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Urgent Care (Expert Forum)
Respiratory/Thyroid/Neck
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Respiratory/Thyroid/Neck
by borninquisitive, Apr 23, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Dr. Choi,
I have come to you because I think you are a levelheaded Dr., one that cares enough and will give good advice.
-I’ve had some blood work done and my WBC came back a little high: 12.7
%Lymph 18.8 L
#Neut 9.2 H
-A sputum culture that came back “normal” with white blood cells detected, normal “germs” and skin cells. (I reworded it.)
-I’ve recently been checked for both TSH (again) and Thyroglobulin & Peroxidase antibodies. As well as ANA, which that one came back negative.
TSH (1.6) and Peroxidase (17) within range but the Thyroglobulin antibodies were elevated (47).
My Dr. wrote on the labs: “With normal TSH and other studies this may be of no significance. Will suggest repeating thyroid tests in 3 months. Discuss at next appointment.”
He wanted to recheck my wbc but after I take a Candida Antigen skin test. That will not occur until about 6+ weeks from now (special order test.)
The reason for the latter, I have had bouts of Thrush, sore throats and a recent UTI infection. In the past, I was rarely ever sick. Prior to all this, my last yeast overgrowth was 16 years ago and 1 UTI-17 years ago.
With that:
With the sputum culture, what I gave was a small sample (in a rush). The reason for this test, is that for a few years ago (and daily since July of 06) I have been dredging this up:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/KateInAlaska/sputum.jpg
I know it is coming from below my cords as last year, took a dental mirror and flashlight (during a moment my voice was garbled) and took a look. Just below my cords, I saw the gunk. The brown flecks are either in clear, thick fluid or sometimes in opaque white, thick fluid.
Usually this comes up in the morning, after some coffee and this may continue for a few hours. Yes, I do feel like I can breath better afterwards. Sometimes this also happens in the evening as well. Occasionally I wheeze, upon inhaling but that isn’t too often. When it happens, I take a few deep breaths and it goes away.
Aug. of 06 a lung x-ray proved clear.
Cont...
I have come to you because I think you are a levelheaded Dr., one that cares enough and will give good advice.
-I’ve had some blood work done and my WBC came back a little high: 12.7
%Lymph 18.8 L
#Neut 9.2 H
-A sputum culture that came back “normal” with white blood cells detected, normal “germs” and skin cells. (I reworded it.)
-I’ve recently been checked for both TSH (again) and Thyroglobulin & Peroxidase antibodies. As well as ANA, which that one came back negative.
TSH (1.6) and Peroxidase (17) within range but the Thyroglobulin antibodies were elevated (47).
My Dr. wrote on the labs: “With normal TSH and other studies this may be of no significance. Will suggest repeating thyroid tests in 3 months. Discuss at next appointment.”
He wanted to recheck my wbc but after I take a Candida Antigen skin test. That will not occur until about 6+ weeks from now (special order test.)
The reason for the latter, I have had bouts of Thrush, sore throats and a recent UTI infection. In the past, I was rarely ever sick. Prior to all this, my last yeast overgrowth was 16 years ago and 1 UTI-17 years ago.
With that:
With the sputum culture, what I gave was a small sample (in a rush). The reason for this test, is that for a few years ago (and daily since July of 06) I have been dredging this up:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/KateInAlaska/sputum.jpg
I know it is coming from below my cords as last year, took a dental mirror and flashlight (during a moment my voice was garbled) and took a look. Just below my cords, I saw the gunk. The brown flecks are either in clear, thick fluid or sometimes in opaque white, thick fluid.
Usually this comes up in the morning, after some coffee and this may continue for a few hours. Yes, I do feel like I can breath better afterwards. Sometimes this also happens in the evening as well. Occasionally I wheeze, upon inhaling but that isn’t too often. When it happens, I take a few deep breaths and it goes away.
Aug. of 06 a lung x-ray proved clear.
Cont...
Cont..
Thyroid:
I have been thinking I have had a thyroid problem for quite some time. TSH being normal but I pushed my Dr. a little to look further.
In my thyroid region (at the base of the neck), there is some slight swelling.
However, he doesn’t seem to be able to pick it up. I get sore throat flares. It comes in it’s own way and know what is going to happen based on symptoms prior. Sure enough, this always happens along with it and right in that area (taken today): http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/KateInAlaska/reduvula.jpg
If there is anything going on with the thyroid, can it refer pain anywhere else in the throat/neck?
I began taking Prevacid and I am on day 9. I am hoping this will help some issues.
As for my thinking I have a thyroid problem. I have had so many symptoms it’s pathetic. Having problems with my menstrual cycle (essentially since the birth of my last son nearly 3 years ago), my Dr. put me on the birth control pill.
However, while back to 7 days long, they are still sparse (early to mid last year, they were extremely heavy but shorter).
Yet, having a normal TSH…should I not be feeling so bad? I’ve had 3 TSH tests over the course of a year: 1.19, 2.1 and the recent: 1.6
Having thyroid symptoms & antibodies, coughing up the daily gunk and the bad, occasional sore throats I get…what do you think? Who would be better able to stand back, take a look and perhaps, have a better idea? I live on an island in S.E. Alaska and we have 3 GPs. Occasionally we get a Specialist in but no Endocrinologists. More than likely, I would have to travel out of town.
I guess, what I would like to know: if you were me, what would you do?
I intend to post to Dr. Lupo in the Thyroid forum but have been unable to do so, as of yet.
So much has changed and prior to this, with the exception of smoking…I was a picture of good health. With the exception of some bouts of strep throat in the past, tonsillitis & linguals swelling as well (last year & received palantine tonsillectomy) and prenatal care…I have always been just fine.
Thank you Dr. Choi for having taken a look at this. I really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Kate
Prior to posting the original post, I noticed something but thought it too pre-mature and to be quite honest, still do (however, it remains positive) and I hope this continues to be the case. Yet if true, begs other questions.
In taking the Prevacid, seemed to help some and in an area, that I wouldn't expect it. That said, I have also chewed on a Pepto tablet before bed. What I have found so far...is that rather than couging up the gunk every day, it's been every other day now. Today is the "other" day and thus far, haven't coughed any up.
I will not assume this will remain, unless of course...it does. ;-) In other words, not get my hopes up. It seems in the past, when I did...I wound up in the same place that I started.
I've been desperate and on my own, having been trying to find and solve my problems. Doing my own research and only trying things that I consider "safe."
I've gone as far as purchasing a filter (Aquasana) for my shower to remove some Chlorine (thinking skin and breathing) etc. This is "new" (about 2 weeks old) and will say...that my hair is at least softer.;-)
As well, purchased a Pur water dispenser. We've had it for a week now.
My hope is to get down to the bottom of things (and hopefully it's nothing too bleak) and get myself feeling better. This, I will tell you: in feeling as bad as I have and for as long as I have..."priorities" sure change!
I hope to find myself one day feeling better. With that, pursue my new found (and positive!) ambitions and reduce the negative.
This has been one very difficult "lesson."