Thyroid hyper to hypo in 2 months, no medication...

[karlek]

I'm really bewildered about what's going on with my thyroid.

I went to my GP at the end of Dec with a sore/swollen throat, fairly sure it was thyroid related. She ordered blood tests and an ultrasound, she could feel my thyroid was large.

These tests came back showing hyperactive thyroid:

TSH 0.01 (0.35-3.5)

Free T4 27 (8-21)

Free T3 9.3 (3.8-6)

TPO antibodies 10.5 (0-34)

They didn’t test all vitamins/minerals but Magnesium was within range, Ferritin was 88 (23-300) high for me, Folate was 415 (130-1100).

I had tests re-done in January which came back with different results (same ranges):

TSH 0.01

Free T4 20

Free T3 5.6

TPO antibodies 11.7

Other vitamin/mineral tests weren’t done but autoimmunity antibodies tests were - think this was a mistake as I asked for Graves antibodies to be checked. Some of these were antibodies positive.

I was prescribed Carbimazole but I didn’t want to take it as I didn’t feel like I was hyper other than occasional fast pulse and wanted to see if things settled down. An endo referral was arranged.

I had a scan in February reported as follows:

There is asymmetric enlargement of the right lobe of the thyroid

gland relative to the left. Both lobes contain a number of colloid

and calcified nodules but no dominant nodule is demonstrated. All

the nodules appear benign (U2). No retrosternal extension or

tracheal displacement and no cervical adenopathy.

More NHS bloods were done 2-3 weeks ago (ordered by NHS endo I am booked to see next month).

TSH now 3.1

(0.35-3.5)

Free T4 11

(8-21)

Free T3 not checked nor antibodies.

Ferritin had dropped to 29 (23-300)

Auto immune antibodies still present.

Cholesterol above range.

I had a Medichecks test done at the same time:

TSH at 4.49 (0.27-4.2)

T4 11.6 (12-22)

T3 at 4.27 (3.1-6.8)

They tested two sets of antibodies

Thyroglobulin at 10.1 (<115)

Peroxidase at 9 (<34)

I feel really dreadful. Despite eating carefully and exercising daily, I have gained 4 kg since the end of December and am puffy and constipated. I am cold, tired and sleeping badly, forgetful and struggling to get by.

I contacted the endo I am due to see to ask for Graves antibodies to be checked but she refused. She is based at NNUH in Norwich and is a diabetes specialist, as they all are.

I should perhaps add here that I have very recently struggled with anorexia. The recent sudden weight gain is especially worrying for me and am worried it will trigger my eating disorder behaviours and over exercising.

If anyone has any thoughts/suggestions I would be really grateful. I am going to change GP as its clear mine knows little about Thyroid issues, but it would be good to see a new GP armed with a better understanding of what might be going on and how to get the help I need.

Sorry this is so long....

Many thanks.

[jimh111]

Your numbers are jumping around at the moment, it may be a case of thyroiditis which will settle down or it could be autoimmune hypothyroidism. I think it's most unlikely to be Graves' as your TSH has risen and fT3 / fT4 fallen, this wouldn't happen if there were Graves' antibodies around (unless it was a very short period of Graves'). I wouldn't switch GPs yet, most have little knowledge of hypothyroidism and this one seems to have been accommodating. You might just have to give it a few months more to see how you go, it's not a good idea to start levothyroxine if your thyroid has a chance of returning to normal. Anorexia affects the thyroid system by keeping TSH (and fT3, fT4) low, associated deficiencies could also had made you vulnerable to infections such as thyroiditis.

[karlek in reply to jimh111]

Thanks for reading (!) and replying, much appreciated.

I thought it was probably thyroiditis but my inflammation markers were checked and were ok which does make it seem a bit unlikely.

Its hard to know where to go from here....

[karlek]

Thanks, would that not show in my antibodies? I thought they looked quite normal.

But I agree it does sound just like Hashis, swinging about and feeling rotten!

[karlek]

My current GP wont treat as she uses TSH as her diagnosis method (not correct I know). I am going to change practice, should I ask for treatment? Am I likely to get anywhere?

Its a blooming minefield.

Thanks for the advice, its a real comfort to feel supported as its not happening in real life.