ANOMALY

[Ima_Mess]

Several years ago, I visited my GP and presented with the following symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, high blood pressure, general weakness, low tolerance for heat but hands and feet - even my nose- often cold, goiter, difficulty staying focused on tasks, dry skin, dry hair that breaks easily with some hair loss. After the "glow test" and blood work, my GP diagnosed me with Graves Disease and referred me to an endocrinologist. Both doctors recommended my thyroid be removed. I balked, because it seemed so drastic and I feared if I was misdiagnosed, well, I couldn't exactly grow another thyroid gland. Instead, my GP prescribed Methimazole. I worried that it would cause me to gain weight, so I carefully watched what I ate while I was on the meds until my next appointment three months later. When I returned, my doctor was shocked to see that I had gained 30 pounds! He took me off the Methimazole and I have gone with no treatment ever since. Today, I am a 5'4 female, 250 lbs with soaring BP. I feel more exhausted and depressed than ever, I fear I have sleep apnea and I have a lot of pain in my hands and feet. Does this really sound like Graves Disease to you? What should my next step be?
   Thank you ever so much for the service that you provide to the community.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The symptoms were more consistent with hypo - but it appears the labs showed Graves/Hyper.  About 15% of hyper patients actually gain weight and correcting the hyperthyroidism usually leads to weight gain as well.  Would consider repeat of TSH, Free T4 & T3 off the methimazole to see where you are.  Also consider testing for Cushings syndrome...

[Ima_Mess]

Thank you for your comment. I guess it is time to go back to the doctor - or maybe find a new endocrinologist. I'm in Sarasota. Hmmm. I wonder if Dr. Lupo is taking new patients. I've been untreated for so long I'll try anything. I wonder what would happen if I started taking levothyroxine. Maybe it would help. Maybe I'd have a stroke. Either way it'd be interesing.

[GravesGirl]

Hi! It maybe you were in a "hyper" phase of Hasimoto's disease.I would test again like the doc says and also test the tpo and antithyroglobulin antibodies.You do sound more hypo.

[Ima_Mess]

Thank you very much for the advice. I'm not familiar with Cushings... yet.   I guess I have DIYDDIYD Syndrome. (Dam*ed If You Do, Dam*ed If You Don't).