hmmmm

[justme820579]

I have been treated for hypothyroid for about 8 years now.   During this time I have had to be treated for low Vit. D with prescription 3 times and I take a daily supplement.   I also am borderline anemic, have high cholesterol, high trigliceriedes, IBS, plantar facitis, otosclerosis (tinnitus), osteoarthritis, edema, insomnia, allergies to various medications and environmental, high blood pressure, hives, spinal disease, and neurological symptoms such as facial spasms and tingling in right hand and foot.   Labs done in April and in May showed again high cholesterol, triglicerides off the chart and TSH of 5.4.   Blood pressure in April 166/98, in May 144/95.
I spent the first 3 weeks of June in bed feeling as if I had been worked over with a baseball bat.   Finally dragged myself out of bed and went to a functional neurologist.    Exam showed the right side of my body functioning very poorly.   My husband was not prepared to spend all the money required for treatment through this doctor, so I went to an Osteopath for a second opinion.    
By the time I got in to see the Osteopath I was feeling LOADS better, except for the facial spasms and some weakness on my right side.    The doctor did a whole panel of tests, including a neurological exam and a hashimotos test.   ALL of the tests were normal !!!!    I DO NOT GET IT !!!     I looked like a fool.   The doctor did not ask for past medical records and would only look at the labs that he had done.   I got the feeling he thought I was lying about past lab work.   He decided I was depressed and asked me 4 times if I was having any thoughts of hurting myself or others.   I finally had to lean forward look him right in the eye and tell him I was not depressed and I would NEVER, EVER do any thing so horrible to my children.   He shut up about the depression, but I know he thinks I am an hysterical female with psycological issues.  
My question is:   I was tested for Hashimotos during a time I was not symptomatic.    Is it possible to go into "remission"?    They Osteopath said that the antibodies would be in my blood no matter what.

[Brucergoldberg]

can you post your most current labs with ranges? and the date of the test?

[justme820579]

I actually did not request a copy of the lab results.   The only number I remember is the TSH at 2.4 and I think he said the hashimotos antibodies were 33.   I plan to go back to the doctors office and ask for a copy of the results.   I am not in the habit of doing that, but will from now on.

[thepolarbear]

I also have had hypothyroid.. I am always out in the sun and my vitamin D was so low..........my cholestoral is so high.  When I had my thyroid removed, I asked why caused the thyroid issue and her reply was the pituitary tumor that I had since a baby, but no one gave a rat's a** until I found a doctor who helped alot with my pituitary tumor and thyroid issues.

[goolarra]

It is possible for antibodies to go into remission.  However, practically speaking, unless your thyroid is removed or it is functionally "dead", this seems to very rarely happen with Hashi's.  

That aside, your TSH is relatively high for someone on thyroid meds.  Too many doctors think that if FT3 and FT4 are in range (ANYwhere in range), we should be happy.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Many of us have to be higher in the ranges (midrange for FT4 and upper half to third of range for FT3) before symptoms are relieved.  

When you get the lab report, please post results along with reference ("normal") ranges that will be on your lab report and have to come from your own lab report since they vary lab to lab.  We can have a look and see if we have suggestions about where you might direct your treatment.

How are your D, iron, ferritin and B-12 now?  Deficiencies in any of those can mimic hypo symptoms as well.

[Brucergoldberg]

There is one type of hypothyroidism that is an acute attack and then the attack ends.  The thyroid can rebound back, but it can take months at a time.  chronic thyroiditis.  am am curious to see the results as well.  

Do you have pain in the trachea area?   have you been looked over for MS by a neurologist?

[justme820579]

Thank you for the response.   Can you tell me what my TSH should be?  The 2.4 it was at when the labs were done is the lowest reading I have ever had.  

[justme820579]

Thank you for responding.   I have never heard of chronic thyroiditis.   My symptoms started back in February.   The fatigue was unrelenting.   I am wondering if all the bed rest was what finally helped things settle down.
Anyway, I do not have pain in the trachea area, just pressure.   The intensity of the pressure varies.   It is not bothering me now, but seemed really swollen during the months I was so ill.    Can you give me some more info on chronic thyroidis?   Also, I am new to this forum.   Are the people responding doctors?

[goolarra]

No, none of us are doctors.  This is a members' forum, and we are all fellow patients.  

TSH is a very poor indicator of thyroid status.  FT3 and FT4 are a much more direct measurement and not subject to as many extraneous influences as TSH.  That being said, if YOUR TSH does reflect FT3 and FT4 levels accurately, then many of us find TSH has to be down closer to 1.0 before symptoms are relieved.  

There are several types of thyroiditis that are acute and usually "temporary", resolving without treatment.  Symptoms can last for up to a couple of years, and all can possibly become "permanent".  If you want to check them out, look up DeQuervain's thyroiditis, post partum thyroiditis, silent thyroiditis.  Chronic thyroiditis is Hashimoto's thyroiditis.