I am a medical Mystery

[chipuss]

I started with pneumonia 18 months ago and then Pulmonary embolism on both lungs. Just when I was beginning to feel better and returned to the Gym ,I became very short of breath which was diagnosed as not proportional with the lung damage sustained. Haematology then discovered that my body was destroying its own red blood cells, but could find no reason for this. I also had a ferritin level of 450. They did every test under the sun but all results were negative. They tried transfusing me and after 2 units of blood my Haemoglobin count began to return to normal. It is now back to normal although my ferritin level remains high (350).My oxygenation level is 98 and breathing tests showed 92%.My blood pressure is normal. MY QUESTION- Can the Thyroid cause these problems. An ultrasound scan of my Thyroid showed multiple nodules ,the largest of which was biopsied but found to be benign and my Doctor tells me that blood thyroid indicators are normal. My nails are brittle. My hair very dry. I can't control my body temperature, especially at night (night sweats) I am gaining weight excessively despite being on a diet. I am exhausted and frequently fall asleep mid afternoon. Prior to all this I was very active. Hill walking, dancing and using the Gym 3 times a week, Can anybody shed any light on my problem.

This has been ongoing for 2 years and I have just re entered the system which grinds exceedingly slow. Does anybody have any suggestions how I may expedite this process.

[Greybeard]

Hi chipuss you need to get hold of your thyroid test results including the reference ranges. If you post them we can tell you if they are good normal or not so good normal.

[Saggyuk]

Hi there - I don't think thyroid issues would do this to be honest but do you mean this autoimmune hemolytic anaemia:

ihtc.org/medical-profession...

It says it's associated with some other autoimmune diseases but also often associated with respiratory diseases such as Mycoplasma Pneumonia which sounds like it fits what happened to you.

Unfortunately it does say can take months or years to dissipate although the antibodies and anaemia do normally go away once the infections have been completely resolved.

Maybe google this infection and see if any tips on getting rid of any lingering bacteria faster? Apparently normal antibiotic treatment is not so successful but can use other types than the norm. Did you have any test for this or to see what it was?

I would imagine balancing or supporting your immune system might help - eating a well balanced healthy diet so you get all your vits and I know selenium is supposed to help balance an immune system. Basically be as healthy as you can maybe.

[MariLiz]

Did they check your B12 levels when you were going through all this? All our vitamin levels can get trashed when we have a thyroid problem, and it might explain the over range ferritin. Ferritin folate and B12 work together.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full evaluation of thyroid issues you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate and B12 tested

B12 and folate are linked to ferritin.

Low B12 can cause night sweats

You can have raised Thyroid antibodies and "normal" thyroud blood test results

Raised Thyroid antibodies can make us feel terrible

Essential therefore to test thyroid antibodies

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

[HLAB35]

I like the link that SaggyUk gave you.

Haemochromatosis, for example, (same link as SaggyUk gave) is a fairly common problem with iron overload - well recognised in the States - not sure why it isn't in the UK? Anyway it can co-exist with hypothyroidism and other autoimmune issues... N.B. this isn't a diagnosis!!

Concerns will be lungs and liver due to the problems you've experienced. The symptoms of too much iron are interestingly similar to too little... which are some of the ones you have by the sounds of it. I've had very low iron - but they're similar symptoms to ones I've had.

irondisorders.org/iron-over...

Certainly get a very thorough blood test done asap. If start showing signs of jaundice go to the GP immediately.