thyroid/gastro

[bash786]

Epigastric pain/burn and discomfort,Thyroid disease (unclassified)
I was affected with a bell’s palsy (facial nerve palsy) 18 months ago(March 2008). The palsy lasted about 3 months for which I took very high doses steroids(glucocorticoids). My consulting neurologist spoke of Bell’s palsy being of viral aetiology which made sense as I had treated and was in close contact with a patient with Herpes simplex virus type 1. This led to me testing for HSV which came up positive and  I started antiviral therapy (Zelitrex). To date my bloods still show up positive for HSV.While I had the bell’s, I was on high dose steroids and one day I experienced sudden discomfort, pain and watery diarrhoea which I thought was rupturing of my stomach mucosa (ulcer).
I have since then been suffering with my stomach, having abdominal discomfort, burning, pain and reflux. I have to eat smaller meals and wash down with alot of water as I get a felling of  partial gatstric outlet obstruction. My symptoms worsen on ingestion of certain foods: hot liquids, tea, spices, which I have excluded from my diet.
I don’t smoke or drink alcohol.I have been on PPI’s : 1 tablet daily and gaviscon and Ulsanic for the last 17 months or so. I recently added an extra PPI (nexiam alt with pantocid) to my existing rx.In the last 2-3 months I experience tingling and numbness of my hands and weakness, fatigue and difficulty maintaining concentration which I thought was due to alkalosis (milk alkali syndrome) for which I did do a blood gas which did reveal mild alkalosis.I have been for 3 gastroscopes,showing intestinal metaplasia and chronic gastriris.6 months ago I was diagnosed with a thyroid illness, whereby my T3 and T4 are normal but TSH was high and still continues to increase. Last checked it was 22. I also have high levels of antithyroid globulin and antithyroid peroxidise which is in keeping with Hashimotos BUT thyroid ultrasound showed multiple small cysts which is in keeping with subacute thyroiditis

[bash786]

YEP, WE ARE TREATING IT AS HASIMOTOS NOW AS PR ENDOCRINOLOGIST

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is not subacute thyroiditis - it is chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) which look similar on ultrasound.  Anyway, you have subclinical hypothyroidism -- high TSH with normal T4 and T3.  This should likely be treated as it may increase reflux/gastroparesis if untreated as well as have a negative impact on brain, heart and cholesterol processing.

However, it may not be the only abnormality - so continue to work with your doc to address the other issues as well