new and freaked out!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2004
new and freaked out!
4
Sun, 07-25-2004 - 11:15am
Well my story started in june with an extra long (18 days!) period which sent me to the gyno. She ran tests and among finding a large cyst and a large fibroid told me to goto my primary care about my thyroid (my TSH was 9.5!) Went to the primary care and he seemed like he didn't really think anything was wrong with me but took more blood anyway and felt my neck. After 2 weeks finally heard from both the gyno and the primary doc. The gyno said cyst didn't look like cancer and to get preggo sooner rather than later if we wanted another baby casue the fibroid is just gonna keep growing! Then the primary doc said he tested me for antibodies and I have Hashimotos diease? So he wanted me to come back in so he could really feel my neck this time! I went back and thank goodness he didn't feel anything! But now he is sending me to see an endo doc. I don't really have any symptoms-except being tired! I haven't gained any weight (105 lbs at 5'4" ??) I am so comfused and at times scared! Thanks for listening!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 8:15am
Hi and welcome - I'm sorry it took me a couple of days to get to you! It's just been crazy at my house this weekend. With a TSH of 9.5, you are hypothyroid and with positive antithyroid antibodies for Hashimoto's, that means that your hypothyroidism is caused by the autoimmune condition of Hashimotos. Hashimoto's typically causes swelling of the thyroid and if your only other symptom is fatigue, then that is good at this point. It probably means that you haven't had it for very long. Other symptoms include dry hair, dry skin, irregular or very heavy periods, heavy premenstrual cramping, irritability, depression, constipation, digestion problems, among others. There's a good link at the top of the board on hypothyroidism.

Going to an endochrinologist at this point is the best thing you can do. He or she will prescribe a thyroid hormone replacement -like Synthroid or Levoxyl, and test you every 6 weeks or so until your TSH comes down to a normal level between 1 and 2. Some rely on lab ranges for normal and may keep you just below 5.0 or 5.5. If you still feel badly with your tsh at that level, please let your doctor know!! I hope this helps you to feel better about the thyroid issues.

About the fibroid, perhaps you see a new doctor regarding the treatment of it. It doesn't sound right to just let it grow without nay intervention. Feel free to ask any other question so you might have! Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 9:48am
Thanks Cathy! I guess I should have added the gyno wants me back in Seotember to do another unltrasound to check on the cyst and fibroid to see if the cyst went away on its own and how the fibroid is growing. I think if the fibroid gets to big they will treat it? I don't know too much about the fibroid, he told me it was on the back wall of my uterus? I will go back in september and get more info and definatly ask many more questions!

Jen
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 9:52am
Hi Jen - well that's a relief!! I hope you get good news in September! Good luck on your endo appointment, too. Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:20pm
Hello there, I just wanted to drop a post and say welcome!

I had an ovarian cyst and my gyno put me on birth control pills to help shrink it. My cyst was the same size as my uterus, it was putting pressure on my bladder and was causing a lot of pinching on the left side. 3 months later it ended up "dissolving" with a little help from my doc--she pushed on it and it popped! Ouch! But, cysts usually go away. They can be drained with a needle, or removed surgically if needed.

Fibroid tumors usually do keep growing, they are easily removed with a DNC. My mom and my mother in law both have had fribroid tumors removed, and it was easy. Neither one of them suffered bleeding or pain afterwards, other than the little spotting from right after the procedure. Your gyno probably wants to wait and see what is going to happen with this.

It sounds like it could be a good thing for you to finally find out about the hashimotos. And it sounds like you haven't had too terrible of symptoms either. You are lucky. A lot of the ladies here have it rough. I hope that you continue to make improvements with your thyroid and your gyno health.

I'm looking forward to seeing you around here. Take care, lisa.