Is this normal?

[drmcatcher50]

The last two years have been hell for me for reasons I will explain in a minute.  I was diagnosed hypothyroid approx. 7 years ago.  Since that time my health has gone to pot so to speak.  One minute my thyroid was fine then six months later it was reported as being "dead" and I was placed on Synthroid without further testing.  Religiously I took the med until one month ago as a test of "my emergency broadcast system."  Oh let me not forget that menopause was added approx. 3yrs ago.  Okay...... I am very prone to bronchitis/pneum. without much warning.  Two years ago I landed in the ER w/the worst headache ever (nope not diagnosed w/migraines) and in triage it was discovered that my PO2 was at approx. 75% which is not good at all.  In hospital 5 days d/c'd home w/oxygen @ 2L.  That was in Sep 07 - tests done include: pulmonary function tests (w/in normal ranges) blood gases then not good at all recent one placed me @ 93% w/out oxygen - done Apr this year, XRays of chest - normal, MRI of chest - normal.  No answer to the oxygen thing.  In Apr of 08 I was great - didn't wear oxygen again until Nov 08 when I was hit w/headache again which was Nov 08 back on oxygen again.  So more tests:  Blood gases @ 82% CAT scan normal - back on oxygen again.  A recent blood gas w/out O2 was (done in Apr 09)  93% as mentioned above and pulmonary function tests very normal - this was w/02 off.  Another MRI done of chest - normal.  Off 02 until end of May now struggling again.  I took myself off Synthroid to see if there was any changes???  None that I can report - feel the same on them as off them.  Only other medical issue I have besides hypothyroidism is menopause, GERD and bad back (was injured never fully recovered) and I have become quite depressed due to oxygen "think" cost me my job and now I sit @ 54yrs of age attempting to figure out how to get back into the work force.  Meds presently taking: Vivelle dot .05mg this is a patch that I change on Tues/Sat (hormones), Omeprazole SA 20mg x2 BID, Hydrocodone 5/Acetaminophen 500mg x1-2 every 6 hrs PRN (I only take this when absolutely necessary - for back pain) and Amitriptyline HCL 100mgs @ HS (depression and pain).  In last two years I have put on quite a lot of weight - almost 80pounds so weigh in now @ 240 YIKES!  Weight has been a slight issue in the past I use to fluctuate between 140-160 pounds.  I stand 5'5" so this is not good.  One thing I have noticed is when I can tell (w/out the Pulse Ox) that I need to check my oxygen level is when my heart starts racing.  My heart rate has been a big issue for me as I can't seem to keep it below 90 which is scary for me!  The only thing the doc's have done in that respect is a 24hr halter monitor and I haven't heard anything yet about that.  My heart likes to run fast and skip beats.  Blood pressure is normally below normal - 90/42 is the lowest I've had.  Recently it has been going up to 130/80, when my heart is racing the fastest I have counted it at is 130bpm.  So here I sit - jobless and no answers as to what is wrong with me.  I went off the Synthroid to see if there was any change and there hasn't been as far as I can tell.  If anyone has any suggestions - comments - concerns I would sure appreciate hearing from you.  Until Dec 08 I was very active.  I'm a social worker and work w/the more @ risk kids helping them re-write their stories.  It was awesome.  One day I was playing basketball with them and the next day I'm not there at all so life really ***** for me right now.  Thanks for reading.

[Smilerdeb]

Forgive me if I have missed it but I cannot see any thyroid function test results.
Have you had yr FT3, FT4 and TSH done lately?
Also have you been checked by a Cardio for a heart murmur or for mitral valve prolapse?
Often thyroid issues cause mitral valve regurgitaion where the mitral valve doesnt close properly at your heart and less oxygenated blood stays there which would explain the shortness of breath, the oxygen levels being a fraction low and also the palpitations.

Not a major drama but something that has to be checked regulary.
93% blood oxygen is a little low but not drastic.
Most oxygen levels are at around 98% and usually Asthmatics or Cystic Fibrosis sufferers present with a 90% or lower blood gas level.
I would be asking to see a Respiratory Specialist and also a Cardio and getting those thyroid levels checked again.
It could be your thyroid meds are 'out of whack' and may need fine tuning.
It could also be a number of other things too.
Sorry I cant be of more help.

[Terri627]

bump