Thyroid Tumor???

[mistyhills]

I have been trying to get some answers to how I feel now for a very long time.
A bit of history on me:
I have had Hypothyroidism for 15 years. No major complains, kept under control and taking 0.2 mg of Synthroid daily.
In Feb of this year, I developed a  lung infection and in turn was given a full blood work up. So I I know at that time my thyroid levels were stable. TSH - 0.09 (range .35-5.0)   T3- 3.6 (range 2.6-5.7)  and T4- 14 9 ( Range 10-20)
Mid May, I had my last period and suddenly my life took a total turn. I developed some serious hot flashes (never again will I make fun of anyone who complains of them) They were terrible. Every 20 minutes or so 24 hours a day. I thought I was going through menopause. But I am only 31 years old!
I gave it a week or so and went to the family doctor thinking something is wrong as I have never had this before. Usually I am the cold one in the office.
She did some blood work on June 23rd and my thyroid levels were off. TSH - 28.26 (range .35-5.0)   T3- 3.1 (range 2.6-5.7)  and T4- 10.0 ( Range 10-20)  Estrogen was off as well. She redid the test a week later, July 2nd and my TSH - 92.99 (range .35-5.0)   T3- 2.7 (range 2.6-5.7)  and T4- 7.0 ( Range 10-20).

She gave me birth control pills to relieve the hot flashes (thank god, they are working) and referred me to a endocrinologist as she says something is not right. She talked about how the pituitary works and said I should she the specialist right away. Well, I got an appointment within a week and in the meantime was doing some of my own research. I was looking at the symptoms for the pituitary tumor's and my heart dropped. All the symptoms fit me to a tee. All except the weight loss. (the one I would have liked) Over the past month, I have gained 10 pounds, my eyesight is screwed - double vision, blurriness, almost drunk like feeling (and I don't drink), hot flashes, I have had no period since May, just to name a few.
So yesterday I went to see this specialist and all she said was to redo my blood work as the lab may have screwed up and get a new prescription on thyroid pills as they could have been no good and come back in Sept. When asked about my vision, she said to see a eye specialist.  That's it, no more tests, nothing. I at least expected maybe a MRI, CT scan, something to ease my worry.
So I am at my wits end,  I am moody, gaining weight, can't see normally and so bloody tired as I am still not sleeping properly.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[ChitChatNIne]

I am not too well versed in your area but wanted to welcome you to the community!  I'm sure others will stop by to help ... WELCOME!

Cheryl

[medicmommy]

First of all...(((((((((((((((((((((((HUGZ)))))))))))))))) A little lesson I learned...Especially with trying to pin down causes of problems...Just because the symptoms fit a problem, doesn't mean that is the only problem it can be...But it does bear investigating...don't let the Drs blow you off...Keep copies of your labs, tests and medical history. Get your calcium level checked. If it's even marginally elevated, get the PTH level done (parathyroid hormone.)...I say this because, if your calcium level is off, it too can cause some of these problems...Especially the hot flashes...No doubt your problem is endocrine based...The thyroid labs and hormonal "wackage" (that's a medical term!) can all be secondary from a single source (caused by something else), or it can be more than one problem...I've been through a similar experience (not a pituitary tumor, a parathyroid one, though) in which I was blown off by my Dr for 4 years...I got the sympathetic "pat on the hand" when I told her about my hot flashes and weight gain at age 38...And was blown off...It sounds like your Dr is doing a good job...Your Endo will sort things out. The birth control pills should only be a temporary fix, and once you get normalized again, you should feel a lot better..Good luck...It ***** to feel bad all the time...                                                                         ~MM

[medicmommy]

In my ramble, I forgot to mention all of your symptoms and labs (with the exception of the Free T-4 -mine was a lot higher) match what mine were when I had thyroiditis with hyperthyroidism...The hot flashes were as much from my blood pressure having spikes (also explained the vision problems and fatigue)as it was my female hormones juking around...My heart rate would be about 116/min at rest and would climb to 160/ min just walking to the bathroom! hopefully your issues are an easy fix! Feel better soon! ~MM

[laura1967]

You are extremely hypthyroid....what the heck is wrong with your doctor....you should have been started on synthroid at least!  Hypo is underactive....that is why you have gained weight....and are tired. I am so sorry your dr is uh shall we say "uneducated on the thyroid". Most doctors know at least enough to start you on meds.....she could have checked her physician desk reference to know the numbers meant hypo. I feel so sorry for you, but hang in there.....either call her back and demand medicine or hold out for your endo appt.
I also get the blurriness, vision distortion, kind of a head swimming sensation with dizziness when i go hypo.
Make sure you get the antibody tests done to see if you have automimmune thyroid disease.....there are a lot of us here that do. If yours isn't thyrotoxicosis, then it is probably due to graves turned to hashimotos. None the least though taking medication for the hypo symptoms would help.....if you start flipping to hyper again meds can be stopped. :)  

[medicmommy]

With HYPERthyroidism caused by thyroiditis, Synthroid would be the wrong medication of choice...I was started on a beta blocker (Inderal 10 mg, 2-3X/ day) which held my blood pressure and heart rate in check while the thyroiditis ran it's course...Then it flipped to HYPOthyroid and I was weaned off the Inderal while I started Synthroid (100 mcg)...Just so there's less confusion...If the elevated levels (in simple thyroiditis the Free T-4 is also elevated) are caused by a hyperthyroid from Graves disease, you will test positive for thyroid antibodies and the treatment regimen may involve partial ablation therapy because it's a more permanent condition...and some (we unfortunate few!) actually GAIN weight while hyperthyroid. (So unfair!) Hope this helps..~MM