Heard from the Doctor today: UPDATE

MimisMomma · October 22, 2007, 12:32:45 PM

I got a call from my doctor today. The rest of my blood work came back in. It turns out that what they thought was just a virus was not the case. My thyroid is high. Which explains the throat pain and being really tired. I looked up Hyperthyroid and I have all the symptoms. I have to wait for 4 weeks and have more blood work done. If it comes back high again then I have to do more tests and be put on meds. So if it is not too much to ask can I have some more rays? And does anyone else have it? I am curious to hear what to expect.

Oh and I did take it easy this weekend. I don't have the energy to do what I want. So I spent the weekend watching movies in bed!!

Thank you

Mel

cheryl186 · October 22, 2007, 12:51:47 PM

Gee Mel...I am sorry to hear that it is more than a virus..

comforting rays sent your way. My sister has a thyroid condition (not sure if it is the same as yours). She has not been tired but the condition has caused her to have low blood pressure. She just takes one pill a day and she is fine. So, it is controllable with medication and just has to be monitored. Once she started on her meds, she felt 100% :thumb: So please don't worry. I know of other people who have a thyroid condition (Oprah just came out with that news herself) and they are just fine and takes meds every day. More rays and hugs coming your way

Cheryl

MimisMomma · October 22, 2007, 01:09:17 PM

Thanks Cheryl. That isn't so bad. A pill a day can be done! The more I read on it the more it scares me with all the talk of surgery and radiation. Hopefully that isn't my case and I am going to think of nothing but positive thoughts. One thing is for sure, my pups sure are liking all the snuggle time there getting!

Mel

Mike · October 22, 2007, 02:06:46 PM

I'm the opposite of you, being hypothyroid (underactive). I've been on meds for almost 30 years and function just fine. Rays coming you get this all straightened out "toot sweet".

doxielady5569128 · October 22, 2007, 09:02:49 PM

Okay, one suggestion. Just to clarify by hyperthyroid you mean its working too hard right? Not the kind where its not working and making you gain weight? As a personal trainer I see these conditions all the time. Before you start any medications make sure you check that the side effects don't include mood changes or weight gain. A lot of the medcines for both thyroid conditions cause weight gain or make your body hang on to any extra weight you have. Really do your research ont he meds before you take them.

Just trying to help! I really do hope they give you a medicine that makes you have more energy and not be so tired. I'm glad they have a solution for you and can figure out some things to help you with it. Please keep us posted.

Teresa · October 23, 2007, 05:11:44 AM

The issue of thyroid being "high" can be confusing. Often if you are told your thyroid is high and they are just talking the blood level of the TSH, they thyroid stimulating hormone, then it actually means you are HYPO-thyroid or the thyroid is underfunctioning. If the blood level of the TSH is low they you are HYPER-thyroid and it is overfunctioning. HYPO-thyroid will make you tired with very little energy, gain weight, feel cold a lot, etc. HYPER-thyroid will often cause you to lose weight or lose it easily if dieting (that was my case), have a higher heartrate than usual, have higher blood pressure and many other symptoms. Depending on the levels, often a scan or ultrasound of the thyroid is ran to rule out any problems. If it is hyper there may be a nodule and then surgery or radiation is the solution. The radiation used is completely different than what is used for cancer or anything. It is actually an type that you swallow in a capsule and it goes only to the thyroid. You spend a couple of days as a hermit since you shouldn't be around young people or elderly people since you will be slightly radioactive during those days and then you are fine. There are absolutely no side effects. This actually kills off the thyroid tissue and avoids the need for surgery.
As you can tell, I went through this two years ago. I ended up with surgery, but only because I had several nodules and it was the best option. The surgery was a piece of cake. They only took one side of the thyroid. The hope had been that the other side would function enough for the whole gland but it didn't so now I take the pills and am fine. My suggestion, if you must take medication, is to take the Armour thyroid. It is a prescription, but made from natural thyroid tissue and works wonderfully.
That's today's lesson!! I'm off to work now!

MimisMomma · October 23, 2007, 03:50:15 PM

I am not gaining weight so that is good. I actually lost weight. My test said I was at 7.4 so that is high. Just really tired and sore. I can make it through work ok and then I am ready for bed. I really enjoyed the weekend. I just cleaned up the kitchen and spent the rest of the time with movies and in bed. The doctor said that was a good thing. She doesn't want me to push it and not do any hard labor. My heart rate goes up really bad when I do anything so I am guessing that is why. Being in research I have spent a lot of time going through everything I can. And the help from you all was the starting point. I feel better now about the situations and know I can face what ever needs to be done. The hard part is having to wait for 4 weeks. Oh and read a lot about mood swings to. Just what I need. I have been getting agitated a bunch lately. So that should be fun. Have the tempeture sensitivity thing going on as well. Good thing I like fires in the fireplace. I really can't seem to keep warm. But there is a piece of mind with knowing that this is what is causing all this crazyness! Helps a little. And all of your support helps too. I just wish I can get the energy back to reply to all the posts that have been going on. Oh and to get some more recipes for the new section. Will really have to get my lazy butt in gear for that!

Thanks again for the help and I will keep you posted on what is going on.

Mel

Roberta · October 23, 2007, 06:38:44 PM

Yes I have just read it and it did not sound like hyper. Teresa said it all. Just to add hypo and hyper can be primary or secondary causes the first is the thyroid itself or in the secondary can be from the feedback system or other organs. Plus some medications can cause false highs and lows. Working in the labs I've seen way higher than your TSH level.

you will be OK, it just takes time and at least your dr has approached it with a retest and even after starting meds it will take a few weeks to kick in.
Rays accoming
Roberta

Teresa · October 24, 2007, 05:44:39 AM

I'm with Roberta, hypo is what it definitely would be. A lot of the times, for hypo, surgery isn't necessary, only medication. Like I said in my earlier post, if at all possible, have your doctor use Armour thyroid. One thing I love is that works within a week or so versus the couple of weeks or more the synthetic thyroids take. Luckily I had a doctor that realized we weren't getting the results we needed with the other meds, mainly because my T3 levels weren't going up, and used the Armour thyroid and that made all the difference. Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself. I hate it that you are having to wait 4 weeks. That is the hardest part.

MimisMomma · October 30, 2007, 02:18:10 PM

It has been a while since I felt up to doing anything really, but I wanted to post because I am feeling very guilty that I haven't been a good membere!! And I have missed all of you.

I will be going to the doc again tomorrow to discuss with her all my symptoms that I have been having and to see if there is anything at all we can do. My eyes hurt me now but are not bulging like some extream cases of Grave's, so I am hoping that is good. Every part of my body hurts and is sore to the touch. I am exhausted but not sleeping well at all. My heart races like I just ran around the block when all I do is walk to the kitchen. SO I am really hopeing something can be done soon than the four weeks. I have all my research ready to go as well. I will talk to her about the Armour Thyroid meds too. I looked that up and it sounds like the best deal. Thanks for the info on that Teresa! And thanks to all for the support. I hope everyone is doing well. I will check back in tomorrow and let you know what the doctor says.

Mel

doxielady5569128 · October 31, 2007, 12:09:31 PM

That's awful that you are having such a hard time!! I really hope they can do something to help you out. Four weeks is a long time to make someone suffer. Don't worry about keeping up with all the posts. Just rest and feel better. Let us know how the appointment today went.

MimisMomma · October 31, 2007, 12:37:43 PM

OK so I really feel like an idiot!! I got it wrong. It is Hypothyroid. My doctor put me in my place once I produced all my research on hyperthyroid! Felt really dumb about that but now I am straight on everything. And really the Hypothyroid makes much more sense to me since I am so tired and hurt really bad. My eye pressure if from sinuses so that is ok there. She did take blood today instead of waiting another two weeks and I will find out the results of those tomorrow. Then we can go from there about treatment or she is going to send me to a specialist. I have talked with another person here who went through treatment and he said that he went through some major ups and downs until they found the right treatment dose for him. So I will find out more tomorrow but I am sure that it will be another couple months until I am back on track. I just can't wait to stop hurting everywhere!!

doxielady5569128 · October 31, 2007, 12:45:32 PM

Well, I'm glad he set you straight on what type it was. I was thinking it was hypo from the description of your symptoms. No need to feel stupid though. Its confusing to take in everything a doctor tells you the first few times you are there. I'm sure once you heard the thyroid part you kinda panicked and tuned out the rest. I know I would have. I'm glad they decided to do the blood test today. That should help put your mind at ease to know its done.

I really hope they can find the right medication for you immediately. It would really stink to take a medicine that either made it worse or did nothing for you. I'll be praying they find it right away. So..hopefully you don't have to go through the ups and downs. We want just the ups!

As far as the eye pressure goes, believe me I know how painful that is, I'm going through the same thing with my sinuses right now. Well I hope things start getting better for you real soon!