I totally forgot to tell you (I may have mentioned it a long time ago but I can't remember) that I have hypothyroidism and I take Synthroid.. I know it's not the same as a thyroid nodule, but I know that sometimes they give Synthroid to patients to help shrink nodules.. Have you had your thyroid levels tested in addition to the sonogram? Are you hypo or hyper thyroid? I only had one sonogram done on my thyroid and neck a few years back when I was first diagnosed.. You should definitely join the thyroid community on LJ.. a LOT of people had goiters and thyroid nodules and went through the same thing as you with the biopsy (I see a lot of posts on it), so at least you can communicate with others who went through the same thing.. I know how frightening it is to get a part of your body biopsied and then to have to wait for the results.. I already had 2 on my breast.. and I'm scared of having to get another one :( I will send you all my spoons on the 27th and will think healthy thoughts for you! It's weird .. a LOT of people with Fibro and CFIDS also have thyroid issues... Ugh.. don't we already go through enough?
Ugh.. I'm a little brain fogged right now.. Sorry this is short.. Dammit.. i really wish you lived closer to me..
Oh.. and DEFINITELY have someone go with you for the procedure AND the results.. I refuse to go through any of this alone..
I feel silly asking but what exactly is a sonogram?
They've tested my T3 levels, TSH, and T4 and T3 was low...likely due to birth control.
Then the last time I saw my doctor he had just returned from a CFIDS/Fibro conference featuring Jacob Teitilbaum (the guy who wrote, "From Fatigued to Fantastic"), so I'm not sure how much faith I have in that guy.
But then my doctor talked about doing a reverse T3, which was something he didn't know about until after the conference.
I crashed the last time in his office, a near faint...he thinks I may be helped by thyroid meds but cannot give them to me until the biopsy is confirmed.
I might ask my doctor about the sonogram. He mentioned during the last visit how thyroid dysfunction does seem to happen in nearly all cfs/fm patients
oh, I realize the sonogram was the thyroid ultrasound that I had. The endocrinologist did mention something about goiter.
I joined the thyroid community and got an idea of what a reverse T3 is, but now I'm brain fogged and tired so I can't remember the specific details.
I've been gaining weight steadily since I was first on meds for my tachycardia issues in 2004. I've gone from low 130's to 164. I don't even want to leave the house now because I don't want anyone to see me this heavy:-) It would be nice if I did end up getting thryoid meds and they work.
It explains all of the blood tests AND the new reference ranges for what is considered "normal".. The ranges changed in 2003, but amazingly many old endocrinologists still go by the old standards (this is why it took me so many years to get a proper diagnosis of hypothyroid). Also, be aware that some labs still go by the old reference ranges.. no clue why. So yeah.. look at your bloodwork and learn what it all means.
Seriously, stick with this entire site and look through it when you get a chance.. it was the most helpful to me...
As far as how your birth control pills affect your levels.. yes they effect them, but not to the point where they would make or break a diagnosis.. I have always been on BC pills.. and they take it into consideration, but it's not the CAUSE of any thyroid levels going out of whack.. If you were hypothyroid or hyperthyroid, you would be no matter what.. whether you are on hormonal birth control or not.
If you go on thyroid meds, just make sure you start at the lowest dose possible and have them monitor you often during the beginning until they get your dose right.. Getting the right dose can be tricky because small changes can make a big difference. But I guess don't worry about that yet.. The GOOD news is that thyroid meds would only HELP you.. there are literally NO side effects.. unless you are being overmedicated. It was the easiest med I was able to tolerate out of everything.. and it sped up my metabolism. But it's very important to know you are making an informed decision on thyroid meds because once you start taking them your thyroid atrophies and becomes DEPENDANT on them so you can never stop taking them.. You have to take them the rest of your life... so if you wanted a second opinion, that doesn't hurt.
I hope some of this info helps! IF you have any other questions, I'll do my best to answer! I read up a lot on this stuff a few years ago.. I was diagnosed in 2004 and also started Synthroid then...
*BIG HUGS*
p.s. please excuse any spelling errors.. I just woke up..hehe
Thanks for all the information. I'm extremely sleepy right now so I will get to it tomoorw. I really appreciate it though. I read a few things and looking on the board made me a lttle less worried about the biopsy.
Ugh.. I'm a little brain fogged right now.. Sorry this is short.. Dammit.. i really wish you lived closer to me..
Oh.. and DEFINITELY have someone go with you for the procedure AND the results.. I refuse to go through any of this alone..
*LOVE AND HUGS AND SPOONS AND HEALTHY VIBES*
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They've tested my T3 levels, TSH, and T4 and T3 was low...likely due to birth control.
Then the last time I saw my doctor he had just returned from a CFIDS/Fibro conference featuring Jacob Teitilbaum (the guy who wrote, "From Fatigued to Fantastic"), so I'm not sure how much faith I have in that guy.
But then my doctor talked about doing a reverse T3, which was something he didn't know about until after the conference.
I crashed the last time in his office, a near faint...he thinks I may be helped by thyroid meds but cannot give them to me until the biopsy is confirmed.
I might ask my doctor about the sonogram. He mentioned during the last visit how thyroid dysfunction does seem to happen in nearly all cfs/fm patients
Reply
I joined the thyroid community and got an idea of what a reverse T3 is, but now I'm brain fogged and tired so I can't remember the specific details.
I've been gaining weight steadily since I was first on meds for my tachycardia issues in 2004. I've gone from low 130's to 164. I don't even want to leave the house now because I don't want anyone to see me this heavy:-) It would be nice if I did end up getting thryoid meds and they work.
Reply
http://thyroid.about.com/
The site guide, Mary Shomon, also wrote several books on CFIDS, Fibromyalgia, and autoimmune diseases and I HIGHLY recommend them:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-5654253-6538550?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mary+shomon&Go.x=12&Go.y=12
.. She is WONDERFUL.. so I trust all info on the site and in her books.
Okay.. print out these pages:
http://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/a/bloodtests.htm
It explains all of the blood tests AND the new reference ranges for what is considered "normal".. The ranges changed in 2003, but amazingly many old endocrinologists still go by the old standards (this is why it took me so many years to get a proper diagnosis of hypothyroid). Also, be aware that some labs still go by the old reference ranges.. no clue why. So yeah.. look at your bloodwork and learn what it all means.
This page explains all tests, including imaging tests:
http://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/a/testdiagnose.htm
This chart shows what the reference ranges are for each test:
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/newsinfo/l/bltest_values.htm
Seriously, stick with this entire site and look through it when you get a chance.. it was the most helpful to me...
As far as how your birth control pills affect your levels.. yes they effect them, but not to the point where they would make or break a diagnosis.. I have always been on BC pills.. and they take it into consideration, but it's not the CAUSE of any thyroid levels going out of whack.. If you were hypothyroid or hyperthyroid, you would be no matter what.. whether you are on hormonal birth control or not.
If you go on thyroid meds, just make sure you start at the lowest dose possible and have them monitor you often during the beginning until they get your dose right.. Getting the right dose can be tricky because small changes can make a big difference. But I guess don't worry about that yet.. The GOOD news is that thyroid meds would only HELP you.. there are literally NO side effects.. unless you are being overmedicated. It was the easiest med I was able to tolerate out of everything.. and it sped up my metabolism. But it's very important to know you are making an informed decision on thyroid meds because once you start taking them your thyroid atrophies and becomes DEPENDANT on them so you can never stop taking them.. You have to take them the rest of your life... so if you wanted a second opinion, that doesn't hurt.
I hope some of this info helps! IF you have any other questions, I'll do my best to answer! I read up a lot on this stuff a few years ago.. I was diagnosed in 2004 and also started Synthroid then...
*BIG HUGS*
p.s. please excuse any spelling errors.. I just woke up..hehe
Reply
yes.. treating your thyroid can definitely help with the weight since it effects your metabolism...
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*HUGS*
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