Hi Annie,

I do have antibodies to my thyroid...I've had them for at least 6-years...I think they're finally working :S

I had an ultrasound of my thyroid a few months ago and it was totally normal looking...

I've had tests for my parathyroid glands...Those are normal too...I had that done during my first hospital stay for shortness of breath...The doc. said that I prolly have a vitamin D deficiency, which makes sense in terms of the calcium...I wished that he woulda actually tested the vitamin D levels to be sure...

I have a cardiologist...I have mitral valve prolapse, so I see him sorta regularly...I just had another event monitor for two weeks because I keep feeling like my heart is skipping or something...The docs. always say that my prolapse is really mild, though...But, I did read that it's common for people with thyroid antibodies to have a prolapse...Anywho, if the prolapse is causing the swelling, it's not so mild!

My worst fear is that it's my breathing somehow causing it...The breathing and the swelling have been so progressive...Over the last 4-years or so...I get so scared that i've caused myself to get emphysema from stupid smoking...The worst is when you feel like it's your fault...

Oh yeah, and my albumin is low...I also have almost zero cholesterol...But the cholesterol test was run after I had a plasma exchange, so I'm not sure if that affected it...It prolly did

P.S. What's 'corrected' calcium?

Note to self: Quit smoking!