My pain doctor, still trying to make me feel better, had me do a 24 hour urine collection and send it to a speciality lab to check for abnormalities. My appt to go over the results with her isn't until next Thursday but I called to make sure they had the results and see if I could get a copy, which I did.
Both my mom and grandma have low thyroid, I have had several blood tests and they always come back in the low end of normal so no one will treat it even though I have all the signs-the weight gain, the hair loss, the fatigue. The urine test showed my free T4 to be 300, it should be 430-3200 and my T3 to be 600 with normal ranges from 470-1750. These T tests are supposed to be much more accurate at detecting thyroid problems. It would seem that I definitely have a thyroid problem.
On top of that, my DHEA level which is supposed to be 100-2000, with most web sites saying that 250 should be the minimum, mine is 35. Low dhea levels can cause weight gain, fatigue, depression, low sex drive, again all symptoms that I have. I also found an article saying that low dhea levels can increase thrombosis, blood clots. I am on blood thinners right now for two pulmonary embolisms and three dvts, thats 5 blood clots!! The article also says that pregnant woman are more prone to clotting when they have low dhea levels because it circulates between the other and fetus. I have had 5 unexplained miscarriages, one of the top reasons for first trimester miscarriage, is blood clot!
In my readings, I also saw that low DHEA levels can be linked to ai diseases, especially lupus and ra! And that it has something to do with inflammation as well.
Also my estrogen is high and progesterone is low and the test was done on a specific cycle day to take into account of the fluctuations during a woman's cycle.
I can't understand much about this one but my etiocholone is high.
They know for sure from the biopsy I had that I do have sarcoidosis, beyond that nothing else is for sure. I have listed in my signature some of the things I have been told I have but who the heck knows anymore???
I am scheduled to start my first remicaid treatment the 21st. It would seem that I will be getting a higher or at least ore frequent dose than some of you here. I will do my first treatment, than another one in 2 weeks, than once a month.
Not sure what the intent of my post is but I find some of this info to be very interesting. I will be sure to update with what the dr actually has to say about it all next Thursday.
Michelle,
What a long, hard road it has been for you. I hope you get the answers you need and can start tx soon. Keep us posted.
Phats
Mich - good to hear from you. Great research on your own condition, and very helpful that you posted for all of us to learn from. You are starting to see some answers. Keep in touch, we miss you. Cathy