hashimoto encephalopathy

[6hashi]

Hi ,
what is the process to diagnose HE ??
what is the treatment ?

Thanks

[laura1967]

I believe the treatment is steriods to bring the inflammation down. From what I have read it is very very difficult to diagnose.

[hash567]

hi ,
Is it possible that all the neurological tests become normal and still have HE ??
what is the treatment ?

[Smilerdeb]

Maybe this will be of some help to you.

Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is a neuroendocrine disorder related to the far more common thyroid condition, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, but it is different in a very important way. In Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, antibodies attack the thyroid, usually causing hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid. In the very rare disease Hashimoto's Encephalopathy, antibodies attack neurons in the brain, causing neurological symptoms that can be mistaken for stroke or even Alzheimer's.


NEUROLOGICAL TESTS

EEG - May show generalized diffuse slowing, slow wave activity or bilateral temporal and frontal spikes, or the test may be Normal.

CSF, SPINAL TAP - May show elevated Protein, Oligoclonal Bands, or may be Normal.

MRI - May show subcortical high signal lesions on T-2 weighted images, or mild cerebral atrophy with temporal predominance. Also may show lesions. Could show white matter abnormalities. White matter lesions can be reversible with clinical improvement involving Steroids. Or test may be Normal.

ANGIOGRAM OF THE BRAIN - This will be Normal.

ENDOCRINOLOGY TESTS - BLOOD TESTS

TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
T- 4 - Free Thyroxine

These Tests will confirm a diagnosis of Hypothyroidism. Or the patient may be Euythyroid - no Thyroid problem indicated - BUT - the patient still can have H.E. AND Elevated Thyroid Autoimmune Antibodies from results of the Tests listed below.

Thyroid Microsomal Antibody Titer (TMAb) - Thyroid Autoimmune Antibody Test

Thyroglobulin Antibody Titer (TgAb) - Thyroid Autoimmune Antibody Test

These are the Tests that will show Elevated Thyroid Autoimmune Antibodies.

FIRST - NOTES ON THYROID DISEASE

The Thyroid Antibody Tests above will also confirm a Diagnosis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, (H.T.) also known as Hashimoto's Disease and therefore the patient will also be Hypothyroid.

The main cause of Hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, (H.T.)

You can be Hypothyroid and NOT have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and with NO SYMPTOMS - NOT have H.E. Just be Hypothyroid.

You can be Hypothyroid, AND HAVE Hashimoto's Thyroiditis with NO SYMPTOMS - and NOT have H.E.