Worried about my mom

[tigywigy]

My 57 year old mother was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2005. Her doctor put her on Methimazol, then decreased the dose in steps, and finally she was off completely. She developed the symtomps again in early 2007 and was put back on the same medicine but higher dose. In Nov 2007, her face and limbs swelled up, she experiences extreme weakness and muscle aches. Her lab tests showed high TSH but low T4 levels, and the doctor said it is hypothyroidism now, he decreased the doze but even now she is extremely weak, experiences confusion, and her face and limbs are still swollen. Is her doctor on the right track? I am worried that she is not getting better.

[stella5349]

SHE NEEDS A NEW DOCTOR. Her level of TSH is terrible and she needs to be on a Synthroid tablet.

Just you are aware a TSH of 116.562 is NOT near normal!!

reference range is .3 - 3.0  ---- So you she she is way off.

Here ........... this is a copy of what the drug is your mom is taking from the medical journal of RX meds........::::::::::

What are methimazole tablets?
METHIMAZOLE (Tapazole®) prevents the thyroid gland from producing too much thyroid hormone. Methimazole is used to treat a condition known as hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid). Generic methimazole tablets are available. She IS NOT hyper - she is NOW HYPO>

As you can see --- from your labs --- your mother is NOT HYPERTHYROID as this drug she is taking is intended for and it is pulling her into a very undiserable hypothyroid state. I've seen higher numbers but your moms levels could get dangerous.

See the attached on what should be given to her ::::


What are levothyroxine tablets?
LEVOTHYROXINE (Levothroid®, Levoxyl®, Levo-T®, Synthroid®, Unithroid®, and others) acts as a replacement for people whose thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Generic levothyroxine tablets are available.

The doctor miss informed your mother all together and should be reported - if what you say is true.

RUN to a new doctor with those labs and get her in Synthroid.

[tigywigy]

Her latest lab results are:
TSH  116.562 uIU/ML (this has a high alert on it)
T4 <0.7 (this also says alert)
T3 uptake 20
Free Thyroxine index <.1
T4 Free, Direct, S T4, Free (direct)  0.27
Reverse T3  <17
Triiodothyronine , Free, Serum  1.0

The doctor said her hyperthyroidism converted to hypo because the doctor missed her last three lab tests and didn't decrease the Methoimazol dose. He says now he changing the medicine or stopping it all together will hamr her more. I am not sure if I can trust him anymore. Today her BP was 150/96. She is also on BP medicine. She has her endocronology lab scheduled in April. What do you guys say?

[kipland]

How high is her TSH?  She's showing the classic symptoms of being hypo.  Not a fun way to live.  I don't know a thing about Methimazol, but I agree with stella - sounds like it's time to switch meds to bring that TSH level down.

[stella5349]

I same medicine does not fir the Dx. If she was hyper in 2005 then Methimazol was appropriate - but yousay in Nov 2007 she was Dx with hypo.

Synthyroid or some other thyroid med would be appropriate treatment for hypo - not methimazol.

COuld you recheck this situation and make sure she is not Dx with hyper again?

If you are not sure - post her lab tests for her thyroid.