Aa
has anyone exerenced any of this?
In 2007 I was almost knocked down by what felt like a sudden electric shock to my body shortly after I had perodic headaches, dizziness, weakness, vision problems, and fatigue. Around 2010 the symptoms became a daily occurrence untill I had to take time off from work, the symtoms lasted steady for about 8 months and started having pressure in ears, jaw and facial pain, tremors, foggy brain, pins and needles, can't concentrate, an itchy spot on my back, leg, arm heaviness and weakness, memory problems which have brought on extreme anxiety and of course depression. ECT.....
I thought I had MS dr. is pretty sure its not, just went to an endocrinologist was told that I have hypothyroidism and low vit. D
TEST RESULTS: TSH 1.71 FREE T4 0.69 FREE T3 4.2 VIT. d 16
CAN HYPO CAUSE THESE SYMPTOMS>
I thought I had MS dr. is pretty sure its not, just went to an endocrinologist was told that I have hypothyroidism and low vit. D
TEST RESULTS: TSH 1.71 FREE T4 0.69 FREE T3 4.2 VIT. d 16
CAN HYPO CAUSE THESE SYMPTOMS>
I have seen this dr. only once and she did send quite a bit of time with me addressing all of my concerns, I do have a good feeling about her.
I agree medicine is complex and that's why they call it a practice, but I do hate when they perceive themselves as the ultimate and final word. While I don't think they have to experience/suffer what I do to help me I think they need to take in account that they have not and maybe someone else can help.
If it were not for my perseverance, research and the help of others suffering the same things I would still be just that crazy, depressed lady suffering from anxiety that is causing all of these physical symptoms instead of the other way around...lol
I will request those test along with ultrasound and hopefully this medicine will kick in soon and I can resume my life!!
Thank you again.
I agree medicine is complex and that's why they call it a practice, but I do hate when they perceive themselves as the ultimate and final word. While I don't think they have to experience/suffer what I do to help me I think they need to take in account that they have not and maybe someone else can help.
If it were not for my perseverance, research and the help of others suffering the same things I would still be just that crazy, depressed lady suffering from anxiety that is causing all of these physical symptoms instead of the other way around...lol
I will request those test along with ultrasound and hopefully this medicine will kick in soon and I can resume my life!!
Thank you again.
It is hard to find doctors who will listen. You know, medicine has become so complex that I really can forgive them for not knowing everything. However, if I'm willing to do my own research, what I can't forgive them for is ignoring it.
Puffiness in the face often is a hypo symptom.
TPOab and TGab are simple blood tests.
Good luck with your doctor.
Puffiness in the face often is a hypo symptom.
TPOab and TGab are simple blood tests.
Good luck with your doctor.
If a dr. wont accept outside opinions I don't care to continue treatment from them. This journey has mead me realize just how clueless they are when you don't fall into their box.
You seem to have much more knowledge than most of them thus far and I thank you so much for all your time and expertise.
I checked and have a couple of the symptoms for the toxic nodule but nothing alarming to me.
I do have one swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck but no other notable lumps or bumps. My face and eyes are puffy.
I am going to request an ultrasound, also TPOab and TGag test. Are those blood test?
You seem to have much more knowledge than most of them thus far and I thank you so much for all your time and expertise.
I checked and have a couple of the symptoms for the toxic nodule but nothing alarming to me.
I do have one swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck but no other notable lumps or bumps. My face and eyes are puffy.
I am going to request an ultrasound, also TPOab and TGag test. Are those blood test?
Levothyroxine is T4. So, she put you on a very conservative starting dose of T4 to try to bring that up. FT3 won't necessarily go up because of it.
If you think your doctor will pay attention to a mere mortal, please take my post! LOL
Toxic nodules can be treated a couple of ways. "Block and replace" is a technique often used. Anti-thyroid meds are given to block the production of hormones, then replacement meds are given. RAI is also an option as is surgery. Don't worry too much about this at this point. It's a fairly rare condition. It might be worthwhile, though, for you to do some reading to see if it fits your symptoms, labs, etc.
It could be Hashi's as well. TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies) are the two markers for Hashi's. Both should be tested as some of us are TPOab positive, some TGab postive, and the really lucky ones, both. Typically, however, both FT3 and FT4 are low with Hashi's. There are exceptions.
The crushing feeling could be a nodule that presses on a nerve or other sensitive structure. Sometimes a goiter (inflammation and swelling of the thyroid) can also cause pain. Both nodules (non-toxic nodules, not the toxic kind I referred to above) and goiter are very common with Hashi's. Is your neck visibly swollen? Any lumps or bumps?
If you think your doctor will pay attention to a mere mortal, please take my post! LOL
Toxic nodules can be treated a couple of ways. "Block and replace" is a technique often used. Anti-thyroid meds are given to block the production of hormones, then replacement meds are given. RAI is also an option as is surgery. Don't worry too much about this at this point. It's a fairly rare condition. It might be worthwhile, though, for you to do some reading to see if it fits your symptoms, labs, etc.
It could be Hashi's as well. TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies) are the two markers for Hashi's. Both should be tested as some of us are TPOab positive, some TGab postive, and the really lucky ones, both. Typically, however, both FT3 and FT4 are low with Hashi's. There are exceptions.
The crushing feeling could be a nodule that presses on a nerve or other sensitive structure. Sometimes a goiter (inflammation and swelling of the thyroid) can also cause pain. Both nodules (non-toxic nodules, not the toxic kind I referred to above) and goiter are very common with Hashi's. Is your neck visibly swollen? Any lumps or bumps?
Thank you so much for the info.
The dr. told me to take the vit. D and Levothyroxine.
After looking at the results myself I had to question why she put me on Levothyroxine, as it seems my T3 is high. Will that cause hyper?
If it is ok with you I would like to print out the info above and take it with me to the next appt.?
If it is a nodule what is the treatment protocol?
could this be Hashimoto's ?
There have been a few times that I felt as though my neck was being crushed mostly from the left side. Is that common with thyroid problems?
The dr. told me to take the vit. D and Levothyroxine.
After looking at the results myself I had to question why she put me on Levothyroxine, as it seems my T3 is high. Will that cause hyper?
If it is ok with you I would like to print out the info above and take it with me to the next appt.?
If it is a nodule what is the treatment protocol?
could this be Hashimoto's ?
There have been a few times that I felt as though my neck was being crushed mostly from the left side. Is that common with thyroid problems?
Was it your doctor who suggested 5,000 IU of D per day? If not, I'd suggest asking him if you can go even higher. 50,000 IU per week is often an initial dose to get things moving.
I'd want the doctor to explain to me why he thinks FT4 is so low and FT3 is so high. Both should be low or high at the same time, and if there's a conversion issue, we often see FT3 quite a bit lower in its range than FT4 is in its. So, this huge supply of FT3 with low FT4 needs an explanation.
I think I'd also talk to him about an ultrasound. One possibility is a toxic nodule (also called a toxic adenoma or Plummer's Syndrome). A toxic nodule is a nodule that produces hormones (mainly T3) independent of the influence of TSH. It's called an autonomous nodule because it's acting on "it's own"; the pituitary isn't controlling it. A toxic nodule often causes mixed hypo/hyper symptoms since the nodule produces sporadically, sometimes making you hyper, sometimes hypo.
I really do not see secondary hypo here at all. Yes, your TSH is "normal", but with your FT3 that high, I'd really expect your TSH to be even lower. I'm assuming the low FT4/high FT3 is kind of "balancing out" the TSH. To me (not a doctor and all the usual disclaimers), your pituitary seems to be behaving just fine, or perhaps even producing a little too much TSH under the circumstances.
If he's going to do more blood work, you might ask him to throw in vitamin and mineral tests. The enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of T4 to T3 is selenium based. You might check selenium levels, which might yield a clue to why you seem to be "super" converting. Also, iron and ferritin are necessary for the metabolism of thyroid hormones. B-12 is another that can cause hypothyroid-like symptoms.
Keep us posted...it will be interesting to hear the doctor's ideas.
I'd want the doctor to explain to me why he thinks FT4 is so low and FT3 is so high. Both should be low or high at the same time, and if there's a conversion issue, we often see FT3 quite a bit lower in its range than FT4 is in its. So, this huge supply of FT3 with low FT4 needs an explanation.
I think I'd also talk to him about an ultrasound. One possibility is a toxic nodule (also called a toxic adenoma or Plummer's Syndrome). A toxic nodule is a nodule that produces hormones (mainly T3) independent of the influence of TSH. It's called an autonomous nodule because it's acting on "it's own"; the pituitary isn't controlling it. A toxic nodule often causes mixed hypo/hyper symptoms since the nodule produces sporadically, sometimes making you hyper, sometimes hypo.
I really do not see secondary hypo here at all. Yes, your TSH is "normal", but with your FT3 that high, I'd really expect your TSH to be even lower. I'm assuming the low FT4/high FT3 is kind of "balancing out" the TSH. To me (not a doctor and all the usual disclaimers), your pituitary seems to be behaving just fine, or perhaps even producing a little too much TSH under the circumstances.
If he's going to do more blood work, you might ask him to throw in vitamin and mineral tests. The enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of T4 to T3 is selenium based. You might check selenium levels, which might yield a clue to why you seem to be "super" converting. Also, iron and ferritin are necessary for the metabolism of thyroid hormones. B-12 is another that can cause hypothyroid-like symptoms.
Keep us posted...it will be interesting to hear the doctor's ideas.
Thank you.
I have had many MRIs of the brain and c-spine, and 24 hr. urine to rule out
Pheochromocytoma. I had a full hysterectomy in 2009 due to Endometriosis.
I'm not sure about growth hormone, how do they test for that? I've had many blood test as this has been going on since 2007 and I have been aggressively seeking the cause since.
Thank you for your time, I am very scared, confused and overwhelmed about all of this.
I have had many MRIs of the brain and c-spine, and 24 hr. urine to rule out
Pheochromocytoma. I had a full hysterectomy in 2009 due to Endometriosis.
I'm not sure about growth hormone, how do they test for that? I've had many blood test as this has been going on since 2007 and I have been aggressively seeking the cause since.
Thank you for your time, I am very scared, confused and overwhelmed about all of this.
>I had perodic headaches, dizziness, weakness, vision problems, and fatigue.
One thing that stands out is your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is normal. TSH is a pituitary hormone.
Primary hypothyroidism is due to failure of the thyroid to produce enough hormones. In that case usually TSH is elevated, pituitary is demanding via TSH that the thyroid produce more hormones than it can.
In secondary hypothyroidism the pituitary doesn't produce enough TSH and thus the thyroid doesn't produce enough T4/T3. If the pituitary isn't making enough TSH it might not be making enough of other hormones. That should be looked into.
Thus because your TSH is not elevated, and your other symptoms you ought to have tests to rule out hypopituitarism.
I can't all that you should have tested but for me they tested
Growth Hormone. (often, the first thing to go)
AM Coritisol, ACTH (Adrenal function)
LH, FSH (sex hormones)
MRI of my pituitary gland. (rule out a tumor)
In particular if someone has combined adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism, the adrenal needs to be dealt with first.
PS: Adrenal insufficiency is tricky and is probably way under diagnosed. It has to be ruled out more than ruled in so to speak.
One thing that stands out is your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is normal. TSH is a pituitary hormone.
Primary hypothyroidism is due to failure of the thyroid to produce enough hormones. In that case usually TSH is elevated, pituitary is demanding via TSH that the thyroid produce more hormones than it can.
In secondary hypothyroidism the pituitary doesn't produce enough TSH and thus the thyroid doesn't produce enough T4/T3. If the pituitary isn't making enough TSH it might not be making enough of other hormones. That should be looked into.
Thus because your TSH is not elevated, and your other symptoms you ought to have tests to rule out hypopituitarism.
I can't all that you should have tested but for me they tested
Growth Hormone. (often, the first thing to go)
AM Coritisol, ACTH (Adrenal function)
LH, FSH (sex hormones)
MRI of my pituitary gland. (rule out a tumor)
In particular if someone has combined adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism, the adrenal needs to be dealt with first.
PS: Adrenal insufficiency is tricky and is probably way under diagnosed. It has to be ruled out more than ruled in so to speak.
THANK YOU!
I AM ON 5000 IU D VIT. AND STARTED LEVOTHYROXINE 25MCG TODAY.
I AM VERY TIRED, SLOW HR LOW B/P. LITTLE APPETITE. BOTH CONSTIPATION/DIARRHEA, INSOMNIA, FEET GET VERY COLD WHEN IM LAYING DOWN , LOW TEMP. NO ULTRASOUND. WEIGHT FLUCTUATES.
WHAT OTHER THINGS SHOULD I DISCUSS WITH THE DR.?
I AM ON 5000 IU D VIT. AND STARTED LEVOTHYROXINE 25MCG TODAY.
I AM VERY TIRED, SLOW HR LOW B/P. LITTLE APPETITE. BOTH CONSTIPATION/DIARRHEA, INSOMNIA, FEET GET VERY COLD WHEN IM LAYING DOWN , LOW TEMP. NO ULTRASOUND. WEIGHT FLUCTUATES.
WHAT OTHER THINGS SHOULD I DISCUSS WITH THE DR.?
Thanks.
So, a couple of problems here...vitamin D is obviously quite deficient. Has the doctor suggested supplementing that? Many people with hypo find that D levels have to be close to top of range for them to feel well.
You're not on thyroid meds?
FT4 is very low. It's below range. However, FT3 is right at the top of the range. So, in effect, your FT4 is hypo, and your FT3 is hyper. FT3 is the test that corelates best with symptoms, so I tend to think your symptoms are hypER, not hypo. Despite all that, TSH is spot on normal.
Have you had a thyroid ultrasound?
Any other more "classic" symptoms? Weight gain or loss? Insomnia or fatigue and/or drowsiness? Increased or decreased HR and/or BP? Appetite changes? Diarrhea or constipation?
So, a couple of problems here...vitamin D is obviously quite deficient. Has the doctor suggested supplementing that? Many people with hypo find that D levels have to be close to top of range for them to feel well.
You're not on thyroid meds?
FT4 is very low. It's below range. However, FT3 is right at the top of the range. So, in effect, your FT4 is hypo, and your FT3 is hyper. FT3 is the test that corelates best with symptoms, so I tend to think your symptoms are hypER, not hypo. Despite all that, TSH is spot on normal.
Have you had a thyroid ultrasound?
Any other more "classic" symptoms? Weight gain or loss? Insomnia or fatigue and/or drowsiness? Increased or decreased HR and/or BP? Appetite changes? Diarrhea or constipation?
What i need are the reference ("normal") ranges for those tests. They should be on your lab report, near your result and often in parentheses. They should be a range, e.g. TSH 0.4-4.5. Thanks.
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