Need desperate help

[Thyroid4]

Hi everyone,

I'm in diagnosis limbo right now. I have Hashimoto's disease since at l the past 3 years at least. I was diagnosed by antibody testing but had no symptoms until this year. For the past year I've had the following symptoms that have been persistent but fluctuate in strength week by week.

1. Tongue discomfort: this was the first symptom that started a year ago. It felt sore/stiff near the back of my tongue. At first it was slightly uncomfortable but now for the past few months it has affected my speech where it seems to slur, although no one hears any difference (but I feel it constantly)

2. Tongue scalloping: I have this every day and is apparently a symptom of hypothyroidism

3. Muscle fatigue: this also has started in the last few months. There are times I just need to sit down because my legs are so tired. If I do pushups, my arms fatigue the day after which is really not like me. I used to lift weights, run, do rockclimbing etc... Now I am afraid to do any workout.

4. Cold sensitivity: my body temperature drops at the first sign of cold. My mouth feels completely frozen during the winter that I can't even talk at times.

5. Ultrasound findings tshow Hashimoto's like appearance but no nodules. My neck and throat get really sore at times though.

6. Stiff neck that sometimes feels tired at the back.

My TSH has always been 1.7-1.8 but the last time I had it drawn it was 2.28 and this is when I was feeling the most muscular fatigue.

The thing is I don't have the classical symptoms of hypothyroidism like weight gain, sleepiness-type of fatigue, constipation (although I am on a high fiber diet) etc.. making me wonder if my symptoms are due to the Hashimotos or not

My labs as of today are:

Thyroid Peroxidase Ab: 205 (range less than 35)
Thyroglobulin Ab: 92 (range less than 20)
TSH: 2.28 (range 0.4-4.5)
Free T4: 1.1 (range 0.8-1.8)
Free T3: 3.7 (range 2.3-4.2)

Has anyone has these symptoms particularly the tongue/slurred speech issues and muscular fatigue? Do they go away with medication and if so, how long did it take to resolve? Also, based on my labs would you suggest going on a dose of Synthroid or Armour?

Thanks again.

[Barb135]

I've done a bit of research and tongue changes and the scalloping are common thyroid symptoms; however, apparently, most doctors don't know this.  I actually researched this because of my sister whose tongue was swollen, and she had a deep crease down the middle of it, along with a white coating.  I've believed her to be hypothyroid for many years, but her tests (TSH) keep coming back "normal".  I've told her repeatedly that she needs to get the FT3 and FT4 tests, but if she did, she didn't tell  me.  She also has leukemia and has been undergoing chemo for a while.

http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/thyroid-symptoms-problems-cancer/2011/07/20/id/404163

This article also contains a video by Dr David Brownstein, that's worth watching.

[flyingfool]

I agree with Gimel

[Red_Star]

I never suffered tongue discomfort from hypothyroidism (although this is a possible symptom of hypothyroidism) but i've had your other symptoms and many more.

[gimel]

Well, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call it a duck.  LOL  So, in view of your diagnosis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and your symptoms, many of which are clearly hypo, I'd say that you are hypo, even though your test results don't quite yet reflect the level of symptoms you are having.  But Hashi's patients often start having symptoms before their blood test results clearly show the problem.  So, I think I would ask to start on a low dosage of thyroid med, and increase as necessary to relieve symptoms.  Since your Free T3 level is even higher in its range than Free T4, I would suggest starting on a T4 med.  

Also, next time you are there for tests, I'd suggest that you test for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  Hypo patients often find they are too low in the ranges for those as well.