Re: Introduction: New Member

[Guest guest]

Hi Arwen,

Have you had your ferritin levels checked? Low iron stores can

contribute to fatigue and anxiety. Low iron increase the adrenergic

response, resulting in increased catecholamine release, causing

anxiety and a hyper feeling in some people.

Also, low estrogen can contribute to fatigue. Your light periods

could be indicative of low estrogen. As is the tendency of feeling

too hot and hot flashes. Low E can also cause anxiety. I had all

these symptoms. Once I started the estrogen patch these things went

away and I was able to sleep well again. E is known to help with sleep.

I have hashi's, yet can't tolerate Armour. Low E and ferritin can be

a reason why, so I'm working on getting them up.

>

> Hello Everyone :-)

>

> I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease and a B12 vitamin deficiency

> in Nov 07.

>

> In an effort to keep track of my research, symptoms, and opions, I

> have been keeping a letter up to date to take with me to my dr's

> visit. I currently am not happy with my current endocrinologist and

> am setting up an appointment with another, highly reccomended

> endocrinologist, which this information is mostly for. I figured it'd

> be a good way to " introduce " myself and my mindset in relation to the

> Hashimoto's.

>

> Thank you!

>

> * * *

>

> Since being notified by my general practitioner that my thyroid

> levels were " off " , I have done a lot of research on the possible

> causes as well as trying to be more aware of possible symptoms I may

> be experiencing. Below is the most current and comprehensive

> information on my symptoms and what research I've done regarding

> those symptoms.

>

> Initial tests in Sept 07:

> My results Ideal range

> Thyroglobulin ab........569.............<40- IU/mL

> Antithyroid perox ab....239.............<35- IU/mL

> TSH.....................4.8.............0.4-4.7 mcIU/mL

> Free T3.................5.3.............1.4-4.7 pg/mL

> Free T4.................1.5.............0.8-1.9 ng/dL

>

>

> Fatigue. I have noticed a distinct drop in my energy levels for all

> of 2007, possibly even earlier. I never needed to nap before and

> starting the summer of 2006, I napped 3-4 days a week. Naps would

> consistently last for more than 2 hours. I can't remember the last

> time I woke up and felt rested and ready to start the day. It is

> always a battle to get going in the morning – even if I have slept

> until noon. I generally do not sleep well, often waking up at least 2

> times a night. Sometimes, I wake up coughing like something stuck in

> my throat.

>

> Weight gain. I was always around 115-120 until I turned 21, when I

> gained about 20 lbs over a few months. I figured this was a normal

> metabolism shift. However, from June 2006-Dec 2007, I have gained 40

> more pounds. I don't work out in structured time, but I do volunteer

> as a set designer/builder for a theater group and am more likely to

> get up and move around when I'm not feeling exhausted (see fatigue).

> In any event, there has not been any major diet or exercise change in

> this time period. Only recently, in 2007, have I felt so exhausted

> that I have noticed my activity level decreasing.

>

> Dry Skin/Brittle Hair: My hair is harder to comb after a shower due

> to feeling dry and brittle. My skin, especially on my legs and hands

> gets drier and drier. My face is dry after being cleaned, but I also

> have frequent break-outs.

>

> Cold/Hot: I cycle between being too hot and too cold. I am generally

> colder than people around me and always carry sweaters wherever I go.

> However, I will get " hot flashes " while sitting at my desk at work or

> just generally relaxing that last anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes.

> My hands also swell and become itchy when I get too warm.

>

> Light Periods: This is a symptom of hyperthyroid, but I have had

> quite light periods for at least 9 months.

>

> Emotional/Anxiety Issues: This is probably the most frustrating,

> currently. I dealt with depression in high school. Currently, I find

> myself easily irritated. Dealing with my diagnosis of Hashimoto's

> Disease and Pernicious Anemia has been frustrating. When I experience

> any symptom, I think of the diagnosis, and then wonder if maybe my

> symptoms are psychosomatic as they seem to have gotten worse with

> treatment, not better, and then a cycle of self-doubt, frustration,

> and anger.

>

> Throat Issues: I feel constantly like I have a lump in my throat and

> my voice becomes hoarse or tired much more quickly than usual. This

> has only been a symptom for about 4 months. I also often wake up

> coughing at night, like something caught in my throat. This also was

> not a problem until maybe 6 months ago.

>

> I also experience anxiety issues. I become worried or agitated more

> easily. I also have had problems with crowds for several years now.

> The worst is being in a crowded store or mall. When I feel I cannot

> move around freely without obstacles, I become very tense, my

> movement becomes jerky, my breathing gets short and I become very

> irritable. My husband and I tend to avoid shopping at " busy " times

> and I prefer to have groceries delivered if possible because of it.

> The emotional and anxiety issues also magnify my general impatience,

> which, with the slow turnaround time of treatment for these diseases

> is especially frustrating.

>

> I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease and told I have a

> related B12 deficiency, which I can only assume is Pernicious Anemia.

> The B12 test was done after my Hashimoto's diagnosis and I have not

> been able to see my doctor for an official diagnosis of Pernicious

> Anemia, even though I have been getting monthly injections (after 3 2-

> week injections). In my research (books and online), Pernicious

> Anemia is the associated autoimmune disorder that affects my body's

> ability to absorb B12, so I figured that's what it must be.

>

> Since my treatment began, I have seemingly only gotten worse. The B12

> injections seem to do almost nothing. I notice no difference after

> having them. The Synthroid seemed to help for about a week and then I

> became more fatigued, swallowing became more difficult, my voice

> becomes hoarse more easily, and the cycling between hot and cold has

> become more intense and frequent.

>

> I also wonder if I may have Hashitoxicosis. It would explain the

> sometimes conflicting symptoms of being hyper and hypothyroid. It

> also would seem to explain the cycling between cold and hot. Any

> tests that could be done to verify this I would welcome.

>

> As I've researched Hashimoto's and Hashitoxicosis, I've also looked

> at treatment options. I am fine with synthetic hormones and the B12

> injections. However, as I understand my levels will constantly

> continue to change until my immune system ultimately destroys my

> thyroid, I begin to think it would be worth it to have the thyroid

> removed or destroyed and just get it over and done with. When faced

> with the decision of whether to constantly deal with the adjustments

> over the next 2-20 years or to undergo surgery and/or Radioactive

> Iodine Treatment to just get it done and over with, I very much lean

> towards preferring the latter.

>

> I know this is a lot of information and I do not have the years of

> expertise, but this is an honest and accurate description of what

> I've learned and experienced the past 18 months or so. I hope this

> helps to get an accurate assessment of my current knowledge,

> symptoms, and feeling regarding my diagnosis.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

is the " adrenergic response " increasing catecholamine release,

mean that folks would make more adrenaline ANd cortisol?

(i tested as high cortisol and fairly low ferritin (i kinda remember

it was 38 over a year ago)

-Carol

> >

> > Hello Everyone :-)

> >

> > I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease and a B12 vitamin

deficiency

> > in Nov 07.

> >

> > In an effort to keep track of my research, symptoms, and opions,

I

> > have been keeping a letter up to date to take with me to my dr's

> > visit. I currently am not happy with my current endocrinologist

and

> > am setting up an appointment with another, highly reccomended

> > endocrinologist, which this information is mostly for. I figured

it'd

> > be a good way to " introduce " myself and my mindset in relation

to the

> > Hashimoto's.

> >

> > Thank you!

> >

> > * * *

> >

> > Since being notified by my general practitioner that my thyroid

> > levels were " off " , I have done a lot of research on the possible

> > causes as well as trying to be more aware of possible symptoms I

may

> > be experiencing. Below is the most current and comprehensive

> > information on my symptoms and what research I've done regarding

> > those symptoms.

> >

> > Initial tests in Sept 07:

> > My results Ideal range

> > Thyroglobulin ab........569.............<40- IU/mL

> > Antithyroid perox ab....239.............<35- IU/mL

> > TSH.....................4.8.............0.4-4.7 mcIU/mL

> > Free T3.................5.3.............1.4-4.7 pg/mL

> > Free T4.................1.5.............0.8-1.9 ng/dL

> >

> >

> > Fatigue. I have noticed a distinct drop in my energy levels for

all

> > of 2007, possibly even earlier. I never needed to nap before and

> > starting the summer of 2006, I napped 3-4 days a week. Naps

would

> > consistently last for more than 2 hours. I can't remember the

last

> > time I woke up and felt rested and ready to start the day. It is

> > always a battle to get going in the morning – even if I have

slept

> > until noon. I generally do not sleep well, often waking up at

least 2

> > times a night. Sometimes, I wake up coughing like something

stuck in

> > my throat.

> >

> > Weight gain. I was always around 115-120 until I turned 21, when

I

> > gained about 20 lbs over a few months. I figured this was a

normal

> > metabolism shift. However, from June 2006-Dec 2007, I have

gained 40

> > more pounds. I don't work out in structured time, but I do

volunteer

> > as a set designer/builder for a theater group and am more likely

to

> > get up and move around when I'm not feeling exhausted (see

fatigue).

> > In any event, there has not been any major diet or exercise

change in

> > this time period. Only recently, in 2007, have I felt so

exhausted

> > that I have noticed my activity level decreasing.

> >

> > Dry Skin/Brittle Hair: My hair is harder to comb after a shower

due

> > to feeling dry and brittle. My skin, especially on my legs and

hands

> > gets drier and drier. My face is dry after being cleaned, but I

also

> > have frequent break-outs.

> >

> > Cold/Hot: I cycle between being too hot and too cold. I am

generally

> > colder than people around me and always carry sweaters wherever

I go.

> > However, I will get " hot flashes " while sitting at my desk at

work or

> > just generally relaxing that last anywhere between 5 and 30

minutes.

> > My hands also swell and become itchy when I get too warm.

> >

> > Light Periods: This is a symptom of hyperthyroid, but I have had

> > quite light periods for at least 9 months.

> >

> > Emotional/Anxiety Issues: This is probably the most frustrating,

> > currently. I dealt with depression in high school. Currently, I

find

> > myself easily irritated. Dealing with my diagnosis of

Hashimoto's

> > Disease and Pernicious Anemia has been frustrating. When I

experience

> > any symptom, I think of the diagnosis, and then wonder if maybe

my

> > symptoms are psychosomatic as they seem to have gotten worse

with

> > treatment, not better, and then a cycle of self-doubt,

frustration,

> > and anger.

> >

> > Throat Issues: I feel constantly like I have a lump in my throat

and

> > my voice becomes hoarse or tired much more quickly than usual.

This

> > has only been a symptom for about 4 months. I also often wake up

> > coughing at night, like something caught in my throat. This also

was

> > not a problem until maybe 6 months ago.

> >

> > I also experience anxiety issues. I become worried or agitated

more

> > easily. I also have had problems with crowds for several years

now.

> > The worst is being in a crowded store or mall. When I feel I

cannot

> > move around freely without obstacles, I become very tense, my

> > movement becomes jerky, my breathing gets short and I become

very

> > irritable. My husband and I tend to avoid shopping at " busy "

times

> > and I prefer to have groceries delivered if possible because of

it.

> > The emotional and anxiety issues also magnify my general

impatience,

> > which, with the slow turnaround time of treatment for these

diseases

> > is especially frustrating.

> >

> > I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease and told I have a

> > related B12 deficiency, which I can only assume is Pernicious

Anemia.

> > The B12 test was done after my Hashimoto's diagnosis and I have

not

> > been able to see my doctor for an official diagnosis of

Pernicious

> > Anemia, even though I have been getting monthly injections

(after 3 2-

> > week injections). In my research (books and online), Pernicious

> > Anemia is the associated autoimmune disorder that affects my

body's

> > ability to absorb B12, so I figured that's what it must be.

> >

> > Since my treatment began, I have seemingly only gotten worse.

The B12

> > injections seem to do almost nothing. I notice no difference

after

> > having them. The Synthroid seemed to help for about a week and

then I

> > became more fatigued, swallowing became more difficult, my voice

> > becomes hoarse more easily, and the cycling between hot and cold

has

> > become more intense and frequent.

> >

> > I also wonder if I may have Hashitoxicosis. It would explain the

> > sometimes conflicting symptoms of being hyper and hypothyroid.

It

> > also would seem to explain the cycling between cold and hot. Any

> > tests that could be done to verify this I would welcome.

> >

> > As I've researched Hashimoto's and Hashitoxicosis, I've also

looked

> > at treatment options. I am fine with synthetic hormones and the

B12

> > injections. However, as I understand my levels will constantly

> > continue to change until my immune system ultimately destroys my

> > thyroid, I begin to think it would be worth it to have the

thyroid

> > removed or destroyed and just get it over and done with. When

faced

> > with the decision of whether to constantly deal with the

adjustments

> > over the next 2-20 years or to undergo surgery and/or

Radioactive

> > Iodine Treatment to just get it done and over with, I very much

lean

> > towards preferring the latter.

> >

> > I know this is a lot of information and I do not have the years

of

> > expertise, but this is an honest and accurate description of

what

> > I've learned and experienced the past 18 months or so. I hope

this

> > helps to get an accurate assessment of my current knowledge,

> > symptoms, and feeling regarding my diagnosis.

> >

>