Feeling hypothyroid, but tests indicate hyperthyroid

[GraceL]

I was hoping someone could give me some advice. I am a 22 year old female who is otherwise very healthy. For about 5 weeks I have had symptoms of hypothyroid (weight gain, fatigue, dry hair, depression). I had TSH and T4 done. TSH was almost 0 (0.03). T4 was fine (average to high).

My doctor said to wait another 6 weeks to have another test as it appeared I have hyperthyroidism and the symptoms don't fit.

In teh meantime my symptoms are still there, and I'm putting on weight at an alarming rate (1-2lbs per week) even though I am trying very hard to eat less given the situation.

I think its quite obvious I need more tests and treatment at the moment rather than waiting it out.

Does anyone have any advice? I have seen another doctor but they also said to wait 4-6 weeks given the results.

Does anyone have any advice on how to stop your body from gaining weight? Otherwise, does your weight return to normal when you go on meds or do you have to work it off?

Thanks,
Grace

[Dxd]

Those symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism. Some people do have weight gain. Below here are the common Symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism. Although weight gain isn't mentioned, it is possible if you are fatigued and your activity is curtailed and you're still eating what you were when more active.

If you aren't satisfied with your current doctor, find another one. If possible see an endocrinologist.

Symptoms:
Palpitations
Heat intolerance
Nervousness
Insomnia
Breathlessness
Increased bowel movements
Light or absent menstrual periods
Fatigue

Signs:
Fast heart rate
Trembling hands
Weight loss
Muscle weakness
Warm moist skin
Hair loss
Staring gaze

This web site below will give you an idea of how hyperthyroidism is treated.

http://www.endocrineweb.com/hyper4.html

[GraceL]

I don't understand how I could be hyperthyroid when my T4 levels are within normal range.

I don't have any of the heart palpitations, trembling hands or heat intolerance.

Most recent bloods this week:

TSH <0.05 mU/L (0.4-4)
fT4 13 pmol/L (10-20)
Free T3 5.8 pmol/L (2.8-6.8)
Anti-thyroglobulin Ab 14 U/mL (<60)
Anti-thyroid peroxidase Ab 24 U/mL (<60)

Can someone please shed some light? I have been to three doctors and they are confused and can't help. In the meantime I am still constantly tired and putting on weight.

[Dxd]

For hyperthyroidism the doctors look at your TSH and your T3.

Try reading on the following website:

http://www.thyroidmanager.org

There's good info there, you'll need a medical dictionary beside you in the window to understand some things.

Your TSH is very low and your T3 is on the high side. This pretty much indicates hyper T. My suggestion is to see an endocrinologist. They are the experts.

You don't have to have all the symptoms to have hyper T. Do you have the other symptoms?

And your antibodies being non-existent doesn't mean anything. My endo told me that's not the only thing which tells one they have or don't have a disease. My mother has Hashimoto's therefore I am predisposed to have it too.

[Katie White]

I have had the exact same thing happen to me! My TSH is .18, which is below normal, which in turn, indicates a hyperactive thyroid. My T3 & T4 were relatively normal (I will look at the lab results when I have them handy & report back to you).

I have had THE SAME thing happening to me. I am 5'6" and usually weight between 121 - 124. Lately, it's more like 128-130. Some people think this is not a big deal, but on my frame IT IS a very big deal. Some of my jeans don't fit!!!! I ahve also been eating even healthier than normal (I always eat between 1300 - 1500 cals/day) and I work out 6 days per week (and have been doing so for years). My Dr. says maybe my metabolism is just changing, but I'm sorry, it just doesn't make sense for me to gain almost 8 pounds in 2-3 months!

Also, I usually have a super easy time losing even 5 lbs. Lately, I can't lose at all. It is so frustrating.

Maybe I need to go to an endocronologist? Did you finally do that? What is the latest with your diagnosis?

If you want, I can give you my email address. Oh yeah, my Dr. said for me to come back in 6 weeks as well. Meanwhile, I feel like a fat ass!

[Dxd]

I have had the exact same thing happen to me! My TSH is .18, which is below normal, which in turn, indicates a hyperactive thyroid. My T3 & T4 were relatively normal (I will look at the lab results when I have them handy & report back to you).

Contrary to what people believe, a low result means hyperthyroid and a high result means hypothyroid.

I have had THE SAME thing happening to me. I am 5'6" and usually weight between 121 - 124. Lately, it's more like 128-130. Some people think this is not a big deal, but on my frame IT IS a very big deal. Some of my jeans don't fit!!!! I ahve also been eating even healthier than normal (I always eat between 1300 - 1500 cals/day) and I work out 6 days per week (and have been doing so for years). My Dr. says maybe my metabolism is just changing, but I'm sorry, it just doesn't make sense for me to gain almost 8 pounds in 2-3 months!

Also, I usually have a super easy time losing even 5 lbs. Lately, I can't lose at all. It is so frustrating.

Maybe I need to go to an endocronologist? Did you finally do that? What is the latest with your diagnosis?

If you want, I can give you my email address. Oh yeah, my Dr. said for me to come back in 6 weeks as well. Meanwhile, I feel like a fat ass!

Do you have symptoms other than gaining weight?

You can gain weight with Grave's Disease too.

[Katie White]

Dear DxD-

So, .18 is low, right? Which indicates hyperthyroid, right?

Besides the weight gain, I have been fatigued and my face has been breaking out (no, I'm not pregnant!)

Of course, I have been depressed too (probably as a result of the weight gain) and my body has been retaining water like crazy...

Some symptoms of Graves Disease that also might apply to me are as follows: chronic sinus infections (had 8 w/ in 12 months, Drs. even did an MRI - blamed the infections on allergies), irritability, and sometimes tremors. Also, my eye twitches wildly sometimes. It makes me paranoid when I'm speaking to people and it starts twitching!

Any thoughts?? Perhaps Graves Disease would be a possibility, but why am I gaining weight?

[Dxd]

Dear DxD-

So, .18 is low, right? Which indicates hyperthyroid, right?

Any thoughts?? Perhaps Graves Disease would be a possibility, but why am I gaining weight?

Hi Katie,
Yes 0.18 is low and indicative of Graves Disease.

Many people with it gain weight instead of lose it. I don't know why that is.

You can read more about it at:

http://www.thyroidmanager.org/

[Unregistered]

Hey Katie,

I have also been waiting and waiting for my 6 weeks to be up so I can get more bloods and more information. Fortunately for me I am feeling better - no more fatigue etc. My skin is still dry, constipated, nails brittle and hair dry. Like you I monitor my calories and stick to about 1800 a day (I am quite tall and for my height/weight needs at least 2200 a day to maintain without exercise!). I exercise plenty and nothign works. I usually can eat what I feel like and maintain, and if I need to lose it comes off if I work hard enough. Now I work so hard and I just maintain or even gain weight. The past 3 days I have put on 4lbs, and I havne't even been eating differently. It makes me very upset too, as I have had to buy new jeans etc. It's not alot of weight but I feel so uncomfortable in my own skin.

I am seeing an endocrinologist in the next 2 weeks, and another doctor in 2 months. I will keep you updated. You can email me too if you like, lizz.g.leddy@gmail.com

I fully understand what you are going through, its just so hard its like my body isn't my own anymore! I feel like I have no control and I've seen so many many doctors and they all just shrug and say just ignore it basically. Meanwhile I cry about it all the time, its just so depressing.

How are you going?

[Unregistered]

check the following web site for more support and ideas http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=12057