Hypothyroidism?? I thought it was autoimmune.

[Muffett35]

I have had for several years a progression of symptoms that are constant. It started out with tingeling and numbness of my hands, feet, and parts of my face. These symptoms would last a few weeks then start to diminish then come back. Now they are getting worse and intensifying. I now have swelling of my hands, wrists, feet, ankles, legs, feet, and face. I also have alot of pain in my joints and leg pain.  My lungs also have a shaky feeling and when I talk it seems to have a mild vibration that is irratating to my vocal cords but not painful. It does cause some difficulty breathing but different from asthma. I am experiencing fatigue, confusion and brain fog, memory loss,irratibility, depression, and mood swings. I am also having some issues with my bladder. Going frequently, the urge to go but cannot, and not being able to empty my bladder completely. I also have extremely oily skin,hair, and acne which the doctor seems that may be a hormonal problem.

I am 37 years old. I have asthma, reflux, plantar fascitis, mild arthritis of ankles,feet, and knees.  I am Bi-polar type 2 with Social Anxiety Disorder. I do know the mood swings could be from Bi-polar but I am medicated for this. I do not feel as though this is an anxiety issue or psychosymatic. My medications are Risperidone,Clonazepam, Potassium, Furosemide, Estradiol, and Pro-Air. My cholesterol is 174, Tryglycerides 138, blood count is normal, UA is normal, and my TSH is 4.750 (Dr. stated this is high). I also had all hormones and an antibiodies checked but have not gotten those results. I also went back for T3 and T4 tests plus another TSH test and am waiting for those tests. I have had an CAT scan of my head which showed no abnormalities of my brain. I have had a CAT scan of my spine that showed multiple lesions on my cervical, lumbar and pelic area. I had a bone scan to rule out metastic cancer since I had cervical cancer. It was benign. I thought this was MS or autoimmune, now not so sure?

[Tishyri]

Yes some of your symptoms maybe due to Hypothyroidism.  Since Hypothyroidism has symptoms that similar to other causes.  Its best to take the Synthroid and monitor your symptoms since the Synthroid takes 4-6 weeks to take effect you will need to get new blood tests and discuss your symptoms with your doctor in that time.

[Muffett35]

Thank you for your answer. So are most of these symptoms related to hypothyroidism?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The TSH is slightly high (indicating mild under-active thyroid) and a trial of synthroid is reasonable

[Muffett35]

Update-Dr. just called and said that my new TSH test came back at 4.140 so she is calling me in Synthroid and wants me to check back in 1-2 months. I am realy confused now.