Aa
Can Postpartum thyroiditis be related to these other symptoms?
Back in June 2016 I was four months postpartum and I went into the doctor because I was feeling off and a bit anxious. At the time, my TSH came back at 93 antibodies were 9,000. She diagnosed postpartum thyroiditis and told me to just wait it out because my thyroid would return to normal eventually. A few weeks later came the symptoms: cold, hair loss, numbness in my hands and feet, a goiter, and massive body aches and pains. Along with this came a ridiculous burning sore throat that felt like I was being choked around my neck/under my chin, and a burning tingling tongue. I recognize now that it may have been swollen nodes. My levels continued to improve over the summer but not my symptoms.
My TSH got back down to 3.8 in September, and oddly my weight had dropped down to 97 pounds (I was 111 back in June and 103 before pregnancy) so I felt very ill, malnourished and weak. I also at that time developed uveitis - inflammation in my eyes. The doctors stared checking me for TB, Lyme, lupus markers, sarcoidosis, RA markers, etc did a full blood work panel and then did a full colonoscopy and endoscopy because I was having some mild stomach pains. I did discover an h Pylori infection and mild colon inflammation in my left colon.
In October my TSH ticked up to 4.88 and my new endocrinologist suggested I go on a low dose to see if that relieves any symptoms. I was also on the low end for vitamin d and b12 so I supplemented those as well. I also took a MRT food sensitivity test and tried to eliminate reactive and moderately reactive foods from my diet.
Things slowly began to improve and my upper throat burning choking sensation began to recede. My eyes slowly are less inflammed - though I still take a steroid drop every few days. My body aches finally we’re not too noticeable as of beginning of February and I have more energy. I also stopped breastfeeding in December and took the h Pylori antibiotic regime ending in January. As of today - February 20 - I feel a bit deflated. My under chin/neck choking burning sensation has returned - maybe swollen nodes- as have the leg body aches and some light bruising after being gone for months and I’m tired. I have also had on and off for the past month a dull temple headache and some jaw tenderness that I am also associating with lymph nodes potentially. As of a few weeks ago, my thyroid level was perfect at 1.7 according to my doctor. The doctors aren’t really taking my concerns seriously - telling me I might have sinusitis from potential seasonal allergies, TMJ, neck pain from acid reflux and maybe the aches are fibromyalgia. I don’t think these are the primary drivers - they certainly don’t cause eye inflammation which I have had for five months! I want to know if any of these other symptoms could be related to the thyroid still in some way - I’m 12 months postpartum and 8 months from initial diagnosis of thyroiditis. Or maybe one type of cancer is lurking? What tests do I ask for to move forward in finding answers
My TSH got back down to 3.8 in September, and oddly my weight had dropped down to 97 pounds (I was 111 back in June and 103 before pregnancy) so I felt very ill, malnourished and weak. I also at that time developed uveitis - inflammation in my eyes. The doctors stared checking me for TB, Lyme, lupus markers, sarcoidosis, RA markers, etc did a full blood work panel and then did a full colonoscopy and endoscopy because I was having some mild stomach pains. I did discover an h Pylori infection and mild colon inflammation in my left colon.
In October my TSH ticked up to 4.88 and my new endocrinologist suggested I go on a low dose to see if that relieves any symptoms. I was also on the low end for vitamin d and b12 so I supplemented those as well. I also took a MRT food sensitivity test and tried to eliminate reactive and moderately reactive foods from my diet.
Things slowly began to improve and my upper throat burning choking sensation began to recede. My eyes slowly are less inflammed - though I still take a steroid drop every few days. My body aches finally we’re not too noticeable as of beginning of February and I have more energy. I also stopped breastfeeding in December and took the h Pylori antibiotic regime ending in January. As of today - February 20 - I feel a bit deflated. My under chin/neck choking burning sensation has returned - maybe swollen nodes- as have the leg body aches and some light bruising after being gone for months and I’m tired. I have also had on and off for the past month a dull temple headache and some jaw tenderness that I am also associating with lymph nodes potentially. As of a few weeks ago, my thyroid level was perfect at 1.7 according to my doctor. The doctors aren’t really taking my concerns seriously - telling me I might have sinusitis from potential seasonal allergies, TMJ, neck pain from acid reflux and maybe the aches are fibromyalgia. I don’t think these are the primary drivers - they certainly don’t cause eye inflammation which I have had for five months! I want to know if any of these other symptoms could be related to the thyroid still in some way - I’m 12 months postpartum and 8 months from initial diagnosis of thyroiditis. Or maybe one type of cancer is lurking? What tests do I ask for to move forward in finding answers
COMMUNITY LEADER
New ATA/AACE guidelines don't recommend FNA until the nodule is 2 cm unless it displays certain characteristics indicative of thyroid cancer. I have/had (??) a nodule that measures(d??) 1.1 X 1.0 X 0.8 cm and my pcp refused to refer me to ENT for FNA, even though it's a solid nodule, which is one of the criteria for cancer. He did order a nuclear medicine scan, which was a total waste of time/money...
My endo just did another scan and "she" says there is no nodule present... her opinion is that ultrasound technicians don't know what they're looking for and can't tell the difference between a nodule and a shadow. She says by the time the radiologist sees the pictures, the patient has gone home so they can't take another look, in which case they label it as a nodule, thereby erring on the side of caution. In her opinion, what the technician saw and radiologist saw as a nodule and what was again seen as a nodule during the nuclear med scan, was seen by my endo as a mere shadow...
The report I got from her says I have no nodule even though I have a chronic sore throat and often feel like something is stuck in my throat (she blew those off as "nothing").
Second opinions are always in order, in some cases as in mine, even a third opinion is called for...
My endo just did another scan and "she" says there is no nodule present... her opinion is that ultrasound technicians don't know what they're looking for and can't tell the difference between a nodule and a shadow. She says by the time the radiologist sees the pictures, the patient has gone home so they can't take another look, in which case they label it as a nodule, thereby erring on the side of caution. In her opinion, what the technician saw and radiologist saw as a nodule and what was again seen as a nodule during the nuclear med scan, was seen by my endo as a mere shadow...
The report I got from her says I have no nodule even though I have a chronic sore throat and often feel like something is stuck in my throat (she blew those off as "nothing").
Second opinions are always in order, in some cases as in mine, even a third opinion is called for...
My mother has low stomach acid and takes digestive enzyme supplements and also betaine HCL with pepsin (the HCL with protein meals).
Most guidelines recommend FNA (fine needle aspiration) biopsy for nodules larger than 1cm (larger than 5mm if patients has high risk factors or suspicious ultrasound features). I've read the overall incidence of thyroid cancer is about 9.2% to 13% in patients with thyroid nodules who undergo an FNA biopsy.
JCEM Journal - Postpartum Thyroiditis...
"Prospective studies have shown a prevalence rate of hypothyroidism of 23% and 29% at 3.5 to 8.7 yr postpartum (28, 29). Progression to permanent hypothyroidism was more common in women who presented with higher TSH levels and higher titers of thyroid peroxidase antibodies in the hypothyroid phase of postpartum thyroiditis (12). The development of permanent hypothyroidism provides further evidence that postpartum thyroiditis is the clinical presentation of preexisting subclinical Hashimoto’s disease (28)."
Most guidelines recommend FNA (fine needle aspiration) biopsy for nodules larger than 1cm (larger than 5mm if patients has high risk factors or suspicious ultrasound features). I've read the overall incidence of thyroid cancer is about 9.2% to 13% in patients with thyroid nodules who undergo an FNA biopsy.
JCEM Journal - Postpartum Thyroiditis...
"Prospective studies have shown a prevalence rate of hypothyroidism of 23% and 29% at 3.5 to 8.7 yr postpartum (28, 29). Progression to permanent hypothyroidism was more common in women who presented with higher TSH levels and higher titers of thyroid peroxidase antibodies in the hypothyroid phase of postpartum thyroiditis (12). The development of permanent hypothyroidism provides further evidence that postpartum thyroiditis is the clinical presentation of preexisting subclinical Hashimoto’s disease (28)."
COMMUNITY LEADER
Autoimmune conditions tend to run in families, though not every member of a family gets the same condition. For instance, I have Hashimoto's and Pernicious Anemia, my son has Type I Diabetes and my daughter has Lupus - all autoimmune... Another thing is that once we have one autoimmune condition, the chances of getting another are greater.
Hashimoto's causes inflammation and that inflammation doesn't necessarily stay in the thyroid area; it affects the entire body, so your body aches can certainly be attributed to Hashimoto's/hypothyroidism.
It's not surprising that you, basically, feel like crap, looking at your Free T4 and Free T3 levels... Just because your TSH is where doctors love to see it, doesn't mean your thyroid levels are "perfect".
Rule of thumb (where most of us feel best) is for Free T4 to be about mid-range; yours is at 92% of range, which is considerably higher than it needs to be. Rule of thumb for Free T3 to be in the upper half to upper third of its range; yours is only at 25% of range.
Free T3 is the hormone that's used by almost every cell in the body and without enough, you certainly aren't going to feel well. Free T4 isn't used directly; it's considered a storage hormone and must be converted to Free T4 prior to being used. Not all of us convert adequately and when that happens we have to add a separate source of T3.
What was the "low dose" your endocrinologist recommended and are you still taking it?
Hashimoto's causes inflammation and that inflammation doesn't necessarily stay in the thyroid area; it affects the entire body, so your body aches can certainly be attributed to Hashimoto's/hypothyroidism.
It's not surprising that you, basically, feel like crap, looking at your Free T4 and Free T3 levels... Just because your TSH is where doctors love to see it, doesn't mean your thyroid levels are "perfect".
Rule of thumb (where most of us feel best) is for Free T4 to be about mid-range; yours is at 92% of range, which is considerably higher than it needs to be. Rule of thumb for Free T3 to be in the upper half to upper third of its range; yours is only at 25% of range.
Free T3 is the hormone that's used by almost every cell in the body and without enough, you certainly aren't going to feel well. Free T4 isn't used directly; it's considered a storage hormone and must be converted to Free T4 prior to being used. Not all of us convert adequately and when that happens we have to add a separate source of T3.
What was the "low dose" your endocrinologist recommended and are you still taking it?
1 Comments
I take 50mcg of Synthroid - the brand not the genetic. My mom and her sister both take Armour but the endocrinologist told me that that is harder on the heart, so he didn’t recommend that for me. I have been wondering about the possibility of a disorder relating to the receptors of your thyroid - basically it doesn’t matter how much T4 you’ve got in your bloodstream because it’s not being used. I want to know how to boost my T4 to T3 conversion
COMMUNITY LEADER
Although postpartum thyroiditis can be diagnosed with high antibodies, there's a huge possibility that you have Hashimoto's, instead, which means it will not clear at all.
Is TSH the only thyroid related test that's being done, other than the antibody test? What about Free T4 and Free T3? Those are the actual thyroid hormones and are much more important than TSH, which is actually a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone. In many cases, TSH doesn't even correlate with thyroid hormones OR with symptoms.
If you've been tested for those, please post the results, with reference ranges, so we can see what your actual thyroid hormone levels are.
I helped my acid reflux by drinking dill pickle juice, warm water with a small amount of vinegar and honey, taking peppermint oil pills, etc. I've also taken HCL with pepsin to increase stomach acid. I, too, have had H. Pylori.
Thyroid nodules are very common and less than 5% of them turn out to be cancer. Unless it was recommended that you get a biopsy, it's highly unlikely your nodule is cancerous. Nodules often reduce in size with adequate amounts of thyroid hormones.
Is TSH the only thyroid related test that's being done, other than the antibody test? What about Free T4 and Free T3? Those are the actual thyroid hormones and are much more important than TSH, which is actually a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone. In many cases, TSH doesn't even correlate with thyroid hormones OR with symptoms.
If you've been tested for those, please post the results, with reference ranges, so we can see what your actual thyroid hormone levels are.
I helped my acid reflux by drinking dill pickle juice, warm water with a small amount of vinegar and honey, taking peppermint oil pills, etc. I've also taken HCL with pepsin to increase stomach acid. I, too, have had H. Pylori.
Thyroid nodules are very common and less than 5% of them turn out to be cancer. Unless it was recommended that you get a biopsy, it's highly unlikely your nodule is cancerous. Nodules often reduce in size with adequate amounts of thyroid hormones.
3 Comments
My latest results show: TSH 1.7 (.358-3.740) my Free T3 is 2.6 (2.0-4.4) and Free T4 is 1.64. (.93 - 1.7)
Good to know also about the possibility of cancer. I have a follow up ultrasound next month to see if things hav stayed the same or changed. I will try a few natural remedies for the acid reflux and see if it makes any difference. My biggest gripe is my eye inflammation and body aches with no real explanation. All I can think is that there was so much inflammation from the thyroiditis that it somehow spread to other areas ind my body.
I should also add that my mom has Hashimoto and so does her sister and brother and my cousin. But none of them seem to experience any of the dramatic effects that I have been experiencing.
I'd say all your symptoms can be traced back to your thyroid issues. For instance, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism reduce stomach acid levels and this can cause a number of issues from vitamin B12 deficiency to H Pylori infection to acid reflux. Studies show patients with thyroid disease have a 1.7 fold higher risk for uveitis.
I've read post partum thyroiditis can take up to 18 months to resolve although some women will end up with permanent hypothyroidism.
I've read post partum thyroiditis can take up to 18 months to resolve although some women will end up with permanent hypothyroidism.
1 Comments
Thank you for responding. I don’t know what to do about acid reflux that might be due to low acid...and is it coming to have acid reflux around the top of your throat only? I also had a thyroid ultrasound and that revealed a mildly atrophic gland and a 1.1 cm nodule...so now I’ve got myself worked up to thinking I have thyroid cancer that’s moved into the nodes.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
