"Normal Labs" Frustrated

Frost253 · 01-19-2003, 11:52 AM

I'm glad I'm not alone on this...Thyroid stuff. I thought I was the only one with Hypothyroid symptoms, and normal labs. I also have the fatigue, sweatiness, weight gain...and PCOS.
My Endro has tested my Thyroid levels many times, and they are all in the "normal range" (between 1-3) for TSH, and T3 and T4 are normal too. But one thing that he did notice was that my antibodies for my Thyroid were really elevated. The actual test is called Anti-Microsomal Antibodies. The range is from 0-35 and mine was near 200 both times I was tested. This might be something to get checked. Also, my actual thyroid (goiter) gland is enlarged about 2.5 to 3 times the size it shoud be. You can see this just by looking at me.
My Endro said that this means that I do have an Auto-Immune Thyroid Disease, but that it is still in the beginning stages, and wont actually turn into full blown Hypothyroidism until later in my life (he doesnt know how much later) So, right now since its still functioning normally, he is not medicating me yet, he is just going to repeat blood work every 4-6 months and monitor my Thyroid levels, and when they start to go up thats when I'll start taking meds.
This makes sense to me, but I still feel like I have symptoms of this, so I dont know. Especially the sweating. Its embarrasing.
Does this make sense to anyone else? Or has this happened to anyone else?

Good luck to you all....

ErinJean · 01-21-2003, 09:57 PM

Usually they treat hashi's with T4 supplementation....those antibodies aren't good...especially if you're ttc

Erin

Frost253 · 01-21-2003, 10:25 PM

Thanks for the reply...So can they give T4 supplements with a normal T4 level? I didnt know there was anything they could do to lower the antibodies...but its a good question for me to ask my endro.

I also didnt know the antibodies could be bad when trying to conceive...I thought it was only if you had a definite thyroid problem...thanks for the good information

Gift · 02-12-2003, 09:19 PM

You might want your Dr. to do a fasting Insulin test. My thyroid numbers last week came up slightly elevated, but my insulin levels were WAY out of whack. My Dr. told me that often happens. Dr.'s only run the basic tests and then miss Insulin Resistance and other thyroid problems. I had to fast all night before the test. Then they drew my blood. Then I drank a glucose drink (think Orange Crush

). A half an hour later they drew blood again and then again one hour later. My insuling levels were *way* elevated and I was correctly diagnosed as Insulin Resistant. (Now I get to deal with that

).

You may have IR and not even realize it! It can mimic some of the same symptoms as PCOS, but it *isn't* PCOS. It can also interfere with thryoid functioning... you may have heard of it as "Syndrome X".

Hope this helps!

*hugs*

world peace,
marykate

bananasmom · 02-13-2003, 11:10 AM

Quote:

The range is from 0-35 and mine was near 200 both times I was tested.

Oh my goodness!!! Mine were 70 (TSH 112), and I felt like I'd been kicked in the a$$!

Quote:

I do have an Auto-Immune Thyroid Disease, but that it is still in the beginning stages, and wont actually turn into full blown Hypothyroidism until later in my life

Mine appeared after pregnancy... I've read that is common.

I hope you can get treated and feel better soon!

JessicaE · 02-13-2003, 01:18 PM

My antibodies were high for almost 10 years before I became Hypothyroid. When I finally had problems, my antibodies were so high that the lab stopped counting -- at 1,000.

Some doctors do treat antibodies alone, but it may not be needed. The current plan of close monitoring sounds solid. I agree that perhaps you should investigate other possible reasons for your symptoms.

Hope you feel better soon!