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Elevated TSH - UC Related or a new problem?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/26/2013 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
I had to do a 'biometric screening' at work to avoid insurance premium increases. I was so irritated to have to get another blood draw!

They found low iron, hemoglobin 12, hematocrit 36 - totally expected. Their AST/ALT (liver) levels were normal, but my weekly draw for my GI showed them a little elevated just a few days later.

They also found TSH - thyroid-stimulating hormone to be 5.21. 'Normal' is 0.4 - 4.2, but my Mom (Clinical Lab Tech and hypothyroid patient) says anything over 1.1 makes her feel terrible.

I'm going to my PCP on Wednesday. I assume she's going to do T3 T4 testing, etc. I also had the results faxed to my GI.

I have been on steroids (prednisone, now budesonide) since June. I have a family history of hypothyroidism, and I know autoimmune disorders can run in packs.

I guess it would be good to know that some of this fatigue I've been attributing to UC could be something else, but I really don't want any more problems.
Posted 4/27/2013 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Probably the pred
Posted 4/27/2013 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Didnt I see a high blood pressure issue with you too.. And transient liver stuff.. Almost willing to put money on pred/bud.. When did they switch you to budesonide?
Posted 4/27/2013 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
I've been off of prednisone / on Entocort since 3/12 - so a little over six weeks.

My BP has been higher lately, and my AST/ALT was elevated a little at my 4/23 safety lab.
Posted 4/27/2013 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
are they weaning you from budesonide soon since you are going on a year of constant steroids?
Posted 4/27/2013 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
I have to call her Monday about this test result, which should be on her fax machine, and about running out of hydrocort enemas because of some pharmacy mess up.

She thinks I'm steroid dependent (not disagreeing, but not even IV steriods in the hospital or 60mg of prednisone has gotten me 'remission'.) I'm getting Imuran and Remicade in an effort to get me off of steroids, but she's probably not ready to do it yet. I've also only been in Imuran for six weeks.

I'd love to be off of steroids!
Posted 4/27/2013 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe try some liver support in the mean time? Things like milk thistle or nettle tea... gentle things to help reduce the burden they are placing on your body. I guess my silver lining encouragement is that this all may just be transient and not some new auto immune disease you have to worry about.

It's all a catch 22. Hopefully you can get to the bottom of it soon.
Posted 5/3/2013 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
TSH was 5.21 (normal range up to 4.2) on 4/19.

T4 Free was 1.4 (0.9 - 1.7)
T3 Free was 3.5 (2.5 - 4.4) 5/1/13

PCP says no treatment now because free T3 & T4 were normal. She wants to repeat the test in three months. I guess the steroids I'm on could be skewing the TSH result.

My GI wants me to go to surgery consult in June. :(

Should I get a second opinion now, or is she right on with waiting?

I found some old test results - TSH was 3.05 (0.27 - 4.20) 5/31/12 and 3.12 (0.27 - 4.20) 4/20/11. I was not on steroids for either of those.
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