Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Thyroiditis and PCOS

Hi,

I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism due to hashimoto's thyroiditis.  I usually see a nurse practitioner at the endocrinology specialists office. She seems to be controlling my TSH (bloods tests include free T4 and TSH, and she orders a comprehensive metabolic panel) pretty well, as I feel much better in that respect.  At my last visit, she had tested my hormone levels and told me that she thinks I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (I have elevated testosterone levels, was losing hair despite having my thyroid levels being maintained at a normal level, skin darkening, abdominal pain, insulin resistance, acne, heavy periods/irregular periods, etc..).  I am going to see a OBGYN within the next three weeks for a routine pap.  I was told by the nurse practitioner that I should also take my blood work with me to show the gynecologist when I get my pap, so that he can recommend an oral contraceptive that better suits a person with pcos.  Right now, I am taking Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo to regulate testosterone, Metformin for Insulin resistance and levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism.  With that said, I have never had a thyroid ultrasound, and have had a hard, fixed right supraclavicular lymph node for about 8 months.  It is about the size of a pea, and I have been told that it is not considered enlarged.  All the doctor's I have seen (pcp, endo, gastroentorologist), have said they will keep an eye on it.  I have been having pain in my throat, above and around my thyroid for the past year and a half, back pain and crackling and popping noises in my upper chest that happen at various times through out the day.  It doesn't hurt, but it feels like there is some sort of pressure release--it doesn't seem like it is originating from my back bones or my sternum.  I don't find it difficult to breath, but do feel as if my heart jumps every so often, and randomly feel like fainting during aerobic exercise.  After all of that, I have two questions:

A.  Do you think I should have an ultrasound of my thyroid and the node?
B.  Should I have the chest thing checked out?

I haven't felt well for the past two years and am finally feeling better.  The reason I want to have these things checked is because I would like to prevent any more problems in the future. I have had an overwhelming amount of symptoms from the hypothyroidism and pcos, and a few side affects from the medications.  This led to a bad experience with my Primary care physician.  She made me feel as if wash being a hypochondriac. I am happy to have finally found out what is happening with my body, thanks to my endo.  However, I am still concerned about the node and my chest.  I am afraid to bring up my true concerns with my endo and my gyno, for fear of them just brushing me off like my primary care physician had done.  it is very frustrating.  

Thanks for you help,

gemtonic
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi Dac (and Cheryl),

Nice to meet you as well.  Thanks for your help-very insightful.  It is so nice to hear form someone who has been putting up with this stuff much longer than I have.  It puts everything into perspective-- especially nice to hear that you have given a few doctors the boot--i don't feel so angry at the dumb ones anymore.

I am curious:  have you been able to control most of your symptoms?  To the point where you feel like you are your good old self?  I am still hopeful about achieving that.  

What do you think of the alternatives to levothyroxine?  I've heard of a few, like Armour. Have you tried them?  I am concerned about having diabetes ( i am pre-diabetic), and am really sorry to hear you have to struggle with that as well, as i have watched a few women in my family deal with that. If taking levothyroxine is instigating the diabetes situation , i would like to avoid it.      

My thyroid levels are all over the place.  Up down up down. Anyways, they are around 4 right now, so the endo increased the levo--i had blood work done about 2.5 months ago, and am due back in about another 1.5 months.  The endo said that she wants my TSH around 1.  

I have been told by a previous gyn that i may have endometriosis, so i  will def. talk to them when i go for my pap at the end of april.

I know a lot of women in our situation struggle with weight, and that controlling your weight will help with symptoms.    Easier said than done.  I have heard low carb and/or vegan is the way to go--with lots of exercise mixed in.  Do you know anyone that can attest to this lifestyle?
  
I'll just leave it at that for now.  Could go on forever!  From one girl to another, I seriously hope you are able to manage all of these health issues as best as possible.  Thank you both!

BTW,  would my posts better suit another message board?

Gem
Helpful - 0
209384 tn?1231168306
DLA
No problem.  I hope I helped her, too.
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
DAC, thanks so much for helping Gem out and Gem, WELCOME to the Board ... I hope Dac has helped you :)

Cheryl
Helpful - 0
209384 tn?1231168306
DLA
Well, it sounds like you've been through the wringer already.  Nice to meet you.  I am the one Cheryl was talking about.

I have not thyroid thanks to Graves' Disease, PCOS, diabetes and a host of other illnesses that don't matter much to this.  You are not crazy, these are horrible diseases one at a time, much less all together.  Unfortunately they tend to run that way.

For PCOS they usually like you on a strong BCP.  They put me on a mild one b/c of my age and past history of smoking plus all my other illnesses.  Am also on Metformin, 500mg 2X daily.  The Metformin has taken care of most of the PCOS symtoms.  I only have to shave my face every couple of weeks now :-P the acne has gotten better and the hair loss has seemed to stop.  The hairloss is from the thyroid and insulin resistance.

You didn't give your thyroid levels and I would be really interested to see them with their ranges.  Don't trust a dr when they say they're "normal".  Their idea and mine are 2 completely different things.

When you go for your pap you need to also have an intra-vaginal ultrasound.  Fun, huh?  Not too bad.  To see how bad the cysts are and to make sure none of them look suspicious.

Have been doing some research in the last 2 weeks about the levo and diabetes.  Levothyroxine can give you diabetes and should not be taken with Metformin and some other drugs I can't really remember right now.  I have been on levo for many years now and believe it is the reason I am such a bad diabetic at this point.  Talk to your endo about this.  Also wouldn't hurt to consult your pharmacist.  That's what I'm going to do.  Don't have an endo anymore.  Kinda like your PCP.

Also talk to the gyn about endometriosis.  Am going to a new gyno(had it out with the last one and fired him) on the 9th about possible endometriosis.  When you read up on it lots and lots of autoimmune--AI--patients have it.  Thyroid sites tell you the endome is b/c of the AI thyroid disease.  Go to the endome site and they will tell you that it comes first thus causing the AI thyroid problems.  6 of 1, 1/2 dozen the other.  Ask about it.

Would DEFINITELY have the lymph node and chest problem ultrasounded (?)  That sounds weird. lol  

The main thing with all these drs is to stand your ground and never let them tell you how it's going to be.  You are so young and have a lot of life and you want it to be the best it can be, so fight hard for good health and don't let them bully you around.  Took me a lot of years to get to this point.  Fight until you find drs you can get along with and will work together for your health.

Good luck and if there's anything I have left out or if you have any questions just let me know.  You may have to PM me, b/c I don't get over here as much as I'd like to now.

Dac
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thank you cheryl!
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
I am going to send your post over to a thyroid friend with OB problems .. maybe she can shed some advice for you ...  WELCOME to the board .. you can also post to the Dr. Forum at : http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/120

Cheryl
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community

Top Thyroid Answerers
649848 tn?1534633700
FL
Avatar universal
MI
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.