Opinions about potential thyroid problem?

[madjlp]

I was healthy until about 15 months ago at which time I was hospitalized with arrhythmia, shortness of breath, and weakness.  Over the subsequent months I lost 17 pounds,  had GI symptoms (IBS symptoms, passing food quickly),  was fatigued all the time, had considerable chest and throat pain, sleep disturbances and episodes of telangiectasia in my hands.  I went through extensive cardiac testing (normal with some benign SVT, PVC, PAC and bradycardia - resting rate in the 50's goign down to 40 during sleep) in addition to a range of other tests (ANA reflex positive, titer negative, high cholesterol, large gallstone, pulmonary function test revealed RV 250% of normal but function was in tact).  Ultimately I had my gallbladder removed, was treated for anxiety/panic (shrink concluded I was anxious but in response to my health issues - ie - the anxiety was/is not primary cause) and am being treated, with minimal success, for GERD.  I have been active on the Heart boards at medhelp but am looking at the thyroid section now because every Dr I see asks about Lyme and Thyroid but immediately moves on when they hear I've been tested.  Upon doing further research I've found that thyroid conditions, particularly thyroiditis and hypothyrodism, fit my symptom patterns - and given that I have had TSH levels above 3.0 (barely above however - 3.22 last time) I thought I'd check in with you all.  I also have begun taking my basal temp in the morning and, so far, my temps range from 95.9-96.3 upon waking.  My temperature does seem to rise to normal levels during the day (though I am generally a little low 97.5-98.0) - I feel I should mention that I don't generally "feel" cold.  I'm still looking for answers because I am tired most the of the time, have little energy or patience and still experience regular chest pain and throat pain which does not respond to GERD treatment.  Essentially my quality of life has never bounced back and my general physical condition is incompatible with functioning as a good husband, worker, family member etc.  Any ideas, similar experiences or considered opions about whether my issues sound like thyroid to you all woudl be appreciated. Thanks for your time.

[gimel]

I'd bet a good dinner on you being significantly hypothyroid.  I know that basal temperature testing does not get a lot of credibility here, but I have found it to be a very good indicator for myself.  Having a low basal temperature was the thing that finally pushed my doc to prescribe thyroid med 30 years ago.   Whenever my thyroid med. was right, my basal temp. was very close to 97.6.  Whenever I had some hypo t symptoms, I found my basal temp. to be in the 96.9-97.0 range.  Your temperature being even lower is a strong indication of hypo t, but you need to confirm with testing for free T3 and free T4, along with TSH.  If confirmed to be hypo t,  then your goal should be to get medication that will get your free T3 into the upper third of its range and TSH into the low end of its range, in order to get best result.

[laura1967]

I always run a low temp except when I am optimal and then I am a little more normal! I don't get too caught up in taking my temp though....the proof is in the bloodwork when done properly.
Glad to hear you are geared up to see better drs! Let me know if you get copy of your labs!  :)

[madjlp]

Thanks for the advice Laura - I have quickly come to grips with the fact that thyroid and Lyme investigations are usually outside the purview of the typical Dr and require truly interested specialists - I'm already gearing up for the "referral" conversation with my GP.  

Any thoughts on the reliability of Basal body temp as a thyroid indicator?  I ask because that seems like the most glaring gap btw myself and "normal" with my basal clocking in at an avg of 96.1 in the am.  

I'm working on getting the rest of my blood work released as I believe free T3 and T4 may have been tested along the way (but NOT the antibodies, TPO etc)

The symptoms I don't seem to have are the constipation and getting cold easily which I've noticed many others DO have.

Symptoms I DO have:
large acne welts
low basal temp
low heart rate
low energy/exercise tolerance
brittle hair/patches of hairlessness
dry skin
neck pain
hoarse voice
personality symptoms/moody
gain weight easily
muscle weakness
etc etc etc

thanks again

[laura1967]

Hi there. First, a TSH test will not tell the whole picture of your thyroid. In order to get a complete look, you should have a Free T3, Free T4, TSH and antibody tests done for Hashimotos and Graves. Then you will be able to see what if anything is going on. For example: If you have hashimotos, you will have all kinds of hypo symptoms with a TSH of 3.22. It should be supressed to a .50-1.0 with Hashi's. Sooooo I would start with getting a complete panel of thyroid tests done. Don't let them run total t3 or total anything....outdated tests. You need to make sure they are Free T3 and T4.
As far as Lymes is concerned, if you are not seeing a Lyme's specialist, you are wasting your time. The lyme tests that are used by a lot of drs are inconclusive and give false negatives most of the time. There are newer tests and better ways to test that are only understood by Lyes specialists. Lymes is a big ugly world of symptoms along with the co-infections.