Hello everyone,

All my life I have dealt with horrible cramps, fainting spells, stressed, depressed, hot flashes, and abnormal menstrual bleeding (sometimes 20 days out 30) and I noticed my first couple of gray hair before I was a teenager and from then on I only had a couple; now you might see about 4. I began gaining weight in 2002 I went from 185 to 200 and noticed a light film of thrush in my mouth. In 2003, the year my fiance' and mother passed, I went to the bathroom and I had a toilet full of blood and little number 2. I took it as stress because it was when my mother was in the hospital. In 2004, I had a feeling to come over me where I felt nauseas, like I had to vomit, and had diarhea spell (had one every year since) and my hair made a change and thinning to losing and brittle. In 2005, I began to have sharp chest pains . In 2006, along with the chest pains, I was having times where I would tell myself to wake up but I would not be able to open my eyes, I would gasp for air, and bite my tongue; began aching in my legs, also swelling (looked like fluid on my knees). Scared I went to the hospital, almost missed they found a goiter. I was referred to a specialist. Afraid to have surgery, it took me 3mos. to schedule. At the time of surgery it had grown some more (the size of a lemon). It was benign. For a short time I felt a little better but my hair would grow to fall out. By 2008 all the symptoms were back and only worsened in 2010. I am always extremely tired, my hair severely damaged, aching, fluid, tingling in hands, legs, and feet, and severe constipation. So I went to get my thyroid checked and here are the results (about time huh?):

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Sodium 139
Potassium 3.4 (low)
Chloride 103
Bicarbonate 26
Anion Gap 13
Glucose 114 (high)
BUN 9
Creatinine .79
eGFR >60
eGFR African American >60
Calcium 8.9
Albumin 4.3
Total Protein 7.5
Alk Phos 68
Bilirubin Total .3
AST (SGOT) 18
ALT (SGPT) 19

TSH with REFLEX FREE T4
TSH 3.06

I am confused because I have been reading where the levels have changed but many doctors have not converted over (such as this lab). Also I went from the hospital to surgery. No treatment and no meds. Even with those labs I was not aware that my potassium was considered low and my glucose was considered high because all the doctor told me was that I was normal. Can anyone help me?

Was this panel done fasting? If so, you could be diabetic. The thrush is something diabetics or people with compromised immune systems get. Yes a TSH of 3 is trending high. Some labs use a cut-off of 2.5. But your various symptoms don't necessarily sound thyroid related, they could be but they could be other things too.

Are you on thyroid meds now since your thyroid surgery? They should be checking your other thyroid values too, not just TSH. I mean, even the schlocky standard of care they would check T3 and T4. If you have a good thyroid doctor they'll also check the Free T3 and Free T4 (they are different).

Hi confused

Sounds like you have been through a lot. I am sorry to hear that.

As to your health; do you have a regular doctor you see now? You sound very hypothyroid in terms of symptoms (weight gain, hair loss, constipation etc.) and this was confirmed by your high TSH. Do you have any Free T3 and Free T4 blood test results also?

When you are hypothyroid, you really have to become your own advocate and read and study the subject a lot, because sadly 99% of docs are taught very little about the thyroid and want everyone to take the same medicine at the same dosages. They also do not understand how the adrenals and vit/mineral status affect the thyroid.

Re: these tests; your sodium is too low. Optimum sodium levels are 142-145; so you need to start supping sea salt. Your potassium is also too low. You need to get an adrenal saliva test. You can order one yourself by going to any of these labs: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.co...mended-labwork/

You are also pre diabetic; but diet and exercise and optimised thyroid can really bring that level down. So, try not to stress about that.

If you pm me where you live, I might have some docs in your state. I do not have docs for all states however.

Go to: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com and http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com for lots of comprehensive information and support and more doc info.

You are on the road back to health now. Just hang tough.

Nancy,

No, I am not and never have been on thyroid meds. I am waiting to see an endo, my appt. is all the way in Sept. I am looking to find another one that can possibly get me in sooner. No the panel was not done fasting. Although I do not believe that I had eaten that day. I am going to go back to the same doctor and have them check my T3 & T4 & anti-bodies.
Thanks

Thanks, you have been very helpful

Hello confused

I know it all seems very overwhelming at first. I know how that feels.

When you are under prolonged periods of stress, it wears out your adrenals glands. The adrenal glands produce cortisol and other hormones, as well as regulating salt levels in the body. You need to get your adrenal glands tested via a saliva test, which you will need to order yourself. Optimum sodium levels are 142-145 and low sodium levels indicate the adrenals are struggling. If the adrenals are struggling, thyroid will not be able to get to the cells no matter how much thyroid you are taking.

These are the basic adrenal support measures you will need to follow: http://www.realthyroidhelp.com/adrenal.php. But you will likely need Isocort, adrenal glandulars or Cortef also.

Can you travel to a neighbouring state to see a good doc? Most thyroid patients need to travel to see someone good, as docs are so uneducated about the thyroid.