I feel like I am dying is it my thyroid?

[islandsuze]

Most recent thyroid test-Below. I am chronically tired and have no desire to do anything. I seriously do feel like I am dying. I am also a controlled diabetic A1Cs average 5.-5.5. Water retention- given Enalapril.  Currently taking 60mg of Armour Thyroid. Weight Gain: 75lbs when diagnosed. Lost 40lbs. Then dr has raised thyroid medication 2 times--with each increase in medication gained 10 lbs. So total current weight loss 20lbs. If only they knew how very hard it was to lose to gain back in a week what took months to lose. So very frustrating. Now I diet and gain weight. I have thought that I have to have something else wrong with me. Grasping at anything to make me feel better. My body composition has changed--unrecognizable to many. Even questioned over the validity of my passport when traveling. I have thought Cushings, Parathyroid issue, pitutitary problem, adrenal issue. IT has become more difficult to search as my brain does not work like it used to and I graduated with honors and at one time was accepted into medical school. Another frustration not being able to think. All my life I never took a medication and never felt bad except for the occasional cold or flu. IT seems I started having symptoms over night, all at once. In my 40s....is this what I have to look forward to the rest of my life? I really hope not. Thank you for shedding any light on these labs. As I am desperate for answers/solutions.

Thyroglobulin     12.4
Total T4                2.3     L
Free T4                0.7
Free T3                2.8
TSH                      2.2
TPO                    28.0
Vitamin D           41.0
Iodine                 550.82
Bromine/CR    4354.10
Selenium/CR       32.79
Arsenic/CR          11.48
Creatinine/CR        0.61

[UmmYeahOk]

So basically what you're saying is that by reducing hypothyroidism due to deficiency, it made something else appear more prevalent. Interesting theory. I think you're right in that it probably does in fact affect the numbers somewhat. I also think that by having more people test for it than before, more diagnoses means an increase.

After I made my post, I wikied "hashimoto's" and found this:

"Preventable environmental factors, including high iodine intake, selenium deficiency, as well as infectious diseases and certain drugs, have been implicated in the development of autoimmune thyroid disease in genetically predisposed individuals."

My mother and husband always got onto me for using too much salt. I wonder if that's why I got it at such a young age, as I started having symptoms in high school.

As for pink Himalayan salt, we've used this at home for about a year (before my diagnoses). It was my husbands doing. He claimed it was healthier, but no idea why. Wikipedia shows nothing, and the few sites I just looked up, are of course, trying to sell it, so other than claiming its good for you because it has other nutrients, no info. They don't seem to list out what minerals are included, but I didn't look hard. I'm sure there may be other sites in my search page that list them, just didn't visit.

[islandsuze]

I have read that this pink salt is suppose to be good for the thyroid. Do you know anything about that?

[goolarra]

I don't believe so.  Hypo used to be rampant in parts of the world where iodine was scarce...basically the further from the sea you are, the more likely the environment is iodine starved, although there are other pockets with traditional low levels.

I think that Hashi's can be classed with all the other things that seem to have increased, when in fact, we're just better at testing for them, we're living longer, the list of environmental pollutants grows daily, etc.  I don't think adding iodine to salt and all but eliminating iodine deficiency as a cause of hypo made Hashi's more prevalent.  Correcting iodine deficiency just removed the #1 cause of hypo and gave Hashi's a chance to move into first place.

[UmmYeahOk]

I've cut out iodized salt in my household, but don't make a big deal about it. Mostly because, as said, we all need iodine. I know at restaurants the table salt is iodized, and they most likely cool with it too.

One thing I am interested in knowing however is if there is a correlation between the iodization of salt and the increase in hashimoto's. Seems like in the past, if you were hypo, it wasn't due to autoimmunity, but iodine deficiency. Yet now, the number one cause in countries that iodized their salt, is autoimmunity.

Could too much iodine in people genetically predisposed, trick the body into thinking the thyroid is foreign?

[goolarra]

Not all salt is iodized.  Just check the label.  If it's iodized, it will say so right up front.  If you're eating salt that's not iodized, I don't see any reason you should avoid it (as long as your BP isn't high, etc.).

[islandsuze]

IT looks like on my lab that my iodine level is normal but higher than optimal. I am wondering whos optimal this is?

So wondering if I should cut back on the salt if I have Hashi's or not.

But I do know one of my main symptoms of a low thyroid level is the salt craving where I would fight someone for the salt shaker lol.

[goolarra]

Iodine is one of the building blocks of thyroid hormones, so you don't want to be deficient.  However, that doesn't mean that you will feel any better if you get your iodine level to skyrocket...moderation!  LOL  Also, anyone who has no thyroid function left, due to surgery, RAI or disease isn't going to benefit from more iodine.  If your thyroid's dead and/or gone, iodine isn't going to help it.

I should also have mentioned that once we have on autoimmune disease, we are more likely to develop others than the general population is to get their first.  So, that's information you want to know for yourself.  In addition, autoimmune disease tends to run in families, but it's often not the same autoimmune disease.  That's valuable information for relatives.

[islandsuze]

I had heard so much about iodine I am glad you clarified. All I knew is I was craving salt thinking my body was telling me I needed iodine. Getting tested for Hashi's is a good idea.

And my GYN tells all her patients to take that lugols or whatever its called if they have thyroid issues.

I remember reading an article a while back about the dangers of iodine if you do not actually need it.

Again thank you

[goolarra]

It would be a good idea to work in the antibody tests to see if you have Hashi's.  TPOab and TGab both have to be run since some of us are positive for one, some the other and some both.  While Hashi's is treated the same as hypo from any other cause, knowing whether you have an autoimmune condition can be valuable information for both you and your family members.  

Also, high levels of iodine are often contraindicated with Hashi's since too much iodine can exacerbate the autoimmune reaction and actually make things worse, not better.  You can use non-iodized salt.  Iodine doesn't occur naturally in salt; it's added to prevent iodine deficiency.  

[islandsuze]

Just left a doc who suggested I take 1000 IU of Vit D a day and when it only came up to 30 he said I would like to see it higher BUT oh well. Like that was my only option. SO I hope I can find a dr who has a different solution other than oh, well.

Not sure if I have HAshis...not tested to my knowledge.

No not really supplementing Iodine. Thats why I included the test for Iodine. I have really been craving salt thinking my Iodine might be low. Not sure if that result is accurate because I was feeling like I was going to pass out if I didnt get any salt so I was eating more salt than normal around the date of this testing.

I will be going to a new doc in a couple weeks. So trying to "get ready" thank you for your advice.

[goolarra]

When someone's D is as low as yours, some doctors will recommend 50,000 IU per week for a month or so, then that is scaled back until you're ready to go on a maintenance dose.  Check with your doctor before supplementing that aggressively, but I just want you to realize that it takes more than you might think.

Are you supplementing iodine?

Both your FT3 and FT4 are much too low.  Total T4 is below range.  FT4 often has to be about midrange before hypo symptoms are relieved.  The guideline for FT3 is upper half of range (sometimes higher on desiccated).  I think you should talk to your doctor about an increase.

Do you know if you have Hashi's?

[islandsuze]

As far as the sun....it seems I started to fall apart all at once. But at the same time as my thyroid issues started I started getting dark patches on my face and shoulders. Most docs say it melasma or sun damage from my youth. So long story short I do not see much sun as the sun makes the brown areas much darker. I used to be the 1st girl at the beach...now no sunlight.

Digestive issues. Hmmm when all this started. My belly enlarged. I never, had a belly in my life. If I got fat it was in my thighs or hips. Anyhow, my belly got so big I went to the ER one night...thinking I was dying of cancer. I looked pregnant.  Looking back I am sure they thought I was nuts. But to grow a belly overnight scared me. Well, that was 6 years ago and I still have a belly and Im still alive. I was eventually diagnosed with IBS. I have my own thoughts about that disease, thinking thats what you get when they cant figure out what is wrong.

I do think it is possible that I have a malabsorption issue, for several reasons. But no diagnosis.

Thank you I really do appreciate your comments. :)

[texas_grandma]

I wonder if it could be a malabsorption issue? Do you have digestive issues?  Do you get enough sunlight? I wish I knew what to tell you, sorry :(

[islandsuze]

Thyroglobulin     12.4      (ng/ml)          3-10 optimal
Total T4                2.3      (ug/dl)           5-10.8
Free T4                0.7       (ug/dl)          0.7-2.5
Free T3                2.8       (pg/ml)         2.5-6.5
TSH                      2.2       (uU/ml)         0.5-3.0
TPO                    28.0       (IU/ml)          0-150 (70-150 boarderline)
Vitamin D3          41.0     (ng/ml)          32-100
Iodine                 550.82   (uU/g CR)    100-300 optimal
Bromine/CR    4354.10   (uU/g CR)     893.5--5696.3
Selenium/CR       32.79   (uU/g CR)     50--175 optimal
Arsenic/CR          11.48   (uU/g CR)     3.3--138
Creatinine/CR        0.61   (uU/g CR)     0.3--3.0

[islandsuze]

The one thing I am concerned about is that I was taking 15,000 IU of Vitamin D a week when I took this test. Plus 2-3 glasses of milk a day. I have now increased my Vit D to 25,000 IU a week.

I started out at a 25 Vit D level with no supplements.

I am just thinking it shouldnt take so much.

[islandsuze]

Thyroglobulin     12.4      (ng/ml)
Total T4                2.3      (ug/dl)    L
Free T4                0.7       (ug/dl)
Free T3                2.8       (pg/ml)
TSH                      2.2       (uU/ml)
TPO                    28.0       (IU/ml)
Vitamin D3          41.0     (ng/ml) Currently taking 15,000IU Vit D a week
Iodine                 550.82   (uU/g CR)
Bromine/CR    4354.10   (uU/g CR)
Selenium/CR       32.79   (uU/g CR)
Arsenic/CR          11.48   (uU/g CR)
Creatinine/CR        0.61   (uU/g CR)

[goolarra]

Please post the reference ranges for all your tests.  Ranges vary lab to lab, so they have to come from your own.  Just copy and paste your test list above into a new comment, and add the ranges in parentheses after, e.g.:

Free T4                0.7  (0.8-1.8)

You can feel better, you just need to find a doctor who will work with you to eliminate symptoms, not just adjust your meds until you are "in range", probably just barely in range.

[texas_grandma]

I'm not familiar with the other tests...yet, but you could probably stand to take a vitamin D supplement. It may not flag as low at the lab, but I'm pretty sure that the optimal range is 50-70.

I'm sure someone else can comment on the others, but you might want to post the lab's reference ranges for the tests.

Good luck :)