Are there bc women with a autoimmune disease?

ebarry

Last summer I was dx with a thyroid autoimmune disease. Recently I was tested again to find my autoimmune problem has worsen. I recently read that if you have a thyroid autoimmune disease you may also have another autoimmune disease. I learned what I was doing to prevent cancer recurrence maybe negatively affecting my thyroid. I recently learned that autoimmune problems are very complex.

For those of you who are dx with autoimmune diseases ... how has it affected your cancer treatment?

I read today in Dr. Browstein's book that some cancer treatments can cause hypothyroidism or a immune disorder. What happens when what you think you are doing right is wrong?

kcshreve

I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to, but I do have Hashimoto's thyroid, as well as Sjogrens, and I react to just about everything when it comes to meds. For this reason, I opted out of implants for a recon option and went for a diep.  I honestly think my body would have been one of the stories of multiple rejections, although I could not find any direct info on this.  With DCIS, what treatments are you thinking are contradictory?  I'm glad to PM with you, if you'd like.

Stanzie

I have not heard this before I am hypothyroid and I have M.S. I know in general, a small amout of medicine usually goes a long way but then at the same time, I have a terrible time getting numb in the dentist office so you just never know.

 I haven't noticed anything different so far other than the extra fatigue but I think that is more due to no estrogen rather than either disorders. 

 What were you doing to prevent cancer that you think impacted your thyroid?

ebarry

Stanzie, I posted this thread because I don't understand a lot about autoimmune diseases and hoped others who struggled with my problems have answers.

Last summer I discovered I have a thyroid autoimmune disease or Hashimoto. It was 200 and about six weeks ago it is now 1100. I'm not for sure what the numbers mean, just know it has worsen.

I've been taking iodine, of course thyroid meds, and vitamin D to prevent a reoccurence of high grade como type multifocal dcis. My doctor has taken me off iodine. My tsh levels are still low. My vitamin D levels will be checked in June. Because my thyroid is low, and the autominue disease, plus not taking iodine, I feel vulnerable for another recurrence of breast cancer.

I've been putting my stock in holistic medicine. I'm reading Dr. Browbstein's book on the thyroid. I'm also looking up other souces to better understand this disease and how it affects breast cancer treatment. I'm beginning to feel that perhaps the only prevention for autoimmune disease and cancer prevention is a mx...which I don't want to do. Just trying to find my way through this muck.

kcshreve

As far as thyroid goes, the site www.thyroid.about.com is an excellent resource.  Articles are clear and short. Common protocol for thyroid meds with hashimoto's is dosing and following your Free t3 and Free t4, not a tsh.   The goal is to get your Free T3 and Free  T4 into mid-range, which may require your taking both a synthroid-type product (t4) and a cytomel-type product (t3).  The point is to supply enough thyroid hormone to help you feel decent and to shut down the thyroid's autoimmune response.  If you do this, your tsh scores will be kind of irrelevant, which is why you have to change over to looking at these other labs.  The "total t3" or "uptakes" cloud the waters, so to speak, but the simple tests for Free T3 and Free t4 are very clear.  I'm just condensing what you'll find on the thyroid.about.com site.  None of this is my own medical recommendation, just passing along what I know.  My antibodies used to be much higher before I found the right dosing.  You do need a doctor who understands about this. Most do not.  Here is a site of doctors who have done extra training in understanding these thyroid issues. Maybe someone is nearby: http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/index.htm

mathteacher

Try this site. It has helped me a lot.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

They have an online group too and know a lot about the adrenals as well as the thyroid.

ebarry

mathteacher, I know of stopthethyroidmadness.com. I am connected to that and others community sites regarding the thyroid. The problem I have is I don't relate to people who take thyroid meds. I didn't feel bad before taking t3 or t4. (I didm't have dry skin, fatgue, or the other signs of hypothyroism. I didn't feel any difference on it, except when on Armour. With Armour I initially felt like I was on speed, but within a few weeks got sick after taking it. I don't feel or see any difference! I just know that the blood test say my tsh, t3 and t4 or low, even with meds.

I just finished reading Dr. Brownsteins book on the Thyroid. Interesting! It was a easy read, and simplistically understood. However, it scanned over most of my questions. It did bring up interesting points in that autoimmune diseases that maybe the results of bacterial infections in the body. Hmmm...got to look further into that. He mentioned coagulation disorders. I want to have that checked out as well. Overall good book.

I also know that I have a B-12 deficiency and strongly possibly .pernicious anemia, which is also a autoimmune dease. I have strong symptoms of B-12 deficiency autoimmune disease. The b-12 takes oxogen to our cells, nerve fuction and red cell production. If the thyroid isn't getting b-12 then it's not getting the oxogen it needs and can't do it's job...which causes all sorts of problems.

There are a number of places on the Internet and testimonies that say those who have Hashimoto's thyroiditis most likely have pernicious anemia. I wouldn't be surpise if pernicious anemia is the root cause of most autoimmune diseases.

Right now I have more questions than answers...just lots of gut feelings.

kcshreve

I have Hashimoto's but have a great B-12 count.  I've read of a link between thyroid issues and low nutrient absorption, as well as gut issues. Seems to be very common, and is thought that those with low thyroid have a low production of stomach acids, which reduce ability to absorb.  Interesting. Good reason to keep thyroid numbers in good ranges.  And FYI - I did not do well on Armour.  I think the t3 ratio is a bit high for me.  I'm not usual in that I do better on synthetics in this regard.

shokk

When I was dx with breast cancer back in '06 and doing all the scans I was also dx with sarcoidosis which is a pretty rare autoimmune disorder..........in '07 when research was talking about VitD levels and cancer my PCP put me on high doses of VitD because my levels were so low......will that sent my Sarcoid into one of the worse episodes I had ever had........lost about 6% of my lung function........nearly killed me.........anyway do I think that autoimmune and cancer are linked.......no.......I think some of us are just overachievers when it comes to having bad health.......there are plenty of people that have all kinds of cancer but have no autoimmune  disease...........and there are plenty of cancer survivors that have autoimmune disorders.........I think it has more to do with our DNA coding then anything else...........Shokk

ebarry

When I read something, I like to verify it with testimonies. Dr. Brownstein, from his book on the thyroid implies that agents used in chemo inhibit the production of thyroid hormone. Cancer treatments could be a catch 22 situation. If you fight one thing, you may worse another disease in your body. For those of us who are dx with autoimmune diseases, we may need to make sure that the treatments we take do not worsen our thyroid or other autoimmune disease we are challenge by. I was curious if any of you found certain treatments difficult on your autoimmune disease, as maybe, I have with iodine...not sure about that one yet.

Now to a different topic:

It is my opinion that our bodies turn against itself for a reason. I can't except that it just happens. It bothers me when doctors say, "no one knows why cancer happens" or why we have autoimmune diseases.

 I am struggling with my autoimmune disease more than my two dcis dx. The cancer was cut out, but the thyroid autoimmune disease affects every cell and organ in my body. These last few days, I had time off, and did a lot of reading and researching. I think I understand this a little more...maybe? I find it interesting that b-12 is stored in the liver where the t4 makes t3 (in the liver) . Since I have Pecisou Anemia, where I do not have the mechanism (intrinic factor) in the stomach to take the b-12 to the liver...the t4 doesn't have enough oxognated b-12 blood to either make t3 or to move it into the blood stream. Those who have Pecious Anemia have large blood cells that is difficult to move about. Perhaps this is why we are low in t3 due to poor blood supply to all our cells, and organs such as the thyroid. Instead of being so focused on the thyroid, I should make sure I am processing B-12 to the liver.

I am not sure why autoimmune disease?  As you see, I'm thinking too much  

I feel that ... if I can understand why then ... I will be able do something about it. Most say, leave that to the doctors. Doctors tend to treat cancer and thyroid patients the same.  Each person dx is different. It's important to know what going on in our body. I am grateful I have a naturalpathic doc who listens and doesn't think I'm nuts.  

luv_gardening

ebarry, I assume you mean Pernicious Anemia?

kcshreve

Talk to your naturopath about "leaky gut syndrome".  There is a thought that our immune system is in our intestines.  If we've had compromises there, proteins can be reabsorbed back into our bloodstream from our intestines, which set off immune system alarms, causing it to be on overly-high alert.  Some people find their symptoms reduce when they do candida work, probiotic work, etc.  I did not say it goes away, but this kind of stuff can be helpful.  Also, it is not unusual at all for there to be a problem in conversion of T4 to T3.  Very common.  In that case, T3 needs to be supplemented.  If you think your liver is having issues, talk to your naturopath about a liver cleanse, too.  Again, won't take away immune problems but can diminish symptoms quite a bit.

AuroraL

Add me to the list:

 Hashimoto's--diagnosed about 20 years ago.

DCIS--diagnosed 10/08

Anemia, extremely low ferritin, diagnosed 8/08. This lead to discovery of carcinoid tumors in my stomach.  Fortunately they have all been small and easily dissected.  B12 deficiency also discovered at this time.

I've been slowly getting all these issues under control.  My concern is what doctor figures all this out?  I'm seeing a GP and a gastroenterologist (but I'm in the process of getting a new gastroent.) and of course a breast surgeon.  But none of these is putting these pieces together.  They are just taking care of them independently.  What type of doctor can look at this whole picture?  Especially with treatment--I can't take the iron with the synthroid.  And Vitamin C helps with iron absorption but disturbs b12 absorption.  ???????  Noone told me about these medication concerns--I discovered these on my own. 

 And in spite of all these things I feel pretty good.  Sleep issues are my biggest problem.  I never had any of the typical hashimoto's symptoms.  My weight is good and I exercise regularly.  I am very grateful that with all this I still function quite well!  I guess I'm a little worried that one day this will all catch up with me.

JerseyMom

I have Hashi's.

-Ren

ebarry

Auroral, It is frustrating when doctors look only at the problem that concerns their speciality. Seemingly, most do not look at the whole picture. The breast surgeon is concerned about breast cancer. Another doctor is a thyroid specialist, and the primary care doctors sends us to specialist, who only deal with their speciality. Maybe our problems are all interconnected?  If our red blood cells are deficient, it will affect every cell in our body. It's getting to the root of the problem. Fix the root of the problem and I bet you our organs will be the better for it.

ebarry

Kcshreve... I know it's not a leaky gut symdrome.  All my symptons lead me to believe that I have  Pernicious Anemia ... It all began when I was a young adolesence, and struggled with digestive issues. I am of average weight now, however, most of my life I could not gain weight. Until I begun vitamin b-12 shots I had diarera several times a day. I've had my stomach checked inside and out. Everytime I had my red blood cells checked, I lack vitamin B-12, and my blood cells were abnormal and large. This is a huge sign that I am missing the instrinic factor that takes the B-12 to the liver. Another sign is muscle fatgue. This is due to not enough blood red cells that carry oxoygen to the muscles to all parts of the body. (easily out of breath). I laughed when a doctor suggested I do a stress test. I knew that within three minutes my legs and muscles would collaspe due to the lack of oxogen getting to my muscles. I also have other characteristic signs of lacking the needed instrinic factor to transport b-12 from my gut to the rest of my body. 

Antibodies can form against the cells that produce intrinsic factor. The cells then die, leading to B12 deficiency and anaemia. Those who are dx with this problem may develop other autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's. Whatever the autoimunne disease it makes our medical treatment complex.

Shrek4

I am the opposite of you guys. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease (the opposite of Hashimoto's) in September of 03. I have been for years on anti-thyroid medication, it took all the way to June of last year to being my levels to normal for 3 consecutive months in order to give me RAI to kill my throid. I had a goiter initially (pretty big, it was making me wheeze as it was pushing my trachea to the side) but it subsided with the treatment up to not even being there by last summer. I also had proptosis of the eyes - but it subsided in a few months with steroid treatment.

My thyroid didn't completely die after the RAI - the endo said I might need one or two more doses as my thyroid was very "feisty". I was still on anti-thyroid medication until January of this year, when it finally seems to have stabilized. I am right now "weaning off" the beta-blocker I have been on all these years to regulate my heart rate. I'm considered "euthyroid" that means my thyroid levels are normal right now.  I still can get a "spike" from time to time as it seems it's directly related to stress with me. Since 03 I have not eaten iodine in any form (un-iodized salt, no sea food) as of last year I am off caffeine as well (for my heart rate). My only problem is the low lood pressure that the beta-blocker is making even worse.

So I guess I am an exception to the BC related to low thyroid levels.

lava

Count me in.

BC................................ Oct 2007

Graves............................May 2008

Celiac.............................Mar 2010

Parietal cell Ab................Mar 2010

And now they think I have Myasthenia Gravis.  The gifts just keep on coming...

MsBliss

Count me in too:  but not thyroid probs, I had and have ulcerative colitis, which is a form of inflammatory (not irritable) bowel disease, an autoimmune disorder.  My mom had it too, along with breast cancer. 

It was primarily because of my UC, along with some heart issues, that I did not and could not do chemo or rads for my triple neg bc.  

collie-flower

Count me in too!  I was diagnosed with Graves disease in 1987 and drank the RAI to shrink my thyroid.  All continued well until 1994 when my thyroid crashed and I've been on Synthroid ever since.  After chemo and RADs last year my blood test showed I needed to lower my Synthroid from 112mg to 100mg per day.  So far, so good.

Then in 1990, I was diagnosed with Discoid Lupus which means my skin is affected by natural sunlight (it can leave a scar and purple-red marks).  I'm fortunate that the type of Lupus I have only affects the one organ--the skin.  However, I developed a condition 2 months post-RADs and I posted it just yesterday on the Radiation topic, I think I should've posted it here!

There seems to be an awful lot of people these days suffering from auto-immune diseases....too many!

ebarry

For those who have the autoimmune disease Pernicious Anemia or b-12 deficiency...this is a great web site to look at....http://www.medicinenet.com/pernicious_anemia/page1.htm

Why autoimmune diseases?

• Immune cell destruction is when the immune system T-cells attacking normal cells and destroying them ...or...Antibody stimulation - some autoimmune diseases result from antibodies stimulating receptors on certain cells, rather than attacking them. This disease is poorly understood. There is medical opinions that the autoimmune diseases and that hormones play a role in inducing the autoimmune disease. http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/a/ai/causes.htm

ebarry

http://www.evenbetternow.com/autoimmune-disease-causes.asp?s=positiontech2

Interesting from the above website....The solution to beating autoimmune diseases lies in addressing the root causes of autoimmunity, and in regulating the immune system. Ideally this can happen without the side effects associated with pharmaceutical substances such as interferon, prednisone or methotrexate.

I am in the research phase of better understanding autoimmune diseases. If I can better understand it, perhaps I will find a treatment plan that will prevent cancers and other diseases from taking over my body.

Patriotgirl

I have iritis, which is an autoimmune disease of the iris.  Had my first bout in 1991, so it has been almost 20 years.  I have not had an episode since I was diagnosed with BC.  I have worried a little bit about drug interactions and the sheer horror of having to put drops in every 1/2 hour along with being treated for cancer.  I am praying that I don't have concurrent events.  Several years ago I underwent extensive testing to see if the reason for the iritis could be found.  No determination was forthcoming.  I've been wondering if the two diseases could possibly be related.  It seems as though cancer and autoimmune diseases would be a fascinating study.

FireKracker

hello to all my sistas

there are many auto immune diseases.asthma,raynauds disease,lupus,diabetes and lots of others im told.is there a connection to BC? i just came across this thread as i find new ones every day.I do have Raynauds disease and there is a family history of thyroid disease in my family.im tryin to understand all of this.gosh im in the dark in so many areas.

beckward

Grannydukes,

You'll see that there's a forum for those of us with BC and MS.  Usually the MS was dx first.  Yes,

I definitely think there's a link, especially when you take an autoimmune suppressor or modifier.

It becomes a game of odds..how lucky do you feel?  I don't take Tamox. because I feel sure it would be more likely to cause uterine cancer because of my MS drug.  

Beth 

MariannaLaFrance

I have a low IgA level, and my nutritionist thinks I might have "silent" Celiac disease, even though my Celiac panel from my endo came back with normal ranges.  I am now on a gluten free, dairy free, sugar free diet to help with my malabsorption issues. I am extremely deficient in minerals and prior to supplementation with Vit D, I had very low levels of Vitamin D. Our bodies are systems, so I think all of this is interrelated. The best you can do is to discover and control whatever "systemic" auto-immune problems you might have. If you can get to the center of that, I think it helps with recurrance rates.

Once docs understand this concept, we'll be a whole lot better off. Until then, we'll keep tracking this stuff down ourselves.  I find myself questioning why I didn't go into medical research or to medical school now!!!!!

FireKracker

practically everyone in my family has one of these auto immune diseases EXCEPT bc.just me.

blackjack

I am so glad that I found this site. I too have an autoimmune problem. I am still in the workup stage. ugh. I developed thyroid goiter after rads. Biopsy B9. T3 T4 levels normal but TSH very low. No tx to thyroid issues. Just a watch and see approach.

Now my white count is very low and they don't know why. I never had chemo only rads and lumpectomy so I am very concerned. Has anyone every had this? Just looking for some answers and waiting for blood test results. BC is the gift that keeps on giving.

kjbell

I have Sjogrens, RA, thyroid disease and like blackjack, my wbc is always below normal. My vit D level is up and down. High in April(when we have no sun) low now even though I spend all the time I can in the sun. I also have a moderate hearing loss, the rheumatolgist I see says they are starting to think some hearing losses are due to autoimmune diseases. Before bc, I was tested for RA, it was negative. After bc, it has been one thing after another. The rheumy has me on different supplements. He believes lack of certain vitamins contribute to some of these problems. When he explains it, it makes sense to me.

lava

I have Graves thyroid disease, Celiac disease, and antibody to the parietal cells in my stomach--ALL developed shortly after bc diagnosis!  I think when they cold turkey us off our HRT and do whatever they can to lower our estrogen levels (aromatase inhibitors), this sudden change in our estrogen hormone affects all our other hormone levels.  From there it is a cascade effect of our bodies trying to balance itself.  Just my opinion.  I'm going on Bioidentical Hormone Therapy before I get any more autoimmune diseases.  Just my choice.

sonneundmond

I have arthritis, a connective tissue disorder and I am a 2 years breast cancer survivor.It is a very complicated story, I don't feel alone, when I read your emails. I try to change my diet and I would like to know if you take any supplements, I sometimes eat ginger, use turmeric and find some relief.