Hypo to Hyper in a Hurry and No Answers!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-05-2005
Hypo to Hyper in a Hurry and No Answers!
5
Sat, 02-05-2005 - 12:34pm

Dear Friends,

I am writing because I have so many questions and so few answers!

I have had Hypothyroidism is I was 14 years old and began on Synthroid therapy at age 20. Things ahve always been pretty stable since then. Last August, I took a job in China. Before I moved I had a complete physical including a thyroid panel that was normal with 88mcg of synthroid daily.

However, 6 weeks after arriving in China I began to display typical signs of hyperthryoidism. I went for blood work that showed that I was VERY hyperthyroid. After 2 attempts to lower my medication and test again in a few weeks I was taken off of my med completely. I was also sent back to the States for a few weeks to sort this out.

I saw an internist as well as an endocrinologist. Both upon examination stated that without a doubt I developed Grave's Disease. Then, when they saw the TSH on the test they ran here was normal on no medication but with an elevated T3, they said there was nothing wrong with me and that the T3 count doesn't mean anything. The problem is that my symptoms have not gone away. In fact, they are so severe that I am on heart medication to control my heartrate and another medication to calm the tremor, and a diuretic for the swelling in my legs. How can a doctor think it is ok to send my on a plane back to China on all of these drugs? Why doesn't anyone seemed concerned that there must be an explanation for going from completely healthy to all of these symptoms over 5 months?

Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should do? I am at my wits end!

~jipf~

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Sat, 02-05-2005 - 10:38pm
Hi and welcome - I would see another endo if i were you and get some answers to what's going on with you. You really don't want to play around with heart troubles, as you know, I'm sure!! If you went from hypo to hyper to somewhere that they think is "normal" but you still have elevated T3 levels and heart issues, you don't sound normal to me. It sounds as if you are still hyper. Can you try another doctor? Do you have your actual test results that you can post here? That would help. Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-05-2005
Sun, 02-06-2005 - 6:12am


Cathy,

Thank you for your advice. Here are the lab reports that I have from China(I have included the ranges since the system is different):

09/23/04:
(T3) 2.14ng/ml (Range) 0.8-2.2
(T4) 161.04ng/ml 42.0-135.0
(FT3) 4.46pmol/L 3.09-9.83
(FT4) 16.44pmol/L 8.07-26.27
(TG-Ab) 2.43% <30%
(TM-Ab) 2.78% <15%
(TSH) Untraceable(<0r=to 0) 0.00-7.9

11/04/04:
(T3) 1.94ng/ml (Range) 0.8-2.2
(T4) 137.53ng/ml 42-135
(FT3) 4.80pmol/L 3.09-9.83
(FT4) 15.22pmol/L 8.07-26.27
(TG-Ab) 2.89% <30%
(TM-Ab) 3.56% <15%
TSH Untraceable(

1/20/05 (T3) 2.78nmol/L (Range) 0.95-2.5
(T4) 135.21nmol/L 58.0-151.0
(FT3) 5.72pmol/L 4.0-8.3
(FT4) 15.94pmol/L 9.0-20.0
(TSH) 2.980mU/L 0.27-4.7

1/24/05 I had a thyroid ultrasound that showed no goiter or nodule.

1/31/05 TSH 2.014

The endo refused to do a full thyroid panel because he said that only the TSH decides whether I am hyperthyroid or not. Am I crazy to think that the T3 could be causing the hyperthyroidism? If so, I am worried about the fact that I am suddenly producing all of this T3 thyroxine. Where did it come from? This coincides with my going to China. I am curious if there is something in the environment that might be invovled? It isn't seafood because I am deathly allergic to it.

Do you or anyone know of a reliable endo in the Detroit Metro area? I live in small town about 45 mintues west of Detroit. I have been to several endos in this area over the years and have been much less than satisfied. Because my thyroid was always so stable my GP always let me check my levels with her. She has since moved her practice 1 1/2 hours away.

I greatly appreciate any suggestions! I am desperate for answers!

~jipf~

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Sun, 02-06-2005 - 9:10am
Have you been eating a lot of seaweed or kelp?
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-05-2005
Sun, 02-06-2005 - 10:19pm

Jonaprilow,

No I have an anaphylatic allergy to seafood. I cannot eat kelp or seaweed.

~jipf~

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 10:34pm

Ok - hi again. You're going to have a low tsh if you're hyperthyroid! So ... that would be expected. Am I missing something? I have a terrible cold so I may not be seeing this right! The bottom limit of the range is 0 and your level is less than 0! So that's the first thing. Second, your T4 is very high on the first test - T4) 161.04ng/ml 42.0-135.0- and still a bit above normal in the second - T4) 137.53ng/ml 42-135
. T4 is the main thyroid hormone that our body produces and it is used as T4 and also changed into T3 since that is most easily used by our bodies. So your having a high T4 shows that your body is producing more than it can use. That would be hyperthyroidism. According to this doctor, you may still be close to normal, which would be subclinical hyperthyroid, which a lot of people have been posting about lately. Got o www.thyroid-info.com and check out the doctor reference. You can also go to http://www.aace.com/memsearch.php to seek a doctor in your area. Also try the
American Thyroid Association:

http://www.thyroid.org/index.php3?M_Session=9994cd41eb24e7a8b784b42c34ca745a

Does this help at all??? Cathy :)