Aa
to take meds or not to take meds
hey folks,
I am trying to decided weather I should start thyroid medications.
I have had muscle issues for the last 8 months that will not go away. Along with this I have developed some anxiety and slight depression. I really do not get a good night sleep any more. So I have been trying to figure out the cause of these issues.
Most recently my tsh was 6.15 and then a month later it was 7.72. T4 was normal, below mid then on the second test it was normal but above mid.
I do fully understand that I need to get t3 and antibodies testing done as well. I found doc that I like and we agreed that in a month we will do all of them and see if the tsh is rising on lowered as well at that point.
Another doc already prescribed me 50mcg of Levo.
So my question is - based on the last two tests alone is that cause for treatment?
on the one hand am tired of hurting everyday. But am not convinced that it is my thyroid. Is there any harm in trying it for six months to see if it makes a difference.
Seems that most literature states that levels 5-10 tsh has not shown any benefit of treatment.
I am trying to decided weather I should start thyroid medications.
I have had muscle issues for the last 8 months that will not go away. Along with this I have developed some anxiety and slight depression. I really do not get a good night sleep any more. So I have been trying to figure out the cause of these issues.
Most recently my tsh was 6.15 and then a month later it was 7.72. T4 was normal, below mid then on the second test it was normal but above mid.
I do fully understand that I need to get t3 and antibodies testing done as well. I found doc that I like and we agreed that in a month we will do all of them and see if the tsh is rising on lowered as well at that point.
Another doc already prescribed me 50mcg of Levo.
So my question is - based on the last two tests alone is that cause for treatment?
on the one hand am tired of hurting everyday. But am not convinced that it is my thyroid. Is there any harm in trying it for six months to see if it makes a difference.
Seems that most literature states that levels 5-10 tsh has not shown any benefit of treatment.
Take the meds! It is only going to help!
Really normally TSH (if that is all they went by) is < 2.0.
By the time I got diagnosed I was considering suicide. Taking T4 med the lights came on again. When I switched to dessicated, it was like there was color again.
Stick with the internist and your GP.
Even the unknoweldgeable endo has said to start meds. It may take longer than a week to feel better though.
Can't wait to hear that you start feeling better.
Really normally TSH (if that is all they went by) is < 2.0.
By the time I got diagnosed I was considering suicide. Taking T4 med the lights came on again. When I switched to dessicated, it was like there was color again.
Stick with the internist and your GP.
Even the unknoweldgeable endo has said to start meds. It may take longer than a week to feel better though.
Can't wait to hear that you start feeling better.
haha - ok. Makes sense.
LazyMoose, based on everything I have posted, you think the meds are warranted?
I guess I could also wait another month and retest again and see where I am at as far as numbers, but have a feeling they might just stay put.
or
Just take the meds. The endo called me today and said I could take the meds, though she said take 25 not 50 and I would know in a week if it is helping or not.
LazyMoose, based on everything I have posted, you think the meds are warranted?
I guess I could also wait another month and retest again and see where I am at as far as numbers, but have a feeling they might just stay put.
or
Just take the meds. The endo called me today and said I could take the meds, though she said take 25 not 50 and I would know in a week if it is helping or not.
My lab uses a complete different limit (its not a range) when testing TPO. The limit is something like 50. The chances of someone landing on 51 (that and above is positive) is much less possible than testing at 9.1 (just .1 over the limit of 9). Just basic probability applied here.
With any lab test there is some error, but we dont know how much. Purly by the numbers you have Hashis, but that is not considering anny error factor. Its not possible to say at this time with this TPO limit. If it is Hashi, then this or the test below will increase in value in time.
The other antibody test, TgAb (thyroglobulin antibodies). Most docs do both at the same time. Put it this way. Any doc that knows Hashimoto WILL test both.
I wouldn't worry about Levothyroxin, it works for most. Most people write in here when they have only thyroid related issues. They dont write and complain about something that works you know?
With any lab test there is some error, but we dont know how much. Purly by the numbers you have Hashis, but that is not considering anny error factor. Its not possible to say at this time with this TPO limit. If it is Hashi, then this or the test below will increase in value in time.
The other antibody test, TgAb (thyroglobulin antibodies). Most docs do both at the same time. Put it this way. Any doc that knows Hashimoto WILL test both.
I wouldn't worry about Levothyroxin, it works for most. Most people write in here when they have only thyroid related issues. They dont write and complain about something that works you know?
"so its less likely to be so close as you are. "
What do you mean by this? Less likely to be hashis?
Yeh I asked em specifically! UGH.
ShelleyN720 - Yeah this is all without meds.
I guess I will try the meds and see if it makes a difference or do you think there is no need?
What do you mean by this? Less likely to be hashis?
Yeh I asked em specifically! UGH.
ShelleyN720 - Yeah this is all without meds.
I guess I will try the meds and see if it makes a difference or do you think there is no need?
I would like to know what your endo thinks the symptoms are then!
FREE T3 would have been nice to know. Total is old school.
That TPA (TPO right?) has an odd 'limit'. But you are teetering just over. Most TPO 'limits' are higher, in the double digits, so its less likely to be so close as you are.
FREE T3 would have been nice to know. Total is old school.
That TPA (TPO right?) has an odd 'limit'. But you are teetering just over. Most TPO 'limits' are higher, in the double digits, so its less likely to be so close as you are.
Yeah all this is without meds - I didn't get to speak with the doc and asked for her to call me back. All she said to her assistant was to tell me not to take the meds.
But yea the tsh has gone from 6.15 to 7.7 back to 6. so not sure any more.
From all the feedback I have recieved here, I do have symptoms but according to the endo, no symptoms.
But yea the tsh has gone from 6.15 to 7.7 back to 6. so not sure any more.
From all the feedback I have recieved here, I do have symptoms but according to the endo, no symptoms.
TSH is high so you are definitely probably still having symptoms, yes? Too bad they did Total T3 rather than the free T3. I've read that the "Total" hormone counts are not any good for clinical purposes. WHY do they even STILL do them? DUH!
Hmmm, antibodies are interesting. Did the doctor confirm hashis or not? And this is without meds, right?
Hmmm, antibodies are interesting. Did the doctor confirm hashis or not? And this is without meds, right?
Hey every one - I got some more blood work done. Here are the labs.
tsh - 6.20 ref (0.35-5.09)
freet t4- 1.3 (0.8-1.8)
total t3- 118 ( 80 -190)
antibodies TPA- 9.1 (below 9)
tsh - 6.20 ref (0.35-5.09)
freet t4- 1.3 (0.8-1.8)
total t3- 118 ( 80 -190)
antibodies TPA- 9.1 (below 9)
well I found myself at 190lbs then I started working out went down to 160lbs in three months (intens workouts) got injures, I think I have put on 10 pounds maybe in the last 2 months.
I do think that is what was meant - that low thryoid may contribute to the incidence of gout. I read that hypothyroidism & gout often coexist.
Probably a good idea not to drink alcohol under the current medical situation. Is your weight in a normal range for you or have you gained recently? Just curious...
Probably a good idea not to drink alcohol under the current medical situation. Is your weight in a normal range for you or have you gained recently? Just curious...
Yeah I read that too, I was not sure if it was the other way round?
In other words - low thyroid levels cause high uric acid?
In other words - low thyroid levels cause high uric acid?
I just read,,,,"Interestingly, a recent study demonstrated an increased prevalence of abnormally low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) in patients with gout."
http://www.medicinenet.com/gout/page2.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/gout/page2.htm
The synthetic levothyroxine brought my numbers into range but I had some side effects that I didn't like. I developed pins & needles (parathesia) and ear pressure. (Just what you wanted to know, huh?) Some people do very well with synthetic. No problems and they've taken it for a gazillion years.
I switched to natural dessicated thyroid (Armour) after the first month. It has made a big positive difference. I'd say about 20-30 minutes after I take it I feel more energy,more normal. The lingering fatigue that I feel when I wake up goes away. But I don't feel juiced up or wired.
BUT! I felt juiced up when I was in the "hyper" stages of my hashis though.That was without medication several months back before diagnosis.
I am really anxious to find out about your anti-TPO level (autoimmune antibodies) if indeed you do have hashimotos.
I have to read up on uric acid now because I wonder what causes it to be elevated...
I switched to natural dessicated thyroid (Armour) after the first month. It has made a big positive difference. I'd say about 20-30 minutes after I take it I feel more energy,more normal. The lingering fatigue that I feel when I wake up goes away. But I don't feel juiced up or wired.
BUT! I felt juiced up when I was in the "hyper" stages of my hashis though.That was without medication several months back before diagnosis.
I am really anxious to find out about your anti-TPO level (autoimmune antibodies) if indeed you do have hashimotos.
I have to read up on uric acid now because I wonder what causes it to be elevated...
Thanks Shelly,
very much appreciate it. Next week I will start the meds :) after I get my t3 and antibodies test, till then denial will do :(
Ah yeah, the vitamin d is something I try to take daily! I don't know if its working, but I feel alittle better, been on the vitamins for 2weeks.
I don't know what the calcium levels are, I think they tested not sure.
I do know I had high uric acid, always had that, had gout 3 times in a year once, bu that seemed to all settle down once I started exercising regular.
Does Levo have an effect on you? LIke after you take it do you feel juiced up?
very much appreciate it. Next week I will start the meds :) after I get my t3 and antibodies test, till then denial will do :(
Ah yeah, the vitamin d is something I try to take daily! I don't know if its working, but I feel alittle better, been on the vitamins for 2weeks.
I don't know what the calcium levels are, I think they tested not sure.
I do know I had high uric acid, always had that, had gout 3 times in a year once, bu that seemed to all settle down once I started exercising regular.
Does Levo have an effect on you? LIke after you take it do you feel juiced up?
Yes, low thyroid can cause tinnitus. There are a few people on the forum struggling with that too. I've read that low Vitamin D can cause ringing in the ears. Since your D was very low (23) you really need to get that up! I'm taking 4,000 IU's a day and mine STILL stays low! I know you are a guy but you need calcium for muscles too - do you know how your calcium levels are?
I was nervous about taking the levothyroxine too - I absolutely hated the idea of it. But I knew if I didn't do something I was going to fall apart.
My suggestion - give it a try. Take it in the morning on an empty stomach - don't eat for at least an hour to let it get into your bloodstream. Don't take with other supplements.
(especially Calcium)
Take a look at the Stop the Thyroid Madness site. If anything you will see how others are struggling with problematic diagnoses.
Stay in touch.
I was nervous about taking the levothyroxine too - I absolutely hated the idea of it. But I knew if I didn't do something I was going to fall apart.
My suggestion - give it a try. Take it in the morning on an empty stomach - don't eat for at least an hour to let it get into your bloodstream. Don't take with other supplements.
(especially Calcium)
Take a look at the Stop the Thyroid Madness site. If anything you will see how others are struggling with problematic diagnoses.
Stay in touch.
ha, I actually was told the same thing by a doctor." We are here to give you pills." sigh.
It was the same ,I was having back pain spasm neck etc. And then came anti depressants - one doc actually gave me 4! So it has really put me off the meds.
At the moment I have exessive paranoia - like I just picture myself taking the Levothyroxine and then my thyroid swelling up and choking to death. Ah well.
Anyways, it's Levothyroxine 50 mcg that have been given.
Does being hypo cause ringing in ears too?
It was the same ,I was having back pain spasm neck etc. And then came anti depressants - one doc actually gave me 4! So it has really put me off the meds.
At the moment I have exessive paranoia - like I just picture myself taking the Levothyroxine and then my thyroid swelling up and choking to death. Ah well.
Anyways, it's Levothyroxine 50 mcg that have been given.
Does being hypo cause ringing in ears too?
Oh yes, and DO begin taking the magnesium! I take Magnesium Malate (easily absorbed) and calcium citrate when I go to bed at night. I do D3 two to three times a day. Selenium is important for hashis patients too.
Heck I even soak my whole body in Epsom Salts in the bath tub from time to time.
Nutrition is VERY important for anyone with an autoimmune situation. I think most of us eat processed foods to some degree.
Heck I even stopped using flouride toothpaste, mouthwash etc because of what I've read about fluoride & thryoid. I have even replaced all but 2 amalgam fillings with resin because of reading of mercury toxicity and its effect on the thyroid gland. (I had lots of amalgam fillings)
I know this sounds very paranoid but I have read some medical studies NOT related to "natural holistic dentists literature" that suggest that amalagam fillings can leech mercury into a persons body.
And afterall, toothpaste with flouride does have warning labels telling us not top swallow or use on a child under X years old. I just never paid attention...
Heck I even soak my whole body in Epsom Salts in the bath tub from time to time.
Nutrition is VERY important for anyone with an autoimmune situation. I think most of us eat processed foods to some degree.
Heck I even stopped using flouride toothpaste, mouthwash etc because of what I've read about fluoride & thryoid. I have even replaced all but 2 amalgam fillings with resin because of reading of mercury toxicity and its effect on the thyroid gland. (I had lots of amalgam fillings)
I know this sounds very paranoid but I have read some medical studies NOT related to "natural holistic dentists literature" that suggest that amalagam fillings can leech mercury into a persons body.
And afterall, toothpaste with flouride does have warning labels telling us not top swallow or use on a child under X years old. I just never paid attention...
When I look back over the last few years of my life I can see the hyper/hypo symptoms of hashis. It wasn't until I started having strange things going on that I realized I had to find out what was wrong with me. I began having wax buildup in my ears (from my low body temp) I had two ear infections & sinus headaches/ infections within about 6 months. I felt weak, like my muscles did not want to respond. I had cramps in my feet where my feet would gnarl up - distorted. I developed osteoporosis. My hair seemed to be thinning. My eyelids were getting puffy. I was having eye irritation - dry eye. I was gaining weight even though I eat pretty sensibly. At first I just assumed it was middle age. But the body aches & pains started to frighten me. My back was hurting (and I just found out 2 weeks ago it was the herniated disk mentioned above)
I shared all of this with four different doctors from Nov 2009 until March 2010 . It was not until the last doctor that someone finally tested my TSH and found the elevated thyroid stimulating hormone. Then came the antibody test & the ultrasound.
Six months earlier in June 2009 I was having panic attacks, paranoia, insomnia, heart palps, crying in bed at night...I thought my life was falling apart and the doctors just thought I was "depressed". One suggested a psychologist. I told her a psychologist was not going to cure my back pain and insomnia. I said that I also didn't want to take drugs to mask what was really wrong. I KNEW is was physical.
I don't like drugs either. I told my former PCP this and she became upset with me. She said "that's what we do, we give pills". I am not phobic about them, but I choose to avoid them unless I have no choice. I do not take bisphosphonates for my osteoporosis because of the lawsuits involving them (Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel etc) Recently a link between these drugs & esophagal cancer was reported on. I distrust drugs because they scare me. The general population are really guinea pigs IMO.
I would have preferred not to take thyroid hormone. My chiropractor (love the guy) told me once I did begin hormone therapy I'd be on it the rest of my life and that my own thyroid would stop working. I told him my own thryoid was already not working and that was diseased with nodules. I told him I HAD to do something to be able to function.
I am divorced for many years. I am wholly dependent on myself to keep a roof over my head and food on the table. I MUST be well enough to function.
The Armour thyroid I take has helped me a great deal. My TSH dropped to .5 and I feel good at this level. My FreeT4 could stand being higher and also my FreeT3. Just had blood drawn today and will find out probably next week.
My advice would be to try the thyroid med for a month and see how your body responds. What brand of T4 did the doctor give you? Above you say 50mcg of Levo - is it generic or brand name?
I shared all of this with four different doctors from Nov 2009 until March 2010 . It was not until the last doctor that someone finally tested my TSH and found the elevated thyroid stimulating hormone. Then came the antibody test & the ultrasound.
Six months earlier in June 2009 I was having panic attacks, paranoia, insomnia, heart palps, crying in bed at night...I thought my life was falling apart and the doctors just thought I was "depressed". One suggested a psychologist. I told her a psychologist was not going to cure my back pain and insomnia. I said that I also didn't want to take drugs to mask what was really wrong. I KNEW is was physical.
I don't like drugs either. I told my former PCP this and she became upset with me. She said "that's what we do, we give pills". I am not phobic about them, but I choose to avoid them unless I have no choice. I do not take bisphosphonates for my osteoporosis because of the lawsuits involving them (Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel etc) Recently a link between these drugs & esophagal cancer was reported on. I distrust drugs because they scare me. The general population are really guinea pigs IMO.
I would have preferred not to take thyroid hormone. My chiropractor (love the guy) told me once I did begin hormone therapy I'd be on it the rest of my life and that my own thyroid would stop working. I told him my own thryoid was already not working and that was diseased with nodules. I told him I HAD to do something to be able to function.
I am divorced for many years. I am wholly dependent on myself to keep a roof over my head and food on the table. I MUST be well enough to function.
The Armour thyroid I take has helped me a great deal. My TSH dropped to .5 and I feel good at this level. My FreeT4 could stand being higher and also my FreeT3. Just had blood drawn today and will find out probably next week.
My advice would be to try the thyroid med for a month and see how your body responds. What brand of T4 did the doctor give you? Above you say 50mcg of Levo - is it generic or brand name?
thanks Shelley,
I think I may have had similar experience to you. Except mine was in my neck and shoulders etc. It just does not make sense that the endo thinks we should wait till it's past 10 and I have symptoms to treat... ah well.
I will probably start the medicine here in the next couple days. Have to get over my fear of medicine :( It seems like the levo has the same side effects as the actual illness (weigt gain etc.) The doc told me that most of the symptoms are from the wrong dose. ANd also from these boards of people freaking out on Levo it makes me even more paranoid! :(
I talked to the internist about conversion etc and he said that most people convert. His take was its probably hashi's and regardless of what it is we still have to get the tsh down etc. Also seems like, since my numbers are not bad and I have normal t4, to start on a small dose.
The insomnia and bad dreams are whats getting me! I have never been so paranoid, I actually sleep with a knife by my bed...Is that really hypo?
I think I may have had similar experience to you. Except mine was in my neck and shoulders etc. It just does not make sense that the endo thinks we should wait till it's past 10 and I have symptoms to treat... ah well.
I will probably start the medicine here in the next couple days. Have to get over my fear of medicine :( It seems like the levo has the same side effects as the actual illness (weigt gain etc.) The doc told me that most of the symptoms are from the wrong dose. ANd also from these boards of people freaking out on Levo it makes me even more paranoid! :(
I talked to the internist about conversion etc and he said that most people convert. His take was its probably hashi's and regardless of what it is we still have to get the tsh down etc. Also seems like, since my numbers are not bad and I have normal t4, to start on a small dose.
The insomnia and bad dreams are whats getting me! I have never been so paranoid, I actually sleep with a knife by my bed...Is that really hypo?
Gosh, I wish I knew why it takes so much for the diagnosis - I guess because the symptoms can be related to so many other things. Out of investigative curiosity I requested all of my labs back to 1999. I read that in April 1999 my PCP wrote "patient presents with fatigue and achiness in front of throat". I also had gained quite a few pounds. I complained of profound anxiety, irritability etc. He did do the standard THS test - came back in range. BUT! I bet if he'd have tested for antibodies, the hashis would have been revealed. Everything I've read about hashis is that it can develop over many years, even decades. It can be relatively asymptomatic and then perhaps, often in middle age, it will finally expose itself having damaged your thryoid during its active period.
There ARE doctors that do not treat hashis with meds until the symptoms become miserable. I question that logic because the thyroid gland is ground zero for the autoantibodies. When a person feels like they have the flu, have anxiety and cannot sleep, have muscle aches & pains with no energy, and suddenly feel 80 years old (and a sick 80 at that) some help with low dose thyroid med would probably help.
Long term loss of active thyroid hormone can cause heart conditions, fatty liver, osteoporosis (I have this) and multiple other organ issues in our body. I swear I had NO idea how important the thyroid was to well-being until I became sick.
Right now I have a large herniated disk @ L1L2 that is causing me much grief - and in truth, it took several months to finally have THAT diagnosed through an MRI (I went to a rheumatologist to find THAT out!) Guess what? It was THAT SAME constant back pain & INITIAL doctor visits that finally revealed my hashis! And look - I've dealt with the hashis FIRST (because it was discovered first) and am JUST NOW finding out that I've had a herniated disk for MANY months! It took months of complaining about back pain before the doctors recommended the MRI!
If there is anything I've learned this past year its that we must become our own health advocates. Endocronologists treat hashis the same as hypothyroid (meds & lab numbers) seeming to disregard that it is an autoimmune disease. It would be good to read everything you can about autoimmune disorders & the body (if your labs return antibody positive which seems very possible)
I am a proponent of natural dessicated thyroid meds rather than the synthetic - but that's based on my own experience with synthetic. I've read that people on T4 only meds
have a more difficult time losing the hypothyroid weight they may have gained and lingering hypo symptoms - but I am sure there are folks on this board that would disagree.
Have you asked about a thyroid ultrasound to rule out nodules? If the labs do returm positive for hashis, ask for one. In the meantime, a small dose of thyroid hormone may just help you with the body aches & pains, muscle weakness and insomnia (and BAD dreams!) It does take a few weeks to build up in your body so don't expect too much too soon! Stay in touch!
There ARE doctors that do not treat hashis with meds until the symptoms become miserable. I question that logic because the thyroid gland is ground zero for the autoantibodies. When a person feels like they have the flu, have anxiety and cannot sleep, have muscle aches & pains with no energy, and suddenly feel 80 years old (and a sick 80 at that) some help with low dose thyroid med would probably help.
Long term loss of active thyroid hormone can cause heart conditions, fatty liver, osteoporosis (I have this) and multiple other organ issues in our body. I swear I had NO idea how important the thyroid was to well-being until I became sick.
Right now I have a large herniated disk @ L1L2 that is causing me much grief - and in truth, it took several months to finally have THAT diagnosed through an MRI (I went to a rheumatologist to find THAT out!) Guess what? It was THAT SAME constant back pain & INITIAL doctor visits that finally revealed my hashis! And look - I've dealt with the hashis FIRST (because it was discovered first) and am JUST NOW finding out that I've had a herniated disk for MANY months! It took months of complaining about back pain before the doctors recommended the MRI!
If there is anything I've learned this past year its that we must become our own health advocates. Endocronologists treat hashis the same as hypothyroid (meds & lab numbers) seeming to disregard that it is an autoimmune disease. It would be good to read everything you can about autoimmune disorders & the body (if your labs return antibody positive which seems very possible)
I am a proponent of natural dessicated thyroid meds rather than the synthetic - but that's based on my own experience with synthetic. I've read that people on T4 only meds
have a more difficult time losing the hypothyroid weight they may have gained and lingering hypo symptoms - but I am sure there are folks on this board that would disagree.
Have you asked about a thyroid ultrasound to rule out nodules? If the labs do returm positive for hashis, ask for one. In the meantime, a small dose of thyroid hormone may just help you with the body aches & pains, muscle weakness and insomnia (and BAD dreams!) It does take a few weeks to build up in your body so don't expect too much too soon! Stay in touch!
thanks everyone I really appreciate it. And thanks for the patience as well -
As you can see I still have a hard time with this.
Part of me still wants to beleive that my symptoms are not from this.. but at the same time it would be refreshing to know to that I am not crazy. Also, I just did not beleive that being that little bit off (ie my TSH numbers) would or is the cause of all this stuff.
Barb - Yea I actually went to her for a second opinion. My internist had already started me on the meds for the hypo - I went to the endo for a second opinion. Her basic thing was that thyroid is a pulsotary organ, meaning that some days it kicks alittle more then others. etc she did agree to do the free t3 and anti bodies. I think I will stick with the internist.
LazyMoose - yeah finally got round to doing it. I think the internist seems to be really a good doc - with that my GP also was very understanding and basically told me that they look more at the person and symptoms rather then just numbers so I really felt like they cared. As far as the symptoms. Yes it is more reasurring hearing that it is/could be the Hashi. I think part of it too, to be honest comes from the mentality I grew up around. You don' t get depressed, you don't get anxiety. hardly go to docs etc. Sick meant you needed anti biotics etc. This is such a weird thing for my brain to wrap itself around.
Shelley - how come it take so much for this to be diagnosed and seems like it so ambiguous.. I mean how obvious to these symptoms have to be..
I think the only way for me to tell if I have symptoms is to take the medicine and see if I feel better.
As you can see I still have a hard time with this.
Part of me still wants to beleive that my symptoms are not from this.. but at the same time it would be refreshing to know to that I am not crazy. Also, I just did not beleive that being that little bit off (ie my TSH numbers) would or is the cause of all this stuff.
Barb - Yea I actually went to her for a second opinion. My internist had already started me on the meds for the hypo - I went to the endo for a second opinion. Her basic thing was that thyroid is a pulsotary organ, meaning that some days it kicks alittle more then others. etc she did agree to do the free t3 and anti bodies. I think I will stick with the internist.
LazyMoose - yeah finally got round to doing it. I think the internist seems to be really a good doc - with that my GP also was very understanding and basically told me that they look more at the person and symptoms rather then just numbers so I really felt like they cared. As far as the symptoms. Yes it is more reasurring hearing that it is/could be the Hashi. I think part of it too, to be honest comes from the mentality I grew up around. You don' t get depressed, you don't get anxiety. hardly go to docs etc. Sick meant you needed anti biotics etc. This is such a weird thing for my brain to wrap itself around.
Shelley - how come it take so much for this to be diagnosed and seems like it so ambiguous.. I mean how obvious to these symptoms have to be..
I think the only way for me to tell if I have symptoms is to take the medicine and see if I feel better.
When our thyroids are out of whack it can definitely cause muscle weakness. Hashimotos is an immune disease that causes metabolic disorder because the antibodies attack the thyroid (the disease did not begin in the thyroid) I am suspcious that your injury may have exposed an already underlying condition. (a distressed thyroid gland)
I think I've had hashis for several years like a dormant virus. It was just never diagnosed because the symptoms can resemble so many other things. (such as depression)
Like I wrote earlier my TSH was in range all the while nodules were forming over the last 2-3 years.
Personally I think sometimes an emotional trauma can trigger the onslaught of endocrine (adrenal, pituitary, thryoid) overload and "activate" the immune reaction.
I too have been a rather emotional person all of my life, very sensitive, prone to anxiety. But what I was experiencing the months before I was finally diagnosed was like tremors before an earthquake - hashitoxicosis episodes where I thought I was having a heart attack, crying, feeling paranoid, fearful - shaking, insomnia. I went to my primary care doctor and said I thought I had heart problems. EKG came back fine. I am SURE it was my thryoid spewing out hormones because of the growing nodules.
In February 2010 I went to my chiropractor because of constant back pain that had been going on for weeks - no make that months. I felt unwell. I went 3X a week the month of March. I too wondered if the adjustments "did" something to my thyroid because in April I received my hashis diagnosis - however, those nodules did not grow in one month. My symptoms (aches pains muscle weakness insomnia anxiety etc) were my hypothyroid condition as a result of the hashimotos.
OMG I even had sores develop on my body! They were red round sores that left scars! My body felt like an alien invader had taken over it! My skin had been drying out over a period of about 3 years. I even remembered saying to a co-worker - look at my arms! They are getting wrinkly and I am only 55 yrs old!
There are a couple good websites that helped me understand what I was dealing with. One is Mary Shomon's site (google her name) and also the "Stop the Thyroid Madness" site - which is a bit radical but provides ample evidence that good endocrinologists are hard to fine. Even mine says that TSH is the only test needed - however, I am permitted to ask for the tests I want. Thank goodness!
I think I've had hashis for several years like a dormant virus. It was just never diagnosed because the symptoms can resemble so many other things. (such as depression)
Like I wrote earlier my TSH was in range all the while nodules were forming over the last 2-3 years.
Personally I think sometimes an emotional trauma can trigger the onslaught of endocrine (adrenal, pituitary, thryoid) overload and "activate" the immune reaction.
I too have been a rather emotional person all of my life, very sensitive, prone to anxiety. But what I was experiencing the months before I was finally diagnosed was like tremors before an earthquake - hashitoxicosis episodes where I thought I was having a heart attack, crying, feeling paranoid, fearful - shaking, insomnia. I went to my primary care doctor and said I thought I had heart problems. EKG came back fine. I am SURE it was my thryoid spewing out hormones because of the growing nodules.
In February 2010 I went to my chiropractor because of constant back pain that had been going on for weeks - no make that months. I felt unwell. I went 3X a week the month of March. I too wondered if the adjustments "did" something to my thyroid because in April I received my hashis diagnosis - however, those nodules did not grow in one month. My symptoms (aches pains muscle weakness insomnia anxiety etc) were my hypothyroid condition as a result of the hashimotos.
OMG I even had sores develop on my body! They were red round sores that left scars! My body felt like an alien invader had taken over it! My skin had been drying out over a period of about 3 years. I even remembered saying to a co-worker - look at my arms! They are getting wrinkly and I am only 55 yrs old!
There are a couple good websites that helped me understand what I was dealing with. One is Mary Shomon's site (google her name) and also the "Stop the Thyroid Madness" site - which is a bit radical but provides ample evidence that good endocrinologists are hard to fine. Even mine says that TSH is the only test needed - however, I am permitted to ask for the tests I want. Thank goodness!
Congrats on finally getting further testing. I hope the T3 test was actually what is called FREE T3. Free T3 levels reflect how you feel more than any other thyroid test. When you get the results post them here with the ranges. Remember , Low end of free T3 range, but still in range is NOT optimal and will result in some symptoms.
Maybe you are a little more reassured that your symptoms (per previou post as well) are the same as hypo symptoms, now that others have also mentioned it to you. As you can see we all agree on it, from personal experience. Doctors have no 'personal' experience, unless of course, they too have low thyroid themselves.
Confusion/ paranoia/ anxiety / indecisiveness / insomnia - all or some can be the symptoms that can go away in time with proper thyroid levels.
Its really unfortunate your endocrinologist does not know more about Hashimoto. Unfortunately that is common. I have 'fired' a few myself. I would still be suffering If I believed the few that technically did not know how to treat Hashimoto. There are good thyroid docs, but far and few between.
Maybe you are a little more reassured that your symptoms (per previou post as well) are the same as hypo symptoms, now that others have also mentioned it to you. As you can see we all agree on it, from personal experience. Doctors have no 'personal' experience, unless of course, they too have low thyroid themselves.
Confusion/ paranoia/ anxiety / indecisiveness / insomnia - all or some can be the symptoms that can go away in time with proper thyroid levels.
Its really unfortunate your endocrinologist does not know more about Hashimoto. Unfortunately that is common. I have 'fired' a few myself. I would still be suffering If I believed the few that technically did not know how to treat Hashimoto. There are good thyroid docs, but far and few between.
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You do have the classic symptoms of being hypo. Your endo is wrong, wrong, wrong in that she won't treat you unless your TSH is at least 10. I'm sorry, but that is simply irresponsible when the new (8 yrs ago) recommended limit is 3.0........
You said you had an FT4 test - could you post the result and reference range from your lab sheet? While FT4 is only one part of the equation, it would give us an idea of where you are........
Aside from that, my most important recommendation is to find a new endo. Don't walk away from her -- run fast!! If she doesn't recognize your symptoms as hypo/Hashi's and refuses to treat you, you don't need her; she will only keep you sick......... I've been down that road and surely don't want to see anyone else have to travel it...........
You said you had an FT4 test - could you post the result and reference range from your lab sheet? While FT4 is only one part of the equation, it would give us an idea of where you are........
Aside from that, my most important recommendation is to find a new endo. Don't walk away from her -- run fast!! If she doesn't recognize your symptoms as hypo/Hashi's and refuses to treat you, you don't need her; she will only keep you sick......... I've been down that road and surely don't want to see anyone else have to travel it...........
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