I am a nurse and I am still confused-Thyroid problems!!!

[Odiern]

I am a 26F, nullipara, 5'8, 160 lbs, lately I have been having probs with my periods.  I was bleeding inbetween periods.  I went to the doc and they ran some tests and my thyroid came out normal except for TSH.  I have a hx of multi-nodular goiter and have always had issues with hyperthyroidism.  Prior to this issue, I had normal thyroid levels.  My thyroid has been dancing around.    Anyway, the bleeding did stop, but came back.  I called her and she placed me on Progesterone 400 mg QD @ HS.  I stopped it and I got my period 4 days later (may 3).  Well, just curious if any of this is related to my TSH elevation.  Could this be thyroidis, does neg antibodies mean I DONT have hasmotosis thyroiditis.  Will I need replacement medication for hypothyroidism...  Anyway, here is my labs:

HX: SVT, PCOS


Here are my labs

Anti-thyroglobulin-Negative
Anti-thyroid Microsom-Negative

T3 Free 3.5 (2.3-4.2)
t3-total: 1.57 (0.60-1.81)
t4 total: 6.2 (4.5-10.9)
T4 free: 0.97 (0.73-1.79)

TSH 9.87 (0.35-5.50)

Testosterone 85.68 (14-76) -is elevation of testosterone related to TSH

Ultrasound of ovaries said -"follicular changes" what does this mean nothing about pcos

[aw_2471]

Sorry, I meant sucralose.

[aw_2471]

What is this, about splenda and suralose?
I have hypothyroidism, and use splenda quite frequently. I had heard somewhere before that this might cause inflamation, but there was no study. Lately I have been experiencing some rather severe symptoms of hypothyroidism ie: lethargy, sleep issues, snoring, feeling like I have sleep apnea, very dry skin, weight gain in spite of regular exercise. Could this be due to splenda, should I switch to a stevia sub?

Also, my periods have been so heavy and irregular (very far apart). I have seemingly lost all of my sex drive. I am only 38, so this is very suspect.
Thank you.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The high TSH suggests HYPOthyroidism -- would repeat it 5-6 weeks after initial test to make sure it was a not a transient abnormality, if still high -- treat with levothyroxine.  The antibodies suggest against hashimoto's but 10-15% of hashi patients have negative antibodies.  The hypothyroidism may cause abnormal menstrual periods. Hypothyroidism may be more common in PCOS.

[glarstout]

If you are consuming sucralose or splenda - get off and see what happens.

It shrinks the thymus by 40%. FYI- it shrinks the spleen too. Do you have a pain in your lower left side, under the rib?