I was recently diagnosed with 4 growths on my thyroid. One is rather large. I have an appointment with an endocrinologist in mid November. I was diagnosed with FM about 4 years ago. I am currently taking Effexor and it has been great for pain control.

I have a lot of symptoms of Hashimoto's such as constipation, fatigue, spells of depression, dry and coarse hair, and intolerance to cold. This is my question: Is it possible for me to have Hashimoto's and still have normal levels of TSH, T3, T4, and free T3?

Thanks

[This Message was Edited on 11/01/2009]

one believes "normal" is on all the levels. I was dx'd normal for 10 yrs and I really needed thyroid med all that time. Was taking a bunch of AD's all those years and it really was sluggish thyroid.

From all I've gotten from: realthyroidhelp.com

TSH needs to be very low, Mary Shomon years ago said 1 or less was ideal to get out of hypo. My TSH is now .040.

Free T's need to be at high end of lab range for optimal thyroid health.

You have all the symptoms of HypoT.

As far as Hashi's is concerned not everyone has Hashi's. I didn't know I had it for years as many docs just don't test those antibodies.

In the last 4 months or so I've been able to drop my numbers down by 300 pts from 800something to low 600. Did this by taking 400 mcg of Selenium daily. I take 200 mcg alone and get 200 mcg in my multi. 400 mcg is max one should take.

Also by majorally reducing gluten foods.

I highly recommend going to: realthyroidhelp.com
Those folks know it all. I learned so much from them.




PS: It's ludicrous what many docs believe "normal" is for healthy thyroid function.

[This Message was Edited on 11/02/2009]

Thanks for the info, Jam.

and I hope you can get the "right" work done for you and get you out of HypT. I had some small nodules from an ultrasound back in 2005, and on my last visit to my "integrative" I brought this up as it is a concern, she turned me around and from behind me she felt around that area and couldn't feel anything.

So I'm thinking and hoping that due to upping my Armour and everything else I'm doing that they haven't grown or maybe even disappeared. She wasn't concerned with what she felt. Good luck.

Can you really be HYPOthyroid or have Hashimotos, if your labs are NORMAL? YES. My Thyroid levels were "Normal" for 10-20 years. Had a Goiter growing, which was "being watched". Given Synthyroid and it continuted to grow, and "be watched". Eventually they watched it grow large enough to cause Trachael Obstruction. I literally couldn't breath. It grew to the size of a small Orange. (mine also grew below the collar bone so it couldn't be "watched" properly.) I also stopped getting my Period in my 30's. Had the right lobe removed it 1994. (All while levels "normal")

I had an Accurpuncturist, he was also a Neurologist, and Psychiatrist, switch me to Armour, on HIS advice. My periods immediately resumed after being absent for 2 years. I continued to be treated by the TSH and my goiter AGAIN grew and had a Total Thyroidectomy Nov. 2007 due to the same thing, Trachael Obstruction.
My official Dx. was Autonomous Multi Nodular Goiter.
I had Thyroid Dx. first of Hyper dating back to 1983 or 84, after my daughter was born, later my levels returned to "Normal". No doctor ever checked my thyroid antibodies until going to the Fibro and Fatigue Clinic 20 years later. Who knows how long I had antibodies, nobody bothered to check.

If you have been Hypothyroid for a long time, the adrenal are also likely exhaused, and may need supplemental Cortisol for a period of time, or maybe indefinately. You also need companion nutrients to make Thyroid hormones, Iodine, Iron (check Ferretin levels), Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Selenium and Tyrosine.

I am 2 years without a Thyroid and life has been hell. I don't recommend this to anyone.

The best sites I have seen are StopTheThyroidMadness and Yahoos Thyyroidless forum. Those people will hold your hand and guide you.

[This Message was Edited on 11/19/2009]

Thanks for the input. I am sorry to hear that you have had such a rough time.

I had my new patient visit with the endocrinologist on Wednesday and she ordered new labs including the antibody tests. She is doing a biopsy on Monday the 23rd.

She is talking surgery to remove the growths which surpised me because everyone else indicated that I would probably be given synthroid to shrink them. Surgery is fine with me because one of the growths is pretty big and is really starting to bother me. I want them out and the sooner the better as far as I am concerned.

Thank you again.