OT--Thyroid Lab Results | Arthritis Information

Ugh. Figures. TSH, normal. 1.4. (1.9 six weeks ago--doubt that is a huge change). Sjogrens antibodies, negative. All thyroid antibodies, negative. B12, still high, like 890. (He didn't ask me about running this one or Sjogrens, I could have told him they would come out high/negative).

He didn't run T3, T4 or any of that. He thinks I may have subacute thyroiditis but my last thyroid scan showed high normal uptake, which would not mesh. If it weren't for the fact that my thyroid feels tender to the doctor, they'd probably have already told me to go away and not worry. My body excels at exhibiting symptoms without accompanying blood markers.

Had a second thyroid scan today. Results tomorrow, appointment Monday. I spent an hour waiting for my scan today. I am so tired of doctor's appointments! If it is still high normal I don't know what he'll do. If it's zero (which he predicted) then it's probably subacute thyroiditis but I don't know if that happens with consistently normal TSH.

Will be so annoyed at the process if this is a pituitary issue. My dad has pituitary issues.

I am trying to focus on the fact that I don't have a very serious disease, it's just my thyroid, and it's not cancer. It's just taking a lot of hours away from work to dx. And it's been 8 weeks since I first went to the doctor about this.

This is the third time in the last 2 years that a doctor has looked at me, suspected B12 issues, and B12 has come back way high. What gives? Really i never even heard of it being to high? I have heard of it being low. Ask the doctor?Also make sure they know it is consistently high and not a fluke. Scince different docs have done the testing.My B12 came back very very high, and the doctors just shrugged at it. I said I had researched it and a high B12 is very abnormal, and could get no answers except that it was probably too high from taking supplements. I checked, and since I am a small woman, I take 1/3 the amount of my recommended daily, so there is no way its too much B12 via supplements.

I have thyroid issues too, and it is frustrating. Just ask to be put on synthroid or armour thyroid. I think its still the most prescribed drug in America, and what could it hurt? If he thinks you have thyroid issues, there is really just this treatment, so why not try it for a month or two and retest? IMHO - good luck.

Thanks. I was thinking about it further, and I realize that while I may have some sort of pituitary problem, that wouldn't cause thyroid tenderness, right? It is inflammed. So it's either being attached by a virus, bacteria, or my immune system. Sort of a short list to work with. It may be that the normal TSH is showing that there is also a pituitary problem.

Ugh, I have a cold today and feel lousy, achey. Just going to put on warm clothes and head into work, just try to camp out at my desk and slowly work through the day. I guess that's the hardest part, I've needed a sick day 3-4 times these last 2 months, but I miss so much work at doctor's appointments that I can't afford to take them.

So I am going to do my best to be patient until Monday. If they call about my scan, they call. If not, I think I'm just going to wait until Monday to find out what the heck is going on.

So No T 3 Free T4 etc.....Some Doctor. Find an Endo that actually knows what they are doing. What was the number on your TSI antibody test?I know. Why not run them? Are they that expensive? I have heard mixed reviews about him. There are very few endos in town. May end up having to go up to Nashville if this is anything out of the ordinary. I liked him but he hasn't given me a lot of answers and I was pretty annoyed at having to do the I-123 scan again (particulary without getting T3, T4). If the scan still shows the same results, I will be extra annoyed. There is one other thyroid person in town that i know of, but she is referral only, so I'd have to go back to the GP that referred me to my current endo. He's a nice guy, but argh. A lot of the endos around here do diabetes only.

Will have to check about TSI. Something was 4%. They faxed the results to my mom's house and she read them to me...need to get those from her for some more insight...I think she is dropping them off today...

You cannot get a good picture without all the tests. You get partKatie.. I'm sorry you're having to run around and almost self Dx!! I hope, ultimately, you get answers!!

Question: What ARE y our symptoms that make you think it's your thyroid? I have felt that some of my issues are thyroid through ALL my testing and prior to RA Dx...

thanks,

I don't even think they are that focused on my symptoms. I have been having a lot of muscle weakness in my thighs. Hair loss, even before methotrexate. Constipation at times. I chalked it all up to other things. Until...

I just went through this period where I was hungry ALL the time. I have had periods like that before. Just insanely hungry. And I have issues with being inappropriately hot or cold. But I don't know if that's hormones or what. I could list other things...and I'm not sure whether they are related. Some hypo symptoms, some hyper, I seem to cycle but some things stay constant. I have had doctors think i have thyroid issues based on my reflexes and skin. But recently it's been my appetite and weakness, and also having some episodes of nervousness. I had a resting pulse of 98 recently.

But: the only reason I am still kicking around doctor's offices is because my thyroid is tender, it's really inflammed. I guess so much so on physical exam that they feel they really need to dx what is going on. If it weren't for that, nothings going, really, with a normal TSH. I did have a scan that was elevated enough that the radiologist thought it might be Graves. But my endo said it was only slightly elevated, and from what I've read, he was right...in that mine was 35%, but Graves is usually like 60-70%.

My thyroid does bother me a lot. When I lie on my back it hurts and I haven't been able to wear a turtleneck or anything close to it since this all started about 2 months ago. You can get a painless goiter with no symptoms but because it is tender (in that it hurts, and it feels soft to the touch?) I guess that means thyroiditis but all of this isn't adding up.

Katie,

Oh my, I am so sorry to hear this. I wish I could help point you in a direction here. I agree that you should wait until your appointment and then just keep asking the doc why not run the T3 or T4...it doesn't make sense to me. Good luck and let us know how you make out on Monday. I know these thyroid issues can be difficult. Hiking_gal

After my dad passed away, I had access to his medical records. He was concerned when they took him off his meds for hyperthyroidism when his TSH was in the hyper levels. When I read his chart, the Endo also tested T3, T4, and a few others and had noted that while his TSH indicated "hyper" his other tests confirmed he was actually hypo.

It always scares me when only the TSH is ran. It's apparently not always accurate by itself.
I hope you get some answers soon, Katie.

oh my honey.. that sounds terrible.. I hope they get moving on this and figure out your issue.. You need results!!

"Thanks. I was thinking about it further, and I realize that while I may have some sort of pituitary problem, that wouldn't cause thyroid tenderness, right? It is inflammed. So it's either being attached by a virus, bacteria, or my immune system. Sort of a short list to work with. It may be that the normal TSH is showing that there is also a pituitary problem."

Katie, I have a pituitary that's sluggish. Thyroid pooled in my pituitary and wasn't released. I also had a goiter but mine was non-tender and to be sure that it wasn't more serious I had a thyroid biopsy. It's a quick surgery. Once I started on Synthroid all of my symptoms went away and I felt for the first time in my life T3/4/TSH were always normal. Had a nuclear scan and biopsy to confirm diagnosis. All of this was done years ago. Thyroid disease is very tricky and there are many components that go into a functioning thyroid. You might want to consider a second opinion if scan is normal. Take care. Lindy

I just wish I could get a fricking second opinion without driving 100 miles. But I don't think there's another doctor I can go to without a referral. Blarg! May try to go ahead and schedule at Vandy while I'm up there for RD in February.

Maybe this guy is brilliant, I've yet to see where he'll take it from here, but why not T3 and T4 to start...