Another nodule? sooo tired!

[blueeyes52]

I had a non-cancerous nodule removed in '83.  I have been on Levothroid since then (dose of 125mcg.)  I have been feeling so tired,having trouble swallowing and constantly clearinhg my throat, confused, depressed so I had another test.

My TSH level is 8.84.  T3, 1.20 and T4, 2.56.

My internist prescribed a higher dosage of 175mcg.  She told me to get a thyroid scan and come back in 8 weeks.  I canceled and think I should see an Endocrinologist again.

I don't think I can wait that long.  Am I crazy.  Please someone tell me some related stories about their levels and if I am just tired for another reason.

Thanks anyone!

[blueeyes52]

Thanks so much for your information.

Although I am scared that I may have to have surgery again, I would be happy to finally figure out an answer to all my weird symptoms and maybe be energetic again.

I was beginning to think I was Crazy!

Hope everything goes well for you Charley!

[charley1986]

Hey,
Just wanted to pipe in on your TSH level.  It does suggest that you are hypothyroid.  I was on a small dose of synthroid for years and started having symptoms a couple of years ago - hypo symptoms - but my tests always came back "within ranges" - which I know now was too high.  At 5.0 I felt horrible.  Turns out - after ultrasound, that I had thyroid nodules - found out after FNA that I had papillary thyroid cancer with follicular variant.  I had TT in August and 175 millicures of RAI-131.  While waiting for RAI, I had to go through HYPO HELL, and my TSH level reached 58.9!!!!  I could barely walk from one side of the room to the other without feeling I needed to sit and rest.  It was horrible.  Just went back to the doc again for recheck on my neck - did tsh - and called me yesterday and said that we were going to lower my dose of 125 to 112.  Turns out my tsh level was 0.19 - with ranges being 0.34 - 5.50.  The only sign of hyperthryoid I've had is irritability and increased hunger.  Other than that, I wouldn't have thought so.
Anyway, I hope that things level out for you and that you start feeling better.  It is miserable when your tsh is too high.
Peace,
Charley

[utahmomma]

I hope *YOU* get feeling well again.  Any surgery is difficult enough but being hypo, and having difficulty swallowing, just makes it so much worse!

Sending *HEALTHY* thought your way!!

[blueeyes52]

I's so soorry - you and your family have been through so much.  I hope everyone is feeling healty and good soon!

You are in my thoughts!

Thanks again!

[utahmomma]

Don't know about your levels or the ranges for your lab but you sure have the symptoms of hypo.  What type of scan did your doctor want - nuclear scan or ultrasound?  

It wouldn't hurt to get an ultrasound and schedule with your endo.  There is a chance that you have another nodule or that the remaining part of your thyroid is growing.  

I know I feel *horrible* with a TSH of anything above about 2.

Your TSH does sound high so it wouldn't hurt to start the higher dose while waiting for an appointment with an endo.  Your internist could also order an ultrasound so you could have the results for your endo.

Hang tough.

[blueeyes52]

Thanks so much.

I was on the internet last night and cannot find the chat room again.  There were a lot of comments on the discussions about some people with a level over 5 could barely function.

Do you know if my elevated glucose of 113 can be related also.

I recently had foot surgery and I am off work.  I feel like when I can go back, I would not even remember how to do it.

My levels were a result of a blood test I had, but the level (TSH) has gone up quickly.  I can't remember the date of my last blood test for thyroid levels, but I don't think it was that long ago.

Thanks again.

What were your symptoms?

[utahmomma]

Your glucose level can definitely be tied to thyroid problems.  All of my sisters and I developed Type II diabetes or pre-diabetes after our thyroid surgeries.

My symptoms?  I had none.  I had a full-body CT scan run and they found a small nodule in my thyroid.  I went to my doctor and he gave in and ordered an ultrasound.  It showed a small, complex nodule and I decided I didn't feel good about it so I had it out.  They found cancer while I was in recovery (hence 1/2 out one year, the other 1/2 the next year).  My labs were completely normal before the surgery.

Since both of my surgeries all four of my sisters have had TTs (3 cancerous, 1 precancerous) and my daughter had a TT (precancerous).

My levels stayed pretty level until I had to have RAI last November for recurrence - since then I've gone from very hypo (75.9) to very hyper (0.06).  

Since all that my hypo symptoms were crushing depression, cold all the time, no energy, and terrible body aches.  My hyper symptoms have included insomnia, heat intolerance, restlessness, heart palpitations, and body aches.

They might want to check your antibodies too.  All of my family (but me) have Hashi's and that caused their thyroids to enlarge.

Thyroid problems - just a laugh a minute!!!

I really hope you can get some answers!