thyroid peroxidase really high

[MamaT405]

My son who is really healthy and active at 14 had funny blotches on his skin and I took him to Dermatologist.  They diagnosed vitaligo.  Said many patients with vitaligo also have thyroid issues and order thyroid peroxidase test.  His results show his thyroid peroxidase is 225 and shows the normal  range to be less than 35.  What does this mean? I scheduled him an appointment with a Pediatric Endocrinologist, but they can't see him until March 9.  That is an awful long time.  How concerned should I be?  Should I insist he be seen earlier?

[TamraW]

One more thing. Sorry. Information overload. thyroid patients can often be vitamin D and B12 deficient. Get those labs checked.



:) Tamra

[TamraW]

BTW- I have Hashimoto's. My TPOab was a 221. If thyroid is enlarged (goiter) or nodules (get him a thyroid ultrasound), plus high antibodies and elevated TSH (above 2.0), low FT4/FT3, docs make the diagnosis of Hashi.

Below are my symptoms. These auto-immune disease can run in families, so get others checked if they have similar symptoms.

These symptoms slowly appeared and worsened after birthing an infant (who was also premature) and they present themselves more strongly alongside sporadic bouts of diarrhea:
Mild weight gain even while dieting
Extreme fatigue/napping
GERD/Heartburn/chest pain
Mostly constipation mixed with diarrhea
Depression/anxiety/forgetfulness/brain fog
Abdomen swells for no apparent reason
Neck/jaw pain/swelling/pressure
Scratchy voice
Migraines, dizziness and back of neck/head pain
Very cold feet and hands and sometimes a feeling like ants are biting my feet
Endometriosis (2 years ago – cured after one year of birth control)
Irregular/heavy periods and menstrual-like cramping in between periods
Ear pressure/pain
Voice is sometimes hoarse
Knee/joint pains – finger swelling and pain
Rash or scaly skin on neck, head, hands, chest, chin, nose, right armpit down to waist
Dry eyes and sometimes soreness
Occasionally I have a mild hot flashes or chills
Night throbbing/pounding in ears that wakes me
Toe nails feel painful and brittle
Muscles in legs sometimes go wobbly and weak when I am standing
Tingling feet/hands/lips
Body temp ranges 97-97.5
Hair clumps in shower
Shaky hands
Blood pressure changing
Feeling like heart is beating fast
Decreased sex drive
Enlarged lymphnodes in neck and armpit
Legs feel heavy and swollen at times

:) Tamra

[TamraW]

Wow, what a smart dermatologist! Many docs don't see the connection between thyroid disease and skin.

What are your son's FT4, FT3, and TSH levels? Were those tested?

Does he have fatigue or restlessness, anxiety or depression, brain fog, weight gain or weight loss, constipation or diarrhea, ear pain, chest pain, neck pain, pain in joints?

The TPOab test is used to confirm the thyroid disease, Hashimoto's which early on makes us sluggish, constipated with a few sporadic moments of hyper/fast heartbeat. I think the test can also be used to confirm Graves which makes us hyper/fast heart rate/diarrhea.

March is too long to wait. I would think he could see a regular endocrinologist.

Make sure the endo specializes in thyroid, not just diabetes. I have gone through four endos before I found one who actually knew how to diagnose and treat me.

See below list for recommended thyroid docs:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

I would not put if off, especially if he's having symptoms.

If you son ends up having Hashimoto's, then see below article for why treatment is necessary:
http://thyroid.about.com/od/hypothyroidismhashimotos/a/preventative.htm

:) Tamra