What is wrong with me?
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| Sun, 07-16-2006 - 3:45pm |
My title is more of a rhetorical question but, anyway, here is what's going on....
For about 2 years now, I have had hyperthyroidism. I have a goiter, my TSH was low (0.02 until now), my T3 & T4 were high (can't remember exact numbers), my uptake was SLIGHTLY high, and I was positive (though barely) for antibodies (she didn't specify the name). I discovered my problem because I was having anxiety attacks. I also got tested for ADHD about a week before the doctor told me about my thyroid levels being off because I couldn't concentrate AT ALL. After getting the results back, the guy kind of joked with me because I missed ONE on the whole test! He said I am DEFINITELY NOT ADHD. It was just that I was so hyper b/c of my thyroid! My endocrinologist was unsure how to diagnose me because, once in a while, my levels would return to normal or even go (slightly) hypo-. It was a rare thing but it did happen. This left her baffled b/c she said that w/ Graves Disease you go hyper- and stay that way and with Hoshimoto's, you go hypo- and stay that way. I was mostly hyper- but not staying that way. My endicrinologist said that you only have the antibodies that I was positive for with an autoimmune thyroid disease. This doesn't surprise me because my grandmother had Grave's Disease.
About a month-and-a-half ago, I called my primary care physician and made an appointment. I was sleeping about 10-12 hours/night and taking about 2-3 hour naps during the day. This, obviously, wasn't normal. I figured it had something to do with my thyroid but I was fed-up with my endocrinologist. Well, my PCP showed me my labs and I was on shock! My T4 was in the low range of normal but my TSH was 9.16! I had NEVER been that hypo! He now has me on synthroid and I'm feeling better (but not my best). I've been on it for four weeks now so I'm not due to get my levels drawn again for two more weeks. The part that bothers me the most is the fact that it messed my (very regular) periods up. My husband and I are wanting to start trying to get pregnant in about 6 months! I had an "unexplained" miscarriage about 4 years ago (before I knew anything about my thyroid) and I can't go through that again. Has anyone else ever heard of someones thyroid levels yo-yoing like this WITHOUT medicine? If I am positive for antibodies and have an autoimmune thyroid disease, which one would you say it is? Any advice?
Edited 7/16/2006 3:47 pm ET by nursejenny1979
Edited 7/16/2006 4:02 pm ET by nursejenny1979


Hi nurse,
Did you see an endocrinologist?
Hi Nursejenny1979,
You have a very interesting thyroid history.
I asked my endocrinologist how long she thinks it would take someone's thyroid that has Graves Disease to "burn itself out" and she said "Practically a lifetime". I'm only 27. It seems to me that, since I was hyper for most of AT LEAST 2 years, I would be diagnosed with Graves before I would be diagnosed with Hoshimoto's. Now that I'm hypo, though, my doctor seems to disagree.
The ironic thing about all of this is that my weight has NEVER fluctuated whether my levels are high or low. I'm 5'11" and have only fluctuated between 130-135 lbs. for a few years. Even the time of month will make any female fluctuate that much. I've also always had healthy hair and fingernails. I guess I can be glad for those things.
The only theory I have as to why my thyroid might yo-yo is all of the stress I've been under over the last several years. But even considering that, I'm sure ALOT of people that have thyroid problems go through stressful times in their lives and their thyroids don't go hyper AND hypo. Anyway, in the last several years (starting in 1999), I've lost an aunt to murder, went to her murder trial a few years later, miscarried a baby a few weeks after that, moved 5-6 times, filed bankruptcy, had surgery (to remove a cyst on my eye muscle), lost my grandmother, moved in with, took care of and lost my grandfather and planned a big wedding (then got married in May of this year) all while working full-time (40 hrs/week), going to school full-time and dealing with my thyroid complications. I, personally, think that's alot to look back on at 27-years-old.
Well, thanks for the reply. I'll keep ya updated as to what happens and whether we figure anything out or not. I better get off this computer and work on some homework. 10 more months til I'm an RN instead of an LPN! WOO HOO!
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
I would be inclined to agree with you about the Graves' diagnosis too.
Actually, as long as I can have children (and feel a little less tired), I don't really care if my labs are normal or not. I know that sounds bad but I don't mean for it to. I just feel like this tiny gland in my neck has been the center focus and worry of my life for way too long. I only have so much control and the rest is not up to me. I have my new marriage and, hopefully soon, children to focus on. Life should be fun at my age and it hasn't been for a while. I'm deciding to make the best of whatever God throws my way. I want children, but if I can't have them then traveling will take their place and that will be great too! I'm just so sick of being sick. Ya know?
Jenny
P.S. What a cute kitty cat! I wasn't a big cat lover until one adopted me. He was so small that he fit into the palm of my hand. He would have died if I didn't take him in. At that time, I didn't even like to pet cats, let alone take care of one. BUUUUT....he turned 2 in April and LIVES on my lap. We are inseperable! He's my big little baby.
Somehow I completely missed your post from the 16th! I just now found it. I'm sorry.
Yes, I WAS seeing an endocrinologist (that didn't know what she was doing) and NO, I was not aware that Hoshimoto's could make you go hyper AND hypo. I thought it was just hypo. As far as I know, she only tested me for one antibody and it turned up positive. I really don't remember. Maybe I need to call and request a copy of my chart. I didn't trust her (she's new and inexperienced) and I was so busy that I just didn't take the time to find a new endocrinologist. I swear that nurses take the worst care of themselves! Tomorrow I need to call around and find a new doctor. One of my patients highly suggested hers. Maybe I need to call him.
So, what do doctors do in cases where they see yo-yoing levels. When they swing down, it's almost a scary thought to put the patient on synthroid. Aren't they afraid of sending them into a thyroid storm when their levels swing back up? But then again, I was so low that it started affecting my periods. So what do you think my doctor will do if I swing back up again?
I definitely realize that, unless I want to miscarry again, I CAN'T get pregnant. The only thing that worries me is that my mom's mom, my mom, my sister, my dad's sister, and my dad's mom ALL had reproductive problems right around 30 that caused them to get hysterectomies. In fact, my sister IS 30 and is scheduled to have one in the next month or so. I'm half way to my 28th birthday and haven't even had my first child. If my thyroid doesn't stop me from having a baby, I'm afraid endometriosis or fibroid tumors will. I definitely hear my clock ticking every day! I need to do something and as quickly as possible. I guess I should have gone back to an endocrinologist months ago! But, if we aren't wanting to try for another 6 months, maybe it'll be straightened out by then. I hope so!
Jenny
A lot of people with hashi's just deal with ups and downs until finally the thyroid burns out. People with hashi's sometimes get their thyroid removed and feel sooo much better with it gone.
I would try to book that appt with the endo since a lot of endo's take (in the least) weeks to be seen!
April,
Thanks for clueing me in as my endo definitely wasn't!
Actually, I don't have an e-mail from you. Did you send it to NurseJenny79@msn.com?
Jenny
Yes...Sherry is a cutie.