Another Thyroid Thread.... (Redux)

[Red Rock]

Blueberry...man that's got to be beyond frustrating. The doc taking into account how you are doing.
Indy..I totally agree with you there.

My update: At least it is postive. I told the doc what all had happened and how I was feeling. It did not make sense to him but the Assistant said to him in the office that even though my dose had been lowered, I was still not feeling great. Then she said that we want you feeling better. I agreed. Isn't that what we all want??? Anyway, I'm back up to my old 10mg dose. Both my husband and I hope this takes away all of my symptoms and I start feeling better soon. Not sure how long soon will be. They did say that if I was not feeling better in a months time, to go and get the bloodwork done. Then I guess I would see him at that point. He has added a CMP, a CBC, the TSH Antibody, in addtion to the normal thyroid panel. I am close on my weight. I feel like I have been eating house and home for a while just to get closer to my normal 140. I came in at 136. So I am still eating a little bit more than normal.

Good luck to everyone. This is by no means any fun. Why can't it be simple? There needs to be more understanding with the whole Doc patient relationship and the thyroid for sure.

Take care all,
Red Rock

[redrhodie]

So, I got my labs, and it looks like I have Hashimoto's (high levels of both antibodies). No big surprise, and actually a bit of relief to know it wasn't caused by the radiation treatments. My endo is on vacation, so I haven't heard from her. Also, my tsh was .19, so technically hyper, but I don't feel hyper, so I'm not sure if she'll lower my dose. I don't want to be overmedicated, but I feel good right now.

I'm nervous about the increased risk of other autoimmune diseases due to Hashi's, especially Celiac Disease. (Ha ha, auto correct changed Celiac to celibacy. I hope I don't get that either). My half brother has it so, I know I'm at risk genetically. I'm not going to worry about it until it's a problem, but it will be in the back of my mind.

[indysteel]

That's a bummer, Red. I hear you about the worry re: other autoimmune diseases. It's on my mind a lot.

I'll be curious as to what your doc says. Two of the three endos I've talked to have indicated that I may have both Hashi's and Graves. For the time being, my current doc is still just focusing on my TSH levels and how I'm feeling. But they're right about the dx AND I start to have wild swings, then the easiest thing might be to treat with RAI, although that, too, can induce changes in the antibodies. I'm having a hard time getting my head around the transient nature of the various antibodies that can cause autoimmune related thyroid disease.

[Red Rock]

Red- Sorry to hear the bad news on Hashimoto's. in the beginning, that was what thet thought I had until my symptoms changed and so did my bloodworm. I'm still not out of the woods yet. They are checking me for other things, such as Hashimoto's, too. I'm just hoping that with my dosage increase all of my adverse symptoms go away.

Good luck. I understand where your coming from on the other autoimmune diseases. That is how I feel about all of it too.

Red Rock

[redrhodie]

My endo called last week and confirmed Hashis and lowered my levo dose from 100 to 88 mcg. Will check labs in 6 weeks.

If snap reads this, how did your dose change go? I think it was lowered a while back. Did you adjust well? Was there a phase of feeling hypo?

[indysteel]

How are you feeling these days, Red? You mentioned that your bloodwork showed a low TSH. Are you feeling hyper at all or have you sensed a worsening of any of your hypo symptoms.

I feel for you. I've done some reading on Hashi's thyroiditis and Hashi's toxicosis, but I have to be honest that I found much of it confusing. I hope your case has a rather straightforward presentment and that it's easy to manage.

[redrhodie]

I feel good, but I do feel slightly more anxious than usual in the morning, and I have been retaining water. Oh, and maybe brain fog. I just drove 30 miles to Providence and realized when I got to Whole Foods that I forgot my wallet. So yeah, things like that have been happening more than normal. I left my phone at work last week, and the only other time I did that was right before I was diagnosed.

You know what's really weird? I worked for 12 years at a very small company in NY, and I know 4 of us have Hashi's. It makes me wonder if this is environmental or viral. Of course it could be shear coincidence, but it seems like a cluster to me.

Oh, and I'm not even going to look up Hashi's toxicosis! I don't need another hobby!