Haik’use me, your thyroid’s F’D up, lady.
The levels of my
Thyroid Antibodies are
Insanely high, yo.
A quick update on my thyroid labwork. I finally got a nurse on the phone a couple of days ago. She told me a few things that aren’t so awesome.
First of all, a bit of history: My levels have, in the past, been skewed such that the THS (which supresses your thyroid) was low… meaning my thyroid was actually running faster than it’s supposed to. Before anyone gets all jealous (that b*tch had built-in weight loss hormones!) it was not enough to make me lose weight. (You’ll remember, I was told, ”It’s not bad enough for us to medicate yet.”) It was just enough to make me feel like supremo crap – nervous, tired, moody, and anxiety prone. That has been the case whenever I had it checked from 2005 up until now.
Also, thyroid antibodies were detected at such levels that I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. That basically means that my body created an army to take out my thyroid, as if it were a foreign body, and is regularly attacking and mutilating the poor thing. As such, I have Goiter – a swollen, hurting, sad, whiny, crying thyroid that is just screaming out – “Pweease, pweease, stop hoorting me!” I regularly feel like someone is choking me, and it’s hard to swallow sometimes. *whine, moan, cry*
So, onto the current events.
I finally got my nurse on the phone, and she says, “Your thyroid hormones are normal.”
At first, you would think this is good news, right? Ahh, grasshopper, but no. Because what that means is that the “hyper” phase has now switched and the hormone level is heading in the other direction. And good folks, what that means is that before long I’ll enter the “true” phase of hypothyroidism.
But the fun continues.
“Your thyroid antibodies are incredibly high. So much so that Dr. Crowe wants you to go see an Endocrinologist.”
How high are we talking, people?
There are 2 measured antibodies.
TPO - Normal Range: 0 – 34, My Result: 216
Anti-Thyroglobulin – Normal Range: 0 – 40, My Result: 849
And apparently, when your thyroid is taking a beating from an antibody level that high, it’s enough to cause the symptoms I’m experiencing (depression, fatigue, loss of libido, dry skin, brittle nails, weight gain….), even if the other hormones measure “normal.”
Well, butter my biscuit.
So, no relief for me yet. I’m on the waiting list for the best Endocrinologist in town. At some point, I’ll get an appointment, and more tests will need to be done (and paid for – with what? my bellybutton lint?)… and maybe one day, I’ll get some medicine to help me feel better and be happy.
Maybe one day.
And hopefully we won’t have to sell Braden on the black market to afford all of this.
(In China, of course, where boys fetch more… what? So I’ve done my research….)
64 comments
Leave a comment
Show Sponsors
The Awesome
Jenty
Hope you get to see the specialist soon! Well at least your symptoms have been explained.
Jenty’s last blog post..13 things I love about being a parent
Twitter: jenty
Maggie
Ugh. I think everyone had a bad Thursday. Hoping for better news soon!
Maggie’s last blog post..Apparently
river
The medication will definitely help when you finally get it. It’s just the tweaking that gets done while sorting out the correct dosage and then you should feel markedly better. Start saving that belly button lint, collect from friends also, the meds aren’t cheap. My daughter has been on hers just over a year now and she’s much happier now.
Mackenzie's Momma
Aw, as a fellow Hashimoto’s sufferer I feel your pain. Last time I had my labwork run, my TSH and free T4 levels were ‘normal’ but I forgot to have them check my Thyroid Antibody levels. So now I have to try and get another appointment with my FP so that she can get them to check my TA levels, and hopefully get me set up with a new endocrinologist as my old one is no longer covered by my insurance(and i can’t afford $120 just to sit in the waiting room
) I think that could be a good reason I haven’t been feeling like myself somehow i dont think wanting to sleep 18-20 hours a day is normal.
On another note i got hit today thank goodness kenzie wasn’t with me in the car! I am sooo shaken up and it was just me!
Mackenzie’s Momma’s last blog post..January 2
Veronica
Oh hun, they are supposed to say
‘Your thyroid levels are amazingly not normal, and we have decided to put you on this medication, free of charge, that will have you feeling like yourself when you wake up tomorrow.’
THAT is what was supposed to happen. Faster is better, damn medical system.
Maybe you need to buy John some socks and a bottle of lube.
Veronica’s last blog post..Move Along, Nothing To See Here.
feener
i am so sorry to hear all this.
feener’s last blog post..Damn no Strata for me
Kelley
That truly sucks. Big donkey balls. With hair and pus and stuff. But maybe if you squeeze the donkey balls and rub it on your neck………
smootches.
Kelley’s last blog post..Sexy is a state of mind.
Toni
Yikes. Testing sucks; it’s your health, though and you can always make payments. Or…don’t pay and declare bankruptcy. Kidding, of course.
Hoping things look up!!!
Toni’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: The Stroke of 2008
justmylife
Good luck getting that appointment! I waited for 2 months to get an appointment with a doctor once. Stilll don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. Glad you found out the problem, sucks that there was a problem in the first place! Hope you can get the meds and get back to “normal” HA!
justmylife’s last blog post..My parents are building a new house and I can’t wait to go “shopping”
Lou Lohman
Would that I could kiss it and make it better.
Lou Lohman’s last blog post..This ain’t so bad …
Twitter: lceel
Beck
You poor girl. That all sounds awful.
Beck’s last blog post..The Magical World of Sinuses!
Bren
I’m on the other end with hypothyroidism and can’t seem to get my levels up. Sucks!
Hydes Like Us
Bummer Lotus! I hope you get that appt. soon!
Hydes
Hydes Like Us’s last blog post..Hai “Noon” ku
witchypoo
Wait. That sounds like me. I thought it was because I’m old.
And because of Sigfried and Roy of course.
Btw, they want a playdate with LeRoy and Kevin, but I told them they would scare the younguns.
witchypoo’s last blog post..World of Warcraft is not a job
Kathryn
Well now that you know what is up with that flipping thyroid they can start fixing ya. Hopefully you will be feeling better in no time, yo!
Kathryn’s last blog post..Starting Over
A Lil' Irish Lass
Jesus Christ, Lotus. That sucks. I’m so sorry to hear you’re having such health drama. On the plus side, though, you rock and are absolutely hilarious. I applaud your ability to maintain a sense of humor through all of this.
If I was a mom, I’d totally set up a playdate with you
A Lil’ Irish Lass’s last blog post..With Resolution
Junebug
I hope the process of finding the doc and getting medication happens quickly. Waiting is a pain in itself. My grandmother had something wrong with her thyroid. It would make her hyper. I have wondered about mine before because I have trouble getting enough sleep but I also have high blood pressure that could be causing that. I take med for it.
Junebug’s last blog post..Sleep or the Lack Thereof
Dawn
So you are gonna have to turn that Lotus365 site into a titty site aren’t you?
Sigh.
Dawn’s last blog post..Haiku Holiday
Christina
That sucks. I’m sorry things aren’t getting any better.
I hope the endocrinologist will be able to find the right meds/right dose to have you feeling better quickly!
Christina’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: The Power of a Hug
Kelsi
Hey Lotus,
I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, too. Was diagnosed about 8 years ago and put on synthroid. 10 pounds fell off me after my meds kicked in and I just have to deal with being on meds for the rest of my life. In addition to HT, I have ridiculously high cholesterol despite a decent diet and regular exercise so my doc finally made me go on cholesterol meds. AND, my stupid body doesn’t make enough estrogen so I had to go on hormone replacement therapy!
SHEESH!
Anyway, good luck with the endocrinologist. If you were in LA I could point you to a great one. She holds special fondness in my heart because she got me pregnant.
But that’s another story.
Kelsi’s last blog post..A New Year
Just a mom
ME TOO!!!!!!
Just a mom’s last blog post..Day 4,, TODAY IS FRIDAY!!!!!
Christine
Aw, Buttercup, I’m sorry.
I don’t know why I called you Buttercup, it just came out.
Christine’s last blog post..Newman!!!
Suzanne
I’m glad you’re starting to get some answers.
A trick when I get a new doctor and have a long wait is to call at the beginning and mid week and very sweetly ask if there are any cancellations for new patients.
After a few calls, the person answering tends to want to help you out and thye call as soon as there is a cancellation.
Suzanne’s last blog post..Dinner Conversation
Tiffany
Hugs Lotus.
Sorry that things are a bit out of control and you feel so awful.
It’s be nice if the endocronologist could move himself and see you sooner rather than later.
Thinking of you
Tiffany’s last blog post..Pemphigus what?
Badness Jones
Sorry hon…that sucks. But if it’s any consolation, your face is gorgeous…
Badness Jones’s last blog post..It lives!
Angel
I just had my thyroid checked a few months ago too. I was told I have subclinical hypo (or hyper – can’t remember) thyroidism. Only one of my numbers (again, can’t remember) was a bit elevated.
I am already incredibly irritable a lot, tired often, headaches often, lose A LOT of hair (even though you would never know by looking at my head) and did suddenly put on weight six years ago and never lost it.
But I figured it was my HORRIBLE diet. I eat like crap… and a lot of it.
I have been on a thyroid med for 3 months and don’t really see any difference. I want to go back to get reevaluated.
Good luck with your endo appt!
Angel’s last blog post..“Two toddlers and a Golden Retriever walk into a bar…”
jill
i said a little prayer for you! my gosh that’s awful! my mom has thyroid problems so i get tested as often as doctors will do it – usually only once, they come back fine and i have to get a new dr before they’ll do it again, luckily for me we move a lot
a lot of her family has problems too..
i am sorry though that you have to deal with this… doesnt seem fair… hopefully you have caught it early enough not to gain too much weight! it will be a struggle but i hope they get you situated before any problems (more) take place…
jill’s last blog post..Caucus Update…
Burgh Baby's Mom
Sorry to hear the news. Here’s to hoping the Endicrinologist is helpful!
Burgh Baby’s Mom’s last blog post..Red Means Stop, and Other Nonsense
Sandy (Momisodes)
Jebus Lotus! I’m so sorry to hear about your anitibody results. Please take care of yourself first and foremost…..Braden needs his mommy, but mommy must be well first.
i hope everyone else waiting for that doctor gets the flu and cancels so you can get in sooner ( just lookin out for you).
Momisodes’s last blog post..Throwin’ Down A Twofer
melissa
oh you poor thing!!! that sooooooo sucks! i really, truly hope the doctor can get you in soon and can fix you up as good as new!!!
Anglophile Football Fanatic
Oh, Lotus. If you need anyone to talk to, Vdog and I both have screwy bodies, too. I also have found that despite being expensive, the endocrinologist is amazing at making you feel better!!
Anglophile Football Fanatic’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: My Dragonslayer
Jennifer
Oh my god. Those are some LEVELS. Hope the Endocrinologist is a great one and fixes you right up.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Too Damn Early Haiku
rachel
Aw honey, I’m sorry.
rachel’s last blog post..Fri Ku Day
Eve
I could go on for hours on this subject. As I mentioned before my daughter has thyroid problems. They gave her a radio-active pill to swallow 6 years ago to kill her thyroid. She has to be tested frequently to try and keep everything in balance. Too much she gets skinny as a rail, stops sleeping, and goes totally bananas. Too little and she puts on weight, sleeps 12-14 hours a day, and deprives her husband something fierce!
I know a really good endo. I visit his office regularly (they take care of my diabetes – primary care physician). He is also the one who ordered the pill for daughter. Come on out to Idaho and I’ll get you in. His office is just down the street.
Seriously, I am so sorry you have to go through this. I know from observing my daughter just how scary it can get. Wish I could take it for you. I have so many crazy things going on inside me one more would never be noticed.
Eve’s last blog post..New Year, New Look
Bill
You know I have a difficult time commenting on serious issues. If you need help buttering your biscuit you know how to get in touch with me. Loss of libido? Ahhhh! Get better soon…
Bill’s last blog post..Oh What Fun It Is To Ride In A One Horse Open Slay
janet
aw, hon, that sucks rocks.
sending my best cyber energy and hugs your way.
janet’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: the family insanity edition
Twitter: planetofjanet
Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants
Dude.
Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants’s last blog post..Fussy Begs For a Bloggie & Announces a New Jewelry Contest
Geggie
you’re above average! I knew that!
I’m having a little contest at my blog if you’d like to participate! Freebies!!
Geggie’s last blog post..Pay It Forward
Tasina
I was going to suggest that you get AFLAC and fling yourself down some stairs….but that’s probably not a great idea either.
Also, I hope you don’t mind me stealing all the things you do – thirteens, haiku….because….I’m gonna.
Tasina’s last blog post..Copycat
'cuz I'm the mommy, that's why
Keep us posted, I hope the doctors pull their collective heads out of their arses.
‘cuz I’m the mommy, that’s why’s last blog post..Rachel Ray I Ain’t
Alison
Yikes…big hugs to you! Hopefully you will get an appointment soon and get everything figured out!
Alison’s last blog post..Friday Funny and Contest Winner
Jerseygirl89
Oh, I hope you get your appointment soon and that they have an installment plan (the Chinese blackmarket can be so finicky, after all). Try to take good care of yourself.
Jerseygirl89′s last blog post..Haiku Friday – With The Girls
Secret Agent Mama
Oh Damn, Lotus. I wish you all the health in the world. I hope things can get figured up so you can be all fixed up with regards to all the levels and stuff. I’m here, an email away, if you need anything. Just let me know. XOXOOX
Secret Agent Mama’s last blog post..In Related Davey News
oliveoyl64
I too am a HT/hypothyroid sufferer. You explained it all so well. When first diagnosed I had to visit every 3 months for the first yr. Just when we would think it was balanced, the #’s was come back screwed up again.
What about “brain fog”? If I forget to take my meds, I feel like I have been on a 3 day drinking binge and have muddled thoughts and speech.
I am bookmarking you so I can keep up.
oliveoyl64′s last blog post..$8 box sale goodies
SuzanneSays...
Well, ain’t that a fine howdy do? Good grief. But, hopefully there is some measure of relief in the knowing part. And as Suzanne said above, calling every couple of days to check for cancellations does work…sometimes. And if nothing else, it’ll get you on a first name/voice recognition basis with the people in the office way before you show up.
SuzanneSays…’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #1
MommyTime
Your haiku cracked my up! And then your post made me so sad for you. You have my sympathies.
MommyTime’s last blog post..My $30,000 Free Weights
Mr Lady
MOVE.
TO.
CANADA.
*
*
*
NOW.
Mr Lady’s last blog post..Reflections Upon Opening This Month’s Mastercard Statement
Country Dawn
I’ve got Hashimoto’s too… *sigh*
Hang in there!
Country Dawn’s last blog post..Time To Blog
Jamie
I am so sorry. Day-um girl.
I hope you are able to see a specialist soon and very soon and get medication to help you get all regulated and feeling back to normal. Hang in there mama. Hang in there.
In the mean time, your sense of humor amazes me!
But seriously…I’m sorry you are going through all of this health turmoil.
Jamie’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: Ode to a Turd and a Plea to Britney
A Jill of All Trades
You could always pimp out the Mexican….
You know that mixed dog breeding is popular. He’d probably be cute mixed with an English Bull Dog…lol.
A Jill of All Trades’s last blog post..Whoa cupcakes!!!!!
Joyce
I am so sorry for the health challenges you’re facing, Lotus.
There’s a women’s health site I like to check for info. You probably already know about it: http://www.womentowomen.com/
Maybe you would find some leads there about something, ANYTHING, that might give you a little relief while you wait.
Thank you for commenting on my Haiku,
Wishing you well.
Joyce’s last blog post..Haiku Friday – Where Is the Love?
Kat
Woah. I had something to say but then I read that Kelsi’s female endocrinologist got her pregnant. Why didn’t I read about this in the news? I mean… I thought that was impossible. Maybe I fell asleep in sex ed or something. Wow.
Kat’s last blog post..I’ve wanted to do that MY WHOLE LIFE!
jenn
that just sucks. but at least you get to see a specialist – serious docs will get serious results and then everyone feels better. So, feel better! (and, hey, Mr.Lady’s onto something. Canada’s good!)
jenn’s last blog post..we’re all better – daycare resumes
imaginary sarah
Egad, woman. I knew things were wonky, but I didn’t know it was that wonky. I’m sorry. I would like to take Mr. Hashimoto out back and beat him senseless. He wouldn’t be too hard to catch if he sleeps 20 hours a day.
Thoughts and prayers sent out to you from Colorado.
On the flip side, my libido is “too high” and is eternally frustrated by Phil’s need to sleep. I might need a blow up doll.
imaginary sarah’s last blog post..Tejano remix
Jenny
((((((((HUGS)))))))) to you, my dear. I am sorry you feel like poo poo. I have been thinking of you and praying for you. I don’t understand HT, but I Totally understand uninsured medical care and that in and of itself can be overwhelming, even when you don’t feel like poo poo. I hope you start feeling better soon.
kim
(((hugs))) and smootches and love and stuff..xxx
kim’s last blog post..Do Re Meme..
cardiogirl
Thyroid problems suck it like no one’s business — as you know. I hope the Endocrinologist can get everything under control for you. Good luck.
cardiogirl’s last blog post..Stuff I Don’t Understand
Anna Ellis
I am so so sorry to hear that Lotus!!!!
Meredith from Merchant Ships
That stinks.
Meredith from Merchant Ships’s last blog post..How I store: the overflow
Jeanine
So sorry, my thyroid is basically dead. I can feel your pain. I hope you get the proper care.
Jeanine’s last blog post..Argh men!!
Queen of Shake Shake
Oh, crap, I’m just catching up on posts. That’s scary! I hope the other doc can help you out!
Queen of Shake Shake’s last blog post..Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler
BipolarLawyerCook
Oy. Wishing you lots of metabolic self repair. Do salamanders or starfish have thyroids, and would you drink it if I made you a regenerating starfish thyroid cocktail? Mmm. Starfish. Kinda like sushi, right?
BipolarLawyerCook’s last blog post..Welcome!
Ashleigh
Hi there.
I was diagnosed with HYPOthyroidism late last year. Total opposite of what you’re going through but crappy the same. Thanks for giving the desire to post about it on my blog. Good luck. Love your blog and added it to my blog roll.
=)
Ashleigh’s last blog post..a girl and her jeans…
First, I totally bore you with the medical stuff… then, Pee Pee! « i am lotus
[...] links on the back story, visit here, here, here and here. I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and have been experiencing Clinical Depression for [...]