Hypothyroidism

[PA69]

I am a 40 year old woman who was diagnosed with Hashimotos 12 months ago with antibody levels of
Anti-Thyroidglobulin Abs - 220 and
Anti Thyroidal Peroxidase Abs 613,
TSH - 4.1
FT4 - 13
FT3 - 5.4
I was prescribed Armor 30mg bd. I developed bad headaches so was changed the Thyroxin 50mcg. I am currently still asymptomatic - in fact some symptoms have gotten worse - weight gain, insomnia, fatigue, fluid retention.

Latest results are:
Anti-Thyroidglobulin Abs - 146 and
Anti Thyroidal Peroxidase Abs 1117,
TSH - 0.04
FT4 - 22
FT3 - 7.1 and
rT3 -  578

My question is why has my antibody levels nearly doubled in 12 months when I am taking medication and why have the symptoms either stayed the same or gotten worse? Shouldn't I be feeling somewhat better by now? What does very TSH levels, High FT4, High FT3 levels and High rT3 levels indicate. Is the medication making me worse? If that is the case then what is the alternative? I would be interested to know other peoples thoughts on this problem.

[PA69]

The scan I had done was a thyroid imaging scan that 'demonstrated absent uptake in the expected position of the thyroid'. Findings apparently consistent with an active thyroiditis. Although my GP had little to say about the scan. That is when I thought enough is enough and got a referral to a Endocrinologist. Unfortunately I can not get in to see for another 3 months. So I am basically on my own until then, just trying to wade through the best way I can.
If I were going through a hyper stage wouldn't I have symptoms of that? My heart rate barely reaches 70 bpm. There must be something I can do :(

[redheadaussie]

Unfortunately I have been through the same thing. My Hashimoto's was undiagnosed for over 15 years. Many people go through the hyper and then the hypo stages of Hashimoto's. It can take years, it can be months.
   If once the gland is destroyed by the anti-bodies, such as you have, the body will then continue to attack the gland creating more issues. Removal at that time is the only option. In Graves disease, that is HYPER all the time, then radioactive ablation is possible.
  What was the scan you had done? There are many different ones and each have their good points and bad.
  It sounds to me like you are going through  a hyper stage, where you have your thyroxine but your Hashimoto's has flared, so in effect you are pumping in gasoline while the engine is running. Then someone turns off the engine and you are left with a flood of gasoline all over the place. So your body says, too much! But it can't shut off the pump. (which is your medication)
  Unfortunately it is not a perfect science. Each and every individual is just that, an individual. What suits my sister-in-law with similar problems as mine do not suit me, nor would that same treatment suit you.
  It would be fantastic if there was an across the board generalisation of our symptoms and treatment, but it often it is just a wait and see effect. The timeframe of any thyroxine change is usually around 4 to 6 weeks, which whilst most uncomfortable to us patients, is not able to be sped up in our bodies chemistries and we must wait.
  Let us know what scans were done.

[PA69]

Surgery? Really? I have not been told that would ever even be on the cards. I was aware that eventually the Hashimotos would kill off all thyroid activity but never once thought it would be removed. I just don't know how long I can go on feeling like I am. I just don't understand why they can not get the treatment right. They seem to have done all the tests. I have even had a scan done - although that came back saying that there was very minimal thyroid activity detected and the picture only showed a very small light grey shape on one side of the thyroid.

[redheadaussie]

Your Hashimoto's has flared up. Hence you feel worse.  Hashimoto's does not always respond well to thyroxine and often the only solution is surgery to remove the gland.
It might be worth while having a discussion with your doctor.