Anybody know anything about thyroid issues?

misty8723

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DH has been taking Levothyroxine 25 mg for "slightly" elevated thyroid since late July / early August. Last week he went for a follow up visit to see how he was doing. Doctor's office just called and told him that apparently its still elevated, or more elevated. I don't know and DH doesn't remember what it was the last time, but this time its 5.7. He has to go in to talk to the doctor and have more blood tests Friday. Does anybody know what it might mean that the medicine didn't help? Do I need to be worried (I am anyway).
 

strange_wings

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Did they ever do a proper scan of his thyroid gland? The real worry is a possible tumor on it - though don't get spooked as that's probably not the case here, just the worst case scenario.
 

stephanietx

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That can happen and it's normal. My husband and I both have thyroid problelms and mine pretty much stays the same with medication. His fluxuates all the time. When the doctor was trying to determine the correct dose for me, I had to go for blood tests every 3 months. I also had to record my body temperature EVERY single dang morning for about 9 months! I then had to remember to take the paper with me to the doctor for my check ups. (Low body temp is common with thyroid problems.)

Make sure that your husband is taking the meds first thing in the morning and then waiting an hour before eating or drinking much. Don't take any other medications or drink more than a small glass of milk, water, orange juice or the like. I take mine when I roll out of bed, do all my stuff to get ready, then take any additional meds and eat. If he takes any kind of vitamin that contains iron, be sure to take that at night as the iron can interfere with the thyroid pill.

One of the "bad" things about your thyroid not working properly is that it regulates a lot of the enzymes associated with high cholesterol and triglycerides which affect the heart. It also contributes to depression and a feeling of being tired all the time and being cold/hot when others aren't.

I wouldn't be overly concerned, but it is something to watch and know what's going on. Seems like the doctor is working to address the situation, so take a deep breath and relax. "Fixing" the problem will take several months as the medication is adjusted.
 

emrldsky

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Nuh uh...might give me away!
Did they just do the standard TSH? If so, ask if they can do a full thryoid panel. His TSH might be elevated because his free T3 is what's off. Synthroid, or Levothyroxine, is strictly T4 supplement.

I'm taking Armour Thyroid, which is a naturally dessicated thyroid hormone that includes both T4 and T3. Before that, I was taking Levothyroxine with a T3 supplement to help control mine. And you know what? Once my mom saw how well I was doing with both T4 and T3 medications, she started driving 1.5 hours to see my doctor for her thryoid...after 20 years of being told hers was OK, but feeling all the symptoms.

So, if they can rule out any issues such as tumors or goiters, and they still can't manage his thyroid, he might want to start researching another doctor or speak up to his about other treatment options.

No matter what, always talk it over with a qualified and licensed healthcare professional.
 
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misty8723

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Thanks everyone for the fantastic information. Of course, tumor is what I'm worrying about, but I'm a worrier in general so that's nothing new.

I think they only did a TSH and told him it was elevated, and it seems like they said something about T4. I wish I could remember. He can't remember either. All I know is that he called me, said the office called him and told him it was elevated at 5.7. They haven't done a scan of his thyroid yet, although maybe that's what the doc wants to talk to him about Friday. He's only been on the medication since late July or early August, so they probably wanted to see if it would work before trying anything else.

He does take the pill the minute he gets out of bed, and he drinks a full glass of water with it. Is that not right? He usually waits one hour before he eats - although sometimes I know he will only wait 1/2 hour (I think the directions said 1/2 - 1 hour). And the rest of his meds he has been taking at night. The only food I know of that they told him to avoid is broccoli. Is there other stuff he should be staying away from?

What kind of a doctor is best for thyroid? Endocrinologist? We can see if they can recommend a specialist.

I hate medical stuff!
 

ruthyb

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Hi, I had nearly all my thyroid removed in may, I had a tumour, luckily it was benign, nearly most of them are in thyroid so don't panic. They left enough of my thryoid to keep me going without medication but unfortunately in July the whole lot collapsed and I am now on thyroxin. I started of on 25mcg and I have to have blood tests every 6 weeks, I am currentlly on 125mcg and I think by the way I feel I may need one more dosage increase.
I am so happy now its being sorted as I was so ill when my levels were rubbish, my last TFT was 5.4 but the difference in how I feel is amazing. Its really important that you have the right balance. I really would not try to worry, I hate hospitals/doctors and medical stuff and only go to the doctors if really necessary but they have been fab with me on this. Hope all goes well with your dh I think they will just up his dosage and he will have to go for a blood test after a few weeks to make sure all is ok.xxx
 
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misty8723

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I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, but great that they're getting it sorted out for you. Thanks a million for the reassurances..its appreciated. I'm trying to not let my natural tendencies take over and imagine all the worst case scenarios
 

ruthyb

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Originally Posted by Misty8723

I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, but great that they're getting it sorted out for you. Thanks a million for the reassurances..its appreciated. I'm trying to not let my natural tendencies take over and imagine all the worst case scenarios
Oh I know I was the same, asked my consultant so many paranoid questions he got really fed up reassuring me I think
Has your dh got any swellin on his thyroid?x
 
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misty8723

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Originally Posted by Ruthyb

Oh I know I was the same, asked my consultant so many paranoid questions he got really fed up reassuring me I think
Has your dh got any swellin on his thyroid?x
Well, heck, if you don't ask the questions you'll always be wondering if there was something else you don't know about going on.

I don't think DH has any swelling. How would you tell?
 

swampwitch

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Doctors shouldn't rely on TSH tests anymore because "thyroid stimulating hormone" is a completely different hormone than thyroid, and TSH tests don't reveal how much actual thyroid hormone is in one's blood. And if one hormone is out of whack, it throws off the balance of all the hormones, so the TSH is likely not working right, either.

As others have pointed out, he needs to be tested for free T-3 and free T-4 to get a more accurate idea of his thyroid levels.


Originally Posted by Misty8723

What kind of a doctor is best for thyroid? Endocrinologist? We can see if they can recommend a specialist.
Your husband needs an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid function (most endocrinologists get their bread 'n' butter from diabetes patients).


Originally Posted by Misty8723

I don't think DH has any swelling. How would you tell?
If there's swelling, it's at the base of the neck, right where the neck meets the torso (that's where the thyroid gland is), but many times there is no swelling at all.


A TSH level that swings from up to down to up and back again is a big symptom of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. My TSH used to swing from 2 to 19, and when it was 2 my (bad horrible) doctor would say, "You're fine" and when it was over 8, she'd panic and say "OMG!" All while on the same amount of thyroid meds, still with all the hypothyroid symptoms.


If your husband has Hashimoto's (there are tests for it), he will not get relief from symptoms until his TSH is around 0. He really needs a good doctor who knows this; most doctors will call you hyperthyroid with a TSH of 0 even if you have all the hypothyroid symptoms.

Here's a great website that you and your husband might want to read.

This is a chronic disease that isn't so bad, not that hard to try to live with.
 
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misty8723

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Originally Posted by SwampWitch;2980778Here's a great

website
that you and your husband might want to read.

This is a chronic disease that isn't so bad, not that hard to try to live with.
Thank you so much for the great information and the website, which I plan to read when I leave here and also forward the link for DH to read. Part of the problem is that he is one of these people who say "doctor knows what he's doing" and let it go at that. I will try to get him to ask for a referral to a specialist.

I wonder if there are any Endocrinologists who specialize in both thyroid and diabetes. As a diabetic, I'm sure I could benefit from a specialist too.

I want to add that I've calmed down a lot about this, thanks to all you wonderful TCSers! And I will check for swelling when I get home, although he is likely to react the way my cats do when I try to check something on them. But he runs a little slower so I can probably catch him, and for sure he can't fit under the bed
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by Misty8723

And I will check for swelling when I get home, although he is likely to react the way my cats do when I try to check something on them. But he runs a little slower so I can probably catch him, and for sure he can't fit under the bed
LOL!
Are you going to tell him what you're checking first or just surprise him? And if he tries to get away do you wrap him up in a blanket (towel would be too small after all)?


I hope you can find a good doctor to handle both, but if not maybe one will be able to recommend some who could help you manage your diabetes?
 
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