Crazy symptoms and need direction!

Avatar for corihere
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Crazy symptoms and need direction!
6
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 4:46pm

Hi All,

I am completely frustrated with where to go and what to do next to get to the bottom of my strange symptoms. I present with symptoms that point to Hyperthyroidism, and yet my basic blood tests on TSH, T3 and T4 all seem to fall within normal range. I've read that many borderline cases can go undetected for a long time. If that's the case do I need an Endocrinologist to test more in depth? Or, I am wondering what other path to pursue in getting some kind of answer if thyroid isn't the reason!

My symptoms are:

Unexplained weight loss of 11 pounds in 7 months (after years of being 125+, I am now 113 pounds!)THis is way low for me...especially given that I don't want to loose weight!
Very dry and brittle hair, it feels awful and is breaking easily
Hair loss
Insomnia
Jitters
Racing heart
Frequent bowel movements (like I wake up having to go to the bathroom!)
Irritibility and anxiousness
General muscle aches
Less energy and strength
Increased perspiration

My GP has done basic blood work, thyroid, hormone tests, etc. etc, and except for low estrogen and a slightly elevated RA factor, I seem to test within normal everywhere. But my symptoms don't improve and I feel like I am on a race course!

I've worked with a dermatologist about the hair problems and all the breakage. She also thinks my symptoms sound thyroid related, but suggested screening for GI problems as well.

CAn anyone tell me about borderline thyroid cases, and how and when you got a diagnosis?

I just don't know where to go!

Sincerely,
Cori

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 8:36pm

What were you blood test results and the ranges for them? Just curious...


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 10:14pm
Hi and welcome - Your best bet is to go to a endochrinologist. Most GP's just don't have the experience with thyroid conditions to do a good enough job. It sounds like you are hyperhtyroid, I agree. And a good endo should be able to diagnose that with a full panel of thyroid blood tests. It's very difficult to get a diagnosis with most borderline cases of hypothyroid, I know that but I've never seen anyone here post that they had difficulty being diagnosed as hyper. I'll see what else I can find for you and post it tomorrow. I've been up since 5:00 this morning and need to go to bed!! :) But ... it does sound like hyperthyroidism and at the very least, I would start looking for an endo first thing tomorrow. Hope that helps til I get back to you. Cathy :)
Avatar for corihere
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Tue, 11-23-2004 - 3:22pm

Yes, I think my symptoms sound Hyper too. I asked for a referral to an Endocrinologist but was just told no this morning, at least for now.

They referred me to a GI because they want to rule out colon cancer (or some other kind) that might be causing the weight loss, rapid digestion and frequent bowel movements. Ugh. :(

I am going to do some research and see what I find about that... some of the symptoms make sense but others don't seem at all related to a GI cancer! Like for instance, the hair thing... it's soooooo bad! I am thinning out and breaking off like crazy! That usually points to thyroid!

Oh, I am frustrated with HMO's!

My TSH 3rd Generation was 1.306 and the reference interval is 0.350-5.500, whatever that means. I guess I fall in the middle? And, maybe unrelated, I came up high on my Rhematoid Arthritis Factor, but not 'enough' for the doctor to be concerned. Great.

??!!

Cori

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Tue, 11-23-2004 - 8:19pm

In relation to your muscle aches. Are they severe and do they seem to move around like from one joint to the next and what are areas are you experiencing your aches/pain. The reason I am asking I too have symptom similar to what you described. I had a blood test done and was told that I had a problem. I do not know what the count is. I had a MRI of my chest for another condition and was told that they found some abnormalty to my right breast. The doctor does not want to treat me for my thyroids until he gets the results back from my mammogram which is not for another two weeks. I also had a sonogram of my throat and they found two small nodules. So I know what you mean about experiencing crazy symptoms. I am just curious about your muscle aches. My doctor prescribed a muscle relaxant and pain killers, over the counter meds were not doing the trick! I at first thought I had rheumatoid arthritis too, it still isn't ruled out. Well good luck, look forward to hearing from you.

Roblyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2004
Wed, 12-01-2004 - 12:18pm

Wow- I am totally feeling the way you are! About 2 years ago my hair started falling out- even my hairdresser noticed...Its gotten much thinner but Ive sort of just accepted it...

Around Christmas time last year I started losing weight- not really trying to though...I was confused but happy too...well the weight loss has continued- Ive lost 10-15 pounds in the past year...my eating habits are much better since I graduated college but not drastically different...family members have noticed and made comments- "eat a burger!" ya know? things like that...I also have frequent bowel movements- I go "Number 2" at least 1-2 times a day and sometimes even 3 times...

Recently Ive been having bouts of anxiety- which Ive never dealt with before..my Dr tested my thyroid and said the results were "normal" although I dont know the exact #'s...he thinks its just stress/anxiety

My anxiety comes and goes...I wake up in the middle of the night dripping with sweat sometimes...

Does anyone know if these sound "normal"?? Do my symptoms sound more like an anxiety problem or could my thryoid tests have been wrong??

Im just as frustrated as you!! It really aggervates me :( I hope we find answers soon!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-29-2004
Sat, 12-04-2004 - 8:55am
it sure sounds like hyper thyroid to me also please though just try to to wait long i also had all the symptoms you have my i lost 23 lbs with in a couple months and it wasnt until my neck looked like i swallowed a apple when they finally told me i had hyper thyroid my thyriod was 7 cm in leghth and it stuck out of my neck 3 cm and by this time my heart rate was up from 80 beats per min to 140 per min i was don to 95lbs then too then they put me on thyriod meds and heart meds by the time they decided the only treatment for me was surgery to remove the hole thyroid i was on 17 pills a day and the radiation would not get ride of it because it was so large so now im underactive and weigh 120 lbs but only if they would of seem this before all this i might of been able to avoid surgery i hope everything works out