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Should I continue pursuing thyroid diagnosis or go in another direction?
I honestly don't know where to start as my symptoms are seemingly all over the place. First, I will be 19 in just a few weeks and I am a natural worrier - I worry about a lot of things, even when there's no need. Not chronically, by no means. But, I do worry. I had my thyroid tested about a year and a half ago due to missing periods (3-4 months), being tired, etc., as I have a family history of thyroid problems. My doctor told me that as long as I wasn't pregnant, she wasn't worried about me missing periods since my CBC was fine and my thyroid levels were in the 'normal' range. She told me I was probably depressed - something that I'm pretty positive is not the case here. My periods started up again and were fairly regulated, so I kind of just chalked up my missed periods to me stressing out about my last year of high school, college plans, etc. However, being tired DID persist. I blamed that on my full days of school + the CNA program that I was in. Over the course of the past year I guess, me being tired all the time is growing more and more. Within the last month, I have begun having periods where I just get SO hot. Sometimes to the point where I feel like I'm having trouble breathing. When this happens, I can have fans blowing on me on the highest setting - I feel the air blowing on me, but it doesn't cool me down. The temperature is definitely an internal thing. I don't seem to sweat when this happens, but I'm also trying to wear the most lightweight clothing possible. Along with this, I'm having random chest pains throughout the day. Usually it is on the left side of my chest, I honestly don't know how to best describe this pain. Along with this, for several months now I have been experiencing mood swings. Sometimes, I will get so angry over the smallest thing and just freak out. (I'm a very sensitive person, so rage etc. is not like me at all). I am honestly embarrassed by the way that I act sometimes. And when I know something is getting to me, I try to keep from getting angry but for some reason I just can't control this. I also have times where my legs feel really weak and tired, or achey. Headaches are pretty persistent as well. I have also begun to have troubles with my periods again - only this time they are heavy and cause major cramping. I also am experiencing a bit of insomnia - I can be extremely tired, but just cannot sleep. When I do get to sleep, I do not wake up feeling rested and I seem to get my best sleep during the day time, from like early morning hours to about 12 pm.
I went to the doctor after I started overheating once my parents were sitting in a room with me and I could barely stand to just SIT there because I was so hot. After describing everything to the doctor, she said that it definitely sounded like a hormonal thing - and agreed that testing for hyperthyroidism was a good idea. She also referred me to a gynecologist, and prescribed a birth control pill as a way to try to regulate my periods and some of the moodiness. My CBC came back fine once again, and my thyroid results were fine. (TSH, T3, T4). However, my doctor came and felt my neck and said "oh yeah, your thyroids huge!" they scheduled an ultrasound of the area, and everything came back fine for that as well..?
I have encountered many, many people that have had their thyroid tested with 'normal' results, yet it turns out through further testing or other ways, they are finally diagnosed. I have been really thinking that my problem was due to my thyroid, but I honestly just don't know what to think anymore. The doctor referred me to an endocrinologist, but couldn't get me in anywhere until the end of August. I DO have an appt at the regular doctor in a few weeks to see if my levels have changed enough for them to speed up my appt there.
I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has anything that just sticks out at them - some place I should start. I don't know if all of my symptoms are related or if there are other things.
This may not be needed, but I was diagnosed with acid reflux when I was younger. While I do struggle sometimes with this, it is nowhere near as bad as it could be. My main issues are usually nausea, but there aren't any specific foods that I can really tell trigger anything for me. I had a really hard time back when I was diagnosed with this - no doctors could figure out what it was...I'm remembering this experience now and I'm beginning to worry that this is going to go on and on and I'm going to have a really difficult time finding out what's going on now.
I have read many places that anxiety can cause the weird feeling in the arm - I don't feel anxious when this is happening, though. I mentioned it to my parents, and they suggest carpal tunnel.
I know that I need to go back to the doctor and really try and figure this out. I'm just feeling really bummed and since there are so many possibilities, I'm feeling pretty helpless as to where I should begin.
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm sorry this is so long and scattered!
I went to the doctor after I started overheating once my parents were sitting in a room with me and I could barely stand to just SIT there because I was so hot. After describing everything to the doctor, she said that it definitely sounded like a hormonal thing - and agreed that testing for hyperthyroidism was a good idea. She also referred me to a gynecologist, and prescribed a birth control pill as a way to try to regulate my periods and some of the moodiness. My CBC came back fine once again, and my thyroid results were fine. (TSH, T3, T4). However, my doctor came and felt my neck and said "oh yeah, your thyroids huge!" they scheduled an ultrasound of the area, and everything came back fine for that as well..?
I have encountered many, many people that have had their thyroid tested with 'normal' results, yet it turns out through further testing or other ways, they are finally diagnosed. I have been really thinking that my problem was due to my thyroid, but I honestly just don't know what to think anymore. The doctor referred me to an endocrinologist, but couldn't get me in anywhere until the end of August. I DO have an appt at the regular doctor in a few weeks to see if my levels have changed enough for them to speed up my appt there.
I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has anything that just sticks out at them - some place I should start. I don't know if all of my symptoms are related or if there are other things.
This may not be needed, but I was diagnosed with acid reflux when I was younger. While I do struggle sometimes with this, it is nowhere near as bad as it could be. My main issues are usually nausea, but there aren't any specific foods that I can really tell trigger anything for me. I had a really hard time back when I was diagnosed with this - no doctors could figure out what it was...I'm remembering this experience now and I'm beginning to worry that this is going to go on and on and I'm going to have a really difficult time finding out what's going on now.
I have read many places that anxiety can cause the weird feeling in the arm - I don't feel anxious when this is happening, though. I mentioned it to my parents, and they suggest carpal tunnel.
I know that I need to go back to the doctor and really try and figure this out. I'm just feeling really bummed and since there are so many possibilities, I'm feeling pretty helpless as to where I should begin.
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm sorry this is so long and scattered!
In hypothyroidism, sufferers routinely become more susceptible to various viral and bacterial infections, and those of the Respiratory and Urinary Tracts (UTIs) are more prevalent.
Also look into mucopolysaccharides accumulation in the cells because of low thyroid function. This would explain a LOT of your symptoms!
You NEED to rule thyroid dysfunction out, before moving on with other
investigations!!! I urge you to study thyroid function thoroughly.
Feel free to pm anytime as it is a rather complex field of medicine.
Love & Light
Niko
Also look into mucopolysaccharides accumulation in the cells because of low thyroid function. This would explain a LOT of your symptoms!
You NEED to rule thyroid dysfunction out, before moving on with other
investigations!!! I urge you to study thyroid function thoroughly.
Feel free to pm anytime as it is a rather complex field of medicine.
Love & Light
Niko
I am so sorry that you had a bad experience! It just seems to go on and on! Wish I were there to give you a massage on your tight neck muscles!
The more symptoms you mention, the more it seems to point to Lupus. Has your doctor checked your ANA levels? If so, what were they? Although a high ANA level can be indicative of Lupus, it takes "forever" to get diagnosed. Lupus hides and mimics many diseases before a doctor can be sure of his diagnosis. among the diseases it mimics and "overtakes" or "overlaps" are Fibromyalgia, Anorexia, Connective tissue disease, Chronic Fatigue, Asthma, Arthritis, and many others... might want to look it up.
I sincerely hope you don't have Lupus, but I also hope the doctors are able to help you in some way!
I can only imagine how frustrated you are - I am also in pain every day - but at least I can eat!
I will pray for you, Kristal - perhaps our Heavenly Father will hear and answer.
Wishing and hoping for the best....
The more symptoms you mention, the more it seems to point to Lupus. Has your doctor checked your ANA levels? If so, what were they? Although a high ANA level can be indicative of Lupus, it takes "forever" to get diagnosed. Lupus hides and mimics many diseases before a doctor can be sure of his diagnosis. among the diseases it mimics and "overtakes" or "overlaps" are Fibromyalgia, Anorexia, Connective tissue disease, Chronic Fatigue, Asthma, Arthritis, and many others... might want to look it up.
I sincerely hope you don't have Lupus, but I also hope the doctors are able to help you in some way!
I can only imagine how frustrated you are - I am also in pain every day - but at least I can eat!
I will pray for you, Kristal - perhaps our Heavenly Father will hear and answer.
Wishing and hoping for the best....
I'm sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I had a terrible experience at a doctors office last Sunday and have just felt terrible this week. I can't really keep food down. I feel nauseous basically all the time, usually worse after eating. I sometimes get sick, however not always. I also get sick, sometimes, if I don't eat. My blood glucose levels were tested last Sunday, finally got the results back but was told it was an impossible number-said I would have been in a coma if it were true. Levels retested today - it was either 86 or 88 so that is fine.
Leukocytes were found in my urine, so I am being treated for a UTI just to be sure. I have an appt with my GP tomorrow, and a GI appt on Wednesday. Hopefully we can figure something out. I love food, I hate barely being able to eat and not keeping food down. I guess for some reason my acid reflux is just flaring up badly. The severity of the nausea seems a bit better now that I stopped taking the Prevacid, but definitely still getting sick.
I also have headaches that get worse when I lay down at night, and when I close my eyes. I read that tight neck muscles could be the cause of this, I guess we'll see. I also believe I need to get my eyes checked - the doctor I saw today suggested maybe I've got some straining issues. They have seemed dry, and sometimes I'm very out of focus. I guess I should get them checked to be sure.
Leukocytes were found in my urine, so I am being treated for a UTI just to be sure. I have an appt with my GP tomorrow, and a GI appt on Wednesday. Hopefully we can figure something out. I love food, I hate barely being able to eat and not keeping food down. I guess for some reason my acid reflux is just flaring up badly. The severity of the nausea seems a bit better now that I stopped taking the Prevacid, but definitely still getting sick.
I also have headaches that get worse when I lay down at night, and when I close my eyes. I read that tight neck muscles could be the cause of this, I guess we'll see. I also believe I need to get my eyes checked - the doctor I saw today suggested maybe I've got some straining issues. They have seemed dry, and sometimes I'm very out of focus. I guess I should get them checked to be sure.
Thanks for letting me know - I usually only take zinc when I remember! But I didn't know it could affect my ferritin levels.
With hemochromatosis I need to keep an eye on it. Actually, I haven't been back to the hemotologist in over a year... my iron levels have been pretty normal and I've been able to keep them there with diet. Guess it's time to go see him again, though.
Thanks for the "head's up".
With hemochromatosis I need to keep an eye on it. Actually, I haven't been back to the hemotologist in over a year... my iron levels have been pretty normal and I've been able to keep them there with diet. Guess it's time to go see him again, though.
Thanks for the "head's up".
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