While reading you're post, I tried to relate to ur wifes symptoms. Gonna be honest here. I have a handful of illnesses, dystrophy & syndromes yet all
that she is going through would surely do me in.
I know the search for answers crap we go through.
Did u know that Docs in the US & Canada are rejecting patients with too many illnesses? This may not apply in the rest of the world. I experienced this repeated turn down, by 6 MD's in one county alone. This got to me. I blamed myself though I hadn't done anything wrong. I kept searching for what was going on. Took a long time to find my answer. Glad I did because I was beginning to cry before I could get out the clinic. I realize this isn't something that will help her. Omgosh she really needs help I've never read so much like this happening. I do have Shjogrens and it can be a nightmare. I have CPRS/RSD also a very bad life altering no cure monster.
I do have a question. Is any part of your wife's body ever "burn" or hurt when touched? The description of what she feels on/in her scalp, the same happened to my left foot where the RSD began. I hated to wear a shoe. Many times I couldn't. I also had an area on my scalp where the hair just fell out. Area wasn't infected. Just bald spot, I got no diagnosis for that. I wish u & your wife a diagnosis and a cure. I have been alone through all by myself mostly. You are a fantastic husband please keep it going cause it's nearly as
bad for you...her caretaker. Embarrassing that it took me an hour n a half to write this and I don't think any my friends here know this. Only you.
Red_Star:
That is brilliant! After your suggestion, I have been researching HT for the last 2-3 hours. Most of my wife's symptoms (some not listed above) do seem to be matching. The only exception being weight gain. But it seems very promising as far as diagnosis is concerned.
I will try finding another endocrinologist and get them to do the tests you have suggested and also a throat ultrasound. Although her TSH is elevated, her T3/T4 were in range. I guess this might be the initial onset phase and T3/T4 may dip down in a few months. Anyways, I was wondering if a free T3/T4 would be advisable.
89NotAgain:
No, she never really complains about any "burn" or hurt on touching, but thanks very much for the commiseration and the sharing. I am based in India but I have lived in the US for 8 years earlier in my life. And I can totally relate to the frustration and the bureaucratic approval process for non-ordinary diseases over there. Sometimes it used to feel a complete racket between the medical and insurance community.
The good thing here in India is that you can take an appointment with just about any doc and walk into any pathology lab to get whatever blood work you need get done. The frustrating thing is, just like the US, finding a doc who has overarching knowledge across specialities (e.g. endocrine and immunology and ENT) remains a challenge. And the good ones have month long waiting times for the appointment.
Our lot is to keep researching (thanks to the Internet) and keep trying out docs and challenging them. Wish you All the Best!
Hi again. :) Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain or weight loss. Weight gain is more common however.
Excerpt from the article by Hypothyroid Mom: "300+ Hypothyroidism Symptoms…Yes REALLY":
"Weight:
Weight gain
Inability to lose weight
Ascites (abdominal fluid accumulation)
Metabolic Syndrome
Weight loss
Anorexia
Heightened appetite
Diminished appetite
Obesity"
One study showed that thyroid patients with high thyroid antibodies report more symptoms than patients with low thyroid antibodies, even if their thyroid function tests were normal.
It can take many years for the TSH to rise above the reference range in response to falling free T4 levels. Free T3 levels are typically the last to fall below the range although if you have poor T4 to T3 conversion this will not be the case.
Just to add, new studies have found vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms can occur up to 500 - 600 pg/mL (369 - 442.8 pmol/L).
Thanks again Red_Star!
We visited a thyroid specialist today and my wife's samples have been given for the TPOAb and the TgAb tests along with Free T3, and T4. Btw, I had forgot to mention that she had increased LDL and low HDL from the bloodwork so that may be another symptom from the HT ..!
Her B12 was actually 600+ so hopefully she is covered on that front.
The physician also explored a head injury she had 6 years back and wants us to do a repeat MRI of the head and neck region to rule out any complications resulting from it. Because when she throws back her neck or lies down she feels a bit dizzy.
Again, appreciate your detailed suggestions very much!
Serological markers for Hashimoto's thyroiditis:
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb): found in 90 - 95% of cases
Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb): found in 55 - 90% of cases
Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) antibody is a highly specific (90%–98%) marker of rheumatoid arthritis.
An excerpt from the book "The Everything Guide To Thyroid Disease" by Theodore C. Friedman, MD, PhD and Winnie Yu Scherer:
"Although the majority of people with Hashimoto's will not develop any other disorders, it's important to know what some of these autoimmune conditions are in case you do start to experience symptoms. Keep in mind, too, that you may be more likely to develop Hashimoto's if you have one of these other conditions.
Type 1 diabetes
Pernicious Anaemia
Addison's Disease
Vitiligo
Celiac Disease
Alopecia Areta
Systematic Lupus Erthematosus (SLE)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sjogren's Syndrome
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)"