University of Pisa Study On Fibromyalgia and Thyroid Abnormalities

Bazzichi L, Rossi A, Giuliano T, De Feo F, Giacomelli C, Consensi A, Ciapparelli A, Consoli G, Dell'osso L, Bombardieri S.
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine
University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy
Our objectives were to investigate thyroid abnormalities and autoimmunity in 120 patients affected by fibromyalgia (FM) and to study their relationships with clinical data and symptoms.
Thyroid assessment by means of antithyroglobulin antibodies, antithyroid peroxidase antibodies, free triiodo-thyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid stimulating hormone analyses was carried out.
The clinical parameters "Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire", pain, tender points, fatigue, and other symptoms, and the presence of depression or anxiety disorders were evaluated.
The basal thyroid hormone levels of FM patients were in the normal range, while 41% of the patients had at least one thyroid antibody.
Patients with thyroid autoimmunity showed a higher percentage of dry eyes, burning, or pain with urination, allodynia, blurred vision, and sore throat.
Correlations found between thyroid autoimmunity and age or with the presence of depression or anxiety disorders were not significant.
However, in the cohort of post-menopausal patients, the frequency of thyroid autoimmunity was higher with respect to pre-menopausal patients.
In conclusion, autoimmune thyroiditis is present in an elevated percentage of FM patients, and it has been associated with the presence of typical symptoms of the disease.
PMID: 16790074
Arthritis Research & Therapy 2006 Published 21 June 2006
Alteration of Serotonin Transporter Density and Activity in Fibromyalgia
Laura Bazzichi , Gino Giannaccini , Laura Betti , Giovanni Mascia , Laura Fabbrini , Paola Italiani , Francesca De Feo , Tiziana Giuliano , Camillo Giacomelli , Alessandra Rossi , Antonio Lucacchini and Stefano Bombardieri
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology,
University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the kinetic parameters of a specific serotonin transporter (SERT) and serotonin uptake in a mentally healthy subset of patients with fibromyalgia.
Platelets were obtained from 40 patients and 38 healthy controls.
SERT expression and functionality were evaluated through the measurement of [3H]paroxetine binding and the [3H]serotonin uptake itself.
The values of maximal membrane binding capacity (Bmax) were statistically lower in the patients than in the healthy volunteers, whereas the dissociation constant (Kd) did not show any statistically significant variations.
Moreover, a decrease in the maximal uptake rate of SERT (Vmax) was demonstrated in the platelets of patients, whereas the Michaelis constant (Km) did not show any statistically significant variations.
Symptom severity score (tiredness, tender points index and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) were negatively correlated with Bmax and with Vmax, and positively correlated with Km.
A change in SERT seems to occur in fibromyalgic patients, and it seems to be related to the severity of fibromyalgic symptoms.

Post from Chronicle Herald

This is a post I found today in the Chronicle Herald


"Fibromyalgia sufferers can fight back TARA PATRIQUIN

FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME (FMS) causes chronic pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons. But what causes FMS is another story. It is a mysterious syndrome, affecting four-times more women than men, with no apparent physical cause.
Some of the more obvious factors that are considered likely to be causes include injuries, accidents, surgeries, other illness or infections that compromise the immune system, and stress.
While there are no specific diagnostic tests to label this disease with 100 per cent certainty, it can affect nearly every part of the body. So when testing for it, doctors will check 18 tender points. The majority of these points cluster around the upper body including the neck, shoulders, chest, elbows and mid back. The lower body gets attention around the hips, thighs and buttocks.
Some associated symptoms with fibromyalgia include irritable bowel and/or bladder, strange sensations of the skin, headaches, insomnia, TMJ, dizziness, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, digestive upset and malabsorption, anxiety or memory impairment.
To further complicate things, the correlation between FMS and its "symptom" of depression, is a little blurry.
The question remains, which came first? The chicken or the egg? "

The article goes on to say that sufferers can deal with Fibromyalgia and fight back with diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyles and alternative medicine. To find out more about this approach, we have the information at www.ridfibromyalgia.com.

You can beat Fibromyalgia!

I just wanted to introduce this blog and let you know the purpose of it. I created this so that people have a place to go when they want up to date information about this terrible syndrome that afflicts so many people.

So, come, share your thoughts and advice and together let's beat this beast down.

Fibromyalgia can be stomped out of your life for good. It takes a lot of work but it can be done.

On this blog, I will show some techniques and strategies I have used to beat Fibromyalgia and autoimmune disease down and have rid it from my life.