New here, question about Hypert...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
New here, question about Hypert...
4
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 1:19pm

Hi there--My name is April & I'm 27. I have a 15 month old daughter. Shortly after she was born, I began noticing some changes in my health. My weight is up and down, I have nightsweats, nightly, I seem to keep getting a cold I can't shake, I'm always freezing. I went to see my OBGYN about this last March, and I tested for Hyperthyroidism, in blood work. He referred me to an Endo, who orederd a scan and all that other radiological stuff. The Endo said my thyroid isn't diseased, and whatever was causing the problem wasn't bad enough to treat. So I figured I'd just deal with the symptoms and move on.


Well, I went in last week for my yearly, and my blood work once agains showed Hyperthorid (I think she said it was 11.5). The Dr. asked why it wasn't treated last spring. I told her about the Endo, and she says it does need to be treated, b/c it can cause me trouble conceiving, and cause miscarriages... and I do want to have other children. I also had a lot of difficulty conceiving the first time, and I wonder if this is not why. The Dr. is referring me to a new Endo.


My question is this--What do I do if the Endo does not want to treat me this time?  How do I handle that--what questions should I ask?


And, can I have hyperthyroidism, but not have a "diseased" thyroid? Is there a difference? And, is there a difference in how they're treated?


Thanks for any insight!


  Lilypie 2nd Birthday


   Winner!



 

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 7:27pm

Ok too weird. I am April, 27 too. Please don't tell me your b-day is in Oct?! I was married 7/18/97. I have 3 kids, but one b-day was 9-25-01.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 10:34pm

Hi April - you and you baby are so pretty! I think you have gotten some bad advice from that first doctor and the new one sounds like she is more on the ball - which is good. A TSH of 11.5 is hypo unless you made a mistake typing and it's supposed to be 1.5, which really still isn't hyper! DO you have your test results handy? In any case, when you go the new endo and you get your results back, ask to have a copy sent to you. You will go fro the blood work, talk about how you feel etc, but won't get the results back for up to a week or more, in some cases. So when the nurse calls with the results, ask her for the numbers and write them down. Then ask her to send you a copy of the results. That way you will always have them as a reference.

You can have a TSH of uup to 5.5 and most doctors won't diagnose you as hypo. BUT, lab ranges have changed but the labs just don't use the new ranges yet - I know, it makes no sense. SO if your TSH comes back at anything over 3.0, which is the new upper limit for hypothyroidism, then you can be diagnosed if you speak to the doctor about your symptoms. Especially in light of the fact that you want to have more children. There is an article on the new range. Here is the link: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthyroid/a/labs2003.htm

You can print this out and bring it to the endo with you to discuss it with him or her. It's good that you're questioning this now because it will help you when it comes time to be treated later on. And yes, you're right that this thyroid condition probably made it difficult for you to conceive the first time around. Hope this helps. Do you have any other questions? Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 11:55pm

WOW, April--that's crazy we're the same name and age! My birthday is August 1, though! But we were even married in the same month and year!! You don't happen to live in Texas do you?


I'm now confused about my levels. Can thyroid screw with your head? LOL! The nurse practitioner at my OBGYN's office said it was hyper, but she also quoted me 11.4 or 11.5--somewhere in there. I didn't think to ask for any specific numbers--I just didn't realize how many questions I'd have. I will see if I can't get them tomorrow.


If they don't treat it, am I just out of luck until it corrects itself? What if that never happens? I'd love to have more children, and the first time around it was so tough to conceive. I'd hate to go through that again. And what if I miscarried b/c of it. I think, knowing what I know now, I'd be afraid to try to conceive, unless I KNOW my levels are normal.


Thanks for your help. I'l print this out for reference when I go to the Endo.


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 11:59pm

Hi Cathy!


Thanks for the compliments--I'm very proud of my baby! She's the love of my life. And, I'd like to have another, but now, knowing this could cause miscarriage, I'm scared to even try. I also don't want to have to put that part of my life on hold, but if they won't treat it, it looks like that's what will happen.


I will print out your response and take it with me. I'm certain the nurse practitioner told me 11.5, and said "hyper." But, I could be confused. I didn't think, at the time, to ask for any specific numbers. I'll see if I can't get them tomorrow or so.


Thanks for your input!


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting