hypothyroid?

[ZMF73]

Hi I am new to this forum, but I am hoping I may be able to get some advice here?
For the last three years approx, I have felt my health almost deteriorate, In some ways I feel like a hypochondriac, yet in others I feel ignored. I have so many symptoms but no apparent cause which bothers me as there is no obvious cure or relief in sight.
It began with fatigue, and general woolly headedness, I'm normally quite 'on the ball' but my memory of late is embarrassing. Then my skin started to become really dry and itchy, like ants crawling under the surface. The skin on my face is really dry and my nose is often sore and peeling. My ears itch and often get sore too. My periods have been haywire as in really heavy for about 6 years, but about a year ago they started to change and went light and lasted longer. (I have a family history of early menopause, i.e mother, her sisters and their mother) So I went to the doctor and discussed these symptoms, she advised the pill to help regulate my hormones through this transition. I am 39 years of age B.T.W.
In the last year or so other symptoms have come along , my muscles and back ache almost every day, especially my lower back, the fatigue is worse, I did have frequent palpitations and night sweats which I assumed were menopause symptoms and these do ease on my three weeks on the pill, but return often on my 7 free days.
I have always been naturally a little constipated but this has become worse over the last year, and I am always feeling cold even in warm rooms, the only time I notice being warm is if I have had to seriously rush around, and occasionaly after a large meal.
My nails peel, my hair is dry and my eyes itch.
I have had a sun allergy which began in my teens, any part of my skin exposed to the sun for over five or ten mins, starts to itch like mad severaal hours later and raised spots appear, this can be quite painful and distressing and has worsened over last few years,  (more to follow)

[ZMF73]

I see what you mean, will see if I can get hold of them and post on here :) Maybe with a bit of luck it will be the infection 'good' ones then if she has said it looks like ive had a bad ilness.

Thanks Barb :-)

[Barb135]

You need to know what antibodies they found.  There are some that are good, because they fight infections, there are others that actually attack certain parts of the body, indicating an autoimmune disease.  

For instance, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab), Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab), attack the thyroid and eventually destroy it, so it can't produce any hormones; this is called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) attacks the thyroid in a different manner - it causes the thyroid to produce too much hormones; this is called Graves Disease.

Can you call and ask the name of the antibodies, along with the result and reference range?  That would help immensely in figuring out what your issue is.

[ZMF73]

Will see if I can, but not due back for few weeks so will add them then, the call was vague to be fair, and the weird thing is my white cells where higher than this in the blood test I posted on here a few weeks ago, which was about five weeks after the infection, so would that mean anything different?

As for antibodies she just said they had found them and that she was sure it was because of an early infection so until I get further clarification I suppose I am in the dark. Would you think a sinus infection is enough to leave antibodies 8 weeks later then?

Thank you as ever for your help, :-)

[Barb135]

White blood cells are the ones that fight infection, so if you had a sinus infection that has cleared, it stands to reason that your white cell count would drop.

Did they mention what antibodies were found?  Can you get a copy of the report and post those results here?

[ZMF73]

Hi Again,
Got results back and cortisol came back fine but my white cell count has dropped to 3.2 and they found some antibodies in my blood. I have been told this via a phone call so havent got any specific levels. The doctor said that I have probably been ill or had a bad infection and this is just a reaction. However I have to go have levels checked again in 6 weeks.

The only illness I can think of was about 8 weeks ago when i had some sort of sinus infection and my face hurt, then followed a cold? is that serious enough would you think?

Help, I'm at a loss to know whats what now.

Regards Zoe

[Barb135]

I'll look forward to seeing the cortisol tests and hope there's something there, but suspect it will come back to thyroid.

You'll need to get the FT3/FT4 testing to confirm the issue.