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Could I be bouncing from hypo to hyper prior to it showing up on tests?
Hi, I'm new here but have been reading/researching this for the last 2 years, and am hoping someone can help.
I am 47 years old. 10 years ago I was diagnosed Hashimotos and put on Levothyroxine and was fine for years. About 4 years ago while trying to get pregnant my dose was increased, and almost 3 years ago I got VERY lucky and had my son.
About 2 years ago I woke up throughout the night extremely dizzy, almost like waves of adrenaline. I would become dizzy throughout the day with moments where I thought I might faint. My weight dropped by 9 lbs and my hands and feet were tingling/numb.
That week my TSH was in range 1.08 (range of .5-4.12) and my Free T4 was 18 (scale of 10-18).
A month and 1/2 later TSH was low at .31 but Free T4 was at 17. We lowered meds and 6 weeks later (after i was feeling much better ironically) TSH was now down to .1 and Free T4 was up at 19!
Lowered meds again even though I felt fine, and 2 months later I was mid range and fine. 1.6 and 15.
I was (mostly) good for about 7 months.
Then in November 2012 it all came back. Dizzy, no appetite, facial flushing, alcohol intolerance, weight loss, tingling hands and feet, buzzing feeling etc. Based on swollen thyroid and a scan my GP said it's "thyroiditis" and will resolve. I said "I ALWAYS have that it's called Hashimotos!" (Thyroperoxidase Antibodies of 572 on a std range of <60) but she explained thyroiditis can be seasonal and it's different than Hashimotos. Tests at that time: TSH 1.16 and FreeT4 was 14 (both normal). After a month and 1/2 it slowly resolved.
Then last month it all came back with a vengeance. Dizzy, out of breath, tingling, then the weight loss and diarrhea again. I was nearly fainting, face was numb, and went to the ER twice. But this time all of the thyroid tests are normal. On 4/22 TSH was 1.32 and T4 was 17. I asked that they test Free T3 also and it was 3.7 on a scale of 2.6-5.7. And this was at my worst!
I've seen neurologists and gastro and ENT and we did a million blood tests, an MRI, CT and all come back as normal. But I have not seen an Endocrinologist ever.
So my question is, could this be thyroid related even though the TSH, Free T4, and Free T3 show "normal" during a rash of hyperthyroid symptoms?
Any insights appreciated. My drs are putting me on nortriptyline and running out of ideas!
I am 47 years old. 10 years ago I was diagnosed Hashimotos and put on Levothyroxine and was fine for years. About 4 years ago while trying to get pregnant my dose was increased, and almost 3 years ago I got VERY lucky and had my son.
About 2 years ago I woke up throughout the night extremely dizzy, almost like waves of adrenaline. I would become dizzy throughout the day with moments where I thought I might faint. My weight dropped by 9 lbs and my hands and feet were tingling/numb.
That week my TSH was in range 1.08 (range of .5-4.12) and my Free T4 was 18 (scale of 10-18).
A month and 1/2 later TSH was low at .31 but Free T4 was at 17. We lowered meds and 6 weeks later (after i was feeling much better ironically) TSH was now down to .1 and Free T4 was up at 19!
Lowered meds again even though I felt fine, and 2 months later I was mid range and fine. 1.6 and 15.
I was (mostly) good for about 7 months.
Then in November 2012 it all came back. Dizzy, no appetite, facial flushing, alcohol intolerance, weight loss, tingling hands and feet, buzzing feeling etc. Based on swollen thyroid and a scan my GP said it's "thyroiditis" and will resolve. I said "I ALWAYS have that it's called Hashimotos!" (Thyroperoxidase Antibodies of 572 on a std range of <60) but she explained thyroiditis can be seasonal and it's different than Hashimotos. Tests at that time: TSH 1.16 and FreeT4 was 14 (both normal). After a month and 1/2 it slowly resolved.
Then last month it all came back with a vengeance. Dizzy, out of breath, tingling, then the weight loss and diarrhea again. I was nearly fainting, face was numb, and went to the ER twice. But this time all of the thyroid tests are normal. On 4/22 TSH was 1.32 and T4 was 17. I asked that they test Free T3 also and it was 3.7 on a scale of 2.6-5.7. And this was at my worst!
I've seen neurologists and gastro and ENT and we did a million blood tests, an MRI, CT and all come back as normal. But I have not seen an Endocrinologist ever.
So my question is, could this be thyroid related even though the TSH, Free T4, and Free T3 show "normal" during a rash of hyperthyroid symptoms?
Any insights appreciated. My drs are putting me on nortriptyline and running out of ideas!
Thanks so much for the reply!
I did have T3 tested once before in March before I started to feel bad and it was 208 (older scale of 145-348). I usually do feel better when the T4 is lower, but everything else seems to be in range. I actually stopped the levothyroxine at the worst of this about a week and 1/2 ago and finally today feel a little better. I had blood sugar tested (Glucose/fasting) in november which was 94 (on scale of 70-99) and they did the finger prick in the ER and said it's fine. I don't see a cortisol test in the list. I will ask about it. They tested for a carcinoid tumor last week which was scary, but thankfully negative.
They are sending me to Audiology today due to the dizziness, but I know this is not an ear thing (it's not that vertigo kind of dizziness). I am determined to figure this out and when I do I will be back to post the answer for others!
I did have T3 tested once before in March before I started to feel bad and it was 208 (older scale of 145-348). I usually do feel better when the T4 is lower, but everything else seems to be in range. I actually stopped the levothyroxine at the worst of this about a week and 1/2 ago and finally today feel a little better. I had blood sugar tested (Glucose/fasting) in november which was 94 (on scale of 70-99) and they did the finger prick in the ER and said it's fine. I don't see a cortisol test in the list. I will ask about it. They tested for a carcinoid tumor last week which was scary, but thankfully negative.
They are sending me to Audiology today due to the dizziness, but I know this is not an ear thing (it's not that vertigo kind of dizziness). I am determined to figure this out and when I do I will be back to post the answer for others!
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Most people on the hypo/hyper roller coaster are in the beginning of Hashi. Its not too common at the 10 year mark, does happen though for a shorter duration than what your describing. At least that's what we see here.
Your T4 is on the high end of the range. Have you felt OK with it that high in the past?
Do you have more past labs with T3 tested?
Had blood sugar tested?
Cortisol tested? (best adrenal test is 24 hr saliva adrenal, a regular Md will not do this).
Some low thyroid people do go hyper from iodine and sea food.
Might want to pay attention to food. And -some women after 40 take estrogen supplements, or supplements to help out in that area. The most common has a lot of soy in it. Well, that is known to unbalance the whole hormone system, thyroid included.
Endos are not that great, and not always right either.