Hi,
Your reg doctor can at least give you meds to deal with the symptoms until you can get into see an endo. My anxiety was crippling with a new child (had PPT with both kids but didn't know what it was until before the second was on the way). I also have the TPO antibodies. The endo told me it was highly unlikely that it would go away out of the postpartum period, but it would stabilize and have less swings back and forth. I have a family history and it is genetic. Not all drs are created equal - but- my endo has tried replacement synthroid on people without an abnormal TSH, but said that he really couldn't tell a difference with any of them, even with symptom control. Not all drs use the same reference range with the TSH either, so make sure you research the current standards and compare your labs to it, rather than what your dr tells you. You are your best advocate. Also, research the autoimmune protocol diet. It has some interesting and possibly helpful information. I haven't taken the plunge, but I am considering it (its a temporary diet)
I know this is years later but what did you eventually figure out? I am suffering the same story as you. My endo is worthless and I am being referred to OSU to hopefully get some answers.
If either of the two main thyroid antibodies, TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibody) or TGab (thyroglobulin antibody), is elevated, autoimmune thyroid disease is confirmed.. Only one has to be elevated.
You're right, the thyroid does sputter with Hash's, especially in the early stages. There are often swings from hypo to hyper and back again.
I understand your frustration...too often doctors ignore your symptoms, look at nothing but TSH and proclaim you "fine". But, you're miserable...
I read your linked article. I'd just point out that the study cited is from 2001 and included 21 patients. Ten years later, apparently no large-scale study has replicated the results. A study of 21 patients is preliminary at best. Antibody levels swing wildly, even intraday, so a "decrease" or "increase" is pretty insignificant, especially when the magnitude is unspecified. As one of the conclusions, the researchers SPECULATE that meds can stop the progression of the disease. It's always a good idea when reading these kinds of articles to read the original study for yourself.
That having been said, I'm willing to bet that you'd feel better on meds. Do you have your most recent FT3, FT4 and TSH with ranges?
I should also add they have done a CAT scan of my brain to rule out tumors O.o.. That was scary also.. Sigh
Hi
I have had all the tests you mention. I have had full adrenal testing as well. All is normal except my symptoms and my antibodies. It is so strange.I also had a full hormone work up all is normal for where I was in my cycle. ( mid cycle at the time) Ferritin, Calcium Regular CBC, LSH, FSH, Prolactin, Albumin, and the list goes on and on. My Vitamin D is good, B is good, iron, hemoglobin everything is good. Nothing is abnormal except the latter. However at one time I was fluctuating quite wildly. 0 TSH up 4 . Free T$ and Free T3 were all wonky at one time.
What were the symptoms of your fibroids. This is one of the things my doctor is looking for..because of my irregular cycles and mid cycle pains.
I want to say too that when I am sick and or over tired I notice symptoms tend to get worse.
Another question. My OB has said that he thinks I could still have fluctuating levels, that we are not catching. How would one catch these, how regular would you have to do the blood work. It drives me crazy when I need to push them to do more then just the TSH. Also if the thyroid fluctuates how long can symptoms lag for. I here varying results on this. That symptoms can last months and months after abnormal levels, I have also heard that the antibodies themselves could be contributing to the symptoms..??
Are you as confused as I am yet?
Thanks so much for the replies.. I am just so lost!
Hi ,
please see this article. I have found others but had this one linked.. I cannot remember the antibodies in paticular.. I believe it could have been Antithyroid Globulin.. I do know out of all the antibody levels this is the only one that is abnormal. I cannot find anything any where that supports PPT lasting this long. 18 months now. I am beginning to believe that this is Hashimoto's not simply PPT. It is my understanding that the thyroid sputters before Hashimoto's settles into hypothyroid permanently. The reason I ask about meds is I have found a few medical entries and articles that seem to support this. I have not yet been to an endo, refered to an endo nor have I been treated at all for any of this. It *****. I am desperately seeking anyone who may have gone through PPT or yes silent thyroiditis, to see if their case is similer. It is a lost feeling when one feels like crud still and yet no one can give an answer as to why? I still have many of the hypo and hyper symptoms. Oops sorry for sounding snotty. Not my intention. I am very frustrated with things.. Almost to a breaking point.
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/endocrinology/a/antibodies.htm
"My antibodies are 379 down from 462. ( Range is 0 - 34 )" Is this TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antobodies)?
In PPT, also sometimes called "silent" thyroiditis, antibodies are not elevated.
No thyroid replacement hormones (levo, Synthroid, Cytomel, Armour, NT, ERFA, etc.) are a preventative. Replacement hormones relieve symptoms by raising your FT3 and FT4 levels, but they do not address the underlying cause. Replacement hormones will help you avoid the symptoms of going hypo later on, but will not stop the progression of the disease.
First, I'd like to wish you the best of luck, in diagnosis and treatment of what is going on with you. My journey also began with the birth of my child, and the intial symptoms were scary indeed. Fast forward 20 years later, and let me give you a thought or two. First, mine went from a mild, moderate linear synthroid treatment. And then, I developed fibroids and had a hysterecomy at 36. The ups and downs began after about a year, and the levels and symptoms fluctuated in such a way, they thought it was due to the Hysterectomy or depression. I also went through a thyroid nodule mystery, and FNA biopsy, and an ambiguous Diagnosis.
A sharp female Jamaiacan Doc ran better tests, and found the highs and lowsto be Hashimotos-Which is something you would want to rule out, or address, in your case. B-12, Vitamin D, Anemia, many things factor into the treatment, because, Hashimotos, while a thyroid issue, is also an immune disorder, where your body attacks your thyroid, perceiving it a foreign body. Stress, illness, and diet have a greater impact with this disorder.
It is all too often easy to mis-diagnos and dismiss the symptmos as bi-polar, since some symptoms are similiar, and the depression that accompanies feeling so tired, achy and unfocused can be misleading that it is mental not physcial. Everything to do with Thyroid disorder starts as physical.
So, here is my recent discovery, and I hope it helps.
Ask for the full testing: Test the TPO, the Thyroid Ab, Free T-3, Free T 4, Reverse T-3and ask for the Adrenal Saliva test. Adrenal function is a separate but linked issue. Also newly brought to my attention, is the more natural approach, with Armour Thyroid,. I am about to explore all of this, with a more homeopathic medical doctor. Best of luck to you, and I will post my own results, so as maybe to help others that are experienced this nightmare.