Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Wait and See...


So I had my appointment yesterday with my new Endocrinologist. He went over my reports from my ultrasound, bloodwork, and RAIU as well as took my history. He was very empathetic and understood exactly what I had been through over the last few months as far as being hypothyroid and off my medications. He said he usually only schedules the RAIU during the late spring or summer to lessen symptoms and mitigate the possibility of myxedema. I told him it was really horrible and that I would prefer never doing that again!

He felt my gland and said that it seemed consistent with Hashimoto's "lumpy bumpy" feel. He also said the reports had nothing definitive listed. Meaning the nodules are too small to even biopsy, plus there was no predominant one as would be typical of cancer. He also stated that papillary carcinoma (the cancer my great Uncle had) is not typically hereditary. He suggested increasing my T3 (believe it or not!) a bit, to further suppress the gland and nodules and to help me feel better. He gave me orders for bloodwork in 6 weeks and a return appointment in 6 months.

So, somewhat anticlimatic, but pretty good news on two fronts; one, this is probably no big deal and just a part of my chronic illness, Hashimoto Thyroiditis...and two, I now have an endo that seems willing to work with me so that I feel good even though my bloodwork is in the normal ranges. Meaning he will adjust my meds to my symptoms and not just bloodwork.

I wouldn't be lying to say that I have a sense of relief. He did mention that this was most likely passed from my Mother's side of the family and he seemed surprised when I told him my Mom was not hypothyroid. He suggested she probably was and did not know it. So Mom, get retested! And to all my other relatives on Mom's side, get your thyroid levels checked! You may be able to feel better than you do right now!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

about 30% of patients reported reduction in TPO antibodies level after starting selenium supplements [dose about 100 micrograms per day]