What is this? Subacute or chronic thyroiditis?

[het1234]

It has been such a scary week and half for me and I have literally felt like am going insane several times! Hope someone can help me out with this one. Let me start from the beginning - I had a fever for over a week (around 37.8-38.4) and I thought that it must be some sort of a viral infection because I didnt have any other symptoms. Then, about 4 days later, I started to feel severe chest pain, backpain, throat pain, throat swelling, joint aches, eyelids got bit swollen, anxiety, panic attacks, nervousness, you name it. Went to the GP and resting heart rate was over 100 and blood pressure was over 140/90 (btw, I am 31yrs female). He told me to do blood tests and thyroid ultrasound. Here are my results:

TSH 2.53 (ref.range 0.50-4.00)

T4 16.8 (ref.range 10.0-23.0)

T3 5.1(ref.range 3.5-6.5)

Anti-thyroid peroxidase 194 (ref. range below 60)

Anti-thyroglobulin 318 (ref. range below 60)

All my other bloodtests came back normal, iron etc. So no problems in other areas.

My thyroid ultrasound said the following that my "gland was not englarged. The texture was somewhat heterogeneous. Mild increase of vascularity was seen. No solid or cystic nodules was detected. Chronic thyroiditis is quite likely."

I have booked an appointment with a specialist to discuss about my condition. I was also prescribed some propranolol as my heart rate has been high and I have suffered from anxiety attacks because it feels like I cant breathe properly and my throat has swelled or feels tight. Has anyone had the same? I was almost sure that this was subacute thyroiditis as it started to suddenly. Thoughts?

[Tinacros]

Wow this is the exact same symptoms I had. Except my doc was hopeless and did nothing!!! I’ve just paid for private tests and am awaiting results. I was poorly for quite a few weeks too. I feel a bit better now but just wake feeling dizzy some mornings. Wish I had a GP that was that pro active 😟

[het1234 in reply to Tinacros]

How are you feeling now?

[greygoose]

Both your antibodies are high, so you have Hashi's. However, although your thyroid is beginning to struggle, you're not yet hypo - your fT3 is good. But, it's pretty certain that you will develop chronic hypo.

[het1234 in reply to greygoose]

Sorry might be a dumb question but what is the difference with hashi and chronic hypo?

[greygoose in reply to het1234]

Hashi's is the cause of the hypo. There can be many causes of hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is just one of them.

With Hashi's, the problem is not the thyroid itself, it is your immune system, which attacks the thyroid, gradually killing it off until you are completely hypo.

[het1234 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for the clarification x

[greygoose in reply to het1234]

You're welcome.

[het1234]

Hey, just thought I would write an update after seeing the specialist!

He thinks that according to my symptoms and test results this problem is not thyroid related! He said I do not have hashimoto or any other thyroid illness but instead thinks I have a rheumatoid illness. Thoughts?

[HowNowWhatNow]

Hi het, what was the outcome of your situation?