new secondary hypothyroidism diagnosis..HELP

02-15-2005, 11:00 AM

Hello to anyone who takes the time to help me. I have recently been to my PCP with the complaint of extreme fatigue and weight gain. He immediately did blood work and found that my TSH level was basically non existant. He ordered additional blood work to check my T4 and T3 level and hasn't gotten this back yet. He has refered me to a local endocrinologist and said I have secondary hypothyroidism. My endo appointment is tomorrow. I have NO information on this and have been searching on the internet for anything I can find. Everything seems to point to a tumor on the pituitary gland. Could it be something else? Will I have to have sugery? Is there a chance of death? How will this effect my life? Will things get worse before they get better? I have an 8 year old daughter that needs me. I don't know what my options are....what else it could be....or anything. I am very scared which is causing massive stress and my fatigue seems to be worsening along with what seems to be panic attacks. PLEASE HELP ME. If I just know what to expect I can handle things better. Thanks.
Jeanna

02-15-2005, 11:47 AM

How did he get the diagnosis of secondary hypothyroidism? Did he run tests on your pituitary gland? It is very rare and I would wait for the Endo's diagnosis before I get too worried. It might be primary hypothyroidism instead. let us know how Endo appt go's.

02-17-2005, 01:55 PM

Okay...I've now gone to the endo....he's sending me my bloodwork results. At my appointment yesterday he was very intrigued. He said I showed signs and symptoms of hypo but blood work looks more like Hyper.
My TSh is less than .01 my Free T4 is normal (will get levels in mail) and T3 was elevated. But I'm exhausted and gaining weight. Has anyone else experienced this....and does anyone have any clus what I should do next.

Jeanna

02-17-2005, 04:10 PM

I am intrigued too because you are very similar to me at the moment. My TSH is low 0.14, my T4 is high abnormal and my T3 is in the normal range. The doctor wants to reduce my thyroxine although she admits my symptoms - exhausted and gaining weight too - are more like hypo. She says my dosage is too high and has to come down.

02-17-2005, 04:30 PM

Some people report weight gain and exaustion and when they switch to a different brand of t4 or armour, they feel better.
Have any of you switched meds? If not, maybe you should consider trying a different brand. It worked for me. I got off Synthroid and started taking generic levothyroxine made by Mylan and was doing much better. The fillers and binders can make all the difference in the world in how your body absorbs the t4.
Barb

02-17-2005, 04:39 PM

Js65, I'm so sorry you're going through this. But please try not to worry. Worrying will only make your symptoms worse.
Normal t4, elevated t3, low TSH. Normally with a pituitary problem, there would be a low TSH with low t4 and t3. Your test results seem to indicate hyperthyroidism to me, not a pituitary problem.
What does your endo think?
Barb

02-17-2005, 04:43 PM

I just wanted to add that symptoms can criss cross. One of my worst symptoms before I was dx'd with hypothyroidism was a racing heartbeat.
Have either of you had your antibodies tested?
Barb

02-18-2005, 10:10 AM

My Free T4 - 181
Free T3 4.58
TSH .03
Anti TPO 188

What does all that mean?

02-18-2005, 05:54 PM

Do you have the lab ranges?
Barb

02-20-2005, 12:34 PM

Will try and get those on Monday.

new secondary hypothyroidism diagnosis..HELP

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