Hi Everyone-Quick question....

[spastic]

Hi Everyone!!!  I have just been recently told that I have hyperthyroidism and due to other health issues coming up before the labs came back, I had to have a CT w/contrast of my heart and lungs.  I was scheduled for the following week for a thyroid scan and when I went there I was informed that I won't be able to have the scan done due to the contrast they had used the following week.  They said I had to wait three months!!!

What else can they do to check the thyroid?  I have Still's disease and I have to take daily steroids to keep the inflammation down and all I do is sweat like a pig, have a racy heart, dizziness and unrelenting nausea and fatigue.

Thanks for the info, I'll be lurking around :)

Your Friend,

Ada aka Spastic

[spastic]

Hi Everyone!!!  You guys are a wonderful bunch, I have to say.  Stella, love your cat picture!!!  I am going to call my Dr this morning about the labs I have had done.  They were suppose to call me back anyway about my cycles of dizziness.  Had a problem last week when her nurse told me to quit taking steroids abruptly and ended up having to have some IV admin of steroids and fluids in the ER.  I love my Dr but not her ditzy nurse!!!  I still don't feel right after that incident.  

Cheryl, I have seen some of your posts on the arthritis forum.  Sorry to hear about your ankle problems, OUCH!!!  I totally agree with you about MedHelp, I love this place, its like my safe haven.  Have met some of the nicest people here.

Glad to be part of this forum too!!!

Ada

[stella5349]

Hello

In addition and in total agreement with AR - I just wanted you to be aware that your grandfather condition of hyperparathyroid disease should not corrolate with your newly Dx of possible Graves or hyperthyroidism.

The parathyroids and the thyroid are not "connected" . It sounds this may be confusing - but very true.

What AR suggested is a total work up of the thyroid - Most doctors will not do complete testing like this unless pushed by the patient. So - you must ask for this - so all is done to get you the appropriate Dx.

You'd think these doctors would automatically run these tests - but they don't in most cases.

Good Luck.

[spastic]

Thanks for the Welcome, it means a lot to me.  I spend a lot of time on the Arthritis forum and the MS forum, it feels good to be welcomed with open arms on this Forum :)

Thanks a Bunch,

Ada

[spastic]

Wow!!!!  Thanks for the info, I will check into the labs I have had done and request the ones that weren't done.

I appreciate this so much AR-10, thank you, thank you!!!! :):)

Ada

[AR-10]

You really should have an ultrasound before you have the uptake scan, anyway. That will help them make more sense out of the uptake scan when they run it.

The TSH test has a few different embellishments after the "TSH", but all the TSH tests are run the same way. It must have registered below 0.30 for them to pronounce you hyper.

The T4/T3 tests you want should either say Free T4, or FT4, and the T3 should either be a Free T3 or a FT3, or a T3 serum.

Ask for a Free T4 and a Free T3, or you may get a Total T4 and Total T3. The "Total" tests are old and not as acurate.

Ask what antibody tests were run. Tell the doctor you want a Thyroid Peroxidase antibody test if you haven't had one. You probably have. It's also called a TPOab.

Ask for a Thyroglobulin antibody test. It's also called a TGab.

Ask for a TSI test, if it hasn't been run. It is a Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin test. It confirms Grave's disease.

Ask for a Thyroid receptor antibody test. It's also called a TRab.

You might as well find out which ones you have and how high they are.

By the time you have all that information, you will have a more clear diagnosis, and time to talk about what the uptake scan is for and should show.

Ask for copies of your test results. They come in very handy. Keep them together in a file.

[spastic]

Thank you for the welcome AR, that means a lot to me.  I haven't had an ultrasound done but I think that is the only thing they can do to look at the thyroid now with the mess up with the CT scan.  I should probably call my Dr about that.  

They have done several tests and for the last 10 months I was always on the high positive side and then the last time they checked it was positive and then they ran I think it was called a TSH Ultrasensitive 2000, and then a T4 and a T3.  I might have them a little mixed up but they were also high.

As for now she didn't want to start me on any meds for it until they could see exactly was the culprit.  

Thanks again for the warm welcome!!!!

Your Friend,

Ada

[AR-10]

Welcome to the forum. :-)

Have you had an ultrasound done?
How many antibody tests have you had run?

[spastic]

I have to add this, my Grandfather had hyperparathyroidism.  I believe there is a genetic link but I am not real sure.  Any ideas anyone?

Ada