morning bowel urgency, lightheadedness, weight loss (thyroid problem?)

[borast]

Male/23
Symptoms:
- Wake up EVERY morning w/ strong bowel urgency, 99% of time loose stools. Sometimes blood on toilet paper w/ pinching feeling as stool released. Going on for 3 yrs, incidentally after being treated 4 sinus infection with antibiotics.
- Unexplained weight loss. Currently ~ pound/day for the last week, but have seen other times in the past few yrs that I have lost weight. Only started measuring at work daily the last week so this may have been happening longer.Still have good appetite.
- Constant lightheadedness/slightly off balance, started a few months ago. No real pattern, it is always there from morning til night, sometimes more intense, sometimes less.
- Tested with: digital rec. exam, 2 upper GI series, lower GI barium enema, 2 CBCs, sigmoid, stool culture for parasites, abdominal x-ray.
- history of stomach ulcers, but didn't really have common ulcer symptoms.
- blood on toilet paper probably due to fissures (told by gastro)
- bowel habits and lightheadedness attributed to anxiety by GP. I do feel anxious alot, but i thought it was mostly from these health issues, a paradoxical situation? Did my anxiety about my previous bowel problems manifest into the newer problems?

concerned i may have following conditions:
- Celiac disease
- Hyperthyroidism (i've heard that premature graying hair is an early sign, i've had grays since grade 4, but mother also grayed early)

[borninquisitive]

Just in case you run into a doctor who will not test your thyroid:

http://www.healthcheckusa.com/lab_tests/Thyroid_Screenings/Thyroid_Panel_II

Provided a lab is nearby (or what you consider reasonable distance to travel) and you don't mind spending the money (with code 12345 you get 10% off) you can get a "look see" without doctors orders.

You can just order the TSH test (which is cheaper) but most thyroid patients I talk to, stress the ft3 and ft4 being checked.

If you get blood drawn for this and what to know what others think, be sure to include the labs reference range (which will be included.)

Just thought to post this, in possibly being able to spare you some time.

I went this route. I ordered my tests on a Friday and Monday, the lab sheet came in the mail. I could test any time after that (provided the lab was open. lol) and my results were posted on site (I signed up for it) 2 days after my blood was drawn. They also sent me my lab results via snail mail.

Best,
~Kate

[kitcurious]

I certainly hope you don't have any medical condition that is life-long. Better to be healthy and have a way to get back to complete wellness. I wish you luck.

[borast]

I have not had any tests for thyroid function. I'm going to my doctor this week to ask him about this issue. After all this, i'm hoping it IS hyperthyroidism just so my anxiety over not knowing what i have is resolved.

Yes i've always been curious on whether or not that dose of antibiotics for my sinus infection set off my gastro problems permanently..

[kitcurious]

Have you had your TSH levels checked recently? If so what were the results ( please include lab reference ranges).
Sorry, know nothing about Celiac disease except I think you have to have a specific test to know for sure and, if I recall the description correctly, it sounded like an invasive one. There are antibody tests but small bowel biopsy is the conclusive one I believe.
Antiobiotics. I used to take a big dose of them before the dentist, they caused horrible digestive disturbances, even in just the one 2000mg. dose.
I'm glad the AHA changed their recommendation so that mild heart valve regurgitation no longer requires them.