1985, weight after five babies = 96 lbs
1985, diagnosed "ankylosing spondylitis." Took NSAIDS for 14 years (BTW, never had it). Spent years freezing with constant fatigue. Had slightly high calcium.
1994, diagnosed Hashimoto's (TSH = 78, "antibodies" = 685). By time of diagnosis, I was up to 155 pounds. Went on Synthroid but never felt well and have never lost weight.
1999, parathyroidectomy (bone loss, anxiety, hypertension (resolved)). Spontaneously lost 12 lbs.
2002, Body for Life. I followed the diet and exercise plan precisely but lost no weight. I am not a food addict. Other exercise and diet trials never result in any weight loss.
2002 - 2007: I have tried many times to take Armour (or a little Armour + Synthroid) to get FT3 up a bit. Each trial ends with an episode of swelling, low potassium, high BP, anxiety. I have never OD'd on thyroid meds (TSH never below .8). I always go back to Synthroid and never feel well.
Recently diagnosed Conn's Syndrome. High BP, weakness, low K, etc., are responding to spironolactone but anxiety is still excessive.
CRP = 14.18 (0 – 3)
1/7/08 tests on 88.5 mcg
TSH = 1.913
FT3 = 2.7 (2.3 - 4.2)
FT4 = 1.5 (.61 - 1.76)
2/19/08 tests on 100 mcg (per doc)
TSI = 111 ( 0 - 129)
TPO Ab = <10 (0 - 34)
Tg Ab = <20 (0 - 40)
rT3 = 331 (90 - 350)
It appears I am converting to rT3 instead of to T3. I have read several articles on Pubmed about the seriousness of cardiac events with low T3. One article defines low FT3 as <3.1
I have gone off Synthroid for a few days and can feel the anxiety lifting a bit but know I'll soon start having hypo symptoms.
Is TSI high enough to be contributing to the anxiety?
Why am I converting to rT3 instead of to T3?
Does high rT3 contribute to anxiety?
What can be done?
Thank you,
Val