Thyrotoxicosis - am diabetic

[Trelissa]

Finally got back the following:Free T4 23.2

Free T3 10.6

TSH less than 0.05

Serum adjusted calcium 2.71

PTH 1.6

Mild thyrotoxicosis with mild autonomic dysfunction

Don't know if sun/heat sensitivity is a part of this.

What does toxic in this refer to?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

can you add ranges please.

Toxic refers to high thyroid levels. Just another term for hyperthyroidism.

Has the cause been determined?

[Trelissa in reply to PurpleNails]

That was all I was givenThey mentioned hypercalcaemia and autonomic disorder

Told everything is mild . but messing with diabetes a d hypertension

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Trelissa]

Contact either the practice reception or hospital department secretary (whoever arranged the blood test) & explain you are looking for a print out of results with ranges.  For your records - if they ask why.   

Verbal or written results not only have no lab range to interpret accurately - they is also enormous scope for error.  Can easily be recorded wrong or number switched round for example. 

By most ranges we see that your TSH is suppressed & FT4 & FT3  are over range - but not as high as you might typically see with Graves for example.  

Transient elevated levels such as this are seen with autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s) or if no autoimmune is present a nodule can cause a gradual elevation over a long time.

There are no antibody results.  Push for thyroid antibodies to be tested. TPO & TG signify all thyroid autoimmune TSI & TRab signify Graves.   A GP can arrange TPO.  

If your Calcium is elevated this also needs further monitoring / investigation. 

High calcium can be caused when the “parathyroid” which is located near to thyroid but has a separate function is affected.  I see the parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been tested but without a range I can tell you if it is abnormal.

 Does the autonomic dysfunction refer to complications with diabetes?

Usually this involves nerve damage for example. 

You you have diabetes type 1 or 2,  type 1 is autoimmune and thyroid autoimmune are more common in those with existing autoimmune issues. 

What medications do you take for diabetes & hypertension?  Several medication can cause sensitivities to sun / heat as a side affect. 

Heat intolerance is a common symptom of hyperthyroid & thyroid disfunction can also often cause allergies & intolerances to worsen.  

Has a further blood test been scheduled to monitors your levels?   If you recently been diagnosed you should not be expected to wait until July without any action or treatment if levels stay high.

You might have to be politely persistent, keep careful notes of results & symptoms and chase up appointments, results and blood tests are due. 

Having someone with you at appointment can also be helpful.  

[Trelissa in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you so very much for the time you have taken to do this. There is so much to think about. I suspect that the heat/sun intolerance is due to my high blood pressure. I have asthma also so I have side stepped the beta blockers she wanted to give me. I do have hypercalcaemia , this is a concern as I have begun to deteriorate. I am extremely sceptical at anything a doctor does as I have now been twice over prescribed for long periods with horrific results so anything that can help is important to me.