[mikkie2876]

in reply to: Need advice please! scary doc call :( #1061735

No…Kimberly I agree with you. I certainly wouldnt agree to be medicated yet at this point. Not until I have a clear diagnoses. I wasnt clear on the other Antibody tests until after doing more research and by then my Uptake was already scheduled so I went ahead and kept the appt. I figured its going to take me at least another week or two to make an appt with my doctor for the other tests so I might as well just move forward with the Uptake. Lucky for me (and I certainly am grateful) I have fantastic insurance so I have the advantage of being able to do the Uptake without having to worry about the financial aspect of it. My doctor has been extremely thorough with all of her testing, exams and monitoring. Almost to the point of being annoying because I just want to have an answer already! lol..

I certainly have many symptoms. Eye issues, diagnosed with early ONA just a few weeks ago (although Othomologist was not listening when I told him I had Thyroid Disease), a short list of physical ailments and my two recent issues- Severe mood swings and/or anger issues (VERY unlike me) and I have lost 30lbs since September. Loosing the weight hasnt been too awful in my situation because I was heavy to begin with, but if I keep this up I will start to not like the numbers on my scale.

[mikkie2876]

in reply to: Need advice please! scary doc call :( #1061733

I have low TSH and questionable normal T4 & T3, however my doctor told me that once you test positive (out of range) for any autoimmune antibodies (in my case I tested postive for a high level of TPOAb) the theory of "subclinical" goes out the window because the underlying Autoimmune Disease is causing the Hyperthyroidism and both need treatment.

I’m going in for a Tyroid Uptake Scan on Tuesday. There is nothing more fun I can think of then playing with radioactive iodine and Gamma rays…. ” title=”Wink” />

[mikkie2876]

in reply to: Diagnosed-LOW TSH, normal T3 T4 & TPOAb- advice please #1061812

Snelsen-

Thanks for the advice! It is nice to know that someone else has had this experience. Luckily, Opthamologist are covered by my medical insurance company rather than just my vision plan. So I should be able to get a second opinion. If had used my vision plan I would have only been able to see an opthamologist next year.

Also- here is something odd about the ONA.. I mentioned in my original post that in 2006 I suffered a severe episode of gritty, red, itchy, dry eyes for almost 3 months before it disappeared and also had another relapse a little over a year later that was not anywhere near severe. The interesting thing is that prior to all of it I wore glasses starting in 2000. I was nearsighted. I say, "I was" becuase in 2008 when I went in for another eye exam after my vision seemed off with my glasses on my eye doctor told me that my vision had corrected itself. He was as suprised as I was and said that my vision was 20/20 and to just keep up with the exams. It was also 20/20 at the last appt when I learned about the ONA. What I wonder about now is if the pressure on the optic nerve is actually causing the vision to seem improved. Does that make sense? As if maybe the pressure is pushing it into focus. I know that may sound crazy but I thought it was odd that my vision would go back to 20/20 with no explaination and maybe it isnt a good thing after all..

[mikkie2876]

in reply to: Diagnosed-LOW TSH, normal T3 T4 & TPOAb- advice please #1061809

Ski- thanks for the helpful info. All I know is that I was really depressed when I was told that I had an autoimmune disease. On one hand I was relieved that all of these symptoms I have felt for the last few years havent been in my head and that I am closer to finding out why. On the other hand, I felt betrayed by my own body. The thought that my body is attacking itself is like watching a cat chase and bite it’s own tail. ” title=”Confused” />

Im going to call tomorrow and get on setting the RAIU appt. Im not looking forward to swollowing radioactive iodine, but if it is going to get me answers then that is what I have to do! Thanks again, Michelle

[mikkie2876]

in reply to: Diagnosed-LOW TSH, normal T3 T4 & TPOAb- advice please #1061807

Hi Kimberly,

Thanks for the response.. I had also forgot to mention that I had a checkup with an opthamologist last week and all went well except he noticed the dry eyes and he also said that I have signs of early Optical Nerve Atrophy.. He took a retinal scan and wants me to follow up in a year. I told him that I am hyperthyroid with a possible autoimmune disease that hasnt been diagosed yet, but he blew me off and said that sometimes people are born with ONA it and it never progresses further. Also, I wanted to ask- what exactly does the RAIU look for? My ultrasound didnt detect nodules and my thyroid wasnt enlarged. Would it be more benificial to ask my doctor to do the other autoantibody screenings instead?

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