hyperthyroid & don't know why???

[shelstar]

3 monthes ago, I was given a routine blood test and my TSH level was 6.5.  I also had a sono. for a goiter and found out that I have a multinodular goiter, solid nodules , the biggest being 8mm.  I was told to have another TSH test in 3 monthes to check my level, 2 weeks ago I had the test and my TSH level was 0.l6 and Free T4 was 1.9.  The doctor thought that it was a lab error and had me retake my TSH level.  It is now 0.10.  I will be have a Thyroid Scan & Uptake to find out why this is happening.  I am confused because I don't have tremors or heart palpatations. No hair loss and did not lose weight.  I do have muscle aches and head aches but nothing dramatic.  I was really concerned because I had a masectomy 4 years ago for DCIS with microinvasion.  My doctor said that the chances of it being cancer related is very, very slim.  The one thing she mentioned was thyroiditis. I hope that I will be able to have the scan on Monday, because I am going to Florida on Wednesday for 9 days.  I was told that the scan and Uptake is a 2 day process.  I will call Monday morning and beg!!  Any thoughts about what you think could be happening and has anyone had similar thing happen.  How long does this scan and uptake take.? It is very strange because the change in TSH level seemed so sudden and is it normal for a drop from .16 to .10 in one week?

[skeeterknitwit]

Are you on Synthroid or Levoxyl for the  TSH 6.5?  That would explain the drop.
Now sit back, take a deep breath, and relax.  A low TSH is only an indication that there is something going on.
The scan is a 2 day process because the 1st day, you go in and they measure the radioactivity in your neck, then your thigh. swallow a pill on an empty stomach. then go home.  24 hrs. later, you return and they take the pictures.  Probably 3 views.  Each one takes about 8 minutes.  So the entire process takes 1 or 2 hrs.with all of the paperwork, etc.

The good thing is that you have no symptoms!  Hang in there.  I know it is scarey stuff.
Let us know if it is thyroiditis.  You can ask the techs what your uptake % is.  Then ask to see the images.  They won't tell you a diagnosis, but they will give you a number.
Low uptake ( like 3% to 15%) is probably thyroiditis.  High uptake( over 25%) might be a hot nodule.

I am not a medical Dr. or expert.  Please do not use my info. for your own diagnosis.

[Smilerdeb]

I have had an uptake scan but here in Australia, it is done 20mins after the injection in the arm whereas in the USA, it is done a few times up to 24 hours later.
I have also had my TSH go from 2.3 to 6.0 in a week but the flu caused that.
I was hyper with Graves before RAI (radioactive iodine) in June 2008 last year and went hypo after 5 weeks.
In regards to the thyroid, I'm afraid anything is possible and nothing surprises me.
Good luck with the uptake scan....it is a painless proceedure and takes about 40mins where you have to lay completely still.
The hardest thing for me was keeping still that long lol.
The percentage (%) of uptake is what they go by to determine whether your thyroid is hungry for Iodine and to rule out Graves Disease and Hashimoto's.
Some people have one or the other, some have both strangley enough.
Either way at least you are getting treatment for it and will start to feel a difference in your health once treatment starts.
Good Luck :)

[FTB4]

I never had an "Uptake" but the ultra sound only takes maybe an hour tops, and I don't understand why the MD waited three months for a re test, most only wait 6 weeks between med changes, as far as your other test results, I am not up on those, but I know from reading this forum that TSH is not the sole deciding factor that a good thyroid MD treats by, Other members will see your readings and should respond, this response will bump your post up a little, if you don't get a response, repost in the morning. Good Luck FTB4