

Senior Member
Messages
4,300
Location
Ashland, Oregon
Forgive me for my ignorance for not really knowing enough about this, but I'm just curious as to why iodine would not be part of this protocol or is this added in "down the road" also? Or maybe not at all...idk.

Hi Rand,

Good point! Yesterday was quite a whirlwind day for me, and am only now beginning to reflect on much of it. I'm trying to get a grasp on various things that occurred, such as his reluctance to immediately put me on some kind of thyroid extract, or prescription T3 and T4. Iodine feels like another factor that may have been overlooked. I generally take a quite a bit of sea weed tablets every day (6 with each meal), which I've long believed kept my iodine levels up. But who knows? Thanks for the mention. :thumbsup:
 

Rand56

Senior Member
Messages
675
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
hi Ema

Thanks for that info. What kind of symptoms would one have with a Hashi's flare? I need to get a thyroid panel done just to see if I might be hypo. Lately I've been painting Lugols on me and it's been soaking it up like crazy. I know it's not the most effective way to know if one is iodine deficient but geeeezus within 3 to 4 hours the patch is gone.
 

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
Thanks Ema. I wonder if I should stop with the kelp tablets. I'll have to ask my ND about that.
I would if you have high levels of antibodies especially.

Did you test thyroid antibodies?

I think Dr Kharrazian's book is excellent for explaining Hashi's. I learned that the thyroid antibodies can mistake gluten for thyroid proteins in some cases which is why going gluten free can be especially helpful for those with Hashi's. I had no idea that there was such cross reactivity between foods and antibodies.

Ema
 

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
hi Ema

Thanks for that info. What kind of symptoms would one have with a Hashi's flare? I need to get a thyroid panel done just to see if I might be hypo. Lately I've been painting Lugols on me and it's been soaking it up like crazy. I know it's not the most effective way to know if one is iodine deficient but geeeezus within 3 to 4 hours the patch is gone.
Typically the same symptoms as any episode of hypo...fatigue, weight gain, muscle aches/pains, anxiety, depression, dry skin/hair/nails, possibly a goiter.

During an active flare, the following may also apply:

"In some cases, the thyroid becomes particularly inflamed, known as a thyroiditis attack. Dr. Steven Langer, author of the book Solved: The Riddle of Illness, refers to thyroiditis as like an "arthritis of the thyroid." He explains that just as arthritis attacks the joints with pain and inflammation, thyroiditis can mean pain and inflammation in the thyroid for some sufferers. And in particular, during a thyroiditis attack, common symptoms are anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations, swelling in the thyroid area, problems swallowing, and frequently, problems sleeping."

I would make sure to get FT3 and FT4 along with RT3 and thyroid antibodies along with the TSH for a full picture.

Ema
 

Wayne

Senior Member
Messages
4,300
Location
Ashland, Oregon
Some people say that the Cat's Claw must be TOA free...and Burbur is another herb that can help with the herxing. My doctor considers it a vital part of making the process tolerable.

Hi Ema, I just checked in Stephen Buhner's book "Healing Lyme" on TOA-free Cat's Claw. He does not believe Cat's Claw needs to be TOA free, and wrote the following:
... a single series of in vitro studies--that is, in the laboratory, in test tubes only--found that the TOAs in a uniquely prepared solution of isolated Cat's Claw constituents, in some circumstances, had negative impacts on POA activity. No other researcher has found these kinds of results; the tests themselves have never been duplicated...
He wrote other things, but in short, he's pretty dismissive of the whole notion Cat's Claw should be TOA free to be effective.

OK, my next assignment. See what Buhner says about Burbur. -- BTW, do you have Lyme yourself? Is that why you're so literate on all this stuff? If you do have Lyme, it appears your brain hasn't been impacted as nearly as much as mine. o_O
 

Ema

Senior Member
Messages
4,729
Location
Midwest USA
Hi Ema, I just checked in Stephen Buhner's book "Healing Lyme" on TOA-free Cat's Claw. He does not believe Cat's Claw needs to be TOA free, and wrote the following:

He wrote other things, but in short, he's pretty dismissive of the whole notion Cat's Claw should be TOA free to be effective.

OK, my next assignment. See what Buhner says about Burbur. -- BTW, do you have Lyme yourself? Is that why you're so literate on all this stuff? If you do have Lyme, it appears your brain hasn't been impacted as nearly as much as mine. o_O
Interesting! I also see the essay written by his friends at Raintree Herbals:

http://www.rain-tree.com/toa-poa-article.htm#.USA5Vo7uF8w

They say the same thing. Hmmm. I guess it doesn't really matter! Good to know...

Apparently the burbur is part of the Cowden protocol and not Buhner's...

Yes, I have tested positive for Lyme. But I chose the traditional antibiotic route so my knowledge of the herbal protocols is only superficial and based on talking to other people. You'll have to let me know how it goes for you! I'll be thinking good thoughts.

Ema
 

Lotus97

Senior Member
Messages
2,041
Location
United States
I've suspected that Lyme was the cause of my adrenal problems. I don't know the extent of it beyond having my cortisol tested out of normal range, but I suspect there's a lot going on that I don't know about. My doctor doesn't seem interested in having me tested. She tested my T4 and TSH which came back normal, but when I asked her about other thyroid tests she didn't seem to think it was necessary. Any suggestions about what I should do? I like my doctor overall and she takes my insurance so I don't know if I want another doctor, but doing nothing seems bad too. I did make a recovery over the last few years without taking any hormones, but I would still like to know what's going on.
 

Creekee

Senior Member
Messages
143
Location
Arizona
Hey Lotus,

I just spent quite a bit of time with some pros at two different thyroid forums. Mine was pretty messed up and I needed educatin'. Their advice is to always check your adrenals with a 4X saliva cortisol test (buy online for $109) and ask your doctor for a full iron panel. Adrenals must be functioning and iron levels must be adequate before thyroid can be successfully treated. Once those two are addressed, get the thryoid tests: TSH, FT3, Ft4, reverse T3 and antibodies. If you can get all those (pretty sure you can order these yourself online, too). Depending on your age and symptoms, you may want to have sex hormones checked, too. Since they all work together. If you can get these results, I know someone here can help with their interpretation. I think it's Ema (?) who is really knowledgeable about thyroid. I can also shoot you over the thyroid forum addresses that I found incredibly helpful. Given how much our other symptoms (Lyme, protomyxzoa, CFS) overlap with thyroid, it just makes sense to get thyroid optimized and see what you've got left.

And sadly, very few doctors are trained in how the thyroid works and they are completely brainwashed by pharma reps as to how it should be treated. A LOT of hypothyroids are successfully self-medicating. [Me, too!] :)

Best of luck!
Creekee
 

Lotus97

Senior Member
Messages
2,041
Location
United States
Some people say that the Cat's Claw must be TOA free...and Burbur is another herb that can help with the herxing. My doctor considers it a vital part of making the process tolerable. You might ask your doctor if it would be a useful adjunct for you as well.
Were you just referring to Burbur and not Cat's Claw as helpful for herxing because I thought Cat's Claw killed the bacteria which would cause herxing.