Hello, my name is Rick. I'm a 44 yr old male. Been very fatigued, chills in my extremities, gaining weight with not eating much, and anxiety which I have anyway. Had blood work done and results came back for abnormal levels. 4.3 dr said. He wants to wait 3 more weeks for another test to rule out false result. Question is should I wait and tolerate these symptoms or seek second opinion. Had symptoms about 5 months. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in adavance
Hi Rick
Do you reside in the UK?
What blood tests did the dr order?
Have you got all the results.
Have you had a temperature recently?
Kind regards
Jean
Hi Rick, sorry to hear of the symptoms you are having. Your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test results at 4.3 is just borderline so not really high enough for thyroid treatment hence your GP wants to do another blood test in 3 weeks time. Also you will find that other conditions like CFS/me also have the same symptoms. Gp's tend not to like treating hypothyroid until your tsh hits around 10.0. See what your next results are and then you can decide if you want to be referred to an endocrinologist or possibly a rheumatologist. I hope this helps
Hi Gizmo
My TSH is 0.17, T4 is 16.5 TPOA less than 33. I have multinodular goitre.
I have the signs and symptoms of hyopthyroidism plus peripheral neuropathy.
Are you saying that because my tsh is not 10 that I will not be treated?
Jean.
Hi Jean, thank you so much for the reply. I live in Southern California. I asked for a diabetes test because of my symptoms and it was negative. Then nurse called back and informed me thyroid levels were abnormal and Dr. Ordered some more tests in a few weeks. Not sure of all tests he's doing. Temp is normal but I'm cold right now and it's 80 degrees here
Hi Rick
Sorry to hear that you are experiencing these horrible signs and symptoms.
Is your dr willing to be persuaded to repeat your tests?
If not what will you do?
Have you got a multinodular goitre?
Jean
Thank you for your reply. Dr. Said if it's abnormal at next test he'll treat me for Hypothyroidism. It's just these symptoms. I'm so sluggish after a full nights sleep and cold. It's 80 degrees and I'm cold. Lol. Is CFS chronic fatigue syndrome? I've thought of that too. So nice to have people to talk to. When I'm not feeling well my support system goes away for some reason
Yeah. Repeating test in 3 weeks. So I guess I'll solider on for the mean time. He will treat me for hypothyroidism if it comes back abnormal again. Thank you for replying. Nice to have people to talk about this . The multinodular goiter no.
Hi Rick
it is difficult to say at this stage what is exactly wrong. It depends on how long your signs and symptoms have been present. You may have an infection. The dr can easily check for an infection by doing inflammatory markers such as esr and crp.
I would ask that your antibodies be checked for example for anas, another test is called the glucose tolerance test, randon blood sugar tests are not very useful. If you can buy a relatively inexensive self testing blood sugar kit . Here in England you could purchase one for around fifteen pounds - 30 dollars.Blood sugars are usuaally done on a regular basis.
Do you have any peripheral neuropathy or burning sensations in your legs? Another cause of your signs and ssymptoms could be due to the side effects of statins, ntibiotics, etc etc. See Floxiehope. Jean
Hi Rick
Have you had a scan to exclude a multinodular goitre?
I think you need to get copies of your blood reports.
Hope you do not mind my asking.
jean
Dear Rick
Have you been checked out for the following.
Vitamin D deficiency disorder. Anaemia especially Vit B deficiency anaemias.
Have you taaken any statins or antibiotics? Please read Floxiehope for further info on antibiotic toxicity.
Kind regards
Jean
I'm gonna make an appt to try to narrow down what's wrong. I kinda just got going with this. I thought my symptoms were just a virus and ignored them which I always do but when they said my levels were abnormal I kinda panicked which I also do.
Hi Rick, Though it's miserable having these symptoms it is probably worth waiting 3 weeks. In UK at the lab my GP uses, the TSH range is 0.4-4.9.
Less than 0.4 and you're classed as having a hyperactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), more than 4.9 and you're classed as having a hypoactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
As you can see your result was at the high end of normal. My view is that your doctor is taking a good approach by retesting in 3 weeks time. This second blood test will tell you three things (1) if your TSH is in range or not, (2) how quickly it is changing, (3) in which direction it is going. So for example, if it came back as 4.7, although this is in range, it is moving towards being out of range and even though it is still in range your doctor might well decide to treat you for hypothyroidism and start you on 25mcg of thyroxine. All (?) you've got to do is put up with 3 more weeks (and I know how difficult that can be). Ideas to help: do the minimum you can get away with (but if you're working, don't get fired! - it might help to explain to your boss how you feel and what the doc said); get loads of sleep 12+ hours a night; and eat as healthily as you can even though you are probably craving starchy, sugary foods.
It is a good idea to ask for a printout of your blood test results. This will show you what the range is for your lab. Hang in there!
Rick Try not to panic.
Thank you so much. I panicked which is normal for me with an anxiety disorder when they told me it was abnormal. I'm also very impatient so I think I need treatment immediately. But you're right on the money. I just need to be patient and follow doctors orders. Work is light duty and just limit what I do and eat better. He's says if it comes back abnormal he'll treat it with medication. Thanks for the encouragement 😀
For sure. Worrying is not helpful😀
Ideas for things you can do to kickstart your metabolism are: have a hot bath; exercise (it's the last thing you'll want to do, but if you can make yourself do it, you'll feel better - even if it's just a short walk. Swimming works well for me.
vPANIC.I have a first class honours degree in panic. In my case itis one of the severe signs and symptoms that and depression.
just hope that I do not have cancer of the thyroid and that some kind surgeon will remove this nodules/nodules.
I cannot wait to start a treatment that will alleviate these dreasdful signs and symptoms. We just have to keep hanging on in there. Jean
PS Exercise is also good for anxiety! I found swimming great because I could do it on my own, it supports my body weight so put less strain on my joints and it is an exercise that gives the whole body a workout.
You're welcome! Your GP sounds a really good one and very supportive. All the best.