Confusing Thyroid Condition

[pab234]

(If I posted this twice I apologize, posting is confusing)

Dr- I have been sick for almost five months now. Prior to all of this, I was a perfectly healthy 19 year old girl. On February 13 I went to the emergency because of out nowhere I felt as if a huge golf ball had become lodged in my throat. In the following weeks, I developed a whole host of strange symptoms including intense body aches, extreme fatigue, weight loss (20 pounds in a month), hair loss, diarrhea, chills, insomnia, muscle twitches, and overall weakness to name a few. No one could find anything wrong with me until about two months later when they tested my thyroid. Over the next month or so my symptoms pretty much went from textbook hyper symptoms to textbook hypo symptoms.

These have been my results thus far-
March- TSH 1.35
April 24- TSH: 0.02 (with high normal T3 and T4, can't remember exactly) & Thyroglobulin Antibodies 432, TPO antibodies 16
May 28- TSH: 28.1 (with low T3 and T3)  & Thyroid ultra sound showed a "simple goiter consistent with thyroiditis"

I also think it is worth mentioning that a test for mycoplasma pnuemonia (pneumonia) came back with IGG and IGM antibodies both extremely elevated. Prior to this all happening, my chest had been feeling tight and sore but since it was winter I chalked it up to being a common cold.

I have since been put on 60 mg Armour Thyriod and was almost feeling 'normal" when last week all of my "hyper" symptoms seemed to start coming back full force.

So basically my questions are these-

1. Does this sound like some form of acute or subacute thyroiditis given my very recent history of an upper respiratory infection, or more of an autoimmune condition?
2. Why would these "hyper" symptoms be coming back after I was finally starting to feel better?
3. What can I do to make this lump feeling in my throat go away as it is extremely annoying

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated as I have apparently baffled every doctor around here

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

You had subacute thyroiditis and likely do not need thyroid meds at this point -- in fact, they could be making things worse.  Would consider stopping the meds and checking levels every 4 weeks until things stabilize.  It is possible to have a recurrence of the thyroiditis -- ie, recurrent pain and hyperthyroidism.  It is also possible to develop long-term hypothyroidism after these episodes, but most (85%) recover fully and do not need long-term meds.  Joint pains, etc may be due to thyroid dysfunction, would consider waiting to see how things go once the dust settles -- may take a few more months though...

[pab234]

I forgot to mention that my thyroid has been very tender everytime the doctor has pressed on it- in the beginning it hurt to even turn my head, now it just hurts on the left if you press in the right spot

also, my doctor has referred me to a rheumatologist even though my rhuematoid factor, ANA, and C reactive protein tests have repeatedly come back negative- do you think this is neccessary or could this all be related to my thyroid problems?

Thanks!

[pab234]

Thank you so much for your help! That's kind of what I thought it might be but its hard to find anyone who knows much about it where I live. If you could answer a few more questions that have come up I would REALLY appreciate it

1. my thyroid still hurts on the left side when I press on it, is this normal with subacute?
2. why does the "full" tight feeling in my throat vary? I'm assuming it is my swollen thyroid but I'm not sure and I don't see what would cause it to swell intermittently