Can these symptoms be linked to a thyroid problem?

[johnathan1978]

Hi Everyone,

I am asking this question on behalf of my wife, who is 24 yrs old.  She has had 3 children in the last 4 years, and the youngest one is 6 months old.  She has recently been seeing an endocrinologist because she believes there is something wrong with her thyroid levels... but I don't think he knows her full history.  He measured her thyroid levels during her 3rd trimester and said she had hyperthyroid, but then measured her a few months after her pregnancy and said she had hypothyroid.  I just don't think she gets measured often enough to determine a pattern... but I guess that's because I am an engineer...

I am going to post all of her medical problems to see if somebody notices a common thread.   She started taking Synthroid 2 months ago...

New symptoms since taking Synthroid:
- Period is longer than normal (she says it has been 27 days her whole life, and recently it has been longer)
- Severe exhaustion (obviously 3 babies adds to that)
- Severe mood swings (unpredictable and unprovoked anger)

Symptoms she has always shown:
- Always cold, even when I really don't think it's cold
- Very strong heartbeat (I can see the blood vessels pumping in her neck)
- Unpredictable mood swings (they used to be less severe since before the Synthroid)
- Skin is cold to the touch in some places, but warm in other places
- Exhaustion
- Period start very soon after giving birth (within 2-3 months for all 3 births)
- Always feels "nauseous" (and I mean *always*)

Symptoms during pregnancy and/or childbirth:
- While pregnant, she does not feel "nauseous" as often
- During labor of 2nd baby... extremely fast heartbeat (160) for hours... eventually leading to emergency C-section

Symptoms from childhood:
- Born with very droopy right eyelid (corrected surgically at age 10)
- Stomach "shut down" from ages 12-14 and could not break down many foods (stomach muscles lost "rhythm")
- 2 kidney stones at age 18

So... can anyone put all those together and figure out if all that can be caused by the thyroid levels?  Does anything stand out to anyone?

Thanks!

[thyroidian]

I think she should get tested for thyroid anti-bodies, which are found in hashimotos,thyroid disease, especially with her swinging from hyper to hypo, it may be hashimotos,
I would get her FT3,FT4,TSH and antibodies checked, she might need more throid hormone, her body might not be getting enough, at this crucial time in her life.
I wish you both well and hope you can sort this mess out for
your wife,
Take care, keep me posted.
Nicola

[jennerfennerbenner]

oh and it took me a long time to get my med where it needed to be.  It is a terrible feeling and some days I thought I was going to completely lose it.  But it is a major gland with a major purpse!  Good luck

[jennerfennerbenner]

I had so many thyroid issues after having babies.  And they would sometimes level out on their one.  Once I was medicated and could eventually stop, then I was fine.
Now my youngest is 3 and I have been on thyroid meds for almost a year and have never felt better.  By my experience and being a nurse I trly believe your wife is suffering from hypo.  But I wouldlike to know her labs.

[stella5349]

PS - you're a good husband too for writing this for her :)

[stella5349]

She has really had quite the shock of babies all in a row. I would assume she would feel a bit edged and unhealthy.

Its true about the body and really playing havoc after child birth. She most certainly could be having some thyroid issues. Are they a temporary thing or is there damage? I think that is the hardest thing to know for anyone.

Its hard to say and those references above could be really good reading for you and her to see if this is only a short thing going on.

Measuring thyroid levels during pregnancy is a tough call - If there was clear signs of thyroid issues prior to getting pregnant and a problem was present - then those test during pregnancy have more value. When she was pregnant her natural hormones - more than just thyroid - were compensating for the baby - so things can get robbed or over produce on a lab that maybe she really didn't have as a real issue.

I guess tracking and really keeping a good personal paper trail of everything is critical right now for you and her. Even though she is no longer pregnant  - her body is still recovering from it and is trying to rebuild itself for her. She is still nowhere close to having that happen and probably will need more work on her part since she has had many births all in a row.

Has anyone done a parathyroid test on her? Could have calcium issues with the stones she had that are not being caught.

What other labs have been done. Are they looking at other tests besides thyroid? Vit B's - perhaps?

[Tig114]

That sounds like a lot of physical stress for the body to go through. A lot of what I have read online would agree with pregnancy and thyroid changes. 6 months doesn't seem like enough time to recover after childbirth with three small kids to take care of- strong woman.

http://www.endocrineweb.com/pregnancy.html
http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/pregnancy/

There's a couple of sites I pulled up. They talk about postpartum thyroiditis and have different ranges for how long it can last after pregnancy. It is probably worth looking into and I would also assume you are right that she needs to be tested again. Also sounds like a spa day without the kids would be good. Good luck!