by James M. Lowrance (Author)
Thyroid disease patients can experience a number of different complications as a result of their hypothyroid (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid) conditions. Two of these complications are nerve pain and dysfunction, referred to as "peripheral neuropathy" and muscle weakness with possible atrophy (shrinkage of muscles), referred to as "thyroid myopathy". In some cases, these two problems that are co-morbid to thyroid disorders can coexist, so that they are occurring at the same time and this may be referred to as "neuromuscular disease". This is a symptom-aspect that has less information available on it via online medical search, than do the more common thyroid-related problems, such as weight gain, joint pain and fatigue. Within the chapters of this book, that follow, I hope to present to the reader, a general understanding of these often debilitating and potentially very serious manifestations of thyroid disease, affecting the nerves and muscles of the body, including the treatments available for them. I present this information to you as a fellow hypothyroid patient with autoimmune thyroiditis and co-morbid peripheral neuropathy and myopathy, which inspired me to search and research the information contained in the chapters. This book is not intended to be an extensive manual but is intended to contain information most often sought by laypersons on the subject. CONTENTS: CHAPTER ONE What Components of Thyroid Disease causes Neuropathy and/or Myopathy? CHAPTER TWO Treatments for Hypothyroid and Hyperthyroid Hormone Imbalances CHAPTER THREE Why Thyroid Treatments may not Resolve Neuropathy and Myopathy Symptoms CHAPTER FOUR Considering all Treatment Options for Thyroid Neuropathy and Myopathy CHAPTER FIVE (Bonus Chapter) Eight Thyroid Disease Knock-Knock Jokes: (Laughing at the Expense of the Metabolic Butterfly)
Author Biography
I am a husband, father, grandfather and lifetime contract salesman, with experience in health writing that began in 2004. I completed theological studies with Liberty University in 1996. I formerly served as editor and forum moderator of Thyroid Health for a major multi-topic content site and as a general health writer for another, where I achieved Editor's Choice Awards for my articles on health subjects. In 2003 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism; "Hashimoto's thyroiditis" being the cause. This autoimmune form of thyroid disease that causes destruction of the thyroid gland resulted in my also developing "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", due to a compromised immune system with severe co-morbid "Adrenal Fatigue". I also suffered severe anxiety symptoms, including panic attacks early into the onset of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Hashitoxicosis). I was aso diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and thyroid myopathy, with co-morbid nutritional deficiencies. My eventual receiving of diagnoses was a difficult process with proper diagnostic testing not being ordered by the first doctors I sought treatment from. These types of issues were inspiration for me to become proactive in my own health care and to self-educate myself on these health disorders, which I have done extensively since 2003. I now enjoy sharing this information with other patients experiencing my same health disorders.