Thyroid problems

[FB3]

Hello I'm currently dealing with all the symptoms related to hypothyroidism but its been a strange and painful past couple months. Im a 23 year old male whos very physically active. Problems began about 3 months ago, first my hair began to fall out and became very thin. Then I started getting crazy anxiety and my heart would be racing uncontrollably. This was a big concern for me, I would pace around my house for hours. Try calming myself down but couldn't. My temp was getting lower which also worried me I seemed to be always around 97.6 never would go up. At this point I believed it was hyperthyroid then after a few weeks the heart palpitations subsided and began dealing with other symptoms such as cold hands and feet constant headaches sleeplessness constant bowel movements dry skin also began losing weight. I had brain fog trouble concentrating and was always depressed. I knew something was wrong cause I had no reason for being depressed so I knew this was another symptom. During my hyper phase I went see a dr got my blood work taken and they told me my thyroid levels were normal TSH of 0.78( is that too low) my metabolism completely crashed I went from being able to  3 times a day play unlimited amounts of basketball to barley working out once a day and would sometimes experience shortness of breath. I got a bad fever after my hyper phase and went to the hospital to see if everything was okay cause my health had dropped in a such a short period. They took blood found nothing out of range my TSH was the same 0.78 but I did not feel normal at all and still don't to this day. I'm waiting to see an endo and in the mean time I started taking a thyroid complex supplement. It helps a bit gives me a little more energy and raises my temp a lil for a few hours. My questions are what do you think could be my problem from my research this sounds pretty on point to thyroiditis but since I haven't had a proper diagnosis I can't be sure. Doctors have been saying your fine you'll be alright but I don't agree at all. Any help would be much appreciated I don't have health insurance so it's been difficult for me to get treatment.

[goolarra]

An U/S would have to be ordered by a doctor.  You might be able to visit a clinic and ask the doctor there to order one.  Be sure to impress upon them that your thyroid is swollen and that you're having a difficult time swallowing.  That should get you an U/S.

[FB3]

I know of the Free T4 and free T3 test you fan order but can I get this test done without a doctors order at a clinic or something I want to come with all my info so the endo could help not just send me go get the test I already know I need

[flyingfool]

Enlarged thyroid gland is called a goiter.  Often times the swelling can be reduced by medication but it might take some time.

As a warning, don't put all eggs into one basket thinking that an endo will know how to effectively treat thyroid issues.  Most endo's today deal with diabetes and know little more about thyroid than your average primary care Dr.

DEMAND Free T4 and Free T3 testing PRIOR to your visit.  They may also authorize a ultrasound prior to your visit. That way you will have results at your appointment and can make decisions right away rather than meeting with the endo and then still have to go get testing and wait for a response from the Dr.

Just my thoughts.

[FB3]

Update: Hopefully seeing an endo this week. Still dealing with all the same symptoms but now I feel my thyroid has enlarged and its making it difficult swallowing certain foods as well as I feel some pain in front of my neck I'm fairly lean so you can pretty much see two bumps under my Adam's apple. I'm getting worried that it will continue to get bigger any advice on how to make the swelling go down. I've read that you can only treat the symptoms but there's nothing you can do to make the thyroid go down in size I'm praying it doesn't progress worse but so far that's been the way it's been. I also don't understand how this happened I was Perfectly healthy a few months ago how can a virus or wtv this is just start attacking my thyroid. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[goolarra]

No, you can't transmit thyroid disease through kissing or sex...so have fun!

[FB3]

Thanks ill look for the FREE T3 and T4. No I was referring to can one person give someone a thyroid dysfunction through kissing or sexual relations?

[goolarra]

Just keep in mind that it's FREE T3 and FREE T4 you want.  There are two other tests, total T3 and total T4, and those are not nearly as good, but they are the default if FREE isn't specified.

Do you mean transmitted genetically?

[FB3]

Thanks for the information! What I think is horrible is that I pay for blood work when the doctor suggest I could have a thyroid problem and he only test for TSH. That's ridiculous I've gotten three blood test and none are for T3 or T4 that's ridiculous. So frustrated day in and day out. also do you know if thyroid problems are transmitted to another person?

[goolarra]

You need more than TSH to rule out thyroid dysfunction.  TSH is a pituitary hormone and a very indirect measure of thyroid status.  It can be subject to many influences.  So, it's more important to see what your actual thyroid hormones, FREE T3 and FREE T4 are doing.  A TSH of 0.78 is not too low.

If you don't have insurance, I'd suggest you order these yourself online.  I was just on a thread with another person who found FT3, FT4 and TSH for $59.  There were other tests along with it, most of which were useless, but the basic three were there.  Ordinarily, I'd suggest testing antibodies as well.  Autoimmune thyroid disease is by far the most prevalent cause of thyroid dysfunction.  However, since cost is a factor, I'd suggest getting those done first, which might limit the antibody testing.