PLEASE Help me, again!

[vivfla]

I went via ambulance to the ER last night, as I had a sever anxiety attack.  :( I am ok now.  I just wonder if I am ever going to get better.  The ER doctor right away (unlike any of my past docs) said it sounded like I was also having thyroid symptoms.  He checked my tsh level (after I told him it is always w/in range) he still checked it.  He also cj=hecked my Free t3.  Well, about two weeks ago my free t3 was checked and it was 1.48.  Last night it was.8.  Why is this?  He aslo said that I had a swollen lymph node.  He confirmed this by a Cat scan on my neck.  BUT he said my thyroid looked normal from the CAT SCAN.  What do you all think?  I feels as if I am bouncing back and forth hypo to hyper.  BUT no tests are showing it, and none of the doctors have done an ultrasound of the neck or the thyroid antibodies.  Would a cat scan show thyroid immune problems?  PLEASE HELP....

[peggy64]

Wow! sounds like s\he is being very thorough and listened to your symptoms.  That is great!

[vivfla]

The tests that the ENDO is ordering are:

Thyroid Ultrasound
TSH
Free T3
Free T4
TPO
TSI
Serum Thyroglobulin AB
Serum Am Cortisol
Serum Acth
Serum prolacatin
Serum LH
Serum FSH
CMP
Serum estadiol

[peggy64]

Ear, nose and throat specialist.

[moojy]

I'm still trying to learn all the jargon used here.
I know what an ENDO is...but what is an ENT?

[estrelinha]

Hi
I went to the doctor because I felt tired, some kind of panic syndrome (nausea too), and I Had 3.5 TSH, (normal T3 and T4, not free) and  analyses of antibodies against tyroid were:
TPO more then 1000, and I had a positive ANA (1:640). Ultrasound  shows I have a tyroidite (nodules, normal size and heterogenous) and because of the positive antibodies they say it's Hashimoto tyroidite. Second analises in other lab gave TSH 2,9 (0.01-5) and normal levels of FT3 and FT4 (but slightly low,not the optimal). Endocr. says the symtoms are not from the thyroid and ANA's aren't  his speciality, he thinks that my TSH can go much higher because is the way we control the T4 free level. (The same answer of the other doctor I went). The first doctor sent me to a doctor of  internal medicine to investigate, because of my ANA's, the internal medicine doctor in hospital asked for more analyses (other autoimune disorders, repeat TPO, anti-Tg, and so many others) but she said it could be a transitory elevation of ANA's or because of the thyroidite (still waiting for the results). I steel feel very tired , can't do exercise but the other symtoms (taquicardia , kind of panic dissapeard). So I would like to ask you what the doctor thinks of your ANA's?,and those mixed symptoms (hipo, hiper) you have. Do you have anemia?? At the begining I had)  

[vivfla]

UPDATE:  I went to an Endo today.  The GOOD news is that she does think I am borderline Hypo.  She is ordering more tests and and Ultrasound of the thyroid.  I will keep you all posted.

[vivfla]

I EXTREMELY fatigued today.  Urrr.

[vivfla]

Urrr, I just wish they could fine answers for me.   I wish I could have a normal "non-tired" life.  :(

[ChitChatNine]

Interesting ...

Kind of neat that your post appeared from the archives isn't it?

Glad you came back with an update!

Cheryl

[vivfla]

K, I went back to the ENT today and he said the CT scan showed swollen, reactive lymph nodes, but he also said he did not want to biopsy, yet.  He feels they are not big enough to biopsy.

[vivfla]

Ok.  I took my Thyroid antibodies test via HealthCheck USA and I got the results today here they are:
TPOab <10  RANGE 0-34
TgAb <20   RANGE 0-40

So, my thinking that it was possibly Hashimotos is not correct.  Any info?

[vivfla]

K.  I had my appt w/ the ENT today.  He said that I have pharyngitis.  He also said he wants to biopsy the swollen lymph node if the tests come back normal that he is ordering.  He thinks I might have Epstein Bar virus.  I got a lot of answers today.  I am thankful.  No wonder I have been having difficulty swallowing.  ??????  CRAZY that my PCP did not find this.  Go figure!  Wish me luck on the tests.  I also ordered a TPO and TGAB from health check USA.  Thanks to BORNINQUSITIVE for the discount code and the info.  :)

[dscoochie]

Good for you, vivfla!  

Keep Positive - it DOES make a difference (I know, I should take my own advice).  Keep having all those tests done and one thing at a time, you will rule things out.  I had to wait almost two months to see the endo, and I was a nervous wreck.  I just kept trying every endo I could find in the area.  Finally one had a mroe recent appt and I was in within two weeks (much better than two months).  But then the surgeon he referred me to was no available for 2 months!!!  Argh!!!

I guess my point is, keep your spirits up, work hard at being proactive in your own health, and keep the faith.

[vivfla]

Oh yes I forgot to tell all of you this:
I was speaking to my mother the other night.  I was mentioning to her all of my problems(I have kept them under wrap for a long time) and she told me that when I was a teen they treated me for some kind of hormonal/thyroid problem and that she was unsure what it was(her memory is bad.)  ERRRRR.

[vivfla]

I had my follow up with the new Rhuemy and he said (just as I knew he would) that I have no issues in the Rheum dept.  He said that he is unsure of what I am suffering from and recommended me to see the ENT and possibly and ENDO (already got an appt w.the ENDO for as as I could-June.)  So, I could be down in the dumps, but I am trying to keep my head up and think that atleast we ruled the Rheumy stuff out.  Right?  I just wish I had an earlier appt w/the ENDO.  Oh well.  

[kitty63]

I would definitely go to an Endocrinologist. This is their specialty. But that ED Doc was definitely on the ball!!!! Good Luck!!!

[vivfla]

I have not yet had any thyroid antibodies yet Maybe the ENDO will do that???

[vivfla]

Well, I had my PCP appt today and he gave me a referral to an Endocrinologist, and an ENT.  He gave me the ENT appt to have them check my swollen lymph node.  Does anyone know why my Free T4 would have dropped from 1.48 to .8 in a couple of weeks?  The low range on my lab results is like .88.

[MKlacza]

Well.. when I had a CT scan for something other than thyroid related... they were able to see my nodule. I think they would be able to see if you had nodules by the CT Scan and depending on what part of the body was scanned?? Was the neck area scanned last night?

You dont have to have thyroid issues by just having nodules of course. I mean your levels can be out of whack. I suffer from sever panic/anxiety and when I was going through my hyper stage, this was some of the reason why. Not all, but some.

Ask for the WORKUP of bloodwork for the thyroid.. not just the usual as some drs do. They could be missing something all together by not doing so.

Can you have something else going on other than thyroid? I mean there are other reasons for these symptoms...

[vivfla]

I am leaving for my Doctors appt in a few minutes.   PLEASE wish me luck.  :)

[ChitChatNine]

Hoping somebody else will answer.  I am not really sure .. maybe do a search on top of the page and throw in some of the tag line words .. I know I've seen responses on what a CT scan will show vs. ultrasound.  
Keep us posted on your appt .. I'll be on the lookout for it later .. :)

Cheryl

[vivfla]

No they have yet to run thyroid antibodiy tests on me.  ?????  I sure wish they would.  The ER doc did say he would recommend me going to an Endocrinilogists.

[vivfla]

Hi all.  My tsh was 1.1 and 3 weeks ago it was 1.59.  I am going to my PCP today.  Also, would the ct scan show any of thyroid diseases?  Like Hashimotos or an enlarge thyroid or even enlarged goiter?

[ChitChatNine]

So sorry this happened to you  .... what was your TSH level at?  I hope you are feeling better today .. sounds like this is being driven by normals not right .. maybe swingingu up /down all over the place .. anxiety can be from thyroid ... I am so glad you posted to us .. keep us posted with updates ok?

C~