Laundry list of symptoms....

[nalh]

I am a 38 yo woman with the following symptoms:  weight gain; difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise; fatigue; depression; anxiety; irritability; frequent urination; skin tags; stretch marks; about 5 male looking hairs on my breasts; loss of interest in sex; heavy periods (which turned to complete loss of period w/ Mirena); continuous post-nasal drip which leads to dry cough; concentration/memory difficulties (got lost driving my daughter to school yesterday).

I have an appt with an endocrinologist next week.  Where do I start?  Are my symptoms consistent with any one disorder?  Could there be a pituitary problem?    

On a separate issue, why would a TSH go from being under the normal range to above normal without any sort of treatment?

Thanks for your help.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

There could be a pituitary problem - the endocrinologist will likely test for that.  The TSH fluctuation can happen -- usually it is mildly high/low and this can happen for a variety of reasons -- change in estrogen status, iodine intake, infection/inflammation, etc

The other likely diagnosis you may have is insulin-resistance syndrome/PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)-- irregular cycles, weight gain and unwanted hair as well as the other symtoms.  AACE.com will have links for more info on this.

[EmilyFromOhio]

Dear Nalh, the weight gain; difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise; fatigue; depression; anxiety; irritability; frequent urination; concentration/memory difficulties; I had a lot of those before I was diagnois with Hyper Thyroid, I also could not tolerate the heat, I did not go outside at all in the summer if I didnt have to. The others before and after my Hysterectomy. This Thyroid disease is the worse thing that I have ever went through. Make sure when you go to the Endo that he does all of the test that he can. I have been going through this for 1 1/2 years, my last appt 2 weeks ago he wanted me to take the RAI. At this point I am finally getting to what I would call normal. I have Graves disease also, and I have to go to the Opthamologist to have my eyes checked (My left eye is bigger than my right). Within a week of being put on the Tapazole, and also Toprol (I got heart palpatations). I felt like a new person, the only problem is dont go in thinking that it will be a quick fix, after 6 months I had gain 50 lbs while going to weekly Weight Watcher meetings. After many changes to my med doses I have finally got to a point where I can lose weight, I have to stay strickly with my Weight Watchers points but it is really starting to working for me. Just be honest with your Doctor and make sure he is listening. As far as the TSH I am not sure, I was really baffled how I could just get sick with this without any family history. I was told by my family Dr that it could have been caused by stress or a virus. I think it was stress, my son was hurt in Iraq and I went into a downward spiral. If you have a good Endo he will spend the time to go over everything with you, mine usually take 30-45 minutes everytime I go in. Keep in touch this is a good forum to help. They have helped me.

[nalh]

Two other symptoms I forgot that have been weird:  canker sores and sun poisoning-- I get an itchy red rash on my hands and legs when exposed to the sun.  thanks.

[nalh]

Forgot hand pain-- thumb, index finger down hand on both sides.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The hand pain sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome - compression of the median nerve that can cause numbness/pain in the thumb, pointer, middle finger and half the ring finger.  This is seen in patients who type a lot etc and is associated with hypothyroidism and a few other endocrine conditions.  

The sun sensitivity -- check ANA to screen for auto-immune attacks against the body.

[Mom to 3 kids]

Oh my gosh.  I don't have any answers but I feel like I could have made that post myself.  I also have breastmilk recently despite finishing breastfeeding a year and a bit ago.  I am engorged with breast milk.  I go to the doctor for bloodwork results today.  I just wanted you to know that you are not alone.

Laurie

[nalh]

Hi,
I'll be interested to hear how your results come back--please post again and I'll do the same (my appt is 3/18).  Good luck.
Nancy

[Mom to 3 kids]

Hi

I got my results back and everything looked fine as far as my blood counts and my thyroid levels.  My prolactin results were not back yet but the doc I saw wasn't my regular so he told me that I will  need to come back.  He also said that my regular doc needs to book me for a brain scan!!!!!!  That sounds kinda freaky to me but nessasary I agree.  I go tomorrow (wednesday) to see my family doc and find out.

On a side note:  I woke up this morning for the second time this month with my eyes so swollen that it felt strange to blink.  My upper eyelids were so puffy that they looked like they were folded over the bottom area down to my eyelashes.  If that makes any sense at all.  

I really think maybe that it's my pituitary gland when I look at the symptoms for some of the disorders.

Good luck at your appointment and let me know how it goes.

Thanks for responding.

Laurie

[nalh]

I saw the doctor on Friday; he said he doesn't think my symptoms are consistent with any one disorder but isn't opposed to a trial of synthorid (for thyroid) or metformin (for PCOS).  I'm waiting on some baseline labs.

Nancy

[Twilight473]

A related discussion, What are all symptoms of hyperthyroidism? was started.