TSH fluctuation - possible thyroid disorder??

[TCE]

I am 29, female, 5'6" 150lb

For 7 months, I've had symptoms that seemed to just appear.  I have episodes of rapid pulse (usually 110-120), fluctuating bp (90/56 - 154/98; the spikes are rare and occur randomly), flushing, jittery, and light headed to where I feel like I may pass out.  These symptoms seem to primarily happen at night.  When I get light headed, I am  sitting or lying; no orthostatic issues.  I also have random other symptoms, sometimes in groups or alone.  I suffer from fatigue often, weakness, weak or rubgery legs, achy legs, stiff neck, blurry vision, dizziness, jitters, cold feet, headaches, hot throat, acne flair ups, significant hair loss, mood swings, and constipation.  Nobody (20 different docs in multiple disciplines) can figure out what exactly is going wrong.  I've tried beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and steroids; all of which have raised my bp and/or made me feel horrible.

Somedays, I can't get out of bed.

So, I have been researching on my own.  I took a look back over my tests.  I noticed my symptoms were in line with thyroid disorders.  My TSH has fluctuated from 1.83 in Jan to .82 in March to 2.82 in May to 3.4 last week; docs aren't interested.  My symptoms worsen around my period.  My basal body temperature has been low, averaging 97.0.  My symptoms seem to be for both hypo and hyper.  Is it possible to experience both?  Does my TSH fluctation offer any explanation to symptoms?  I can go for days/weeks and feel fine but then I'll have a bad spell for days/weeks.  Something is off internally.  Thoughts?

[TCE]

My results are from different labs because different doctors ordered them.  I've had to bounce around to different docs because nobody will "listen" and look past what they see on paper or "think outside of the box."  I just recently noticed the fluctuation and have started to pursue what that means.  

I have seen a rheumatoidologist.  All my tests were normal.  I've seen cardiologists, neurologists, allergists, internal medician docs, infectious diseases docs, gynocologists, general mds, etc..  I've seen just about everyone and all my tests are "normal."  Some will agree that there is something wrong with me, but they just don't know what or how to determine what or even treat it.  I've been told to find "smarter doctors" or "just wait and see if it goes away."  Well, it's been seven months and it's not going away.  I just want my normal life back......  While I'm thankful there is not a major illness going on, I'm so very frustrated that we can't even identify the problem, let alone begin to treat it.  

I appreciate your input.  I'll be sure to cover all bases on my next visit.

[ShannieK]

Hi there.  Just a couple comments.  First of all, do you go to different labs?  I have noticed on your TSH tests and than the ranges listed, the range always changes, that is bizarre, especially if you are using the same lab.  The TSH range is in fact 0.3-2.5,3.0, that is where you need to be.  ok, second of all.  There are two anitbody testings that they do.  The perioxidase and the thyroglobin.  It is a true fact, that in Hashimoto sufferers, they may come back with only one of there antibody tests positive, your perioxidase is normal, however the other may show a positive result.  When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's my perioxidase was a 650, my thyroglobin was normal.  I have read other people on here with Hashi's testify that their perioxidase was normal, and the other was high, it works both ways, make sure you've had both of these tests.  Your Results are surely fluctuating for some reason, I would make sure that they do this test, and make sure your ranges that the labs give you are consistant.  Also, have you had any tests done to rule out Rheumatic disorders?  Such as lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc?  The only reason I bring that up is not to scare you, but I know that alot of the symptoms that sometimes look like thyroid are in fact the other, they share a variety of symptoms.  I think the first test they do to check for Rheumatic disorders is the ANA(anti-nuclear) antibodies, Just a thought.  These are what I would try.  Do not let your dr. give up on you, YOu know there is something wrong, and you don't give up until someone finds it.   good luck, hope I helped. Shannon

[TCE]

Ok, I have all my results together.  Here are the results:

January           Range
T4         6.6   (4.9-10.7)
T3 Uptake  34    (24-42)
TSH        1.18  (.32-5.00)

March
T4         6.2   (5.0-11.0)
T3         106   (94-170)
TSH        .849  (.4-5.5)

May
TSH        2.83  (.4-5.5)

July
T4         1.10  (.61-1.76)
Trioodthyronine
(Free)     3.3   (2.3-4.2)
TSH        3.22  (.35-5.5)

August
T4  Free    .9   (.8-1.8)  
TSH        3.05  (.4-5.5)

Here's the other tests, and I'm not sure what they mean.  I was just told I was "normal" in a phone message:

                                 Range
Thyroid Peroxidase AB   <10    (less than 35)
TSI                     117     (<=125% baseline)

My TSH has gone up and down.  I seem to have symptoms of both hypo and hyper at different times.  The doctor is not concerned and can offer no diagnosis or treatment.  I have another appt next week with a different endocrinologist.  I am trying to get as educated as possible so I know what things mean and I know what to ask for.  Any advise would be greatly appreciated, along with thoughts on the results.

[ShannieK]

Hi there, How are you doing?  What you need to do, is contact your doctor and get a copy of all of the tests that he or she did on you, on those test results, it will give you the range that they are comparing your results to.  Make sure the range for TSH is not 0.3-3.0, Some doctors do not follow this, and alot of people suffering from thyroid problems are not being treated.  The two antibody tests that you are asking about are the Thyroglobin AB and the Microsomal AB, which is also known as the Perioxidase AB.  I am confused though.  I can see your general dr's overlooking a thyroid problem, but you had mentioned that you have been to see an endo, who also ran tests.  This dr too, didn't see a problem?  Well as a starting point, grab those labs, just call ahead, say you want them, and you should be able to just go in and sign for them and pick them up.  Get on here and let us see your results, with the ranges listed, hopefully we will have more feedback.  Good luck Shannon   As mentioned before I have Hashimoto's.  One of my antibody readings came back normal, that is the thyroglobin AB, but my microsomal AB came back at 650.  the range on my labs are 0-35, so that is high.  Make sure you have had both antibody tests done.    Talk with you soon Shannon

[TCE]

Thank you for your response.

While I'm not sure which tests were conducted last week, I know they did a test for "antibodies."  I haven't got the copy of the results or an opportunity to question the doctor. I only received a message stating that the antibody levels were normal.  I don't know what the reading was or the range.  What is normal?  I was under the impression that if they were present there was a problem.  Is that not true?  Also, what are the names of the specific test that I should have performed?  Are their any others aside from TSH and thyroid.  

I'm in northeast Ohio.  My regular MD has completely lost interest in me and does not believe it is thyroid.  A saw a random endo a couple of times and he did some tests, but again, because I am "in the range,"  he does not believe I have a thyroid problem.  I saw an endo at the cleveland clinic a few months ago.  At that time, she thought it was more of an autonomic nervous system dysfunction.  She ran a couple of tests, including TSH and everything was "normal."  I'm going back to her next week and would like to have a clear picture of possible scenarios, what to inquire about, and what tests to insist upon.

[ShannieK]

Hi TCE and welcome.  I have read both of your posts and are going to respond on them both.  If anyone on this forum sounded exactly like me, it is you.  I am 33, a female, and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's last Ocotber, and let me tell you, I felt like hell!!!!!  No dr.  could figure out what was wrong with me.  I had hyper and hypo symptoms my TSH was always normal, and no one did anything until, I got so bad, that i ended up in pretty bad shape.  All, not some, but all your symptoms were what I was experiencing, and I knew I had something wrong with my thyroid, but ya know, the test comes back normal, and no one does a thing, isn't it amazing?  I did the beta blockers, the anti depressants, and anything else they could think of to relieve my symptoms.  Finally a dr, did a thyroid panel, only this time tested for antibodies, to check for Hashimoto's.  That came back positive, what do you know, I wasn't imagining it after all.  They started me on Synthroid 50mcg and I got better.  I still have troublesome symptoms from time to time, but nothing like that was in the beginning.  I know how you are feeling.  With Hashimoto's you can fluctuate with you TSH , that is just a known indicator of the disease, because your immune system is gradually destroying your thyroid, so you need to get you TSH tested often, so that you are monitored and kept on the proper dose.  You seem to have a lot of the hyper symptoms, so I am kinda confused on whether you would be considered Hashimoto's or Graves disease (also auto immune, just hyper)  I'm looking at your blood pressure and such, your TSH's though kinda bounce all over.  YOu need to have the antibody tests done as soon as you can, so that you can start treatment.  I would be very surprised with what you have described, that you do not have the antibodies, you sure sound like it.  you asked about how it is treated, and they will put you on thyroid hormone if you have Hashi's, and believe me you will feel better.  If you have Graves, sometimes that is more complicated because that is an overproduction of the thyroid hormone, and sometimes radiation therapy is suggested to kill off the thyroid so that you will become hypothyroid, and than you can be treated than.  Hang in there, and call your dr. soon,  keep us posted, let me know what you find out.  Keep in mind, once they diagnose you, you can start treatment and you will feel so much better, don't give up hope.  Shannon