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Autoimmune, thyroid, both or neither?

Hello, I am new to the forum and am hoping to get some help.

I am a 50yo F and I have felt generally unwell for several years.  I have had my thyroid checked and also ANA and subsequent markers for autoimmune disease.  While I have multiple symptoms of both (more thyroid until recently), none of my blood tests have been positive except for a mildly elevated ANA.

Symptoms include, fatigue, trouble sleeping (wake up, have a hard time falling back to sleep), weight gain despite no change in diet or activity level, dry skin, dry lips, cracked heels, constipation, memory issues, can't focus well, hair loss, aches and pains. There are others, but these are the most unpleasant.

My thyroid panels are all in range.  My ANA has been positive for 4+ years and fluctuates but the rheumatologist says that it is normal for it to fluctuate and that it doesn't correlate well with symptoms.  All other related tests have been normal.

My sed rate (was at 1-2 for 4+ years and is now 12) and CRP (has been 0.3 or lower for 4+ years and is now 2.6).  Both are still normal but have risen considerably recently when I started complaining of knee stiffness and a constant ache behind my knees and thighs.  I hear crunchy, squishy noises when on stairs (sorry not great medical terminology but I don't know how else to explain it).  And, feel stiff and swollen although can't really see it.  I do get a puffy area just below my knees.  I asked the rheumatologist about it before and he thought it was a fat deposit (I am overweight) but the only thing is, it goes away.

When my knees got intolerable (I almost can't go down stairs), I tried to get in with him but ended up with another doc in the practice.  He thought maybe it was Baker's cysts and I wanted a conservative approach so he gave me mobic and told me to go for u/s in 2 weeks if it wasn't better.  The ache improved with the mobic, but the stiffness persisted.  I was afraid of joint damage so went for u/s.  I haven't seen the report, but was told that there was no evidence of Baker's cysts.  My knees/thighs are still immensely achy and stiff.  I actually have several lumps that hurt on the back of my thighs.  I have pointed them out and been told they are fat deposits.  

I happened to see my pcp for allergy issues and my blood pressure was high, primarily the diastolic.  She was concerned and checked it 3 times.  I suggested the mobic may to be blame and she said it was possible, however my bp was high when I saw the rheumatologist the month before when I wasn't on it.  They never said anything, so I didn't know.  

I go to my rheumatologist in a few months.  No one seems to be concerned about the pain/ache and it is generally felt it is because I am overweight.  I am only slightly overweight so while I think that it has an impact, I don't believe it is the sole cause.

The only other strange symptom is I have this twitch/flutter in my left abdomen just below the belly button.  I am post-menopausal so I'm not pregnant.  I read it might be stress, which I am currently under and can't really do anything about.  Time will lessen the stress, but likely not for several months.  Not sure if this is related to anything or not.

I think this covers everything.  I am happy to share any other info that might be helpful.  I have lots of lab work if it is useful, even though everything is normal.  I am going to post this in the thyroid forum as well since from my reading, think some of my symptoms could be explained there as well.

Appreciate any help/advice.

Cait
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1756321 tn?1547095325
I try the myxedema test on everyone (lol) and only my mother, my sister and I can't pinch skin.  We all have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. But I have also had cellular thyroid resistance for decades (I realise now it's been due to chronic insulin resistance/inflammation).  I'm covered from head to toe in mucin. I'm not sure how scientific the numbers are in regards to hypothyroidism but type 2 hypothyroidism can also be called thyroid hormone resistance.

If you suspect you might have Hashimoto's thyroiditis then make sure you have both thyroid antibodies tested (thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb)- one can be high and other low. In some cases both antibodies are negative (called seronegative Hashimoto's thyroiditis). In this case other tests would include radioactive iodine uptake (certain pattern shows up Hashi's) and an FNA biopsy.

I'll send you a couple of articles. :)

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Avatar universal
Hi Red Star,

Thank you for the video.  I watched and followed along.  I am not able to pinch skin on arms or thighs.  I am overweight, however, so I don't know if that is the cause.

I actually feel like I am swollen everywhere but it doesn't show on the outside if that makes sense.

I've never heard of type 2 hypothyroidism.  What is the distinction?

Any thoughts if this is leaning more toward autoimmune or thyroid?  I realize they could coexist, however I only have a positive ANA and I do not have thyroid antibodies, so its just another in the line of things that don't make sense.

Also, even though my sed rate and CRP are still normal, they have increased dramatically for me.  So with them still being normal, but rising for me, could that explain the pain (ache) and stiffness in my legs.  

I feel frustrated because I feel terrible and keep going downhill and yet they can't find anything wrong.

And, do you have any info on a high diastolic pressure.  I am rather concerned about this but pcp just told me to make my annual physical appt.  

Thanks for your help.

Cait
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
Can you pinch your skin? Check out the video online to see the demo: Hypothyroidism Type 2: Myxedema Symptoms.
Helpful - 0
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