Thyroid Nodule -Normal TSH - Positive ANA

[goodlordyIjusturned40]

Hi there ~

I have been a mess for about 8 months now, not feeling that great. Low energy, achey joints -wrists, ankles, fingers.
I thought it was burn out or addrenal fatigue from training for a 60mile walk so I went to the MD who ordered labs. My labs showed elevated Cortisol, ACTH, Dopamine and Norepinepherine. This prompted a CT scan of my abdomen to look at my addrenals. This came back showing a 10mm lung nodule, enlarged spleen, ovarian lesion, enlarged liver (possible due to my height 5'11) and bladder wall thickening (clinical correlation is warranted it said).

This prompted more lab tests which came back with a positive ANA, positive D-Dimer, critically low Vit D level of 9 and normal TSH levels. Because of a personl history of pituitary microadenoma in 1999 - The MD ordered a CT Scan of brain and head, which came back showing chronic sinus inflammation which then prompted a CT scan of the sinus, which of course showed a Rt maxillary sinus mucocele - chronic ethmoid inflamm sinus and a solid thyroid nodule.

This inturn has prompted a Thyroid US which I am scheduled for on Tuesday and a referral to Rheum. I also had to have a full chest CT scan due to the lung nodule seen on abd CT - I guess that shows only the lower lobe. OH and of course this prompted referral to pulmonologist. He then did a Valley Fever panel which came back negative, so he was concerned why nodule - no VF - so he ordered full CT chest.

I know - Like a comedy of errors. I keep going in for one thing and getting a whole new set of issues..... Great :  )

I guess my questions is: Normal TSH with Thyroid Nodule, positive ANA and D-Dimer - could this be a thyroid issue? My sister has Hashimotos.

OR with the inflammation of the bladder, spleen, liver and the lung nodule with the joint aches, could this be more of an auto-immune Lupus thing (I read Lupus affects multi-organ issues including lung and bladder)

I have other symptoms I thought were just incidental due to turning 40- but perhaps there is a bigger picture. Fatigue, wt gain, joimt pain, heat intolerance, raynauds, neurological symptoms, some anxiety -depression (unusual for me), vision blurred, dizziness (thought this may be due to sinus issue), chronic tickle cough, and PVCs - heart palps.

Mind you - just turned 40 so I thought most of this was menopause stuff - but ironically my hormones are ALL normal : )   Of course.

NO butterfly rash and I love the sun...... Anyone have any ideas???

I feel like a hypochondriac. Every time I go in, they find something new! Seriously.... It is almost comical embarressing at this point.

[goodlordyIjusturned40]

Hi there ~

I just typed a mini novel responding to your reply... but I dont see if.

I am not sure what I did wrong. If it posted Great!!

If not, please know I did respond and Thank You so much for your comments. Your reply was a tremendous validation to how I feel.

We have so much in common with syptoms and circumstance.

I have to run to work, but I will try to repeat my reply to you later.

If you want to chat and compare notes, please let me know and I wll give you my email address or just shoot me an email through here.

Wishing you well.

[Songbirdacu]

Hi, any follow up to what was going on medically? Trying to find answers regarding these same symptoms! Thank you!

[shamilt8]

I found your post when I searched on "low vitamin d" and "elevated d-dimer".  Weird thing is I live in AZ too and have many things in common with you.  I am a 49 year old female and am (was) very active until 8 months ago.  I would hike 10 miles on weekends uphill in the Superstitions, 30 mile rides on my bike etc.  Then I got really, really tired and started with the random aches all over.  Sometimes my limbs feel really heavy.

After a few weeks I went to the doctor, they ran lots of tests and all they came up with was a low vitamin D level.  I went through the treatment, but didn't really feel better.  So I just figured I was being a big baby, sucked it up and kept going to work every day.  Then the aches got really bad so I went to a neurologist and a rheumatologist.  The neurologist did an MRI of my brain...no MS.  The rheumatologist totally blew me off and said it must be fibromyalgia and he didn't treat fibromyalgia patients. And oh by the way most fibromyalgia patients suffer from low self esteem and if I took some antidepressants maybe my pain would get better...what a jerk.  

Then early last month by complete accident, I wound up in the ER with horrible chest pain, (I figured gall bladder attack from the crappy steak I had eaten earlier) where it was discovered my d-dimer was elevated (>1000).  So they did a CT scan to check my lungs for a clot.  No clot, BUT they have discovered a large nodule on my thyroid.  All of my thyroid labs are normal, TSH, FT3 and FT4 and one other I don't remember right now.  An ultrasound showed a 3cm nodule, and I go in for a needle biopsy tomorrow afternoon.  

I also have chronic inflammation of the sinus but hey, we live in the dust capital of the world.  ;-)  I also have asthma from the lovely desert allergens.

This morning I was lying in bed feeling very overwhelmed and anxious.  I have been noticing some back pain in the kidney area and wondered if the increased anxiety I have been feeling is from elevated Cortisol levels because my adrenals are messed up.  I don't even know if they have checked that or not.

I too, feel like a hypochondriac because there are so many ways my body just doesn't feel right.  It is embarrassing to have to list it all, but I KNOW something isn't right.  I even feel silly posting it all for you, but just wanted you to know you aren't alone.

[blsdnsvd]

I love your username! I am 41 and thought that turning 30 came with a host of issues. I also have a multinodular goiter and my bloodwork came back normal, which is considered common. I can truly tell you that Anxiety causes: Dizziness, Heart palps, blurred vision, weakness and a host of other symptoms. I was also sent to different specialists because of my different symptoms. I pray that everything works out for you, and exercise is the key to good health....seeing that you walk, you already know that. Take care

[skeeterknitwit]

Since you live in AZ, do you slather up with sun screen?  It blocks Vit D production!  And it is in all kinds of lotions and face products.
Also, make sure you are supplementing with Vit D3.

[goodlordyIjusturned40]

Hi there ~

Thank you for your reply as well. It is so nice to receive this suporrt and answers.

I read about the Vit D and symptoms after your post and seriously wonder now if it could be from the Vit D deficiency?

The weird thing is - I live in AZ so there is NO hiding from the sun out here.... so who knows how or why the level is so low - but my MD did RX 50,000 units per week x 4 weeks with a repeat lab.

(I wonder if its too low since your MD RX a higher started dose - but we'll see)

I am hoping I will have the same postive results and feedback you did... That would be amazing.

Thank you for the information and feedback.

It really helps a lot.

Thank you soooo much!!

Have an amazing "rest of the weekend" and a great week.

[ChitChatNine]

Do you know that I had a 9 on the Vit D, too, just this past January and shared many of your symptoms (jts ache, I had depression, etc., ) and that ALL went away when the levels came back up!!!!   So maybe some of yours will too!!!!!  I was on 100,000 iu's and now maintained on 50,000 iu's a week.

You can have normal TSH and a nodule.

Pls. keep in mind with all going on with you at this time, that it can be totally benign and just be overgrowth of tissue.  

Keep us postd and WELCOME!!!!

[remar]

Your welcome.
Make sure he tests you for the Frees. FT3 and FT4. I know he'll check your TSH levels too.
I'm glad to hear he did mention the antibodies also.
Do post your results here because if there's something you have a question about someone here should know the answer.
You have a great weekend too. Take care. Remar

[goodlordyIjusturned40]

Thank you so much. Your words are so kind. I really appreciate that!!
I will definately post the results. I go in for the US on Tuesday and he did say something about Thyroid antibodies??

Have an amazing weekend and thank you again!

[remar]

Wow, you do have alot going on.
Did your Dr only do the TSH test? If so, then you need more testing. FT3, FT4, and antibodies. The wonderful members here at MH taught me that or I would have never know to get these tests.
You don't have to have a butterfly rash to have thyroid problems.
The symptoms you mentioned are some of the hypo symptoms so you really need to get those tests. Please post your results here so other members can tell you what the numbers mean. Hopefully your Dr will explain them to you.
Thyroid problems run in my family too. I was just diagnosed last Monday after years of trying to figure out what was wrong. Thank goodness for the MH members here! They've helped me so much.
Also, if your 40 you could be starting menopause.
Please don't feel like a hypochondriac. Your not feeling well, things are showing up on your tests and you need to find out what's going on.
Take care. Remar