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test result help

Posted , 3 users are following.

debbyftm
debbyftm

I currently have Rheumatoid arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis.  My rheumatologist has tested my thyroid since I lost 16kg.

My rheumatology nurse told me my tsh result was 0.16. She said this was a bit low but didn't know if it was low enough for it to cause any problems. 

She is going to speak ti my rheumatologist about the result. I have to wait until next week to find out. 

In the mean time I am suffering from terrible palpitations and occasionally my heart races. I am exhausted and eating like a horse. With the Arthritis causing fatigue too im just a mess.

Is this 0.16 of any significance? 

Thanks xx

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • jennifer90764
    jennifer90764 debbyftm

    Posted

    Hi Debby. Your tsh result and accompanying symptoms are pointing to the fact you may be hyperthyroid. If it was me (I have hashimoto's and occasionally have hyper phases) I would check it out with your doctor.  All the best to you...

    Jen

  • acd
    acd debbyftm

    Posted

    Hi Debbie

    Sorry you are feeling rough at the moment.

    Your symptoms do sound like they could be from your thyroid being overactive but I don't think it is possible to tell from just TSH blood test. You need to get your doctor to test T4 & T3 levels along with other tests to check for anti body levels. There is lots of into on the Stop The Thyroid Madness website about which tests you should be getting, although this site is primarily aimed at underactive thyroid conditions there is still a lot of really useful info.

    If you do have an overactive thyroid you are likely to be treated with drugs initially which should help with your symptoms after a couple of weeks. Long term treatment is to kill off the thyroid with radioactive iodine or surgery for complete removal of thyroid.

    Given it is not your thyroid that is actually broken but your immune system that is being over stimulated those 2 long term options don't seem to make sense to me. You also have other auto immune conditions which show your immune system is already struggling.

    I too have RA & Graves disease & am trying to get well using natural methods, this is not something I recommend everyone does & it is certainly not an easy option, needing a radical change of diet etc but I believe it is the right thing for me to try.

    My advice to you would be to research as much as you possibly can so you can gain an understanding of what is going on in your body it will empower you in discussions with doctors and enable you to make informed decisions. There is no turning back once your thyroid is either destroyed by RAI or removed.

    At the end of the day all your body wants is to be well, it is up to us to give it the right environment & the right nutrition to enable that to happen.

    The medical profession will only want to give you drugs to treat the symptoms they can see, they never want to get to the route cause of the issue. See a naturopath if you want to fully get to the route of your problems.

    I have seen lots of John Bergman videos on You Tube, he explains things in a very straightforward way, in fact it makes it all seem so simple!

    All the best & I hope you feel better soon, let us know how you get on.

    Kind regards

    Ann

  • debbyftm
    debbyftm

    Posted

    Thanks for the replies. I have just restarted methotrexate injections 2 weeks ago as the arthritis is really misbehaving right now. 

    So I am pleased I am at hospital weekly so I can keep up the questions on my thyroid. 

    My rheumatologist mentioned overactive thyroid when I had the blood test.

    It was weird as I lost 2stones in about 2 months. The weight just fell off me. I was also walking about 3 miles a dat with my dog on top if going to work.  I felt fabulous. 

    Now I feel the complete opposite.  I have no energy.  I am eating like a horse but not gaining weight. The palpitations and occasionally my heart races. Feeling hit and then freezing. 

    I feel quite empty inside. ..hollow. 

    Its weird. Just hope I get sorted. 

    Thanks again xxx

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