Possible thyroid problem

[DarthVillainous]

I'm a 25 YOM living in Vancouver.  I've been sick since March '07.

My symptoms started with what's been dx'd as IBS.  I started having dizziness soon after.  I get aches and pains all over my body.  I experience a feeling of muscle weakness, usually in my calves and/or arms (usually it's worse in my calves).  Lately I've been experiencing random twitches in my muscles; for example, my right eyelid has been jumping on and off the last month and a half or so (I've had twitches in other muscles, however).

I'm constantly tired, suffering from unrestful sleep.  I often feel nauseated.  I have many other symptoms, but it would take too long to list them all.  Suffice to say, these are the worst of the lot.  I have good days and bad days, and my symptoms are not always present with equal strength.  They vary, and often come in spurts (e.g. I'll have maybe a week or two where my legs feel extremely weak, and then it'll get significantly better - though it won't go away completely).  My symptoms usually seem to be worse during the morning/day, and get significantly better towards evening.

I've had numerous tests done, including a head/ear MRI, CT scan of my head, colonoscopy, endoscopy, barium swallow, echocardiogram, blood tests, and a caloric test (I think that's what it's called - it's the one where they shoot water into your ears).  The only thing that's been found on any of them is the caloric test, which found some dysfunction in my right inner ear.  I've been dx'd with Meniere's because of that, which explains the dizziness, but nothing else.

The reason I'm wondering if the majority of this is thyroid-related is because I've had three blood tests done over the last year and a half, and my TSH has slowly been rising.  In April '07 it was 2.75; in August '07 it was 3.71; now in August '08 it was 4.39 (BC Biomed uses a lab range of 0.3-5.5).  Obviously, these aren't huge jumps, and it's not super high (I've read that TSH usually should be maxed at 3.0), but nevertheless the fact remains that I'm sick, and this is the one thing that has been showing any change in my bloodwork.

Thanks for your time.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The TSH levels are slightly elevated.  May be an early Hashimoto's (consider checking antibodies -- TPO and Tg).  However, the levels are only borderline abnormal, so may have nothing to do with the symptoms...

[hmosorio]

I am 23 years old and many if not all of the things you are experiencing are happening to me and I have no explanation for them except thyroid. I have been hypothyroid since I am 16, and I recently tested positive with h pylori, a bacteria in the stomach. Someone told me I needed to be tested for autoimmune diseases. Although I don't know what the connection is. Maybe it could help to be tested for thyroid problems. I know this does not help but there are many people that can lend an ear when you need one.