Please Help

[kitkatzepdak]

Hi Everyone, I am new to the forum and would greatly appreciate some advice. I have  been sick since the birth of my child 5 months ago and have yet to obtain a diagnosis.  I am symptomatic of hyperthyroid however; have recieved some confusing results. I have tchardia, night sweats, severe anxiety attacks, weight loss with a normal appetite, nauseau, frequent bowel movements, muscle weakness and intolerance to heat. My t4 i have been told is 24.5 normal range in Canada is 12-22. The confusing part is my antibody test is normal and my tsh is on the low normal side. My doctor is sending me for an uptake scan however; is doubtful due to the normal antibody test. I am at witts end. I am seening an endocronologist at the end of Feb. My question is could I still be hyperthyroid with a normal antibody test and no visible goiter. Thanks so much
Kathy

[goolarra]

I've never been on propranolol, but I am on a different beta blocker, atenolol.  That's the first I've heard that it can raise your T4 levels...doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me???  I'm not familiar with menazole...

The scan is going to tell you a lot about what your thyroid is doing. Your labwork so far has definitely not ruled out thyroid problems.  Post your scan results when you get them, and members can help you interpret them.

[kitkatzepdak]

Hi there,
Thanks so much for your input. I have one other question. My doctor had put me on Propranolol a few weeks ago and stated that could have raised my t4. I was wondering if a low dose of 20mg a day could raise your t4 and give you abnormal results. He is switching me to menazole i think it is called which is longer lasting. thanks kathy
I am so hoping it is thyroid related as I have been so sick and desperate for answers.

[goolarra]

The short answer is that, yes, you can be hyper with negative antibodies.

Have you been diagnosed with postpartum (did they call it "silent" thyroiditis) thyroiditis, then?  If so, this type of thyroiditis is considered "temporary" and usually resolves itself eventually.  There is often an initial hyper phase, followed by a hypo phase.  No antibodies are present with silent thyroiditis.  I'm glad to hear you'll be having the uptake scan...that will tell you a lot about what's going on with your thyroid.  Also, some other conditions can cause you to be hyper with negative antibodies.

You should check to see exactly which antibody tests were run to make sure testing was adequate to diagnose autoimmune disease.  

[kitkatzepdak]

Hi There, thanks for your response. I know he tested for antibodies for postpartum thyroiditis which i think included tsi. I will be having an uptake scan. Can you still be hyper without positive antibodies. Thanks so much.

[goolarra]

Your symptoms definitely sound hyper, and your FT4 looks hyper.  Did they test FT3?  Which antibodies did they test?  Have you had a TSI...this is the definitive test for Grave's?  You don't think you'll be having the uptake scan...am I interpreting correctly?