From hyper-ish to hypo-ish?

[Justiina]

My latest results 07.05 2020

TSH 0.18 (0.5-3.7)

FT4 10.1 (10.2-21)

FT3 4.7 (3.2-6.5)

Last time 19.03 2020, same lab , same ranges

TSH <0.01

FT4 20.8

FT3 8.5

February 2020 ,different lab, private, no Ft3 because it would have costed me 90 euros

TSH 0.04 (0.4-4)

FT4 15.4 (10-21)

Problem is , I did not get antibodies tested except TSHrab 19.03 2020 which was <1.5 ( range >2.9)

I fear, based on yesterday's result I will be considered euthyroid and they just drop this and move on without further testing and or control labs.

During winter I felt very hyper and now hypo type of drowsiness, sore muscles , short of breath, low heart rate.

If this was first time I'd be fine but this has happened before so I guess its safe to say it isn't one off. I know at this point no treatment is considered but I should at least try to insist control tests 6 weeks from now unless I get very symptomatic before that?

I am not on ANY medication.

[ling]

You are not euthyroid.

You need to continue to be monitored because you have symptoms and the readings are not all in range.

The fact that some of the readings are so near to range doesn't make any difference in your case. You are experiencing symptoms. And it is indeed like this for everyone - as in, different for everyone. Another person may feel well with such near range readings.

In my case, when my FT4 FT3 were in range but my TSH was high, I had serious hypo symptoms. Acute breathlessness was one of them.

I believe u need to be medicated to try and address some of the symptoms u are having.

Looking at your results from May to Mar, going from hyper to hypo could indicate maybe Hashimoto's, when the thyroid is unstable and swings back and forth in the process of destruction before it ends finally in a permanent hypo state.

So it could be worth getting that TPO tested, since if there is some clinical evidence that its Hashimoto's, treatment can be started to deal with symptoms.

Another question is whether your current doctor (btw, do u see the same doctor all the time?) is up to the task of diagnosing and dealing with Hashimoto's. If not, u might want to change doctors.

[Justiina in reply to ling]

Thanks!

Doctor is part of the problem as doctors I have access to at the moment have their hands tied when it comes down to thyroid. TSH being the key number.

Getting referral to Endo this year might not be possible because of covid19.

And my functional doctor is busy and being hunted down by authorities.

Problem with current doctor is that they block all roads at the moment only concentrating on MS which my neurologist consider very mild and not as the main problem. Neurologist says my current muscular symptoms and neurologic symptoms are thyroid related because of his view of my MS. While I was hyper I had awful muscle symptoms and some numbness but as there is no lesions on my spine my neurologist says it's not MS. All those type of symptoms changed when my thyroid levels changed.

I also asked for allergy tests as my eosinophil% is always elevated but it was just considered normal as actual eosinophil count is inside the range but that's not the point as the % measure the ratio between different type of white cells. Mildly elevated eosinophil % is often related to allergies and it's always elevated for me. Leukocytes are low but it's said thyroid issues can affect leukocytes.

My iron panel was also ignored even though I have now twice had over range iron saturation , other values inside the range but based on lab manual high iron saturation does not only indicate iron overload but can be seen in thyroid disease.

So my current doctor blocked me and my local GP doesn't have any options. TPO test was denied because I said I feel the hyper type of symptoms have lessened.

I will see the neurologist 29.5 because I asked for an appointment and they said they can try consultation with endo if I can't get referral or no available appointments and see what we can do then.

In the meantime I hope my functional doc has time to call soon.

I also wonder did I do myself harm going for goitogrenic diet while hyper. I had to as I felt nightshades were very bad and I had to replace chickpeas , potato and tomatoes with millet and broccoli and cauliflower. But I have had to do it before , this is not first time and I know when I get certain symptoms I have to swap diet to be able to live somehow. I am not sure if I believe goitogrenic effect that much but millet is easy for stomach and steamed veggies too. Hyper state made me so nauseous I had to eat easy food. Naturally I eat/ate other food too not just millet and broccoli all days long 😄

Have you noticed any effect of certain type of diet if you tried any?

[ling in reply to Justiina]

That's awful - TSH being the key number. It shouldn't be. Thyroid is a combination of various aspects including antibody levels.

Does MS have any effect on the thyroid or vice versa?

What sort of muscle and neurological symptoms do u have?

Why do allergy tests?

And leukocytes?

It sure sounds like there's a lot more going on here than just the thyroid, and it wouldn't be easy to tell what's affecting what.

Diet. Yes, I believe in the food as medicine or poison to your body thinking. It's 100% true.

Goitrogens, gluten, dairy, these stuff do affect the sick body's functioning and could make symptoms worse.

[Justiina in reply to ling]

MS has very little effect on thyroid , but majority of MS meds trigger hyperthyroidism. I am not on ANY MS meds.

When I had that hyper I had very sore to touch almost inflamed muscles on my thighs and around hips. I had numbness and tingling because I was sore.

Now that I am kinda hypo I have very painful ,stiff and tired shoulders and hands hurt and lactic acid build type of soreness. I have carpal tunnel type of pain and tendinitis on my wrists.

Allergy tests to rule out allergies as I have hives.

My leukocytes are low and no one cares why, I do care but not much I can do. As I have no infection they just ignore it.

Yes over here GP's are tied to TSH , no treatment unless its over 4. Doesnt matter how low ft4 and ft3 are.

What are most thyroid friendly veggies? Carrot, salad, cucumber? I like broccoli and would eat tons but that's cruciferous, I do steam it but maybe that's not enough.

[ling in reply to Justiina]

Thanks for sharing.

I can empathise with that. When the thyroid is yoyo, it can cause significant unsettling unpleasant and even nasty symptoms.

Are u eating sufficient protein daily?

I used to eat quite a lot of broccoli but apparently it's goitrogenic, so I'm eating less of it now that my thyroid is pretty unstable. Carrot cucumber are great. How about yam?

[Justiina in reply to ling]

I had low prealbumin which my functional doctor figured was caused by protein deficiency and was given EAA and BCAA. I was severely malnourished despite eating meat, fish, eggs and chicken and beans/peas high in protein.

My prealbumin is still on low side but improved after EAA and BCAA. My functional doctor said I might have SIBO because of B12 deficiency and SIBO prevent aminoacids to be properly absorbed even though harmful bacteria usually consume carbs but they think bacteria inhibit ability to absorb protein but mechanism is not understood.

Just got called to retest thyroid. Last results had got my GP to consult rheumatologist who asked for more bloods and retest thyroid. I guess rheumatologist was only skilled one they could consult and ask for help.

At first I thought they had mixed patients 😄

[ling in reply to Justiina]

Sufficient protein boosts your immunity.