Me Again Hashimotos, ANA 103 TSH .854

[Autumn1103]

Hi guys, got my test results back and found that the new doctor only tested TSH.  She is retesting my ANA since it was high and I made her test T3 and T4, waiting for these results.  
   Have been feeling anxious, depressed, and everything hurts, but we are dealing with a CPS issue right now which could be making things worse.
   I have been walking up 6 flights of stairs daily at work (98) steps every workday since January and it is not getting any easier.  My muscles are not getting any stronger, my knees are hurting more than ever, I am getting muscle cramping for no reason, and I am still not losing any weight (still watching my calorie intake closely and trying to avoid the foods you are not supposed to eat when Hashimoto's).
   What are the chances that I do actually have another autoimmune disease on top of Hashimoto's that is affecting my muscles?  I have read on the internet that people with Hashimoto's can be prone to other autoimmune diseases including one that affects muscles, but my levels aren't that high and I have also read that Hashimoto's patients do tend to have occasional high levels of ANA without actually having something else wrong.
   Levels that are off:
ANA 103 (Reference 0-99)
Glucose Serum 103 (Reference 65-99)
Lipid Panel Cholesterol Total 222 (Reference 100-199)
   HDL 54 (Reference >39,  Good cholesterol is good)
   LDL 156 (Reference 0-99, Bad cholesterol is Bad)
   VLDL 12 (Reference 5-40,  Dont' know what type of cholesterol this one is, but it's good)
TSH was normal at .854 (Reference .450-4.5)
   Blood pressure has been high as well.  Currently 127/88
Any advice or does this sound familiar to anyone else?  
   Currently on 90 Mg Armour Thyroid once a day and 600 Mg Gemfibrozil twice a day.  Supposed to be taking 1000 Mg of Niacin a day, but keep forgetting.  Couldn't take Lipitor as it was causing major muscle issues.
   Sorry this is so long.  :-)  I will post again when I get my next results for the T3 T4 and  the retake of my ANA.
Thank you.
-Autumn

[Autumn1103]

I think you might have the posts combined.  I have not taken vitamin D before and my muscle symptoms have not improved.  I do not have regular UTI's.  I get approximately 1 every 1-2 years.
   My main issues currently are severe anxiety, depression, and feeling paranoid, but again I think this is magnified by the fact that we under investigation by CPS because my son caused himself an injury that resembles a cigarette burn.
   And then the issue with my muscles not developing with the exercise I am doing and still not losing weight.
   I was also wanting to know if anyone else had any ideas as to whether it does sound like I might actually have an additional Autoimmune disease per my ANA results.
   Sorry for any confusion.  Thank you all for posting.  All help is greatly appreciated.

[redheadaussie]

With Hashimoto's it is usually a hypothyroid issue. This gives rise to high cholesterol. Many Hashimoto, and thyroid  patients have low Vit D. The reason is still unknown.
  Often low Vit D in the body can cause muscle pains and aches. Usually 2,000 iu is enough to deal with those problems. As you said they were 'nearly gone' on the dose you took. The only problem being, you get kidney stones. Vit D is used only in the intestine to help absorb calcium. So you may need to find out what your Vit D levels are first before you go to a higher dose.
  It could well be that you are not on enough thyroid medication. Being a Hashimoto patient you will feel more difficulty climbing stairs, and unless you get the right dose to help you, you will continue to feel that way.
  Having the right dose of medication will lower your cholesterol too.
Your UTI's are a different issue. They are caused by many things. It could be that the toilet tissue you use is highly perfumed, and causing problems (Happened to me) Could be (excuse my bluntness) having sex when you are not really aroused (happens to many women), could be many things.
If your UTI's are not going away I would suggest going and getting a swab done to see which 'bug' is causing it. Anti-biotics are usually the best in treating any ongoing UTI's. Cranberry juice is good for mild UTI's but not the ongoing one where the bug has settled in for the duration.
hopefully this site will show on the forum

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/bladderhealth/a/UTI.htm

I have Hashimoto's and had UTI's rarely.(Mostly when pregnant and a few time when I  used perfumed toilet tissue.) When you get your T3 and T4 results, post them here. I am sure you will find you need more replacement thyroid hormone.

Cheers!
  
  

[Smilerdeb]

I used to drink the cranberry juice Autumn...actually gallons of it and it never worked lol.
BUT since I have been taking the Cranberry (10,000) capsule , one a day...I havent had a UTI for over 6 months and I used to have them all the time.
Too many antibiotics arent good for you and I've reached the stage where there is only one that I can now take.
I swear by the cranberry capsule and a while ago, I forgot to take it for 3 days.....I ended up getting burning in the urine so got back on them and the burning went within 24 hrs.
Allow at least a week for them to first 'kick in'.
Its funny how we all end up with UTI's with thyroid problems????

[Autumn1103]

I guess I should probably mention that I am 35 years old.  

[Autumn1103]

Should I have my vitamin D tested first?  How much should I take.  I cannot take calcium because I am extremely prone to Kidney stones.  Do the cranberry capsules really work.  I've tried cranberry juice every time I get a UTI and it never works.  I always wind up having to take antibiotics and those red pills to decrease the pain.

[Smilerdeb]

I agree with FBT4...I take mega B, Calcium/D combined and cranberry capsule (1 a day) to stop all UTI's.

[FTB4]

Hello, I have Hashi's also, I had severe muscle issues and also taking Lipitor for High Cholesterol, although it turned out the the muscle issues were caused by a lack of Vitamin D and Magnesium,(Which seems to be a fairly common symptom of Hashi's)  Thanks to the members here, I no longer have the secere muscle aches and spasms, and pain and stiffness in my neck, they advised me to take Vit D and Magnesium, I started taking 800 units a day of Vitamine D and 40 mg of Magnesium. And after 7 days my muscle problems were almost gone. I now take 1,000 units a day after reading an article from the AMA that they upped the daily requirment for VIt D to (Between Ages of 50-70) should take between 1,000 to 2,000 units a day. I also take Vitamin B Complex for stress, since I can't handle anti depressants. I also was informed by my Endo that elevated  Blood Pressure and Cholesterol levels are caused by Hash's. Good Luck FTB4