New and questions on hypothyroidism
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| Mon, 01-10-2005 - 5:32pm |
Hi,
This is Jeanne. I'm new to this board and new to thyroid disorder. So, I'd really like to get some knowledge and advice from you all. Here is my story:
For the past couple of years, I went through IVFs (infertility treatment) with no success, so eventurally we adopted our son from China last year. During the infertility treatment, my doctor found out that I got elevated prolactin (a hormone that helps to produce milk for breast-feeding women but also causes irragulate periods for others), so he prescribed some long-term medication to help regulate my cycles. Usually, the elevated prolactin is caused by either some benign tumors in the pituitary gland or thyroid dysfunction. MRI ruled out any possibility of having tumors in my pituitary gland and my TSH was within the normal range at that time. Due to the infertility treatment, my blood had been constantly checked and TSH was always right until Feb. 2004, my TSH level got slightly high (about 6). Since I was in the infertility treatment and put on all kinds of drugs that included birth control pills, I wasn't sure what had cuased the elevated TSH at that time. Last June, I stopped the infertility treatment. In November, I had hepatitis vaccine injection and then a couple of days later, I went back for another blood test, which showed that my TSH is 11.5. Without further testing, my PCP diagosed me of hypothyroidism and prescribed me Synthroid. Since I don't have any symptoms for hypothyroidism and I'm not sure if the birth control pills or hepatitis vaccine or the medication I take for suppressing the elevated prolactin got anything to do with TSH level? I did talk to my PCP about my concern, but she didn't think those medication would affect my TSH level. I plan to see an endocrineologist before committing to another long-term medication. Any suggestion on how to find an endocrinologist and what to look for? Can hypothyroidism be so easily diagnosed of(just based on elevated TSH)? What kind of symptoms should I expect from hypothyoidism? Your help would be really appreciated.
Jeanne

Hi Jeanne and welcome - here's a good link for basic thyroid info and a list of symptoms. I'd copy the article here for you but it won't let me: http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html
Here is a good link for finding a doctor: http://www.aace.com/memsearch.php. Also, ask around. There's nothing better than getting a good referral from someone you trust.
It seems that you're TSH had been climbing for quite some time before it became something your doctor diagnosed as hypothyroidism. As far as I know, it can't be caused by any of the conditions that you describe but it is interesting that they are hormonal conditions. Undiagnosed or undermedicated hypothyroidism can also make it very difficult to conceive and carry a baby to term.
Check out the list of symptoms and see if you have any. Sometimes the elevated TSH is the first sign and if left untreated, the symptoms follow. You are fortunate to be catching it so soon. As far as taking another medication, I understand what you're saying but this is something that is absolutely necessary for your continued good health. Left untreated, hypo causes the symptoms that you'll see on the list and they can be debilitating, to say the least. It also can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol and lead to weight gain, which causes it's own list of issues!! Does this help at all? Cathy :)