At my witts end...please help!!

[frogluvr2]

Hi everyone! I have posted to the board a couple of times because of the lack of help I am getting from the medical community. I just need some help with what I should do next. I have went to 2 different endocrinologists with basically the same results. I was told that my levels are not bad enough to treat.  Both of them basically told me that I would have to get a lot worse to be treated. Basically be going through a storm, like my dad (he has graves) was when he had to take RAI to kill his thyroid. I am tired of going to the doctor, I am tired of all the tests, and I am tired of being tired. I have spent so much money out of my pocket for all of the dr's visits & tests!!! I was also wondering if anyone could help me with the interpretation of these tests. What the doctor's have said is that all of my results are within the normal range except the antibodies, so there isn't any treatment for that, but why??? I don't understand that; if there are tests that show I am out of the normal range, then why can't it be treated? Ok...enough about that...

If it truly is the case that I can't be treated because my levels aren't bad enough, can anyone give me some advice on any supplements or herbs or something I can take to feel better?

I am just real tired of this rollercoaster I have been on, and would like some relief. I am pretty much up for anything at this point. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Here are all the tests that I have had done.

TSH WITH HAMA TREATMENT
     TSH, ULTRASENSITIVE, HAMA      1.48  mU/L
     TSH, ULTRASENSITIVE                  1.47 mU/L              Reference range: 0.40 - 5.50

TSI (THYROID STIMULATING
    IMMUNOGLOBIN)                             225 H                    Reference range: 125 or less

T3, FREE                                              302                       Reference range: 230-420 pg/dL

Free T4                                                  0.57                     Reference range:  0.59 - 1.17 ng/dL

TSH                                                       1.15                    Reference range: 0.3- 4.82 uIU/mL


HERE ARE MY ORIGINAL TEST RESULTS:

Lab: Anti Thyroglobulin Antibodies  250h
IU/mL 0 - 34

Lab: Total T4   6.3
T4 4.7 - 11.0

Lab: TPO Antibodies  >1000H
TPO

Lab: Total T3  127
NG/DL 57 - 175

Lab: TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) 0.36
TSH 0.34 - 4.82

I also had an ultrasound of my thyroid with these results: The right lobe measures 49 mm x 20 mm x 27 mm.
The left lobe measures 15 mm x 21 mm x 19 mm
Multiple nodules are seen in both lobes of the thyroid gland.
No increased flow is seen. The thyroid isthmus also shows multiple small nodules.
Impression: Multiple nodules in both lobes of the thyroid gland probably representing changes of goiter.

After these results my doctor sent me to have a thyroid scan done. I had these results:
6 hour uptake = 32.5% (normal 5 - 10 %)
24 hour uptake = 34.3 % (normal 10 - 30 %)
Radiologist findings: Marked increase in 6 hours. Moderate increase in 24 hours. No hot or cold nodules.

[laura1967]

What????  There is definately something going on here with your thyroid.
You tested positive for both Hashimoto's and GRave's antibodies. It looks like you are swinging all over the place. What is sad is the fact that a Dr wasted your $ on Total T4 and Total T3 tests which our outdated and no longer used.
TSH is a pituitary function test, and Free T4 and Free T3 are the actual active thyroid hormone levels.  Free T4 converts to Free T3 which is the most active form.
Your first set of labs showed you with a low Free T4 result, with a normal T3 and normal TSH.
I think you are on the swinging all over the place....phase of Autoimmune Thyroid disease. It is a hard place to be, because you will swing hyper and hypo both.
Your thyroid ultrasound results sound like a thyroid consumed with Hashimoto's.
Hate to say it, BUT you need to find a Thyroid specialist.....who aren't always endo's. You have to remember that most endo's specialize in diabetes and only touch on the basics of thyroid. There is soooooo much to be learned in the Thyroid world. Call around and ask.....remember the golden words...."Thyroid Specialist"
Try googling on the computer as well. You can also ask here on the board if anyone knows of one in your area.  :)

[frogluvr2]

Thanks for your comments Laura. I have been swinging all over the place & it is literally driving me mad!!! I guess I will try my hand at finding a thyroid specialist and see what I can do from there. I am just tired of going to the doctor...but I want this to be over with for sure!!! Thanks again for your help!

[stella5349]

It looks to me like the Free levels were tested.. but the autoimmune levels are up and down.

Hashi's?? - Graves? - Most likely you will be treated if continued here as a Hashimoto patient and left to let the antibodies naturally kill the thyroid off with no help offered.

You will be left in this state of horrible feeling until the thyroid dies off. You need to find a new doctor.