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Thyroid Disorders
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Posted 2/25/2016 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

Quick background - I had a subtotal colectomy in 2010 due to colonic inertia. With some funky celiac blood work (but no biopsy) I have been gluten free since 2011.

In the fall of 2013 I began experiencing facial numbness on my trigeminal nerve on one side of my face. MRI, blood work, etc. all came back normal (including thyroid). After a few months the numbness seemed to go away. Periodically my scalp felt somewhat numb.

In June 2015 I gave birth to my first child. Within a week I was down to my pre-birth weight. about two months later I started experiencing super greasy hair and managed to lose another 10 lbs plus the numbness returned. about two months after that I started losing lots of hair, the weight crept back, and I had anxiety attacks if I got cold. The numbness started to 'spread'. I had about a week of having numbness in different parts of my body - mainly my feet and the 'outside' parts of my body (like one side of an arm). MRI came back normal again but this time my thyroid showed that I was hypothyroid. Went on thyroxine and also had a B12 injection because my supplements did not seem to be working (I've had two injections thus far). 6 weeks later they increased my dose because my levels still weren't normal.

I'm not sure if my thyroid levels are back to normal yet (greasy hair and cold intolerance are gone). I feel like I'm getting a 'flare' of more numbness within the past few days - my head, scalp, and right arm and foot are more numb than usual.

I'm waiting to get in to the doctor to be retested.

Does anyone have any ideas on the numbness? I don't know if it's related to my thyroid or not.

Thanks.
Posted 2/26/2016 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
Do you have your actual thyroid blood tests results to share with us? once we see what is your most recent TSH we will be able to help you interpret it .

Best ,
Posted 2/26/2016 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
1/6/16 results

Free T4 0.93 - 1.70 ng/dL 0.93
Tsh 0.27 - 4.20 uIU/mL 5.52
-----
12/01/15 results

TPO AB 1517 IU/mL <9 IU/mL H


thanks!
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11/17/15 results

THYROXINE FREE INDEX 1.35 1.40 - 3.10 L
THYROXINE UPTAKE,SER/PLAS,QN 30.73 % 22.50 - 37.00 %
T4 4.40 ug/dl 4.50 - 10.90 ug/dl L
Posted 2/27/2016 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
Your antiTPOab are positive which indicates that you have autoimmune hashimoto's which causes you to be hypothyroid.

Also you TSH from 01/06/2016 is elevated and thus confirm that you are hypo and need to be put on Thyroxine unless you are not yet .

Are you on any thyroid medication ? for how long ?

Insist on being put on brand name rather than the generics, also you should take the medication around the same time each morning , on an empty stomach with a full glass of water and not to eat or dring for at least an hour..

Best,
Posted 2/27/2016 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to the reply.

My TSH was around 15 on 11/17. I didn't realize I didn't post it.

I do take levothyroxine 50 since January. I was on 25 starting in November. I'm just surprised that my numbness is increasing now that I've been on the increased dose since the beginning of January.
Posted 2/27/2016 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
The increase of 175 mcg/week in January which I guess was based on your TSH from 06JAN2016 is too much, it is more than what your TSH allow, according to my own personal experience an increase of only 50 mcg/week is the right amount to add, which means you take five days 25mcg and two days 50 mcg, also it is important to take the same amount each day.

I would repeat TSH ASAP since it has been more than six weeks since the increase.

It would be great if you could consult with an Endo since your PCP seems not to be knowledgeable of thyroid medication adjustments .

Best,
Posted 2/27/2016 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not on 175. I'm only on 50. Not sure where the 175 came from?
Posted 2/27/2016 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
You were on 25 mcg per day which is equal to 175 mcg per week.
Dose should be calculated per week.
You increased by 25 mcg per day which is another 175 mcg per week so now you are on 50 mcg per day which is 350 mcg per week and you should increase only by 50 mcg per week to a total amount of 225 mcg per week.
Also it worth mentioning that any amount which is less than 50 mcg per week has no clinical effect, it only reduces the TSH a bit.

Hope it is clear now,
Best,
Posted 2/27/2016 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Got it. Thanks for the clarification.
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