What is Hashimoto's Encephalopathy?

Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is a neuroendocrine auto-immune disease. The bodies immune system produces antibodies that attack the neurons in the brain. There have only been about a dozen cases in the U.S. diagnosed since 1966, though quite possible many cases have gone undiagnosed. Some of the most common symptoms of Hashimoto's Encephalopathy include: disorientation, psychosis, coma, stoke episodes, tremors, concentration and memory problems, jerks in the muscles and lack of coordination, headaches, partial paralysis on the right side, and speech problems. Sometimes, patients are mistakenly diagnosed as having had a stroke, or having Alzeimer's.



Of the few patients with this disease, the presentation and origin of the disease varies. In Kimberly's case, HE is a rare progression of her Hashimoto's Thyroiditis that was diagnosed in March of 2008. Looking back, we now recognize that there were signs of neurological distress at that time, but coincidentally was treated by steroid treatment to reduce inflammation in the thyroid. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis was named after the Japanese physician Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto, who first described this condition in 1912. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S., and is an autoimmune or chronic lymphocytic type of thyroiditis. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is not uncommon. The thyroid gland typically becomes enlarge and the antibodies the body normally produces to protect the body and fight foreign substances such as bacteria, are found to 'attack' their own thyroid tissue. Kimberly's thyroid is filled with hundreds of non-threatening cysts.

June 30, Kimberly drove to a Neurologist's office to meet and discuss some symptoms that were troubling her. While sitting in the office, she began to shake uncontrollably from head to toe. They call these myoclonic jerks. This is similar to what patients of advanced Parkinson's experience. After a short visit with the doctor, Kimberly was admitted to the hospital where they confirmed the diagnosis of Hashimoto's Encephalopathy and began high doses of IV steroid.
After several days, Kimberly's symptoms were controlled and she was sent home on oral steroids. Unfortunately, the steroids have forced her to be insulin dependant and have reopened stomach ulcers. Another coarse of treatment will be required to put the disease into full remission and to keep her from relapsing. However, there is not another drug identified that will accomplish this goal.

Kimberly and her husband John will be flying to Rochester, MN to meet with doctor's at the Mayo Clinic on July 27. They are praying that the doctors and specialist will give the answers that they seek.