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Hyperthyroid, maybe graves? New person here, from the acid reflux forum.
I was having some symptoms (heart palps and very hot at times) and the doc did some tests. When I was DX with ITP (my bleeding disorder) in 04" I had a low tsh at .03. It was subclinical, and borderline t4 levels. After having my baby, I recently tested again, and it is higher.
Recently with the new test results are :
total t4 is 14.2 H
TSH 3rd Generation .02 L
I know that a low tsh means the thyroid is saying stop...no more and indicative of a hyperT. I am wondering with these numbers will they require treatment or can it just be monitored. What exactly is the range where it needs to be treated or is that based on the extreme of symptoms? Is this a common thing with autoimmune diseases? What is the connection to pregnancy?
By the way, my name is Kara, mommy to 7 month old preemie, two years happily married, in SW PA. Thank you all for your help.
Recently with the new test results are :
total t4 is 14.2 H
TSH 3rd Generation .02 L
I know that a low tsh means the thyroid is saying stop...no more and indicative of a hyperT. I am wondering with these numbers will they require treatment or can it just be monitored. What exactly is the range where it needs to be treated or is that based on the extreme of symptoms? Is this a common thing with autoimmune diseases? What is the connection to pregnancy?
By the way, my name is Kara, mommy to 7 month old preemie, two years happily married, in SW PA. Thank you all for your help.
what is the post partum thyroidis relationship with a subclinical hyperT from 2004.
Article from Mayo clinic website:
"
Answer
Postpartum thyroiditis is a painless inflammation of the thyroid gland that can occur in the mother usually four to 12 months after childbirth. The cause of this uncommon condition isn't known. You may be at increased risk of postpartum thyroiditis if you have an immune system disorder or a prior history of thyroiditis.
If you have postpartum thyroiditis, you may initially experience signs and symptoms of overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), which may include rapid heartbeat, sudden and unexplained weight loss, nervousness, fatigue and increased sensitivity to heat. A diagnosis of hyperthyroidism can be confirmed by blood tests. Treatment may include beta blockers to reduce symptoms.
Later, you may develop signs and symptoms of underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which may include unexplained weight gain, hoarse voice, constipation, puffy face, fatigue and increased sensitivity to cold. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be confirmed with blood tests. Treatment may include thyroid replacement hormone.
In most cases, thyroid function returns to normal within 12 to 18 months after onset of symptoms. However, some women develop long-term hypothyroidism and need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Rarely, hypothyroidism after childbirth is caused by Sheehan's syndrome, also called postpartum hypopituitarism. This condition may occur in women who have severe blood loss during childbirth resulting in damage to the anterior pituitary gland."
"
Answer
Postpartum thyroiditis is a painless inflammation of the thyroid gland that can occur in the mother usually four to 12 months after childbirth. The cause of this uncommon condition isn't known. You may be at increased risk of postpartum thyroiditis if you have an immune system disorder or a prior history of thyroiditis.
If you have postpartum thyroiditis, you may initially experience signs and symptoms of overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), which may include rapid heartbeat, sudden and unexplained weight loss, nervousness, fatigue and increased sensitivity to heat. A diagnosis of hyperthyroidism can be confirmed by blood tests. Treatment may include beta blockers to reduce symptoms.
Later, you may develop signs and symptoms of underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which may include unexplained weight gain, hoarse voice, constipation, puffy face, fatigue and increased sensitivity to cold. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be confirmed with blood tests. Treatment may include thyroid replacement hormone.
In most cases, thyroid function returns to normal within 12 to 18 months after onset of symptoms. However, some women develop long-term hypothyroidism and need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Rarely, hypothyroidism after childbirth is caused by Sheehan's syndrome, also called postpartum hypopituitarism. This condition may occur in women who have severe blood loss during childbirth resulting in damage to the anterior pituitary gland."
Yep, that was me on there. It's been 7.5 months since I had Cally, and I started developing symptoms about a month ago.
I had severe blood loss during delivery and required blood transfusions, we had a complete placenta previa and hemorrhage, then c-section under general.
I usually have no problems with ibuprofen.
I am interested in hearing more.
I had severe blood loss during delivery and required blood transfusions, we had a complete placenta previa and hemorrhage, then c-section under general.
I usually have no problems with ibuprofen.
I am interested in hearing more.
Kara,I believe I answered your question on Yahoo answers, but I just gave general suggestions.
The pre-existing subclinical hyper conditions are usually getting worse after pregnancy. In your case it can be hyper stage of Postpatum thyroiditis, provided the TSI antibodies {sign of Grave's disease]are not detected during the blood test [ it can start 6 months and later after delivery; this phase is transient self-limiting] however this can be complicated if:
it was significant thyroid enlargement during the pregnancy;
or nodules are present in the thyroid.
because uoy have bleeding disorder , it increases the chanse of postpartum thyroiditis and makes difficult to use antiinflammatory pain killesrs if thyroiditis can become painful.
The pre-existing subclinical hyper conditions are usually getting worse after pregnancy. In your case it can be hyper stage of Postpatum thyroiditis, provided the TSI antibodies {sign of Grave's disease]are not detected during the blood test [ it can start 6 months and later after delivery; this phase is transient self-limiting] however this can be complicated if:
it was significant thyroid enlargement during the pregnancy;
or nodules are present in the thyroid.
because uoy have bleeding disorder , it increases the chanse of postpartum thyroiditis and makes difficult to use antiinflammatory pain killesrs if thyroiditis can become painful.
the worst thing about this is the lack of sleep :-( I just feel so awful after being tired all day with my 7 month old and then not being able to sleep at night.
I think I'll do everything else before RAI and surgery. Can't be around my baby? That's not going to happen! What's your story?
Yeah, and with the RAI you can't be around your baby. I have a long horror story about me and my 3 yr old at the time. *shivers* Beg and plead for surgery if something has to be done. ENT's do the surgery and some ppl have had really good luck just going to see one.
Nope I'm not afraid, but I don't want PCOS or diabetes, that's for sure. Maybe we could talk on the phone? I guess esp after I get more tests done. There's no way I want to do RAI because I want more children, and I'm not sure what that could cause potentially.
Kara
Kara
My TSH was undetectable for a long time. As sick as I was my thyroid uptake and scans weren't high enough for my dr to agree to do RAI. Go figure. He finally agreed when I started developing TED--thyroid eye disease--to stop it and get me off the mega doses of steroids I was on for that.
It's true that AI diseases run together. I have the normal 3. Don't know why they seem to be in 3's, but they do. Hope this is the end of them.
Praise the Lord it's not cancer and I was wrong about that.
If you get a dx of Graves', or you could just start now, make sure you are checked for PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome). It develops b/c of the Graves. If you have it you will also be insulin resistant. Luckily the same medicine treats both. Keep a close eye on this. My drs didn't do this and now I am full blown Type II diabetic. But it can be stopped if they medicate you soon enough for it.
Also make sure you watch your B12 if you don't already. Pernicious anemia is usually developed after Graves. It is where your body cannot extract B12 and stays low on it. Also taking B12 will help the neuropathies that develop in your arms and legs. If you already have the tingling sensations and they fall asleep all the time it is a good time to start sublingual B12.
Hope I'm not over whelming you. ;-) Just trying to give you the pertinent stuff up front so you know to be on the look out. It's not a fun disease at all. :^( But what disease is? And since you already have one AI you already know how they can be so I don't figure I'm scaring you too much.
I'll be checking back on this post if I can help you with anything else.
Dac
It's true that AI diseases run together. I have the normal 3. Don't know why they seem to be in 3's, but they do. Hope this is the end of them.
Praise the Lord it's not cancer and I was wrong about that.
If you get a dx of Graves', or you could just start now, make sure you are checked for PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome). It develops b/c of the Graves. If you have it you will also be insulin resistant. Luckily the same medicine treats both. Keep a close eye on this. My drs didn't do this and now I am full blown Type II diabetic. But it can be stopped if they medicate you soon enough for it.
Also make sure you watch your B12 if you don't already. Pernicious anemia is usually developed after Graves. It is where your body cannot extract B12 and stays low on it. Also taking B12 will help the neuropathies that develop in your arms and legs. If you already have the tingling sensations and they fall asleep all the time it is a good time to start sublingual B12.
Hope I'm not over whelming you. ;-) Just trying to give you the pertinent stuff up front so you know to be on the look out. It's not a fun disease at all. :^( But what disease is? And since you already have one AI you already know how they can be so I don't figure I'm scaring you too much.
I'll be checking back on this post if I can help you with anything else.
Dac
Dac,
I wonder if this is why my asthma and sinus problems are worse. After I had my baby they improved, but now they are worse again. I have an oncologist for my autoimmune disease (blood disorder, ITP) and they usually use cancer drugs, but fortunately I'm getting immune globulins. Yeah, sounds like you didn't have a good preg either. Strict bed rest is not fun, I was depressed while on strict bed rest. I had no life, and the wost thing to me is to be alone. My Cally was 2 months early (due to placenta previa) and she was 3lbs and 9oz. That's great that your little one was a chunker. Cally spent about a month in the NICU and although it killed me I needed the time to heal from a c-section and the blood loss. Here's her story video if you are interested, it's about 5 mins long.
http://sites.bundleofjoys.com/cally/videos.php?id=1408#video
Things like that really get us closer to the Lord and to each other (my husband and I). We love each other very much, and really appreciate the gift of life to have our daughter with us. For her to have survived the whole pregnancy it was not common and her chances were small. But enough of that,
I do have a wrist bp monitor and I will start taking my blood pressure at rest and after an activity. Thanks for the recommendation. How low did your thyroid go with Graves? I do think I have graves, because my friend who has ITP told me that her doc said once you have 1 autoimmune disease you are bound to get another one.
Thanks,
Kara
I wonder if this is why my asthma and sinus problems are worse. After I had my baby they improved, but now they are worse again. I have an oncologist for my autoimmune disease (blood disorder, ITP) and they usually use cancer drugs, but fortunately I'm getting immune globulins. Yeah, sounds like you didn't have a good preg either. Strict bed rest is not fun, I was depressed while on strict bed rest. I had no life, and the wost thing to me is to be alone. My Cally was 2 months early (due to placenta previa) and she was 3lbs and 9oz. That's great that your little one was a chunker. Cally spent about a month in the NICU and although it killed me I needed the time to heal from a c-section and the blood loss. Here's her story video if you are interested, it's about 5 mins long.
http://sites.bundleofjoys.com/cally/videos.php?id=1408#video
Things like that really get us closer to the Lord and to each other (my husband and I). We love each other very much, and really appreciate the gift of life to have our daughter with us. For her to have survived the whole pregnancy it was not common and her chances were small. But enough of that,
I do have a wrist bp monitor and I will start taking my blood pressure at rest and after an activity. Thanks for the recommendation. How low did your thyroid go with Graves? I do think I have graves, because my friend who has ITP told me that her doc said once you have 1 autoimmune disease you are bound to get another one.
Thanks,
Kara
With my pregnancy I was homebound for months not able to do much of anything. Spent almost 24 hours in labor one day. Bed bound for 2 weeks. And then delivered the most beautiful and perfect baby in the world. We both went home 3 days later. He was 5 1/2 weeks early. Did I mention he was 7 lbs? Huge baby. It is so stressful just being pregnant and knowing that you could do something wrong and hurt your baby, much less when there is something wrong and you're doing everything in the world to try and keep them in there. I would stretch out times between peeing until I couldn't stand it any more just to stay in bed.
I'm sorry, I don't know you're history, I'm not on here really any more. Since you have an oncologist I'm going to assume you have cancer. A little stressful there. :^{
Be very careful doing the physical stuff. If you don't have a bp monitor you should get one and keep a close eye on it. Having a TSH of .02 is about as low as it can go until it is just undetectable, pretty serious. Also monitor your heart rate while doing things and at rest. At the worst of mine my bp was running 200/115 and a heart rate of 115 at rest. If I did anything at all it was horrid. I would get so out of breath just walking across the room. Taking a shower was a monumental undertaking. Forget going anywhere. I just became a hermit.
If you can get into a good endo--good luck with that--I think you should go that route. Just make sure they deal with a lot of thyroid and not just diabetes.
Good luck to you. If I can help you with anything and you don't see me on here send me a PM so I'll get an email notification.
Dac
I'm sorry, I don't know you're history, I'm not on here really any more. Since you have an oncologist I'm going to assume you have cancer. A little stressful there. :^{
Be very careful doing the physical stuff. If you don't have a bp monitor you should get one and keep a close eye on it. Having a TSH of .02 is about as low as it can go until it is just undetectable, pretty serious. Also monitor your heart rate while doing things and at rest. At the worst of mine my bp was running 200/115 and a heart rate of 115 at rest. If I did anything at all it was horrid. I would get so out of breath just walking across the room. Taking a shower was a monumental undertaking. Forget going anywhere. I just became a hermit.
If you can get into a good endo--good luck with that--I think you should go that route. Just make sure they deal with a lot of thyroid and not just diabetes.
Good luck to you. If I can help you with anything and you don't see me on here send me a PM so I'll get an email notification.
Dac
Hi there, thank you for all the info. I haven't noticed heart palps while getting stressed but when I wake up in the night I am startled and I always get them, or going up the stairs carrying my daughter, or just randomly. I have been waiting for my oncolgoist to get back to me and she hasn't its been 5 days. I have been thinking of just scheduling an appt with an endo.
Yeah, being on bed rest for four months and hemmoraging out 6 or 7 pints of blood in bed was kinda traumantic, followed by shaking and vomitting, then emergency c-section under general :-p Just glad my little one is ok. I want to be OK for her.
Yeah, being on bed rest for four months and hemmoraging out 6 or 7 pints of blood in bed was kinda traumantic, followed by shaking and vomitting, then emergency c-section under general :-p Just glad my little one is ok. I want to be OK for her.
Hi. You are hyperthyroid. 7 months after pregnancy your levels are not affected by post partum any more. You need to get on top of this. With your TSH being so low it can really mess up your heart and other organs.
You need to be checked for the Graves' antibodies to be sure you have it and go from there. Keep a close eye on the heart palps and keep a really close eye on your blood pressure. The heart palps are a bad sign.
If you notice that getting upset, stressed, or working causes the palpitations to get worse you need to be very careful what you do. If it is Graves they can set off a thyroid storm and be very detrimental.
I'm not trying to scare you to death, but it is the facts. I'm a former Graves' patient myself and wish at the time I would have had someone explain it to me better so I wouldn't have put myself so close to a heart attack so many time from a thyroid storm.
Good luck and take care of yourself.
BTW, the trauma of having a premie and all that goes with it is what caused mine to come to the surface also. Very common that it lays dormant until something tragic comes along to kick it into gear.
You need to be checked for the Graves' antibodies to be sure you have it and go from there. Keep a close eye on the heart palps and keep a really close eye on your blood pressure. The heart palps are a bad sign.
If you notice that getting upset, stressed, or working causes the palpitations to get worse you need to be very careful what you do. If it is Graves they can set off a thyroid storm and be very detrimental.
I'm not trying to scare you to death, but it is the facts. I'm a former Graves' patient myself and wish at the time I would have had someone explain it to me better so I wouldn't have put myself so close to a heart attack so many time from a thyroid storm.
Good luck and take care of yourself.
BTW, the trauma of having a premie and all that goes with it is what caused mine to come to the surface also. Very common that it lays dormant until something tragic comes along to kick it into gear.
It becomes very complicated when a person is pregnant. Hormones are flying around constantly during this time and at time many months after delivery.
I can't answer for sure how to regulate the thyroid during this time - I don't think anyone can - but close monitoring will be done.
Personally I think thyroid homones in "normal" thyroid patients are up and down - I beleive that this is somewhat of a natural process during that time. Especiall right after delivery
The exact "range" of treatment on hypothyroidism is over the 3.0 TSH level - BUT again - post pregnancy may be causing it - so I wouldn't go by numbers.
There are four major hormone components the Pituitary - Thyroid - Adrenals - Sex Hormones.
The reasone for the connection with pregngncy is because all your homones are feeding together you and the baby and the swing patters of all of them get connected.
Post partum depression is classic in after delivery mothers. WHY? because the seritonin was higher during the PG and now things are dumping back to levels that will take time to adjust.
It all giving time back to your body to balance out.
Pregnancy is a "shock" to our systems.
Swinging can be somewhat associated with auto immune thyroid disease - BUT - you need TPO testing to determine that.
I can't answer for sure how to regulate the thyroid during this time - I don't think anyone can - but close monitoring will be done.
Personally I think thyroid homones in "normal" thyroid patients are up and down - I beleive that this is somewhat of a natural process during that time. Especiall right after delivery
The exact "range" of treatment on hypothyroidism is over the 3.0 TSH level - BUT again - post pregnancy may be causing it - so I wouldn't go by numbers.
There are four major hormone components the Pituitary - Thyroid - Adrenals - Sex Hormones.
The reasone for the connection with pregngncy is because all your homones are feeding together you and the baby and the swing patters of all of them get connected.
Post partum depression is classic in after delivery mothers. WHY? because the seritonin was higher during the PG and now things are dumping back to levels that will take time to adjust.
It all giving time back to your body to balance out.
Pregnancy is a "shock" to our systems.
Swinging can be somewhat associated with auto immune thyroid disease - BUT - you need TPO testing to determine that.
Hi Callysmommy! WELCOME ....
Do any of our "local experts" have any ideas for Callysmommy? I invited her to stop by .. she is an awesome CL of the Pediatric GERD (reflux) Community.
WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY!!!
C~
Do any of our "local experts" have any ideas for Callysmommy? I invited her to stop by .. she is an awesome CL of the Pediatric GERD (reflux) Community.
WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY!!!
C~
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