Viral Thyroiditis with low TSH and low free T-3?

[Ommm]

I have had a how TSH (.250 and second test .175).  The doctor suspected Graves or Thyroiditis from a virus.  Then my Free T-3 tests results came in low.  From what I looked up on the computer, if I have hyperthyroidism (have all the symptoms), the Free T-3 test should be high.  I read that if both TSH and Free T-3 are low, the pituitary gland is the cause of the thyroid problem.  I just had a scan done of my thyroid and the doctor called and said that he thinks I have the viral thyroiditis and he will check my thyroid levels (blood tests) again in a couple of weeks because they could go too low.  He didn't think my pituitary gland was the problem.  Does this sound right?  He said that if the pituitary were involved, the thyroid would be hypo instead of hyper.  I can't find information on the internet that a viral thyroiditis ever causes a low TSH and low Free T-3.  I also have had esophageal pain, can't swallow solids, have a spastic esohagus (manometry test), non-stop sweating, can't sleep, etc...  I have been diagnosed with Iritis, Spondyloarthropathy, Intersititial Cystitis, and Vulvodynia, so lots of symptoms are overlapping.  I had hemmroid surgery in January with complications (infection, lots of bleeding - in hospital for 9 days), and fractured my sacrum shortly after that.  I have been really sick ever since.  I did have a bad cold when leaving the hospital.  I haven't been able to swallow solids other than a soft egg since April 20th and had a really hard time swallowing even water for weeks.  Had to have IV's.  No one thought of Thyroid until I asked for a test about 2 weeks ago.  I am wondering if I should just do as the doctor says and wait another 2 weeks to be tested again or if my tests do show a pituitary problem that they are missing.  The gastroenterologist said he doesn't know why my manometry test shows the muscles in my esophagus aren't working right but I could try a blood pressure med to see if it would help because sometimes they do.  My blood pressure is normal.  I asked the endocrinologist if this thyroid problem could cause the problem in the esophagus and he said it could be possible but usually affects the muscles in the arms and legs.  I can't take NSAIDS because of stomach problems.  I am on 13 mg. of prednisone for other problems but recently was lowered by my Rheumy.  I was on 20 recently and 15mg for over a year.  I haven't been offered anything for the symptoms.  It seems like a bad time to be lowering my prednisone when I read that prednisone is one of the things they give for thyroiditis for symptoms.  Should I take the "wait and see" approach of my endocrinologist or go for a second opinion?  I have been living on pureed vegetables diluted with broth, coconut milk ice cream, and a soft egg when I can get it down.  I am having a horrible time getting pills down but don't know if it is from the thyroid or something else causing the spasms in the esophagus.  What are your thought?  Thanks so much.

[jmbirds]

you sound like me, however my endo ordered a VIT A  blood test results came back dangerously low i had severe muscle spasm pain in my bones and choking on food and liquids painful MPS , trigger pt pain swollen painful neck and glands and lymphs  supposely Vit A can cause alot of wacky symptoms  so my endo started me on synthroid  to put my thryoid to sleep i've been on 3 days thus far and feel better i have rx strength VIT A 50.000 units 1 day per week and will test me after 1 month alot of my wacky symptoms have simmer down i am also taking SOMA 350 mg prn i have IBS symptoms and i had my gallbladder removed  i take a pancreatin enzyme  OTC amelyse lipase and protease  and that keeps me in check ,  NO MSG that raises havoc with me  i'm super sensitive to most medications so i stay as natural as i can, , i'm drinking 100 % pomegranite juice 4 oz daily and i feel better? also i take OTC biotin a B vit and i drink vitamin waters  so if your thyroidis off  so are our VIT absorption, i'm allergic to IODINE so i have no idea what my future holds for my thryoid problem i had SEVERE thryoiditis last year had shingles 3 xs so if stress is a factor my neck and thyroid feels enlarged?   check the VIT A  hope this 2 cents  will benefit you or others

[AR-10]

Ok, let's talk about the thyroid tests.

Your TSH is very low, indicating hyperthyroidism.
But your T3 is very low, showing you as hypothyroid.
What did the Free T4 test look like?

Your Free Ts are the true measure. If they are low, your TSH should be high. If it's not, than a pituitary problem is possible.

Now if your Free T4 is really high, then you may be having a T4/T3 conversion problem.

Or it may be from any of the other conditions you have or the meds you are taking.

You're going to be stuck waiting two weeks anyway. You know how this stuff goes. Get retested in two weeks, and ask for a TSH, Free T4, Free T3, reverse T3, and what the heck, ask for antibody tests if you haven't had them. If the first four tests all come back low, then pituitary testing is next.

I don't know what to say about the esophagus problems. Thyroid problems can affect smooth muscles as well as regular muscles, but It's hard to say with all the things you have going on.

Best of luck to you.  

[AR-10]

Good point about the vitamin A.
Getting checked for several deficiencies would be a good idea.