HELP!!! Tired of being tired and jerked around and need to know what is wrong!

[sherryleslie]

I have felt like crap for 2 years now.  Tired/sluggish, achy in the joints and muscles, gained 40 pounds in the last year or so, temple pain/headaches, dizziness/light-headed, constipation, dry/itchy patches on skin, inconsistent menstrual cycles, low body temp (last week 96.3-97.5), depression/restless (just not interested in much and have trouble sleeping and or getting to sleep), itchy/gritty eyes with a sensitivity to light, major brain fog, ear aches, snoring/sleep apnea, etc.  I just haven’t felt right or like myself… Sometimes I get weird pains and I experience shortness of breathe and tightness in my chest.  Pretty much all symptoms of hypothyroidism that I have read and heard about.  I have to force myself to get up everyday and go to work and do the normal daily household stuff.  Much less feel like doing anything extra.  Sometimes the dizziness, eye issues and brain fog scare me driving to work.  About a year ago I went to the doctor for an ear ache and a goiter was found on the right side of my neck.  My GP did blood work for thyroid and all came back within "normal range".  I then had an ultrasound and a mass 2-3cm x 6cm was found and I was sent to a Endo/specialist.  The specialist at first seemed to think the right side of my thyroid needed to be removed and sent me to a hospital to start the proceedings for that (I had to go there since I don't have insurance), she also did blood work and said all levels were "normal".  The hospital did a biopsy June 1st and it came back benign.  Now the specialist says we just need to "watch" the mass and set me up for another appt in Dec.  She said my symptoms don't match those of a thyroid problem but everything I’ve read and people I have talked to say they do.  She suggested I get back with my GP who had sent me to her originally since I had symptoms and a 2-3 x 6 goiter.  What do I do now?  

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

I did not see a TSH level.  If this is greater than 3 then I typically start thyroid medications for patients with nodules especially at the size.

[sherryleslie]

This is for Dr. Lupo-  Should I be taking thyroid meds?  The "specialist" that I was sent to told me I needed to go back to my GP and that my symptoms were not that of a thyroid problem.  I have had several people tell me that I should try the meds and see if it helps.  I don't have a problem with taking them if it will help.  Is there are problem with taking them?

[sherryleslie]

Could my problem be hormonal?  I'm 47 and have had a couple people say they have had similar syptoms and it was hormonal.  They are much better now with shots...I'm so confused.  I'm going to try to get an appointment with a doctor that was recommended and see what they say.  They whole thing is frustrating.  I had an ultrasound last July and when I saw the specialist in April the mass had not grown any.  When I had the biopsy June 1st they said it was vascular?  I'm going to get my medical records from both doctors too so I have them for a second opinion!  UGH!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

That is a big nodule - would at least repeat the FNA as sometimes FNA on larger nodules are less accurate.  Also -- if the TSH is >3 would consider levothyroxine treatment to keep TSH closer to 0.3-1.0 as this sometimes may help control growth.  If the nodule grows, would remove it.

[Karynecpa]

Hi there. I'm not a doctor but did you say 6 CM?  I've been doin alot of research on the thyroid over the last several months and from what I've read so far, a nodule or goiter of that size should come out. If I were you, I would insist on seeing a surgeon that specializes on thyroid surgery or get a second opinion. I would not wait until December.  Blood tests don't always show when something is wrong. I know that from personal experience.  

[sherryleslie]

Could I have Hypopituitarism?