TSH Levels and Lada

Miemie · #1 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 02:52 AM

Just want to know what is the connection (if any) between TSH Levels and Lada? Just asking as the Endo tested my TSH levels as well as T4. Still awaiting results.

I've read somewhere that there is some kind of connection between TSH levels and LADA, does anyone know something about this?

foxl · #2 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 07:16 AM

In the words of my internist, who increased my T4 dose on admission to the hospital, "it's all related."

Of course the thyroid affects glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. So does/do the parathyroid/s.

As far as I'm concerned the main thing to do next would be to look for GAD antibodies, which are present in both thyroid autoimmune disease (graves' and hashimoto's which I should have told someone else yesterday in another thread), and pancreatic autoimmune disease.

Miemie · #3 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 10:55 PM

Thanks Linda, I also have Vitamin D deficiency, as well as high cholesterol and high LDL (which she said is heriditary).

I'm a bit overwhelmed by all of this as I am only 33. I haven't received the results of the TSH and T4 tests yet. She also tested for chatecholamines and did a 24 hour urine test as she thinks all of this is secondary.

She also says the high bg is secondary, but I want her to test for GAD antibodies, even if it is only for my own peace of mind.

foxl · #4 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 08:12 AM

Miemie, it MAY be hereditary, or may be secondary to your glucose metabolism -- only time and therapy will tell.

This is definitely a controversy in the literature!

Miemie · #5 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 11:05 PM

You're telling me! Something that I have seen and as you said in your first reply, is that it's all connected in one way or the other. Vitamin D, cholesterol, your thyroids, adrenal glands, everything.

So, hopefully with all the tests she's done, she'll find something.

CALynn · #6 (**permalink**) 12-05-2009, 12:15 AM

Now I've learned something new - about the Vitamin D deficiency. [Groan, what other surprises lie in wait?]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 43 [later it would be revised to Hashimoto's]. Then at age 45 I was diagnosed with various inflammatory autoimmune arthritis diseases. Then at age 60 I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes and put on Metformin. [I was overweight and had all the signs of Metabolic Syndrome.] For two years I was fairly well controlled on all levels. Then this past summer my Vitamin D took a nose-dive, my glucose started doing weird things, and I started having more arthritic flares. Will see endo-doc next week and am asking for C-Peptide and LADA tests for possible Type 1.5 Dx.

I don't need to be a rocket scientist to know it's all connected.

Miemie · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 02:17 AM

Calynn, sounds like we are struggling with similar problems. My bg also just started doing weird things in June, first it didn't want to rise, then it went high. Am on no medication at the moment. Must phone my endo tomorrow about the results that she's still waiting for. She is considering to do a MIBG to see if she can locate the tumor.

I am, at this stage, quite a nervous wreck

CALynn · #8 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 02:06 PM

As if we don't have enough information, I got my Vitamin D results back yesterday and I sunk even lower, in spite of plenty of time in the sun and taking Vitamin D3 supplements.

Normal = 31-100

2008-01-31: 43.6
2009-09-06: 28.4
2009-12-03: 20.8

I did more research on Vitamin D deficiency and learned that it can be drug-induced with one of the drugs I take for my autoimmune arthritis, Methotrexate. There's also some speculation that it can be induced through Kenalog [corticosteroid] injections. The end result [and I have all the symptoms] is Osteomalacia, the adult version of Ricketts in kids. Vitamin D, intravenously, should take care of that monster.

I see the endocrinologist on Thursday.

We know that Vitamin D deficiency has a tie-in with LAD, so if you have any autoimmune arthritis, there may be another "bond." Incidentally, LAD and Rheumatoid Arthritis share the same Human Leukocyte Antigen [DR4]

It doesn't end.

I guess my question is: assuming Vitamin D level is restored, will this help LAD? Or has it burned out too many insulin cells by now?

Miemie · #9 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 10:45 PM

Don't know. I also spend plenty time in the sun, I mean, I live in South Africa with temperatures soaring to 30 degrees Celcius. So the Vitamin D was a shocker for me. Am taking supplements, have to re-test in Jan 2010.

I also feel that it just gets worse as it goes along. The more tests they do, the more they find. Well, at least they are finding something, the other specialists did not find anything and wrote it down to stress and a virus, typical!

foxl · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALynn

We know that Vitamin D deficiency has a tie-in with LAD, so if you have any autoimmune arthritis, there may be another "bond." Incidentally, LAD and Rheumatoid Arthritis share the same Human Leukocyte Antigen [DR4]

It doesn't end.

I guess my question is: assuming Vitamin D level is restored, will this help LAD? Or has it burned out too many insulin cells by now?

I do not think anyone has any documented outcomes in the literature, that supplementing vitamin D will reverse Type 1, LADA or Type 2 Diabetes.

Personally I hope it just slows beta cell demise, some!

CALynn · #11 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 12:44 PM

I did a lot of research and found nothing that showed that Vitamin D supplements reversed LAD. So there is apparently a collaborative effort.

foxl · #12 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 12:54 PM

Lynn, since recommendations for increased Vitamin D levels are fairly recent in the literature, I do not think anyone has completed any studies on this yet.

Miemie · #13 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxl

Lynn, since recommendations for increased Vitamin D levels are fairly recent in the literature, I do not think anyone has completed any studies on this yet.

I also couldn't find anything concrete that vit d supplements reverses diabetes if anythingan I think it may slow down the destruction of beta cells. There is a lot of research about it at the moment thoughj.

jswede1149 · #14 (**permalink**) Yesterday, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxl

As far as I'm concerned the main thing to do next would be to look for GAD antibodies, which are present in both thyroid autoimmune disease (graves' and hashimoto's which I should have told someone else yesterday in another thread), and pancreatic autoimmune disease.

Can you elaborate? I am a LADA with thyroid issues. My test results for the GAD65 were >30. I have a goiter with three nodules. Three biopsy performed. One nodule came back benign with hurtle cells. The other two are identified as cysts but undiagnosable due to blood content on samples.

I have a history of a toxic goiter when born and a family history of thyroid problems.

I am highly suspicious I have Hashimotos- overactive thyroid, Hurtle cells, type 1 diabetes, etc.

I want the new Endo (waiting to get in to see) to do a TPOAb but if the GAD65 is already established, do I need a TPOAb?