lupus/thryoid cancer???

[tracya29]

Hi There-
I've been experiencing weird symptoms since last April.  Shortness of breath, swelling of my face, ankles and calves, muscle/body aches, fatigue, sensitivity to the sun, etc.  I've been diagnosed in the past month with Hashimotos and positive thyroid antibodies, and was also told my thyroid is larger one side, along with thyroid nodules.IOver the past year I've been tested by 5 different drs for lupus with results all negative. No + ANA's or anything which is great.  I had been diagnosed about 7 years ago with hypothyroidism/goiter and stayed on medication till last Jan.  (Had a hysterectomy, July 2010) and they thought it was a hormonal thing and my heart kept racing from synthroid and my numbers went crazy and I was in a storm and taken off everything.  I've gained a ton of weight over the last year and feel absolutely horrible.  Could the hashimotos be making me feel so awful or could this be thyroid cancer?  I'm really worried as my neck is swollen, having trouble swallowing, etc.  When I saw my endo yesterday she told me she doesn't think we've gotten to the "root" of my problem which completely threw my for a loop b/c I thought by having the dx of hashimotos WAS my answer over the past year of hell I've had!  Please help as I'm not sure what else to do!  Thanks so very much.  Any help or input the doctor could give me would be greatly appreciated!  I just want to feel better!  THANKS! :)

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

You may want to see an endocrinologist to review the thyroid nodules with ultrasound and see if biopsy is needed.  Hashimoto's does increase the risk of papillary thyroid cancer but in most cases nodules are benign.  The symptoms also could be from thyroid, so it is important to keep the TSH in the optimal range, usually around 1.0.  The symptoms are otherwise nonspecific, therefore there may be something else going on and this may be what your physician was suggesting.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

You have a history of autoimmune thyroid disease, initially presenting with Graves' disease and now normal thyroid function.  The TPO antibody is a reflection of autoimmune thyroid disease.  The nodule in this case may be an area of more pronounced inflammation in this setting however there is a slight increased risk of thyroid cancer with positive thyroid antibodies and biopsy may be indicated.  The positive ANA is very nonspecific and likely reflecting the history of autoimmune thyroid disease and not a new rheumatologic or connective tissue problems such as lupus.  Thyroid hormone levels should be monitored over time as you are at potential risk for recurrence of Graves' disease (hyperthyroidism) or development of hypothyroidism.  If the TSH is greater than 3 with this kind of history, a trial of low-dose levothyroxine may be indicated as well.

[tracya29]

Hi There Dr. Lupo:
Thanks for your response.  I'm hoping to schedule a nodule biopsy soon.  
Tracy :D

[RachaelMP]

I also had a positive ANA 1:40 speckled pattern

[RachaelMP]

Hello my name is Rachael. I am 21 years old, I am in the Army- Military Police.

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease when I was 13, took medicine for a couple years then just stopped for no reason.
Joined the Army in 2009, didn't have any severe issues or symptoms.

Now my symptoms could fill a book. I went and got bloodwork done in October 2011. Normal thyroid functions. They said my Grave's disease went away. Every month since Oct i got them tested. All normal.

I was sent to a rhematologist in March, I also have Fibromyalgia. he tested my TPO which was 940. All other functions are normal. He suggested I see an endocrinologist.

Went to my primary and he denied my referral to an endocrinologist. He ordered more bloodwork and an ultrasound.
Functions are normal, again. TPO has increased to 976. he is sending me to an ear, nose and throat specialist for a biopsy.
I had an ultrasound and I have a solid nodule 1cm in size on the left side

Military doctors, in my case -PAs are very dismissive and don't seem to have much information for me.

No one can seem to answer my question- Do benign nodules cause an increase in TPO while the functions remain normal?

I also worked as a vet tech for 7 years 13-20, working directly with x-rays everyday with no thyroid shield. Could this be part of the problem?

I've researched all over even though I know I shouldn't and everything I've read says high TPO, normal functions points to cancer. Is this true?