Leading to Graves or something else??

[poodle25]

I am having a hard time understanding my thyroid problems.  Recent tests ruled everything out, but I have to stop and think about my past history.  Could this be leading to Graves?  I am in my early 40's and have had problems off and on for years.  Major hyper problems and weight loss are as follows.  First time was when I was 20.  Down to 118.  Normal weight 130. Second time was after the birth of my first child.  176 and down to 118 within a year. Endo said postpartum thyroidtist.  Said it would come and go. Second pregnancy; 153, down to 118 in 6 weeks. This is when the problems started getting real bad. Panic attacks, went to ER several times thinking I was having a heart attack. Only happens when hyper symptoms are present. Doctors told me I was stressed, normal being a mom with two young children.  Female problems were out of control.  Several failed surgeries for endometriosis.  Two opinions from doctors stating I needed a hysterectomy. Third doctor said my problems could be fixed with rollerball ablation.  Decided to do this and not have a hysterectomy.  One ovary died within one month of surgery. Had a partial hysterectomy.  Second ovary died within a month.  Full hysterectomy.  I was up to 140 pounds at the time of surgery.  Again, down to 118. Lost a lot of muscle. Doctors always look at my labs and say things must be getting back to normal because my levels look good.  Some would say a little hypo and some would say a little hyper. They only checked TSH. Antibodies recently checked and they said things are fine.  I am concerned about my high level of normal TSI antibodies.  97% makes me think they could have been increased during my hyper times.  Could this be a path to Graves? I read that normal people have less than 2% TSI antibodies. I still get hyper symptoms off and on without the weight loss.  I actually gain weight sometimes and think I have hypo symptoms. I am really confused and wish I could find out what is wrong.  Has anyone ever experienced times like this?  Can hyper come and go, but seem hypo at times?  I appreciate those who take a few minutes to share their experience with thyroid problems. I also have mitral valve prolapse. Grandmother died in her mid 30's. Similar symptoms, but she had heart problems from Rheumatic fever as a child.  Thank you. Labs are:

TSH         .46                .30-5.0
Free T4   1.0                0.6-1.8
Free T3   3.7                2.5-3.9
RT3         30                 11-32
Ferritin    65.5
Vitamin D Def  17.1    32-100  started 50,000 units once a week
TPO        <10                <35
Thyroglo Antibodies <20    <20
TSI        97%                125 or less

[poodle25]

Thank you for taking time to write.  I had a ultrasound and it was normal. Why do you think my RT3 is high/normal? I wonder why this TSI test is normal under 125%, but I have 97% meaning I do have some TSI.  It could have been higher during hyper times.

[Smilerdeb]

Hi Poodle

I have Graves Disease too.
I have never seen a lab reference sheet that measure the TSI in % so this one is new to me but I can tell you what the reference range usually looks like and what mine was at time of diagnosis in 2007.

My FT4 and FT3 was out of range (well over twice the limit especially the FT3 which was 33.0 (range 3.5 = 5.0).
My TSI was 4000 with normal range(remission) being <60.

I would say you have Graves Disease.

I went through stages over the years of skinny to fat then skinny to fat.
I know Australia has different clothes sizes but I would be in a size 8 jeans for 2 mths then to a size 14 jeans.
Hopefully that will explain the weight fluctuation better.
I went from 45kilograms in weight to 60 kilograms, then done to 51 kilograms then to 55 kilograms.
My weight was all over the place and I had 'fat clothes and skinny clothes ' in the wardrobe.

I hope that explains things a little better for you.
The next step would be ultrasound and/or uptake scan.

Just the fact that your TSI shows antibodys shows you have Graves Disease.

[poodle25]

Please take a minute to read and let me know what you think.  Thank you.  I have exp many problems over the years with my thyroid, but always told it is leveling out.  Told I am a little hyper at times and a little hypo at times.  I am taking vit D right now.  Antibodies tested neg, but the graves antibodies seem to be a high normal.  Can the antibodies increase and decrease over the years? My children have tested positive for the antibodies. One very hypo with a TSH of 38 and TPO antibodies only at 36. He has been on med for two years. Always having to increase. My other child has a normal levels with a TPO close to 200. They started him on med to control the antibodies so he will not go hypo, but I worry about if he goes hyper.  I am so confused. This is the 4th doctor we have been to.  Has see two endos.  Who didn't even want to run a Free T3. Breaks my heart that my children have to deal with this at such a young age.