General Medicine

» Elaine Moore - mixed up

In response to mixed up posted by cowlover614:
Hi Shirl,
You're still hypothyroid, with your T4 being low and T3 being low normal. These results are usually falsely decreased in women. It would be better to have the FT4 and FT3 levels and these levels likely would be lower, which would fit more with your high TSH. Your high TSH suggests that you're still quite hypothyroid.
Your liver enzyme ALT is normal but on the low side, whic is common in hypothyroidism. Cholesterol and LDL are expected to be low in hypothyroidism.
You wouldn't still be hypothyroid from the high dose of anti-thyroid drugs you were on. You probably had thyroiditis to start with and have now moved into hypothyroidism. Most doctors would treat you with thyroid replacement hormone to prevent eye and other symptoms from developing. I'm not sure why your doctors are dragging their feet on this. But you could ask to have the labs sent to the endo and ask for an appt or a prescription for replacement hormone. Best, elaine

» Elaine Moore - lost my job

In response to lost my job posted by vickwithpc:
Hi Vicky,
I'd contact Human Resources in the company where you let go and tell them you suspect you were let go because you have a medical condition that may have interfered with your work. Thyroid disorders are protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act. They should investigate this.

The only abnormality in your results was a low TSH, and positive thyroid antibodies. This usually causes subclinical Graves' disease, a disorder which is usually treated with beta blockers to reduce symptoms of anxiety and any cardiac symptoms if they're present. Otherwise the condition is watched by repeating the test results.

You should be able to appeal your job dismissal, and if it's for a medical reason, even if your boss didn't realize you had a medical condition, you may be able to have your job reinstated. If they don't at least investigate you can appeal through your doctor via the disability act.

With subclinical hyperT, your disorder could resolve on its own or it could worsen. Either way you'd want to have repeat lab tests if symptoms change, and if there's no change in symptoms they'd still need to be repeated in 3-6 months. Best, elaine

» vickwithpc - lost my job

In response to lost my job posted by daisyelaine:

Thanks Elaine. I live in IA - an employment at will state. I really don't think getting my job back is a possibility. Besides, when bad things happen, better things are on the way, right?!

I have also been trying to keep track of another weird thing going on with me. This occurs maybe once every 2-4 weeks. It appears to be a form of heart burn perhaps? The sensation lasts 1-3 hours typically. It is a tightness just above my breastline. It is especially strong if I bend over. To take deep breaths is very uncomfortable. I don't notice a difference in my heart rate during this. Is this a thyroid thing too? I'd feel too silly to ask my Dr. and find out it is a heart burn! But it is not how I would have described heart burn from my preggo days!

Thank you again,
Vickie

-- posted by vickwithpc

» macurious - Autoimmune and Related Infertility

In response to Autoimmune and Related Infertility posted by daisyelaine:

Approximately how much selenium is recommended per day? I take a multivitamin that has about 200 mcg (or mg, I don't remember offhand). I've also heard that brazil nuts are high in selenium.

-- posted by macurious

» cowlover614 - mixed up

In response to mixed up posted by daisyelaine:

Elaine I did call endo today the doctor did fax him my results. They called me about seven tonight and said he had looked at labs and now I am back to being hypo asked what my symtoms were she said she would tell him. I have a question is it safe to just stop the beta blockers she said those are for when your hyper but with my history of irregular heartbeat and my blood pressure being up I'm not sure that's a good idea. I was on atenolol after I was in the hospital in Jan 99. The doctor who had put me up to 100mgs[thyroid meds] is the one who told me I didn't need them to just take a baby asprin. Lord knows I don't need any other problems. Anyway they are supposed to call me in thyroid meds tomorrow. I don't know what dose. Also will it take awhile to start filling better? Also will I go hyper again on meds. Thanks Shirl

-- posted by cowlover614

» Elaine Moore - lost my job

In response to lost my job posted by vickwithpc:
Hi Vicky,
I agree that better things are probably on the way. In hyperthyroidism the blood flow through the thyroid gland increases a great deal. That could account for the sensation you're describing. It could be that it's more noticeable when you bend forward. I've had similar symptoms when my FT3 level rises too high. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - mixed up

In response to mixed up posted by cowlover614:
Hi,
Beta blockers are used to lower blood pressure and heart rate and to help correct an abnormal heart rhythm. They also mildly lower thyroid hormone levels by reducing the conversion of T4 into T3. Beta blockers are used by many people without thyroid disorders and they're used by people with both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. It sounds like you were initially given them for symptoms that began when you were hyperthyroid but they could now be helping with cardiac symptoms related to hypothyroidism. The doctor you saw recently who checked your vital signs would probably have the best idea whether you still need to take them or not.

Your doctor will probably start you on a fairly low dose of thyroid replacement hormone and then increase it as needed after you have more blood tests. It could be that you're having a temporary bout of hypothyroidism related to thyroiditis. Or it could be that you've permanently moved into hypothyroidism. Time will tell and in the meantime your doctor will probably test your labs often enough and adjust your meds as needed to avoid hyperthyroidism. It does sound like your hyperthyroidism was temporary, either from thyroiditis or a reaction to a medicine, imaging contrast dye or other substance with a high iodine concentration. Best, elaine

» Elaine Moore - Autoimmune and Related Infertility

In response to Autoimmune and Related Infertility posted by macurious:
Hi,
the recommended dose is 200 mcg of selenium primarily in the form of selenomethionine, which is absorbed best. I take a product from Life Extension containing 200 mcg which has three different types of selenium, half of which is selenomethionine. Brazil nuts are indeed high in selenium and are a good natural source.

» cowlover614 - mixed up

In response to mixed up posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine well he started me on 75mgs of synthroid. Said stay on beta blockers and have labs done in eight weeks. Is that to long with the problems I've had? How long is it before you can see an improvement and do you think the eye problem will clear up I also notice today I don't have many eyelash's left is that normal? I was thinking because of the swelling and rubbing my eyes. Also can I go hyper again or now will I stay hypo. Thanks Shirl

-- posted by cowlover614

» fivebreaths - undereye swelling?

hi--can anyone of you tell me if you've had the experience with Methimazole of the sudden appearance of undereye 'Bags' ?? I have NEVEr had these before. I do not have TED ,( been checked)--have tried to get info on this from my doctor and my pharmascist, but they say it's unrelated. I ask you all or Elaine because this happened to my eyes at the same time, about 3 wks in, after starting the ATD's. Ugh! Could be coincidence, but I dunno. Timing seems awfully telling....
I look in the mirror and I don't recognize this face! Anyone have success with reducing the swelling?
I've tried black tea bags, green tea bags, warm towels, cold towels, but to no change.
thanks all---any corroborating words or helful hints much welcome and appreciated!

-- posted by fivebreaths