Just want to share my story so far...

[MPG1972]

A year ago my brother committed suicide. Of course it was a terrible shock and was compounded by arguments in the family. I had just moved countries and all the stress was too much. Soon after I began to have panic attacks and thought there was a problem with my heart. The cardiologist said there wasn't but I had a TSH of 5.5. Now I hadn't thought anything about my thyroid (why would I?), so I left things alone. Over the year there have been some more stressful events, personal and work related, but in July I injured my knee (ACL, meniscus etc) and now require an operation. I heard somewhere that thyroid problems and general anaesthetic aren't friends! So, I saw an Endocrinologist and my TSH is now 9, T4 free is .9, so within range and TPOab is 60. In terms of symptoms, looking back, I had numerous episodes of nervous anxiety a year ago, a couple of high blood pressure readings, hence the visit to the cardiologist, my ability to read close up has diminished over the year, I have a lot of acid reflux, a few weeks ago I felt tired and sleepy in the afternoon and my heart was slow, I can be grumpy (ask my wife!), and I feel rather emotional much of the time. It looks like I will need to start taking meds, I'll know more when I meet with my doctor again next week, however, should I go ahead with the surgery in my current state or should I wait? Would an epidural be an alternative? I really want to fix my knee asap. Thanks for reading this and I appreciate anyone who takes the time to reply.

[MPG1972]

Oh, been experiencing brain fog too - omitting it from my original post rather proves this!

[Nanaedake in reply to MPG1972]

I don't know anything about anesthesia that's a rather specialist area. You don't give any lab ranges for TSH or TPOAB so not possible to confirm whether you have autoimmune thyroiditis or not.

Do check vit B12 levels before anesthesia, some types can deplete your stores. Check with anaesthetist

Also check vit D, folate and ferritin to make sure they are optimal for a quick recovery.

If you post your thyroid results with lab ranges people will give suggestions about optimising treatment for thyroid. You'll have to discuss anaesthetic implications with the consultation anaesthetist. They always do a pre-op check at our hospital.

[MPG1972 in reply to Nanaedake]

TSH Ultrasensitive 9.07 Range 0.5-5 uUI/ml

T4 Free 0.91 Range 0.8-1.8 ng/dl

Anti TPO 60 Range 0-33 UI/ml

Just had an ultrasound and the doctor said the thyroid is inflamed. Seeing my Endo next week. Should I ask for further tests e.g. vitamins?

Thanks in advance.

[Clutter]

MPG1972,

My condolences on the loss of your brother.

Your GP should initiate Levothyroxine therapy which should bring TSH down in 6 weeks. You could mention to your GP that you are concerned that having high TSH may delay your knee surgery.

If anaesthetist is unwilling to operate when TSH is high you will be advised at your pre-op.

If thyroid peroxidase antibodies are over range you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

UK doctors are often dismissive of Hashimoto's causing symptoms but many euthyroid Hashimoto's patients have been very symptomatic and it could certainly be the reason for the nervous anxiety and panic attacks and symptoms of palpitations and racing heart.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[MPG1972]

Thank you Clutter, for the sentiment and the information.

[Nanaedake]

Yes, your thyroid antibodies are over range so you have Hashimotos thyroiditis and Clutter has already given you info re that and treatment for high TSH. And yes, I would ask for vitamin levels to be tested as we are often deficient with thyroid conditions.

Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin.

[MPG1972]

Thanks Nanaedake, I shall ask for a vitamin test. I'm in Peru and my healthcare is private, so I don't have to fight for anything to be done, I can just ask and pay a small amount towards it. However, forewarned is forearmed and all that!

[Bluemoonj]

I was supposed to have sinus surgery once, anesthesiologist refused because my TSH was to high.

She explained everything very well the first time but then she started taking really slow and repeating herself. I kept telling her I understand but she just kept going.

She finally leaves and I'm waiting for a nurse to come remove my IV so I can go home. Then in comes the dr and a new anesthesiologist !?!?!?! A new anesthesiologist who was willing to do the surgery and the light bulb turned on.

I NOPED right out of there. Never did have the surgery been to untrusting after that.

*It has been several years and I don't remember what my level was at the time.

[MPG1972]

Doctor has put me on levothyroxine (Eutirox) 150mcg. I am male, 45, 1m 78 and 95kg, does 150mcg sound like a reasonable prescription?

Testing for calcium, phosphorous, cortisol, PTH, T4 free, TSH and ACTH in approx 4 weeks.

Have started on a gluten free diet and trying to be healthy, so will check vitamins etc at a later date. Exercise is not possible at the moment due to waiting for an operation to fix my ACL and meniscus.

Does anybody think I need to do/check anything else, any supplements I should take? All advice gratefully received.