This might seem like a logical conclusion until you've had your thyroid tested repeatedly in a variety of ways but do not have thyroid dysfunction.

Some are misdiagnosed and some have both disorders - co-morbid.

Personally, I believe that F is the body's reaction to some kind of assault. Hypothyroidism would be an assault.

I think the trigger is some kind of severe stress, whether it be physical abuse, car accident, painful surgery, illness (such as hypothyroidism, lupus, MS, Lyme) or whatever.

Something within us was broken to begin with, or we were infected with a seemingly harmless virus. The trigger either causes further breakdown or sets the viral infection into motion. (think dominoes)

This is my take on what I've gleaned from desperately searching for answers these last 20 years. I don't have a medical degree or any kind of certification; just my own experience. So, grain of salt, eh?

Here's a good article on my doctor's blog.

http://painmuse.org/?p=150

I have both Fibro and Hypothyroidism. I am being treated for both.

Wow, good topic!

I have normal thyroid now my cyst is gone, but getting rid of the cyst has made my current fibro flare even worse. (Ow.)

I think anything glandular can probably trigger FM, and a lot of FM symptoms overlap a lot of things, so I can see where hypothyroid and FM could get confused.

I have both as well... mind you when my thyroid was low and prior to being medicated for it..I will say this..I was so tired and I ached non stop it seemed...
If you r really concerned you can get a T3 and a T4 blood test

Hey Maysa,

I've had Fibro for years and was just recently dx's with Hypothyroidism because it was the first time my TSH level was out of range. I have been getting the TSH level checked every 6 months, for about 4-5 years, since having half of my thyroid removed. I do not feel a difference in my pain, and only a slight difference in my fatigue since starting Synthroid about a month ago. After the TSH came back high, my doctor had me get additional blood work to look at my adrenal function more closely. I get the results tomorrow.

I've had mine checked numerous times but nothing out of the ordinary just like all my other tests.

I have fibro and hypothyroidism. As well as low vitamin D levels. All 3 are being treated, all 3 have basically the same symptoms. I have yet to see any improvement in my pain levels though so who knows.

On my doctor's blog, he mentions that TSH, T3 and T4 can come out normal, yet people were still being treated and improved. My lab won't test me for T3 (even offered to pay) because my TSH and T4 came out "normal". I think they need to redo what "normal" is now...I mean really, how long has it been since the numbers came out???

Look up Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. That means it works sometimes and not at other times. Could be the reason for getting a normal test result.

Mizroze

I agree completely with those who say it is possibly a trigger and definitely often a comorbidity. I have had mine tested numerous times with normal results each time. My daughter has hypothyroid so I'm very familiar with the symptoms of untreated thyroid issues.

Having said that, there is definitely some relationship between hormones and pain, and probably between hormones and Fibromyalgia, but that doesn't mean that is the cause - just that there is a relationship and that one can have an effect on the other. Anyone who has gone through menstrual periods month after month feeling like they have the flu, only to discover that they in fact have Fibromyalgia, can attest to the impact.

The Internet is a mixed blessing - there is a lot of good information out there - but often it's hard to sort out what's good information and what's just somebody trying to make a buck on their "cure."

The world has no shortage of those who are willing to make their fortune by preying on people in pain.

I have no doubt that I have FM and I agree with the idea that there is something present in our physical makeup that predisposes us to be susceptible to this and other illnesses when a trigger occurs. There are so many illnesses and maladies that have similar effects on the physical body that it can be near impossible at times to tease them apart and determine what is really going on. It'll be interesting to hear what your neurologist has to say about this.

Something you may find interesting:

In college my daughter took a biology class taught by a prof who was an MD and a biologist. When they covered the thyroid he told the class that blood tests don't really work for this disease because some people will come up normal when they are clearly not.

He told the class that one way to test for hypothyroid is to take a basal temperature every morning for one month. He said to have a thermometer on a table right next to the bed and to reach for it the moment you wake up but before you move around, drink anything or sit up. Moving around heats up your temperature. Write down your resting or base temperature every morning.

I was overweight at the time and had often wondered if I had a thyroid problem so I decided to run this test on myself. I wrote down my temp every morning for a month and found that my average temperature at rest was 96.2 and I think (sorry it's been about 15 years) he said that more than one degree below normal or 98.6 showed a problem.

There were days when my temp was below 94 degrees! My glass thermometer only registered at 94 or higher. My awake and moving around temperature is 97.4 - which means that when my temp climbes to 98.6 I have a fever. My doctor agrees with that but since she is a GP she will only rely on the blood tests for prescribing meds. If I want to pursue it I will have to see a specialist.

I saw an internist years ago that put me on thyroid med because he agreed with the professor. I felt more energetic and lost a little weight. Unfortunately our insurance changed and I could no longer see him. So I don't know what would have happened or changed is I had been able to remain on the thyroid medicine, who knows?

Hope this helps...hugs jilly

I am diagnosed w diabetes, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, had a vitamin D deficiency and high cholesteral, i did another post re meds such as sim vastatin and muscle aches it can cause, interestingly enough, seems in many ways so many cover same or similiar symptoms and that some meds can have side effects that we tend to not relate directly to a side effect but rather a flare up. interesting posts, thanks for sharing,,,,, in re to thyroid i have been told by numerous dr that a low thyroid or a high thyroid can be within normal range but on a high or low side and if a person is sensitive they will notice symptoms whhere meds would be in order, seems like all things depends alot on the dr, w me i am sensitive to symptoms and even when in nornal range but right at the brink of normal have needed med changes,,,, maybe this helps? KD

From what I have read and heard, if you have fibro, you also have a thyroid malfunction. I have been off and on thyroid medication since the late 1960's. It just depends on what test is ordered, I guess. Since no one really knows what causes FMS and it falls under the Arthritis Foundation umbrella, it may just be an auto-immune malfunction.