Hyperthyroidism Support Group
Hyperthyroidism (or "overactive thyroid gland") is the clinical syndrome featuring weight loss (often accompanied by a ravenous appetite), fatigue, weakness, hyperactivity, irritability, apathy, depression, polyuria, and sweating. Additional symptoms may include palpitations and arrhythmias (notably atrial fibrillation), dyspnea, loss of libido, nausea, vomiting, and...
So my endocrinologist reran the lab work. He won't give me the actual lab values but said my T3 and T4 where in the middle of the normal range. My TSH registers 0 so according to him it makes me Subclinical Hyperthyroidism. He also ran the antibodies test to see if I would ever become HYPO and they came back negative. Because of my other medical condition I asked him about the TSH. I have Psuedotumor Cerebri and the intracranial pressure squishes the pituitary gland into almost a flat pancake appearance (named empty sella). So I asked with the pressure and the flattened pituitary gland could it be effecting the TSH levels. His response to me was no that the only hormone produced in the pituitary gland was prolactin and I have nothing to worry about because it is normal.
Ok, I don't work with humans but work with animal medicine and in animals the pituitary gland produces TSH in response from a hormone released from the hyperthylamus. Isn't it the same in humans? I'm not saying that this is responsible for my lack of TSH but it makes me question him when he says the pituitary gland only produces one hormone....it is after all the master gland for a reason. He reitterated to me that treating me would make me gain weight so he thinks it would be better to let me be. (I am one of the rare people who can't lose weight at all!) He is doing a thyroid uptake scan on Tuesday but this whole thing has me so confused. I've read everything out there on the thyroid and I am just more confused. How can I have all the symptoms of Hypo but my labs be HYPER and according to that antibodies test I will never be HYPO?
Danielle
Ok, I don't work with humans but work with animal medicine and in animals the pituitary gland produces TSH in response from a hormone released from the hyperthylamus. Isn't it the same in humans? I'm not saying that this is responsible for my lack of TSH but it makes me question him when he says the pituitary gland only produces one hormone....it is after all the master gland for a reason. He reitterated to me that treating me would make me gain weight so he thinks it would be better to let me be. (I am one of the rare people who can't lose weight at all!) He is doing a thyroid uptake scan on Tuesday but this whole thing has me so confused. I've read everything out there on the thyroid and I am just more confused. How can I have all the symptoms of Hypo but my labs be HYPER and according to that antibodies test I will never be HYPO?
Danielle
It is your right to get copies of your lab results. Your doctor cannot withhold this information from you. You should be able to sign the release to get copies of lab results every time without any problems.
It would help to know which thyroid antibodies tests were ordered and what the exact results were. Then I could comment more on this.
The TSH cannot be used to dose meds, etc. because of thyroid antibodies involved. If thyroid antibodies are positive, the TSH will give a false reading.
Instead one must dose meds and look at the Free T3 and the Free T4 to see how one is doing. If you are feeling hypO, your Free Ts is likely too low.
But first get the copies and post them here so we can better help you and comment with suggestions and ideas on the next steps to take and to try.
{{{hugs}}}
I know I have a multinodular goiter so somehow that all plays into it.
Thanks for your help!