When these two conditions have been misdiagnosed (confused) it is mostly due to early onset thyroid disease being elusive to diagnostic blood testing. Most cases of thyroid hormone imbalance in industrialized countries are caused by an autoimmune process in which the thyroid gland experiences slow destruction from auto-antibodies attacking it. In some cases, these antibodies are not detected in the blood despite the fact that they are present and causing the disease process that eventually leads to hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid).
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
This autoimmune cause of hypothyroidism, also referred to as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, sometimes requires a tissue biopsy called an “FNA” (Fine Needle Aspiration) to be detected. This is a procedure whereby a local anesthesia is administered to the patient so that a hypodermic needle designed to extract a tissue sample from the thyroid gland can be inserted. Analysis is then performed on the sample to determine if thyroid disease is present or to help rule it out as the problem causing symptoms in a patient.
In an article authored by Alan R. Gaby, M.D. (B.A. from Yale University, M.S. in biochemistry from Emory University, and his M.D. from the University of Maryland.) that is titled “Autoimmune thyroiditis as a cause of chronic fatigue”, he details a medical research study involving 219 patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), having severe fatigue of at least 1-year in duration. While only half of the patients were found positive for either antithyroidperoxidase antibodies (Anti-TPO) or antithyroglobulin antibodies (Anti-TG), 40% were found to have definite histological evidence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Hypothyroidism Elusive to TSH Testing
The study-patients in the research cited by Dr. Gaby MD, had varied TSH readings upon being blood tested (pituitary hormone that reflects thyroid hormone levels) with many falling within normal lab values. The study points out that possibly up to 40% of CFS patients are experiencing thyroid disease that will be responsive to thyroid hormone replacement therapy and that hypothyroidism causing symptoms, can be present despite normal TSH levels. It also points out that FNA may be required to detect autoimmune thyroiditis in a significant number of cases.
U.S./NIH Says CFS Can Co-Exist With Thyroid Disease
In previous years, before more research was conducted on the association of thyroid disease to CFS, it was stated by reputable medical entities including the Centers for Disease Control (U.S. National Institutes of Health), that a diagnosis of an endocrine disorder or disease, including those affecting thyroid function, would rule-out a diagnosis of CFS. This stance has changed however in recent years, with these same medical sources now stating that CFS can be co-morbid (co-existing) with these other types of health disorders.
It is further believed by other medical research groups that autoimmune and endocrine disease may actually serve as triggers for the development of syndromes such as CFS and fibromyalgia. Research continues in attempt to find more answers to these complicated and sometimes mysterious health disorders.
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