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Avatar universal

Researching and looking for people to talk to.

I have a follow up with my doctor today for a pap and ultrasound. My lab results that I have seen through the Quest app are all normal except a high SHBG.  From the research I have done that basically means low free estrogen levels. My doctor thought she felt a fibroid when I went in a couple weeks ago for a problem visit. I just turned 35 yesterday and have been somewhat "ignorant" not thinking anything could really be wrong. For about a year or so I thought I was beginning peri-menopause. The first day of my period is the heaviest but still not very heavy; slightly clotty. It is clockwork. I get a migraine, get tired, get my period, crampy and within 48 hours I am barely bleeding. I have skipped a period.

Then about 6 weeks ago I had horrible contractions for about an hour without any bleeding, not on my period. It was after sex and that sex was somewhat painful, which was unusual for me. I have never had painful sex and haven't been with anyone different in years. It felt like it was hitting something then I had the contractions afterwards and I thought maybe it was a cyst bursting. It made sense and I scheduled the appointment to see my doctor.  

The high SHBG typically means less change for a fibroid but it can indicate hyperthyroidism. So I started looking here but my T4 and TSH were normal levels. I did drink a cup of coffee with dry cream and splenda about 3 hours before my test but I don't think that would impact those levels much.  I do suffer from high anxiety, have had bouts of fainting, shaky, puffy faced, I have very thick hair but it seemed to be thinning slightly... I was not tested for T3.

I also go for days with diarrhea and then can feel constipated for a day or two. It doesn't seem to relate to what I eat. I had bright red blood in my stools this morning, which is a first ever, but that could easily be due to the diarrhea for the last few days and then today being more normal.

I would like to know if anyone else has experience anything similar and would love some feedback from others in case I go in and they just want to put me on a low-level hormone.

I am not overly worried but I want to get some answers and maybe some ideas to help in a natural way versus overloading on meds. I was also thinking I should have the T3 test from what I have read. My T4 is 1.1 and TSH 1.48.  SHBG is 132.

Thanks in advance!
Angie
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
We don't need all the labs posted; since we're a thyroid community, that's pretty much what we're interested in, but there are other issues that may be connected to low (or high) thyroid levels.

Your FT4 is very low in the range, and as I noted earlier, with you symptoms, could indicate hypothyroidism, but we'd need to see a Free T3 test to confirm, since symptoms correlate best with Free T3.  

With low thyroid hormones, we'd expect your TSH to be higher than it is, which would suggest Central Hypothyroidism, which is means the issue could be in the pituitary/hypothalamus rather than the thyroid.  

You should try to get a Free T3 and another Free T4 and TSH test done soon. Low thyroid hormones can affect menstrual cycles.

I'm really surprised your doctor  isn't more concerned about the diarrhea and blood in the stools, especially, if you have colon cancer in your family.  I'm failing to see how the hormones are going to affect your diarrhea and any possible internal bleeding, but I'm not a doctor. Since it's been 7 yrs since you've had a colonoscopy, I'd make that a priority, if just for peace of mind...
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Avatar universal
GLOBULIN 132 H

SEX HORMONE BINDING

17-124 nmol/L
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Avatar universal
T4, FREE

0.8-1.8 ng/dL 1.1
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Avatar universal
TSH

mIU/L 1.48

Reference Range

> or = 20 Years 0.40-4.50

Pregnancy Ranges

First trimester 0.26-2.66

Second trimester 0.55-2.73

Third trimester 0.43-2.91
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Avatar universal
They didn't find anything. She said since I have a retroverted uterus it is likely causing the pain. Prescribing me a low dose hormone to take for two months to see if I get any relief. If not, she wants me to go to a GI. She said I was as normal as normal could be based on my numbers.
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Avatar universal
It was a free T4 and TSH test.  I am at the doc now.  They just did a vaginal ultrasound. The labs were a huge panel, which I can post more of after I leave here.  I have a constant heaviness on the left lower abdomen. Slight pain,  always full but force myself to eat but wind up having diarrhea more often then not. I have had a colonoscopy,  but 7 years ago.  I may circle back that route if they don't find anything today.  I just know something is off.  If it isn't something serious,  I don't want mess,  so I may be interested in the note above that is natural.  Colon cancer runs in my family, along with fibroids, meningitis, leukemia, heart disease,  you name it. So I try to be sure I weed out anything major as early as I can.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
What's the reference range for the T4?  Ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.  Was that a Free T4 or Total T4? They aren't the same tests.  Your result appears to be Free T4 and does not indicate hyperthyroidism; in fact, if anything, it, along with your symptoms of facial puffiness, thinning hair, etc could point to hypothyroidism, but your doctor  won't see it that way.  Free T3 should always be tested whenever TSH and Free T4 are tested in order to get the full picture of thyroid status.

Blood in the stools and the alternating diarrhea/constipation should be checked out by a gastroenterologist as it could indicate a serious intestinal condition.  The erratic bleeding and contractions also warrant further investigation.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
You have symptoms of high estrogen and high estrogen as one of the possible causes of high SHBG. There is a herb called chasteberry (vitex agnus-castus) which helps to balance out estrogen and progesterone.
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649848 tn?1534633700
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