I'd like to know how many of us share living with epilepsy and living with thyroid issues, and what the interplay is.

The two are interconnected -- or, at the very least -- can be, but if you Google the subject, you'll tend to find mostly veterinary articles about Dogs and Cats (but predominantly dogs) who have seizures because of their out-of-wack Thyroids.

Part of the challenge, I think, for we humans, is that different specialists deal with each area: Endos for thyroids and neuros for seizures and they may not discuss the overlap between their specialties as much as we'd like them to.

Here's my (abridged) story. Following my first seizure (which I wasn't sure what the hell it actually was), I went through an extended medical workup -- probably like many of you -- and the only positive results were that I was hyperthyroid and that my EEG showed irregularities consistent with E. Investigation of the thyroid showed it to be a highly unusual condition for a man, something commonly called silent thyroiditis which would, in all probability resolve itself over months. It was pointed out to me that I would probably go hypothyroid (have not enough thyroid hormone, with a different set of symptoms) before normality resumed) but that, after that, there was a good chance that I'd be fine for good.

The epilepsy was duly tied to a family predisposition, probably exacerbated by the hyperthyroid situation, and I was put on meds while all this resolved. Several months later, and feeling much better, my thyroid function had returned to normal. My Endo again warned me that I may feel symptoms of being low on thyroxine before I reached a final, even keel, and would continue to monitor me at two-month intervals.

Knowing that my thyroid was normal, I got a bit cavalier with my meds. Other things took more importance, on occasion and I missed doses. I was always fine. Not hyperthyroid = not having seizures!

But then I started to feel Hypothyroid. I was feeling cold and tired the whole time. I took to wearing a cardigan and a scarf. I couldn't get out of bed half the time. I fell asleep at work a couple of times, and then -- quite unexpectedly -- I had a couple of really poor-concentration days followed by a major T-C. I'm certain, but going to have my bloodwork checked today to confirm, that I'm hypo. And then I'm going to see my neuro and see what he thinks.

I had no idea that being hypo could trigger seizures. Can it? How many of us are co-managing thyroid and seizure issues? And how come there's so little to be gleaned about it on the web unless you're the owner of a show-dog?

All good wishes

NoMagician