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Fibro or Thyroid? Frustrated!! Help!!
Was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 99 (age 29) BIpolar age (23). I am now in the midst of another Fibro onset - they get worse and worse and I am at the debilitating stage and I am 38 yrs old. I am now taking NuVigil for Narcolepsy patients to stay awake... I have too many symptoms to list but so similar to you guys that I almost lost it reading this!!
My family history is full of hypothyroid disease. There are 2 who had Graves with goiters as well. I have always had a low/normal TSH level so always considered myself lucky that I did not have a thyroid problem. However, I now wonder if I have been misdiagnosed all along - and the 9 prescription pills I take daily are all wrong!
My first full thyroid test results show TSH of 0.96 (0.4-4.50) - T4 Free of 1.0 (0.8-1.8ng/dL) T3 Free of 300 (230-420 pg/dL). Thyroglobulin Antibodies of 97 H (<20IU/mL) Thyroid Perosicdase of 346 H (<35 IU/mL)
I had alot of tests done that day and 2 of them I to do over because the blood coagulated in the tube. I am not sure what that means. They said it was "sticky blood". Anyway - I had to beg my MD for an Endo appointment. Any reason I feel stupid for demanding one? Help!!
My family history is full of hypothyroid disease. There are 2 who had Graves with goiters as well. I have always had a low/normal TSH level so always considered myself lucky that I did not have a thyroid problem. However, I now wonder if I have been misdiagnosed all along - and the 9 prescription pills I take daily are all wrong!
My first full thyroid test results show TSH of 0.96 (0.4-4.50) - T4 Free of 1.0 (0.8-1.8ng/dL) T3 Free of 300 (230-420 pg/dL). Thyroglobulin Antibodies of 97 H (<20IU/mL) Thyroid Perosicdase of 346 H (<35 IU/mL)
I had alot of tests done that day and 2 of them I to do over because the blood coagulated in the tube. I am not sure what that means. They said it was "sticky blood". Anyway - I had to beg my MD for an Endo appointment. Any reason I feel stupid for demanding one? Help!!
i looked back and it has always been on the low side - and the b12 actually makes me feel like ****. i get nausious. I have had my gal bladder removed. I have a Hietal Hernia and Laryngopharyngeal Gerd. That is what the ENT told me. I was not tested for Thyroid at that time either. ?? This was 2 years ago. My iron is ok though - atleast right now. My magnesium and folic acid are low.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yep, that leach is visiting me today too ------------- feels like someone constantly pressing on my throat and if I don't get rid of it, I'm going to choke to death!!!!! For me - that's what I call a "Hashi Attack" because it gets worse when antibodies really go on the rampage.............
Even if you are on an oral B12, you might not be absorbing it. That's what pernicious anemia is - when you lack the intrinsic factor in your stomach to absorb B12 from foods or oral supplements. I'd recommend that you request a recheck in a short period of time and if your levels have not come up, ask to go to shots.
Even if you are on an oral B12, you might not be absorbing it. That's what pernicious anemia is - when you lack the intrinsic factor in your stomach to absorb B12 from foods or oral supplements. I'd recommend that you request a recheck in a short period of time and if your levels have not come up, ask to go to shots.
My reg doc put me on B12 vitamins once a day and folic acid. I still have ear pain severe that hurts in my ears and under my jaw on both sides. Also in my throat. Hard to swallow - hoarse voice. Chest pain - under arm pit. Had all test - they are clear. Asthma but this is not that kind of pain this is constant pressure. ????? Like a leach sitting under my chin - pressing on my throat!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Pam - your B12 levels are also too low!! I have pernicious anemia - b12 deficiency which was diagnosed with levels close to yours. At only 299, that's most likely not high enough for you -- I like to be in the upper end of the range. I am currently on B12 shots every 2 weeks. If you can't get your doctor to let you get the shots, at least get a sublingual B12 - it's better than nothing.
Additionally, you most likely have Hashimoto's. Try to get your doctor to reconsider and give you treatment. In the meantime, you might try selenium -- I take it daily and it certainly seems to keep my antibodies a bit calmer...............
Additionally, you most likely have Hashimoto's. Try to get your doctor to reconsider and give you treatment. In the meantime, you might try selenium -- I take it daily and it certainly seems to keep my antibodies a bit calmer...............
I am concerned that this may be Hashimotos Thyroidosis and I have been misdiagnosed all along.............
Many doctors would look at your test results and tell you that you are "normal" and that symptoms that you have must be from something else and no thyroid medication is recommended. I generally disagree with that decision when both of the "Frees" are in the low end of their reference ranges. You might be interested in a letter I wrote for one of our members to use in an effort to get her doctor to reconsider that kind of a decision.
Dear Dr. ____,
I thank you for your time and interest to date. You may be my last resort to getting some of my problems fixed and having a more enjoyable life. I understand your reaction to my lab results. My symptoms and my TSH don't seem to match; however, I have learned that TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by many variables and does not correlate very well at all with hypo symptoms. I am also aware that the old range for TSH (.5-5.0) was recommended to be changed over 6 years ago to .3-3.0. This change was due to screening out suspect hypo and hyper patients from the data base, and recalculating the limits. I also know that TSH is not a good diagnostic. At best it is only an indicator of thyroid state. From what I have read, hypothyroidism correlates best with FT3 and slightly with FT4.
The data bases for FT3 and FT4 have never been adjusted like TSH and still include lots of suspect hypo and hyper patients. If the data bases for FT3 and FT4 were adjusted like the TSH range, it would result in much higher ranges for these actual thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and many other body functions. I'm sure that is the reason so many of us suffer with hypo symptoms even when we are slightly within the lower limits of the reference ranges for FT3 and FT4. If the range for FT3 were adjusted comparable to TSH, for example, it would probably change from 2.3-4.2, up to 3.2-4.3 With the currently unadjusted ranges, the lower you are in the range, the greater the probability of being hypo. I strongly believe this is the main reason that I have all these hypo symptoms.
To me, test results within the low limit of the current reference ranges for the "Frees" should not be considered as a reason to do nothing further. Instead, the ranges should be used as a guide, within which to adjust the levels as required to alleviate symptoms. If being within the low limit is acceptable, then why isn't it just as acceptable to take medication and move up within the range to at least the average level, in order to alleviate symptoms?
I know that you mentioned the possibility of affecting the heart rate. I can see no real risk to this if we start on low dosage of meds and move up slowly and monitor results carefully. I also understand about the issue of osteoporosis. If I were already in a bone loss situation, increasing metabolism would make it go faster. But this is a problem that should be addressed as a separate issue, not by withholding thyroid meds.
As you can tell I am quite determined to improve my quality of life, by ridding myself of what I think are clearly hypo symptoms. I would appreciate it very much if you would find some time to read through the articles I have given you and consider what I have said above, and consider putting me on a therapeutic dosage of thyroid meds and monitor the effects very closely with me. I think it would be of great possible benefit to me, without any significant risk.
Thank you very much,
In addition to this information, I think you should read and absorb the info in this link. I'm sure you will have further questions and our many experienced members will be glad to try and help.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
Dear Dr. ____,
I thank you for your time and interest to date. You may be my last resort to getting some of my problems fixed and having a more enjoyable life. I understand your reaction to my lab results. My symptoms and my TSH don't seem to match; however, I have learned that TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by many variables and does not correlate very well at all with hypo symptoms. I am also aware that the old range for TSH (.5-5.0) was recommended to be changed over 6 years ago to .3-3.0. This change was due to screening out suspect hypo and hyper patients from the data base, and recalculating the limits. I also know that TSH is not a good diagnostic. At best it is only an indicator of thyroid state. From what I have read, hypothyroidism correlates best with FT3 and slightly with FT4.
The data bases for FT3 and FT4 have never been adjusted like TSH and still include lots of suspect hypo and hyper patients. If the data bases for FT3 and FT4 were adjusted like the TSH range, it would result in much higher ranges for these actual thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and many other body functions. I'm sure that is the reason so many of us suffer with hypo symptoms even when we are slightly within the lower limits of the reference ranges for FT3 and FT4. If the range for FT3 were adjusted comparable to TSH, for example, it would probably change from 2.3-4.2, up to 3.2-4.3 With the currently unadjusted ranges, the lower you are in the range, the greater the probability of being hypo. I strongly believe this is the main reason that I have all these hypo symptoms.
To me, test results within the low limit of the current reference ranges for the "Frees" should not be considered as a reason to do nothing further. Instead, the ranges should be used as a guide, within which to adjust the levels as required to alleviate symptoms. If being within the low limit is acceptable, then why isn't it just as acceptable to take medication and move up within the range to at least the average level, in order to alleviate symptoms?
I know that you mentioned the possibility of affecting the heart rate. I can see no real risk to this if we start on low dosage of meds and move up slowly and monitor results carefully. I also understand about the issue of osteoporosis. If I were already in a bone loss situation, increasing metabolism would make it go faster. But this is a problem that should be addressed as a separate issue, not by withholding thyroid meds.
As you can tell I am quite determined to improve my quality of life, by ridding myself of what I think are clearly hypo symptoms. I would appreciate it very much if you would find some time to read through the articles I have given you and consider what I have said above, and consider putting me on a therapeutic dosage of thyroid meds and monitor the effects very closely with me. I think it would be of great possible benefit to me, without any significant risk.
Thank you very much,
In addition to this information, I think you should read and absorb the info in this link. I'm sure you will have further questions and our many experienced members will be glad to try and help.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
yes - I know. I had these done along with the nutrient testing - Sorry, I should have been more specific...... Here a the findings:
Tkiller cells=8, all thrombin and D-Dimer were reg. The tests that were abnormal were magnesium, RBC 3.7 (4.0-6.4) Lipoprotein (a) 116 (<75nmol/L) Carbon Dioxide 20 (21-33 nmol/L) B12 299 (200-1200)
Tkiller cells=8, all thrombin and D-Dimer were reg. The tests that were abnormal were magnesium, RBC 3.7 (4.0-6.4) Lipoprotein (a) 116 (<75nmol/L) Carbon Dioxide 20 (21-33 nmol/L) B12 299 (200-1200)
Thyroid panels aren't micronutrients. Micronutrients are nutrients needed in small quantities throughout the body for the body to function appropriately. Nutrients such as iron, vitamin d, zinc, etc. This is the FAQ page of the lab my GP uses for micronutrient testing. It may help a bit http://www.spectracell.com/faq/
These results are from micronutrient testing. I had them done at a clinic, and my MD does not necessarily agree with homeopathic remedies - however, with Fibromyalgia (or whatever this is) pain is everyday. I dont want to be on pain medication the rest of my life, and I am seeking alternatives for any way for a better life. Thank you for the reply.
Well all the thyroid numbers (except the last two) look fine and just where I want my numbers. And those last two numbers are definitely connected with thyroid autoimmune disease and should be addressed by your doctor.
But with all that family history of thyroid and autoimmune disease I think an endocrinologist is a good idea!
I would also try to get some micronutrient testing done. You wouldn't believe how many deficiencies can cause fibro like symptoms and mental illness.
But with all that family history of thyroid and autoimmune disease I think an endocrinologist is a good idea!
I would also try to get some micronutrient testing done. You wouldn't believe how many deficiencies can cause fibro like symptoms and mental illness.
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