Hi Everyone! I've lurked quite a bit on these pages and am hoping for some advice on hypo symptoms and pursuing treatment! I think I need a new PCP...but also wondering if anyone has had experience with TSH swinging within days (e.g. decline in half in 48 hours?)
I am a 24 y/o female and have had my Thyroid "watched" for over a year now. I first got TSH of 6.8 result from my OBGYN last March. I finally got a PCP and my TSH in May 2012 was 2.58 uIU/mL, TPO Ab was 10 IU/ml and Free T4 was 1.32 ng/dL. Kind of strange to me to feel fatigue, suffer hair loss, etc and to have my TSH bounce around so much.
So in August I went again and again had similar symptoms but also with an enlarged node/gland about three fingers up from my collarbone on the right side. TSH again was normal 2.51 uIT/mL, Triiodothyronine Free was 3.4 pg/mL, and T4 Free was 1.38 ng/dL.
My PCP thought I was "FINE" and chalked up the enlarged node/gland to possible fall allergies or fighting an infection and didn't want to see my for 6 months.
Fast forward to this week.... I am out to dinner and start suffering from heart palpitations, dizziness, dehydration, and ultimately lost vision and almost fainted. I went to the nearest ER and my TSH was 8.08. Potassium was low, sodium was elevated (consistent with very mild dehydration, just barely out of line).
I follow up with my PCP and more bloodwork is taken, her only response is "Thyroid function is normal" .... uh what?! I am waiting for the numeric results to come back but this does NOT seem right! She didn't take into account any symptoms except from the episode at dinner (gland is still enlarged, hair is falling out in clumps). No added stress in my life recently besides THIS.
Has anyone experienced this jump? The ER doc said I needed to INSIST my PCP to refer me to an Endocrinologist and ask for a thyroid scan, and my PCP just wants to see me in one month. Do I ditch my doc and look for a specialist on my own?
Thanks all.
Last edited by aokayquack; 03-20-2013 at 10:06 AM.
Reason: typo
Yes, TSH can bounce around like that in the earlier stages of the autoimmune disease known as "Hashimoto's thyroiditis". The disease also often causes nodules and goiter. Your TPO antibody test is considered technically "normal", but in the context of all your symptoms and fluctuating TSH probably indicates you're suffering from Hashimoto's. Furthermore, TSH consistently above 3 is extremely rarely "normal", even if it is within the standard ref range.
As yet, your FT4 and FT3 tests don't appear to be too far off from where a healthy person's would be; but that doesn't mean they're your "normal".
A visit to an endocrinologist might be worthwhile, but be prepared. Endos are often the last ones to recognize hypothyroidism. They focus primarily on diabetes and only have textbook knowledge about hypoT, which is rarely "textbook".
Hope you get the right answer soon.
__________________ "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Abraham Lincoln
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would ask for a referral. My thyroid levels were erratic for several years before they became consistently high. They just kept repeatedly ordering thyroid panels, even after I had 3 tests that came back hyperactive within one year. I had to insist on the doctor ordering a uptake and scan. I don't understand why this happens, but it sounds like you would be better off to get in to see someone that is more concerned about finding out what is going on.
