Hi everyone, needing some advice here. I do not want to walk into the doctor's office not knowing anything and blindly accepting everything he says. So, here's what I know. I had a thyroid panel ran in December and I just had a 2nd one ran this last week. The numbers didn't change much, although I have heard you need to have a panel ran 3 times for comparison. The doctor told me my numbers are, "within range" and that's all he said. I had to practically beg to have an antibodies test done and when the results came back, he referred me to an endo.

Dec TSH 1.97 range 0.40-5.50 April TSH 2.56
T4 Free 1.1 range 0.8-1.8 didn't do

T4 total 9.3 range 4.5-12.0 ug/dL 7.9

T3 Uptake 27.2 range 22.0-35.0 29.4

T4 Free calculated 2.53 range 1.53-3.85 2.32

T3 Total 140 range 60-181 140

Antibioties 69.9 <35. wasn't done in Dec.

This time I requested an antibodies test be done, it wasn't a suggestion from my doctor. All my doc wanted to do was increase my Celexa. Sad, isn't it?
The doc recommends I see an endocrinologist--I have an appt on May 17th.

What should I know, what should I ask, what should I tell them about? It's hard, I also have celiac disease, (gluten free for almost 7 yrs) and I have peripheral neuropathy. Which symptoms belong to which is very confusing. I have swelling on the inside of both legs just above my ankles and just above both wrists, is that thyroid? I know the fatigue is, the brain fog, the weight gain, constant headaches, and maybe even my anxiety.

I do not want to walk in not knowing anything. Any suggestions?

and found out [aint' hindiste wonderful?] I've Hashit's Auto-I. Soo, one has to ask, which came first? Egg or chicken? Since they didn't TEST, they can't say...therefore, all subsequent tests are all plain old DAMAGE CONTROL? Based on sonos, x-rays, etc. docs, never connected some dots. I for one could have avoided lots of after-effects/side-effects if they had? But, think on it this way..damage IS Done, let's go forth to find out HOW best! Best is the key word on how to get the mess cleared up!

I can only refer you to web sites that I've found useful for all the myriad of conditions I either actually have, or seem to have...[not to mention the 'suspects'] One thing I've found, is that there ARE boards out there of good folks who aren't necessarily on these particular boards...who give as good as so many here.

I too, have those seemingly 'bad-fitting-shoes'? They hurt, but, nothing cant' be fixed..just a matter of finding which/what to fix!..Don't know about you, but ANY relief, is just that...RELIEF! - j

deb...i'm going to pm mrsd with the link to the thread. i;m not sure if she would see it. maybe she can help. she is pretty awesome.

Thank you--both of you. I am a member of the About.com thyroid forum--I put a similiar thread in that forum on Monday night, and as of this morning, no one had responded . I would love answers, thank you.

deb, feel free to post this on some of our other forums too. maybe the General or Medications, since you listed what you are taking.

let's keep this bumped up...so more will see it.

Hi Deb,

Not sure I can help much but it does look like your thryoid TSH is rising slowly and your antibodies are slightly elevated. My antobodies are at 99 but still not high. Seems like possibly you have Hashimotos but seeing and endo is a good thing.

I will go back and check where my other values are versus yours. I have Hashi's. The thyroid meds gave me back some of my energy. Make sure you also ask your doc for a thryoid ultrasound as a baseline. I also had several fine needle aspirations which were negative. But your endo will be able to help make that decision. I actually found my endo of the thyroid info site which has a list of top thryoid docs.

The good thing is that the thryoid is a slow moving organ so change is slow which is good.

I wish you the best.

The doc I am going to see was a recommendation from the doc I work for. I figure who better to ask, he wants me going where I will get the best help so I continue working at my best for him . I hope he's a good doctor. Truthfully, I think thyroid has been an issue for me for a long time now, just didn't know to look for it. That's why we have doctor's, isn't it?

It appears that your TSH is going up.... the reference range you provide, is
being changed to a new one, but not all doctors use it. TSH in the newer models 3.0 is considered the cut off.

A good doctor will not raise thyroid hormone unless sure it is needed. If you get too much for no reason than symptoms, this elevated hormone can increase bone tear down (increase osteopenia or create osteoporosis).. so the trend is to only raise carefully.

Your antibodies are elevated, but interpretation of them requires a specialist.

YOu will want to make sure you are getting enough selenium and zinc...since T4 is converted using those minerals in the conversion enzymes.

Other than that I have little else to offer, sorry.

Don't know about you, but rite now I feel as if I'm on one SURREAL Human Hampster type-wheel going round and round and ......

I would see an Endo if you can find one? Mine was on the About.com lists but had taken his name off. But all my docs [the herd of them I'm trying to herd, remember?] recommended this practice soo - I went...
Severe Vit-D deficiency [even tho..heaps of pills..] and Anti TOP and TG #'s in the middle hundreds. [I've read of others with Anti #'s in the Thousands!]He'd stated 'most-likely' Hashi's on the first visit after doing a sono, and it's now Definitely. Whoo-hee! Get to add one MORE to the list!

My issue to begin with was Calcium depletion going from osteopenia to porosis noticably in the past year. I had thought it was the AI[aramotase inhibitor] for the post cancer follow up, combined with the Anti-seizure meds. Both of which are notorious for depletion on their own. I think the addition of the AI added in the last year pushed things over the 'edge' -wherever That is.

End of it all, is to stay on the Synthroid dose I''ve been on now for 3 years. I'm to stay on the Fosamax+D and am adding the following [per Endo]: 1000 units of Vit-D, and 500 mg of 'elemental calcium' 2X's a day. I've now got 3 different containers of Calcium Citrate each w/different dosages and include D and/or Magnesium...

Ok isn't 'Elemental Calcium' an oxymoron? Is there a synthetic Calcium out there?

OK Deb, You DO have a confirmed diagnosis for another auto-i condition YES? If so, See the Endo and get confirmation that you've got another one! All they do is tinker with your TSH levels & supplements till they're happy, and it sure doesn't hurt to be sure it's just the thyroid and nothing else! I have to say this was one doc who didn't think all the other auto-i stuff was imaginary. That made it really PLEASANT! You all know what I mean.

Mrs D? How much of what kinds of Selenium and Zinc? My eyes are crossed trying to find good calcium types with D and no B-6 thown in.

Don't know about you but it's like being on two teeter-totters at once! Hang in there! - j