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Thyroid!
Dear Doctor,
I am a 51 year old female, & have recently lost 20 pounds really quick, & have been experiencing a Thrush-like feeling in my mouth, on the roof of my mouth all the way in back near my throat. I recently saw a doctor about this, & he has no idea what it could be, he sent me to get a thyroid test & it showed, "Out of Range" 0.23 L. He also said I have no antibodies & he suspects Graves Disease. The throat problem is the worst, & I can't handle the feeling anymore. Do you think this problem with my throat can possibly be related to the thyroid problems? Also, does no antibodies mean I can possibly have Graves Disease?
Thank You Very much for any advise you can give me on this.
PeachesNCream777
I am a 51 year old female, & have recently lost 20 pounds really quick, & have been experiencing a Thrush-like feeling in my mouth, on the roof of my mouth all the way in back near my throat. I recently saw a doctor about this, & he has no idea what it could be, he sent me to get a thyroid test & it showed, "Out of Range" 0.23 L. He also said I have no antibodies & he suspects Graves Disease. The throat problem is the worst, & I can't handle the feeling anymore. Do you think this problem with my throat can possibly be related to the thyroid problems? Also, does no antibodies mean I can possibly have Graves Disease?
Thank You Very much for any advise you can give me on this.
PeachesNCream777
By the way, I just wanted to add a couple of things. Before I went to this new doctor who I will refer to as Dr L, I went to see my regular doctor, Dr C. I wanted to talk to him about all this stuff going on with my weight loss, vomiting, & throat problem, but he was so busy that day, he didn't spend any time with me so that I could ask questions. I even asked him for a blood test, but he seemed annoyed that I was asking too much, so I told him I would come back another time for that since he is so busy.
That is when I decided to see Dr L, & he sent me for the thyroid tests. When he got the results for the first test, he asked me if I was taking thyroid meds, I said no, I never took any, I never had any reason to. I don't know why he even asked that question.
I had another appt. scheduled with Dr C, but I got a phone call message that he had to cancel my appt.
I also saw a stomach specialist about my vomiting, & he said he was going to send a request for the thyroid tests as well. That was 2 weeks ago, & I have not heard from him yet, so I don't know if he knows anything.
I live in a small area with a lot of older people who really do look sick & are sick, but I do not look sick, so maybe they don't think I am.
I am concerned though that all these doctors know each other, & they don't want to get involved with what their friend doctors diagnosis are of me. That is why I am going to try to get an appt. in another area where the doctors here don't know the doctors in my area.
Just wanted to give a little more info on why I have not gotten any answers as of yet.
That is when I decided to see Dr L, & he sent me for the thyroid tests. When he got the results for the first test, he asked me if I was taking thyroid meds, I said no, I never took any, I never had any reason to. I don't know why he even asked that question.
I had another appt. scheduled with Dr C, but I got a phone call message that he had to cancel my appt.
I also saw a stomach specialist about my vomiting, & he said he was going to send a request for the thyroid tests as well. That was 2 weeks ago, & I have not heard from him yet, so I don't know if he knows anything.
I live in a small area with a lot of older people who really do look sick & are sick, but I do not look sick, so maybe they don't think I am.
I am concerned though that all these doctors know each other, & they don't want to get involved with what their friend doctors diagnosis are of me. That is why I am going to try to get an appt. in another area where the doctors here don't know the doctors in my area.
Just wanted to give a little more info on why I have not gotten any answers as of yet.
Hi Barb,
I saw the ENT doctor after he got the test results, & he completely changed towards me when he saw the doctor who ordered the tests was a friend of his. He wouldn't answer our questions, all he would say was that He was not a thyroid specialist, & that I would have to see my doctor about that. My husband kept asking him questions about the test results & if I needed more done, or does it show I have Graves, but this doctor just repeated what he said & told us he would only answer questions regarding my throat.
It was really weird, like going to Dr. Jeckle first, & going back to see Mr. Hyde, so as far as he goes, totally worthless in helping me out with this.
As far as the tests that were sent to him, it was the first TSH 3rd Generation test, the 2nd blood test as shown below, & the Sonogram test. It does not look like I had a TSH test done at all.
Here are the 2nd tests I had done.
Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
In Range <20 Out of Range (blank) Ref. Range <20 IU/mL
In Range <10 Out of Range (blank) Ref. Range <35 IU/mL
That's all I can say for now, I am so confused & can not find a doctor to help me in my area, so I am trying to find a doctor in my friends area & hopefully I can find a doctor who can give me some answers.
I saw the ENT doctor after he got the test results, & he completely changed towards me when he saw the doctor who ordered the tests was a friend of his. He wouldn't answer our questions, all he would say was that He was not a thyroid specialist, & that I would have to see my doctor about that. My husband kept asking him questions about the test results & if I needed more done, or does it show I have Graves, but this doctor just repeated what he said & told us he would only answer questions regarding my throat.
It was really weird, like going to Dr. Jeckle first, & going back to see Mr. Hyde, so as far as he goes, totally worthless in helping me out with this.
As far as the tests that were sent to him, it was the first TSH 3rd Generation test, the 2nd blood test as shown below, & the Sonogram test. It does not look like I had a TSH test done at all.
Here are the 2nd tests I had done.
Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
In Range <20 Out of Range (blank) Ref. Range <20 IU/mL
In Range <10 Out of Range (blank) Ref. Range <35 IU/mL
That's all I can say for now, I am so confused & can not find a doctor to help me in my area, so I am trying to find a doctor in my friends area & hopefully I can find a doctor who can give me some answers.
COMMUNITY LEADER
What about the ENT you were seeing; didn't he order the TSI test?
Have you not had a TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 test done? While TSH, should never be used, alone, to diagnose or treat a thyroid disease, it can be useful, along with FT3 and FT4, during the diagnostic time.
Have you not had a TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 test done? While TSH, should never be used, alone, to diagnose or treat a thyroid disease, it can be useful, along with FT3 and FT4, during the diagnostic time.
I am happy to hear you have finally found out what is wrong & have found a doctor to help you get better.
I have been having problems finding a good doctor, my last doc sent me for a thyroid test, it says TSH, 3rd Generation, which when I googled says that this type of test is given to someone who is being treated with thyroid meds already. I have never had a problem before, & am not on any meds, so I don't understand why he sent me for that test.
He then sent me for a 2nd test, which I have noted in an earlier post, but it doesn't include a TSH test which is what I have heard I should have, but this doctor has told me I have Graves Disease, told me to exercise daily & check my pulse rate, no meds required.
I am on vacation right now, but I am going to try to find a doc in this area to get a 2nd opinion from because I do not think that this other doctor knows what he is talking about.
I didn't have the same symptoms as you, I was very fatigued for a few months, dropped 20 pounds really quick & was vomiting almost every day, so I went to see him. I just don't feel like he really knows what he is saying, & I want to know if I have graves or not. I am doing my best to find a doctor who can answer this question & get the proper tests ordered for me.
Thanks for your story, & I wish you all the best!
I have been having problems finding a good doctor, my last doc sent me for a thyroid test, it says TSH, 3rd Generation, which when I googled says that this type of test is given to someone who is being treated with thyroid meds already. I have never had a problem before, & am not on any meds, so I don't understand why he sent me for that test.
He then sent me for a 2nd test, which I have noted in an earlier post, but it doesn't include a TSH test which is what I have heard I should have, but this doctor has told me I have Graves Disease, told me to exercise daily & check my pulse rate, no meds required.
I am on vacation right now, but I am going to try to find a doc in this area to get a 2nd opinion from because I do not think that this other doctor knows what he is talking about.
I didn't have the same symptoms as you, I was very fatigued for a few months, dropped 20 pounds really quick & was vomiting almost every day, so I went to see him. I just don't feel like he really knows what he is saying, & I want to know if I have graves or not. I am doing my best to find a doctor who can answer this question & get the proper tests ordered for me.
Thanks for your story, & I wish you all the best!
I am also just a patient with hyperthyroid with diagnosis within the past 2 weeks. I had been exercising intensely ( aerobics for at least an hour) and occasionally lifting weights less than 3 weeks ago. I had been having hand tremors in the morning but thought my morning coffee must be too strong (I don't drink alcohol), I had been so hot and sweaty this summer but I thought I needed to drop some weight or that it was perimenopause (I'm 48) , and a few other vague symptoms. Two weeks ago to this day my heart rate soared and bp hit the roof. I ended up in the ER where after multiple tests it was determined that I was hyperthyroid. The shaking had been going on for a month or so and I kept saying that maybe I would just talk to my md next week the next week....was suppose to call the following week but landed in the ER. If you have ANY symptoms make sure you talk with your doctor ASAP to prevent the heart symptoms--I thought if I had I might not be in the mess I am in now...I have not been able to work for 2 weeks..luckily I have plenty of sick time (I was always so healthy). Denial was not my friend. I am a nurse and just didn't think anything could be wrong with ME. I had to laugh about the looking healthy because I thought I also looked great but felt so awful inside with the shakes not just in my hands but now all over. Tomorrw I start the anti thyroid med and I am saying my prayers it works.
Hi Barb,
I just went to see an ENT doctor today for my throat problem, & we talked about the tests I had on my thyroid, & he also said the same thing, that I needed the TSI test also. He is getting all the test results from my other doc to check out what tests were given & to have me get the TSI test done if he sees it hasn't been done.
He also did find that I have a problem with my throat, he took a culture & has me scheduled for a scope test in my nose, sinus & throat for that as well.
So finally, after 8 years of living in this state, I finally found 3 docs that actually believe that I have problems, & are going to get me fixed up.
I have seen so many docs in this area, & have been considered a hypochondriac by most & they did nothing to help me, but now I am working with 3 good doctors, the GP, ENT, & a stomach specialist doctor who I had seen about my vomiting up blood problem, so between the 3 of them, I feel that I will finally get the help I need. I'm sure I will be sent to an endocrinologist next when they realize I haven't seen that doc yet.
For now, I haven't accepted that I have graves, & I will just wait until all the necessary tests & results are in.
I have been doing my own research on my health lately b/c as far as all the doctors I have seen in the past, they all think
"I look healthy, therefore I am",
that has been the way I have been treated by the docs in this state, so I have been researching, asking questions in forums, & am finding out all the info I need to tell the doctors & ask if certain tests have been done.
I am finally making progress with getting doctors to believe me, & I am on the road to recovery.
Thanks for the advise on the TSI test, & thanks for caring enough to answer.
I just went to see an ENT doctor today for my throat problem, & we talked about the tests I had on my thyroid, & he also said the same thing, that I needed the TSI test also. He is getting all the test results from my other doc to check out what tests were given & to have me get the TSI test done if he sees it hasn't been done.
He also did find that I have a problem with my throat, he took a culture & has me scheduled for a scope test in my nose, sinus & throat for that as well.
So finally, after 8 years of living in this state, I finally found 3 docs that actually believe that I have problems, & are going to get me fixed up.
I have seen so many docs in this area, & have been considered a hypochondriac by most & they did nothing to help me, but now I am working with 3 good doctors, the GP, ENT, & a stomach specialist doctor who I had seen about my vomiting up blood problem, so between the 3 of them, I feel that I will finally get the help I need. I'm sure I will be sent to an endocrinologist next when they realize I haven't seen that doc yet.
For now, I haven't accepted that I have graves, & I will just wait until all the necessary tests & results are in.
I have been doing my own research on my health lately b/c as far as all the doctors I have seen in the past, they all think
"I look healthy, therefore I am",
that has been the way I have been treated by the docs in this state, so I have been researching, asking questions in forums, & am finding out all the info I need to tell the doctors & ask if certain tests have been done.
I am finally making progress with getting doctors to believe me, & I am on the road to recovery.
Thanks for the advise on the TSI test, & thanks for caring enough to answer.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Graves Disease can't be diagnosed from just a sonogram. You need to have a TSI test done as well.
Hi Barb,
Just to update you on my appt. with my doctor, he said the sonogram results showed I have a small goiter, but nothing to worry about, & that I do have graves disease, but also nothing to worry about.
He told me to keep track of my pulse rate & if it goes over 100, then call him, otherwise, just start exercising to build up muscle tone which I had lost when I lost the 20 pounds really quick, & also to get some energy again from my chronic fatigue problem I have been suffering.
He doesn't see any need to have any more tests done, so I guess the sonogram gave him the answers he needed.
I really appreciate your responses to my questions, & just wanted to stop back & say Thank you. You sound like a very helpful person, & you would be a great addition to another forum I belong to called Pharmacy Reviewers, everyone there is great & like you, so helpful to others in giving advise & support. It's not a medical forum like this one, but there is a lot of medical help threads there also.
I stopped in here to ask my question because no one really knew much about Graves in particular, so I was looking for more info on the subject, & for now, I will just go by what my doctor has told me & the advise he gave me.
Again, thanks & have a great day!
Just to update you on my appt. with my doctor, he said the sonogram results showed I have a small goiter, but nothing to worry about, & that I do have graves disease, but also nothing to worry about.
He told me to keep track of my pulse rate & if it goes over 100, then call him, otherwise, just start exercising to build up muscle tone which I had lost when I lost the 20 pounds really quick, & also to get some energy again from my chronic fatigue problem I have been suffering.
He doesn't see any need to have any more tests done, so I guess the sonogram gave him the answers he needed.
I really appreciate your responses to my questions, & just wanted to stop back & say Thank you. You sound like a very helpful person, & you would be a great addition to another forum I belong to called Pharmacy Reviewers, everyone there is great & like you, so helpful to others in giving advise & support. It's not a medical forum like this one, but there is a lot of medical help threads there also.
I stopped in here to ask my question because no one really knew much about Graves in particular, so I was looking for more info on the subject, & for now, I will just go by what my doctor has told me & the advise he gave me.
Again, thanks & have a great day!
I just got back from having a Thyroid Sonogram, & when the doctor gets the results for that & calls me into his office, I will mention the TSI test to him as well & maybe he will send me for that if he doesn't get the answers from the sonogram.
Thank You for mentioning this test.
Thank You for mentioning this test.
Hi Barb135,
Thank you for your response.
My doctor sent me for the first test, then had me go back for another more precise test that he said would either show I have Hashimoto's or Graves.
When he got the results from the second test which he said included several panels of tests, that is when he told me I have no antibody's & it is most likely not Hashimoto's, but may be Graves.
He told me to go & have a thyroid somagram done, which I am going for tomorrow, Monday at noon, & he is hoping that will show more of what the problem is.
When I went in to see this new doctor, it was because of the problem in my throat which is really what is bothering me the most. He has no clue on that but I was wondering if you or anyone knew if this could be caused by my thyroid problem. He only sent me for the thyroid test because it has been a long time since I have had one done, & he was as surprised as I was that I had a thyroid problem, especially since my heart rate is normal, & from what he has seen in the tests, he thinks that is really strange for it to be so normal.
I have been experiencing major fatigue problems & could not get myself to exercise for months, so that was also a problem I had discussed with him on my first visit with him & before I had the thyroid test done. It turns out that exercising would have caused me more problems by elevating my heart rate, so the fatigue problem turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
As far as the test itself, I don't know how to download it on my computer, all I can do for now is tell you what it says:
It mentions all that stuff you listed above,
Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
In Range <20 Out of Range (blank) Ref. Range <20 IU/mL
In Range <10 Out of Range (blank) Ref. Range <35 IU/mL
The numbers are as shown above, but no numbers were put in the Out of Range area.
I hope this makes sense to you, because it don't to me.
Thank you Barb for responding to my question & any help you can give me in understanding this (since the doctor really didn't know what to tell me for now until I get the Sonagram done) would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your response.
My doctor sent me for the first test, then had me go back for another more precise test that he said would either show I have Hashimoto's or Graves.
When he got the results from the second test which he said included several panels of tests, that is when he told me I have no antibody's & it is most likely not Hashimoto's, but may be Graves.
He told me to go & have a thyroid somagram done, which I am going for tomorrow, Monday at noon, & he is hoping that will show more of what the problem is.
When I went in to see this new doctor, it was because of the problem in my throat which is really what is bothering me the most. He has no clue on that but I was wondering if you or anyone knew if this could be caused by my thyroid problem. He only sent me for the thyroid test because it has been a long time since I have had one done, & he was as surprised as I was that I had a thyroid problem, especially since my heart rate is normal, & from what he has seen in the tests, he thinks that is really strange for it to be so normal.
I have been experiencing major fatigue problems & could not get myself to exercise for months, so that was also a problem I had discussed with him on my first visit with him & before I had the thyroid test done. It turns out that exercising would have caused me more problems by elevating my heart rate, so the fatigue problem turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
As far as the test itself, I don't know how to download it on my computer, all I can do for now is tell you what it says:
It mentions all that stuff you listed above,
Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
In Range <20 Out of Range (blank) Ref. Range <20 IU/mL
In Range <10 Out of Range (blank) Ref. Range <35 IU/mL
The numbers are as shown above, but no numbers were put in the Out of Range area.
I hope this makes sense to you, because it don't to me.
Thank you Barb for responding to my question & any help you can give me in understanding this (since the doctor really didn't know what to tell me for now until I get the Sonagram done) would be greatly appreciated.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Just to clarify, I am not a doctor; I'm a patient just like you. Forgot to mention, this is the patient forum and there are no doctors that monitor this community.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do you know which antibodies your doctor tested for? There are 3 main thyroid antibody tests and if the right ones weren't done, the proper disease will not be detected. To confirm or rule out Graves Disease, you must be tested for Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI). It's also possible that you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and are going through a hyper phase. You should ask to get tested for Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). These will confirm/rule out Hashimoto's.
Both Graves and Hashimoto's are autoimmune diseases in which the body begins to see the thyroid as foreign, so produces antibodies to destroy it.
Also, I'd be curious to know if your doctor is basing his diagnosis only on the TSH? Is he testing for Free T3 and Free T4, also?
If you have a copy of the lab report, please post whatever thyroid tests were performed, so members can help evaluate your situation more fully.
Both Graves and Hashimoto's are autoimmune diseases in which the body begins to see the thyroid as foreign, so produces antibodies to destroy it.
Also, I'd be curious to know if your doctor is basing his diagnosis only on the TSH? Is he testing for Free T3 and Free T4, also?
If you have a copy of the lab report, please post whatever thyroid tests were performed, so members can help evaluate your situation more fully.
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