Should I continue pursuing thyroid diagnosis or go in another direction?

[kristaleann]

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!

[GreenButterfly906]

Absolutely! Myself, I w0uld never recommend the BCP as it has lead to a lot of diseases, incl. C! Many studies show! As per thyroid, I suffer and am on an extreme amount of piils since 14, now 33! Maybe other endocrine issues, better to see an endocrinologist! Also test for Free T3/T4 as well as Reverse T3/T4! I am not a doctor, but since your blood counts are "negative", I highly doubt it! And symptoms relate to Hypothyroidism, not 'hyper.." Get Iodine checked, and esp. you may lack iron, which i suspect is an easy case to be solved!

[TheLightSeeker]

You're very kind yourself and very considerate.
Our world can benefit from more people like your.

Blessings!
Love & Light
Niko

[silverfox67]

    I applaud you Niko.  Very well said.  And toourlady, I also applaud you.  I believe very much in Magnesium supplementation.
    As you can see, Kristaleann has been suffering for quite some time and I am glad to see others trying to help her. (she's like a grand daughter to me).
    

[TheLightSeeker]

Hi kristaleann.

Wow. You are sure getting your share of health challenges.
This is turning out to be a wild goose chase.

Please!!!! Find a doctor who will treat you for hypothyroid, based on the symptoms and NOT what the blood levels show. You can have all the
thyroid hormones in your blood, yet if your cells cannot use them you are still hypothyroid!!
When your treatment is inadequate or totally ineffective this puts huge pressure on your adrenals and if this has been going on for some time. then you may also have adrenal dysfunction.

Stress, anxiety, synthetic thyroid meds, prolonged inflammation put a huge weight on the adrenals with dire consequences over time.
This can lead to low hormone levels of cortisol, which is used in many important processes, like reducing inflammation, stress etc, but very interesting in this discussion is the key role that cortisol plays in T3 thyroid hormone to be delivered from the blood into the cells.
So low cortisol=Impaired thyroid hormone to the cells (where it's needed for
mitochondrial function/energy production)

Therefore the thyroid hormone accumulates in the blood and showing up
in your tests as high, with persisting hypo symptoms, or if on natural thyroid may show hyper symptoms, not consistent with the normal intake of natural thyroid, which is caused really by low cortisol levels.

You may want to re-read this a few times, as here lie possibly some of the answers you're looking for!

To my opinion this is the FIRST and most important aspect of your health
that is SCREAMING to be brought back to balance.
Adrenals and then thyroid- in this order and NOT the other way around!

Of course deficiencies in essential nutrients and minerals cannot be ignored, low acid -common with hypothyroidism- causes acid reflux more commonly than excess acid!!!
Hypothyroid can  cause slower motility, weakened sprinchter muscle (at the end of the esophagous) resulting in acid reflux symptoms.
Low acid also means possible impaired thyroid hormone assimilation.
Acne, was this mentioned here? is another hypoT symptom.

Please DO NOT take any meds for various symptoms- I know there a lot well meaning members here- but you need to treat your adrenals FIRST,
and once this is done you get your doctor to treat you according to your hypoT symptoms and NOT the blood levels-I repeat myself purposely!!!
With natural desiccated  Thyroid only and starting with a low dose and gradually increase as needed every 6-8 weeks-this is how long it takes to work into the system.
  Most of your symptoms are likely attributed to hypothyroid and.adrenal dysfunction (as a consequence).

This is a bit complex, but it's not a real issue for you.
The real issue is to find a GREAT doctor who is both knowledgeable and
WILLING to treat you properly!!!

If you want your health and your life back please look into all this information carefully. Time is of importance as your adrenal dysfunction
may be causing further damage, so ideally you should pursue this the earliest possible!

You may pm me personally, if you feel overwhelmed with all this
and I can try to answer any questions you may have or explain further anything that is not clear to you.

Note that this is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.

Wishing you well.
Love & Light
Niko

[toourlady89]

Hello, been reading up on your posts here with Silverfox. Since you are a CNA, it would be a good idea for you to search on Magnesium Deficiency.
I think it could definitely help with several of your issues, if not all of them.

Mg Taurate is a good supplement choice for you to take.. It is one of the easiest to absorb form of Mg. Inexpensive and available on line. Its a healthy supplement, take it with Vit D. The Mg in multivit. is not enough.
Mg will help you relax, get a better rested sleep, help with anxiety issues, anger issues , Mg would regulate your temper. Mg Taurate is also the best Mg to help regulate heart beats and chest discomfort. Take it as the bottle says. Give it time to work .

Most of your said symptoms are signs of Mg deficiency. We lose Mg thru our daily life stresses, like school, not sleeping well. stress of driving, taking meds, drinking coffee, or alcohol. It needs to be replaced daily and our food as you know is not enough to be source of our nutrient needs.
Mg has to always be supplemented. Try it. I encourage you to read up on it. It has done so much help for my family's issues, I am so thankful. I hope it will do the same for you. Such a simple mineral but it could do so much help for you.
"The Magnesium Miracle" of Dr Carolyn Dean is an excellent reading.
Take care.

[silverfox67]

OOOOOOps!  Is my face red!!  YOu are not the person with TMJ!!  Sorry!  Anyway, it wouldn't hurt to have your silver fillings changed if you have any!  LOL
     Guess I got my channels mixed up!!  :D  
Call it a "senior moment"!   I've been getting confused lately - my Fibromyalgia is flaring up with the monsoon season - gives me fog brain.   Hate it - I make more mistakes when the weather changes this way.  Cloud cover seems to cloud the brain!!! LOL