The THYROID Thread

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Sorry with the sweats I would say hyper. Do you know how you've been sleeping? I don't sleep well when hyper and then I'm always tired. The rest of the symptoms could be either. Gaining weight seems counterintuitive, but some people feel driven to eat more when hyper.

Okay DH brought home the paperwork, and I feel horrible that I haven't kept up on what is what, but I am here now. The dr. wasn't expecting a change since I haven't changed in forever. So please also let me know what other tests I should be asking for:

TSH 8.64
T4, Free 1.1
FSH 13.2 (not sure if this was a thyroid or hormone level as they are checking those also)

And for those who may be able to help me with the are you hitting perimenopausal stage I also have these results:

LH 31.8
Progesterone <.05

So that's what I have. Thanks to anyone who can help.

Forgot to add, as for sleeping it is one of my problems, I fall asleep on the drop of a hat, sometimes mid sentence.

 

[mrsklamc]

Well I guess you're hypo- maybe the sweats are to do with perimenopause? FSH- that I know of- is follicule stimulating hormone?

 

[Christine]

Okay DH brought home the paperwork, and I feel horrible that I haven't kept up on what is what, but I am here now. The dr. wasn't expecting a change since I haven't changed in forever. So please also let me know what other tests I should be asking for:

TSH 8.64
T4, Free 1.1
FSH 13.2 (not sure if this was a thyroid or hormone level as they are checking those also)

And for those who may be able to help me with the are you hitting perimenopausal stage I also have these results:

LH 31.8
Progesterone <.05

So that's what I have. Thanks to anyone who can help.

Forgot to add, as for sleeping it is one of my problems, I fall asleep on the drop of a hat, sometimes mid sentence.

You are hypothyroid.

It would also help if you could print the lab ranges that should be next to you result.

FSH would be a hormone they would check to see if you are in menopause. I think if FSH is very high, it indicates menopause.

What are the ranges for those tests?

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Ugh, I printed a whole reply but I don't know what happened to it. The tests have reference ranges, not just one... for example

My LH is 31.8 and to the right it states reference range "P", and under the number is:

Reference Range
Female
Follicular 1.9 - 12.5
Mid-Cycle 8.7 - 76.3
Luteal .5 - 16.9
Post Menopausal 10.0 - 54.7
The it gives males references.

Now the P can't stand for Post Menopausal as I am still getting my cycle. Last month it was on time, but lasted 1 day. I am now 5 days late this month. I was every 26 days for over 30 years, only late for pregnancy. I am 45. My tubes are rubber banded.

These are the symptoms which could be thyroid or something else. It's the something else that I was hoping these blood tests would show. Drs. Office only said that they thought I was Mid Cycle and the blood test was taken on day 18 of my cycle.

Extremely tired to the point of falling asleep during conversations
20 pound weight gain in 4 months
Re-occurance of GERD
Sweats and extreme body heat every day
Moody
Sensitive to cold
Pain where my gallbladder was removed and ovary pain even though my tubes are tied (this is a new extreme pain - I have Fibro so I know this is different)
Joint Pain
Major increase in Libido some much even DH runs away...
Just plain exhausted, I have not done much in the last month or so, no matter how hard I try.

I am sure a lot is my thyroid, but not all.

Lastly, can anyone explain why my TSH 3rd. generation could be .76 on 4/22/11 and 6 months later be 8.63?? That worries me. It is a huge change, most since they took out my thyroid. (I have no thyroid due to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis).

DD has a OB/GYN on Friday and I a going to make an appt with them since I usually go to my GP, but I think it is time to go back to the specialist.

My Synthroid was upped from .137 to .150 and I took the first pill today.

If you can help with anything, I would be grateful. Thank you!

 

[angwill]

Did you get a result for anitnuclear antibodies/ANA? If so was that high? Ask your doctor next time if they tested for autoimmune issues an/or Arthritis or RA. It's worth asking and if they did not test for them ask them if they would. It is an innexpensive blood test they can ask for when checking your TSA next time.

 

[Christine]

Ugh, I printed a whole reply but I don't know what happened to it. The tests have reference ranges, not just one... for example

My LH is 31.8 and to the right it states reference range "P", and under the number is:

Reference Range
Female
Follicular 1.9 - 12.5
Mid-Cycle 8.7 - 76.3
Luteal .5 - 16.9
Post Menopausal 10.0 - 54.7
The it gives males references.

Now the P can't stand for Post Menopausal as I am still getting my cycle. Last month it was on time, but lasted 1 day. I am now 5 days late this month. I was every 26 days for over 30 years, only late for pregnancy. I am 45. My tubes are rubber banded.

This is why most doctors won't even run hormone tests--they are very unreliable until you have missed a few periods. Mine won't even do it. I don't think you're going to find any answers on these female hormone blood tests.

Extremely tired to the point of falling asleep during conversations

Thyroid

20 pound weight gain in 4 months

Thyroid

Re-occurance of GERD

Thyroid

Sweats and extreme body heat every day

Peri (hypothyroid will not cause this)

Moody

Both

Sensitive to cold

Thyroid

Pain where my gallbladder was removed and ovary pain even though my tubes are tied (this is a new extreme pain - I have Fibro so I know this is different)

The GERD could be giving you the phantom gallbladder pain.
Ovaries can still hurt because a tubaligation does not affect ovaries. You are still ovulating.

Joint Pain

Both

Major increase in Libido some much even DH runs away...

Definitely peri (erratic hormone surges will cause this--lucky you).

Just plain exhausted, I have not done much in the last month or so, no matter how hard I try.

Thyroid and peri.

Lastly, can anyone explain why my TSH 3rd. generation could be .76 on 4/22/11 and 6 months later be 8.63??

Bad batch of pills? Or something new has changed with you..any new medications you've added in since April?

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

This is why most doctors won't even run hormone tests--they are very unreliable until you have missed a few periods. Mine won't even do it. I don't think you're going to find any answers on these female hormone blood tests.


Thyroid

Thyroid

Thyroid

Peri (hypothyroid will not cause this)

Both

Thyroid


The GERD could be giving you the phantom gallbladder pain.
Ovaries can still hurt because a tubaligation does not affect ovaries. You are still ovulating.

Both



Definitely peri (erratic hormone surges will cause this--lucky you).



Thyroid and peri.



Bad batch of pills? Or something new has changed with you..any new medications you've added in since April?

Thank you SO MUCH and the poster before for taking the time. You don't know how much it means to me. I am an emotional wreck with both going on. Christine, if I could I would bill my insurance and pay you, as I think you are point on with everything!!!

For the bolded, I have gotten the pills at the same place since April, and I think they were all in the same batch as for the last 6-8 months, they have hand written an expiration date on the bottle, it was 7/12, so I know they came from the same bottle. Now were they old or ineffective, could have been since I get them from the same place each time. I am on the new dose so we will have to see what happens. I just hope it happens in a reasonable amount of time, keeping my fingers crossed.

The only new drug is Fentanyl Pain Patches. I am going to check and see if there is anything in the Internet world where anyone else had a problem. Other than that, I haven't a clue.

I'll be honest, I tend to worry. All I could think of was that something was happening where my thyroid used to be, which is absolutely silly since they left nothing. All the stuff is just bad hormone luck. The spin was against me, and now I have two out of whack. So I feel like these guys, , then 5 minutes later this guy, , followed as soon as the tears are gone by this guy, , then finished out with this guy .

I do feel better reading what you wrote and in the course of it, I did start my cycle. So at least I can get that and deal with it. It's a doozie though with the other levels off so much. (Hopefully I can hide for a few days, don't want them to think I need to be committed!)

 

[mrsklamc]

I have been SO cranky and emotional this week (since my doseage dropped)...which totally doesn't make sense because lowering my dose should put me back closer to what "normal" people are at. I should have been all cranky and crabby at .072 and it's MUCH worse now that they are trying to get me to 04-2.00 range. I hope it evens out!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I have been SO cranky and emotional this week (since my doseage dropped)...which totally doesn't make sense because lowering my dose should put me back closer to what "normal" people are at. I should have been all cranky and crabby at .072 and it's MUCH worse now that they are trying to get me to 04-2.00 range. I hope it evens out!

Sorry you are going through this. Its amazing what a bunch of hormones do to our body and emotions. What is the number your endo wants you at? I posted what mine said was ok, but I forgot. I dont know if I want her fooling around with me again too like you. I am just so tired all the time and she says she does not know why.

I guess you also have to throw in the TTC stuff in a while too, so that should make it very interesting for you and your endo.

I would def. call and tell them your symptoms and at least have a phone consult etc.

Christine - I havent read up on this but they are talking a lot about it on thyca. Its called the paradox of hypothyroidism??

Micayla - I hope you get your levels straightened out to where you are comfortable etc.

Mine is strange too, she lowered the dose and my tsh went up from 0.2 to 0.1 and it should have went down.

Its such a balancing act. Hang in there. Blessings to you.

 

[angwill]

mrsklamc,

I always feel a lot better the lower my TSH number is. I feel perfect when .2 but my doctor wants it in the range the testing lab says it should be instead of what I feel best on. So I live with it in lab range making me feel crappy. I just get used to dealing with it.

Another thing is that at one point my TSH went up to something like 12.0 all because I started taking a multivitamin with iron in it. As soon as I stopped taking it and started taking a multivitamin silver which did not have the iron in it my levels stabilized. It shows that once you have been normal for a period of time if you find you are off look at everything you are doing differently.

 

[Christine]

Another thing is that at one point my TSH went up to something like 12.0 all because I started taking a multivitamin with iron in it. As soon as I stopped taking it and started taking a multivitamin silver which did not have the iron in it my levels stabilized. It shows that once you have been normal for a period of time if you find you are off look at everything you are doing differently.

Yeah, iron interferes with thyroid hormone absorption in a big way. I have to take my iron WELL away from the thyroid meds. Many vitamins/minerals can intefere so they should never be taken together.

Also, I was put on birth control pills and my TSH went from 0.3 to 8.6. I was told by my endo that he's never seen anyone's birth control interfere with the Synthroid but if you look on the internet it's a known problem. They even upped my thyroid meds and we could not get the TSH to come down. Funny thing was, I felt fine so they couldn't tell if I the BCPs were causing some false thyroid readings or what. I didn't mess with it and just got off the pills and the TSH went right back to normal.

 

[Christine]

lumarypoppins-- I almost never read over at thyca anymore; however, I've never heard the formal term of "the paradox of hypothyroidism" but I do remember many years ago some participants and doctors stating that some people who are hypo can often exhibit hyper symptoms. Is that what they mean?

 

[kimmie]

Hey everyone!

I had my surgery on Tuesday. They did find cancer so they removed all of the thyroid, but left the parathyroid. All of this is so new to me but anyway.

I am tired and sore but seem to be doing fine. I will see my doctor again next week and then and endo and oncologist who will set me up for radioactive iodine.

I can't get my incision wet and really want to wash my hair. I tried yesterday and it was a disaster! lol

So for now I am taking an antibiotic, calcium, and somekind of thyroid medication until I can get things straight with the new doctors.

Thanks for listening!

I am sure I will be back to ask some questions soon.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Kimmie - glad your surgery is over but sorry to hear that you had to hear the news no one wants to hear

Yes, please ask any questions you want, I am sure someone here will have the right answer for you.

Focus on healing. Hoping your endo and onc. visits go well next week.

If you are getting RAI, I would def. ask if they have access to Thyrogen. It seems in short supply around some places for sure. I would pick thyrogen hands down compared to what the others who have gone hypo have said hey had to go through.

Make sure you like your endo too. You will be dealing with him/her alot.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[kimmie]

Thank you!

I am trying to be patient with my healing, but I want to get "back to normal" right now! lol

I have a fear of gaining weight and depression with all of this. I have my weight down to a comfortable size for me.

How do you keep the weight off?

 

[Christine]

Thank you!

I am trying to be patient with my healing, but I want to get "back to normal" right now! lol

I have a fear of gaining weight and depression with all of this. I have my weight down to a comfortable size for me.

How do you keep the weight off?

The only time the thyroid stuff made me gain weight was when I had to get off my medications for 6 weeks. I picked up about, maybe 10 lbs, but it quickly came off when I resumed my meds. Other than that, the whole thyroidectomy and being on thyroid medication never changed my ability to gain or lose weight. I know that is not the story for a lot of people. I do find it hard to understand how going from your body's way of manufacturing thyroid hormones to using synthetic AND getting your TSH very low causes people to gain weight. But it apparently happens.

 

[kimmie]

Thanks Christine. My doctor put me on liothyronine 25 mcg (substitute for Cytomel) until next week then I will arrange to see the endo and oncologist who will put me on the dosages that are right for me. I really do not know what my THS or anything else is because I seemed to be in the normal range before all of this happened.
I am pretty tired and don't know if its from surgery or the fact that my thyroid is gone!

Well I am sure I will have more questions very soon....Thanks Guys!

 

[Christine]

Thanks Christine. My doctor put me on liothyronine 25 mcg (substitute for Cytomel) until next week then I will arrange to see the endo and oncologist who will put me on the dosages that are right for me. I really do not know what my THS or anything else is because I seemed to be in the normal range before all of this happened.
I am pretty tired and don't know if its from surgery or the fact that my thyroid is gone!

Well I am sure I will have more questions very soon....Thanks Guys!

My thyroid was functioning very normally also. I did feel "odd" after the surgery. It did take a long time for my TSH to rise (I was not given any Cytomel). So it will take awhile for the natural thyroid hormone to leave your system. The generic Cytomel should keep you okay for awhile. You won't feel totally normal on it because it's just T3 and it's fairly short-acting so you can feel a little up and down on it but it's nothing awful.

 

[kimmie]

My thyroid was functioning very normally also. I did feel "odd" after the surgery. It did take a long time for my TSH to rise (I was not given any Cytomel). So it will take awhile for the natural thyroid hormone to leave your system. The generic Cytomel should keep you okay for awhile. You won't feel totally normal on it because it's just T3 and it's fairly short-acting so you can feel a little up and down on it but it's nothing awful.

I appreciate the explanation

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well dh and I went out to dinner Friday night. My voice was bad. I think a combo of the weather, being tired, dehydrated etc.

So I go and try to order. The server says to me, oh, do you have a cold? I said um no and tried to talk etc. I saw she was putting her ear nearer to me so she could hear me. Dh just sat there as usual and did and said nothing. So much for him being in my corner. But I shouldnt complain as he is the one who held my hand in the coma, pushed my bed to rush it down to the or etc.

Well after the server left I just started crying. Dh asked what was wrong. I guess I was upset he didnt say anything to try and help me be understood and upset as it just reminded me again that cancer sucks.

Tues. I am going to get a flu shot, b12 shot, and asking for some blood work since I am so tired, oh yes this is the dr. who failed to diagnose the cancer, lets my blood work sit on his desk for up to 5 weeks etc. I cringe when I go to this guy. I wish he would retire. A few more years maybe. But the good drs. around here dont take my ins. so maybe I will ask the endo for a recommendation next time etc.

Oh and a friend of dh (male like in his 50's I think, was having trouble swallowing etc. His dr. ordered a sono and they are seeing lots of nodules on the thyroid so now he is scheduled for a biopsy at Sloan Kettering in the city. I am praying it will be nothing. I told dh if it turns out into stuff then I would volunteer to do the lid stuff for him in the future. He is single and lives with his elderly parents, works and deals with his psycho brother too. So he will need our help for sure.