Hi there,
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto'sin 2007, after a TSH, t3 and t4 test. I don't remember the results for the t3 and t4 but my TSH levels were over 14. I went on synthroid 100 mcg, until 2011 when I started to get hyperthyroid symptoms on it. My resting heart rate went up to 130. My diastolic BP was elevated (from the usual 60-70 to 90, which isn't much but it was a change). I would wake up from sleep with very disruptive palpitations, hitting 140/ minute. After getting some tests done, it turned out I no longer needed the synthroid. As soon as I stopped it, my palpitations stopped, the anxiety went down and BP went down as well.
I'll be honest my thyroid wasn't managed very well, and I don't have a good excuse. I didn't see a doctor for a few years and since I didn't have symptoms, I thought it wasn't something to worry about.
Fast forward to last year, I had a heavy period (was another symptom of thyroid problems for me) that led to severe anemia. Months after this, I am still struggling with shortness of breath and severe fatigue. Heart tests are normal so far. My low normal BP spiked (diastolic) to 108/110, whereas systolic went up to 135ish which isn't much. I have been reading diastolic hypertension can be caused by thyroid problems.
I am losing my hair like it's breaking off at the roots. My pillow is covered in hair every morning. Huge clumps of hair fall out when I comb/wash my hair. I am getting severe cramping in my legs and feet, hands as well. I am also having memory issues, having trouble remembering names and just getting very absent minded. (Head MRI was fine a few months back so it's not neurological). These are symptoms I had before my Hashimoto's diagnosis as well, besides feeling very cold.
Recent blood tests showed a Vitamin D deficiency. Vit B12 was 350. MCV, MCH were low. And RDW was high. My ferritin is 38.
Hb is back up from a 5 to 12.8. My TSH was normal (1.1 at one lab) and 2.9 at another lab, so the t3 and t4 tests were cancelled. But I have been very symptomatic, and I understand these symptoms could be from the deficiencies perhaps, but they're just very similar to what I've experienced in the past with thyroid disease.
I am on metformin for well controlled t2 diabetes (a1c 4.8-4.9), and I have read metformin can lower TSH in diabetics. In your experience, is it possible to have thyroid issues, especially after a Hashimoto's diagnosis years back, but have a normal TSH?
I am going to persuade the doctor to get the t3 and t4 done. But they don't seem to think thyroid issues are possible with a normal TSH. So it's been rough.
Thank you for reading and any comments/thoughts are welcome.
p.s. my red and white blood cell are elevated.