This post discusses the connection between thyroid issues and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome).
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This information does not constitute medical advice. It is important to speak with your doctor who knows your health history and risk factors before making any changes to your health routine.
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The case of the suspicious thyroid nodules
When my MCAS symptoms blew up in 2020 I also learned that I had thyroid nodules. It was puzzling to me because I didn’t have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and my markers indicated that I didn’t have thyroid cancer. I had elevated thyroid antibodies, indicating that my thyroid was “under attack” by something. But what?
Going low-oxalate
After a year on the low oxalate diet trying to lower my thyroid antibody levels (on the assumption that oxalates were contributing to calcification in my body, which was causing the thyroid nodules to form, which was causing my elevated thyroid antibodies), I was in no better shape. In fact, I had a new thyroid nodule. Uggh!
Eliminating plastics
So then I stripped all plastics from my life as I blogged about here and here. No more Nalgene water bottles. I switched to a lucite mouthguard for my jaw clenching, and I stopped using all forms of plastic food containers. But my labs still showed the same picture. Hmm.
The “aha!” moment when I connected my thyroid issues and MCAS
Then when I was doing research for my post on Cromolyn Sodium, on a whim I googled “cromolyn sodium and thyroid,” and it all came together. It turns out that MCAS can “cause” thyroid issues because the mast cell over-activity affects every organ system. I’m convinced that my overactive mast cells were going around my whole body crying “wolf!” At the same time that I developed MCAS, I also developed premature atrial contractions (PACs), or extra heartbeats, estrogen dominance, my neuropathy pain went out of control, my joint pain went through the roof, I developed SIBO (more on that coming soon), and it created the conditions for my thyroid nodules to form.
Mast cells cause a spiral of inflammation
Overactive mast cells don’t just cause trouble for no reason. They congregate in areas where you have a past injury or issue. By congregating in areas where they suspect an attack they send the message that there is an attack underway in that area, even though they started it in the first place by massing in areas of past injury. So, the body reacts by sending inflammation to that area, which signals for more mast cells to come on the scene, and it spirals out of control. Pretty soon you have a full-blown issue at the site of a past injury.
I suspect that I had a predisposition for thyroid issues because two of my grandparents did. So it seems plausible that when my mast cells went haywire they massed in the places in my body that were already “hot” spots — my joints, nerves, and heart already had some inflammation from chronic Lyme Disease; likewise, I already had a leaky gut from chronic illness. So it wasn’t a stretch for mast cells to congregate at my thyroid as well.
What is MCAS?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. MCAS is serious and disabling and people with MCAS experience often significant and debilitating symptoms daily, including anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.
MCAS is often found in combination with other chronic conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
Frequently healthcare providers do not know about MCAS, and the tests for MCAS are problematic because they are not uniformly reliable. MCAS can be challenging to manage. Treatments include blocking mast cell mediators with anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers, as well as avoiding triggers.
Check out this post on how to manage MCAS.
The bucket theory
The bucket theory offers a helpful analogy for understanding symptom reactions with MCAS.
Think of your body as an empty bucket you want to keep from overflowing. Different foods and activities fill your histamine bucket at different speeds but they combine to form the total level of histamine in your body (how full your bucket is). A fuller bucket means you have more histamine symptoms. When you manage triggers, reduce exposure to known triggers, and take medications and supplements to reduce histamine, you can manage the level of your bucket.
Know your typical symptom progression
Knowing your symptom progression in a flare is the key to developing your rescue plan. In this post, I discuss how to determine your own symptom progression. Once you know what typically happens in your symptom progression you can design a rescue plan to address those symptoms.
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How thyroid issues and MCAS are interrelated
So, what is the relationship between thyroid issues and MCAS? The research I’ve read points to an interrelation where on the one hand mast cells actually store and express thyroid hormones. And on the other hand, when mast cells degranulate and release their mediators, it can affect how the thyroid functions.
“Among hormones, mast cells can store thyroid hormone (T3) and express membrane-bound thyroid stimulating hormone receptors (TSHRs), thus suggesting from one side that thyroid function may affect mast cells function, from the other that mast cell degranulation may impact on thyroid function.” – Source
Another source showed that mast cells play a role in how the thyroid works. – Source
The link to Cromolyn Sodium
Since I started taking Cromolyn Sodium I’ve been keen to understand how it works in the body to calm mast cells. I’ve learned that Cromolyn Sodium is a mast cell stabilizer, so it keeps mast cells from releasing their mediators. I discuss in this post how cromolyn Sodium can reduce obesity, cholesterol levels, liver dysfunction, and even reverse thyroid cancer.
“The proliferation of thyroid cancer cells and their vascularization were reverted by sodium cromoglycate (Cromolyn), a specific MC degranulation inhibitor, suggesting that mast cells are cornerstone elements in the inflammatory microenvironment of thyroid cancer (Melillo et al. 2010)” – Source
So, it makes sense to me that my thyroid issues were precipitated by MCAS. And I’m thrilled to be using Cromolyn Sodium to hopefully reverse my thyroid issues.
What do you think?
I’d love to have your reply below!
