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Registered users can submit a thread (each thread is a single question) on any autoimmune, thyroid or health-related topic – including questions about your pet! Questions will be answered by Elaine Moore.  Because this is not a community forum, members will not be able to reply to threads once questions are asked and answered. Questions may be edited for brevity and grammar. If you need technical help, contact Admin.

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New Post 4/3/2009 6:13 PM
  Cathy
4 posts
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introduction and question 

Hi, I am 39, female, and have Hashimotos, diagnosed 10 years ago. I have PCOS and hypoglycemia also.  I have experienced, low blood sugar "seizure" never passing out, just jerky, clammy, shaky, feeling like I am losing control and blurry vision, cramped arms, legs. This severety had happened maybe 4 times in the 10 years.I also experience occassional anxiety while driving which started about the same time as Hashimotos diagnosis. I had 2 kids, one vaginal birth and one c-section after diagnosis. I have seen endocrinologists and neurologists, they claim nothing is wrong and my internist just keeps doing baseline to check my thyriod yearly. I was reading your articles and am starting to think that this all could be related to autoimmune disorder. I have developed dry eyes and skin with occasional skin rash but have tested negative for lupus. I also have always had very cold hands and feet especially in winter and now this past winter experienced frostbite numbness from no exposure in 2 fingers and very purple toes when cold. Agian no lengthy exposure to cold. I have a few dark spots that look like blood blisters in toes. Regular doctor has tested circulation and I am fine.  Do you know of any good doctor's versed in autoimmune disease in the Joliet, IL area? I don't want to travel too far due to the "anxiety" that can come on at will while driving. I went a whole year with out any anxious feeling driving. So it could be stress, but inlight of the "circulation" issue, dry eyes and muscles feeling sleepy or weak. I want to find out what is wrong. My doctor wants me to see a neurologist again. I just don't know where to turn, I am tired of feeling lousy and want to know exactly what I am dealing with. God bless you for your website. It has given me a bit of hope knowing that I may finally know why I feel the way I do.

 
New Post 4/4/2009 6:17 PM
  Elaine
953 posts
2nd Level Poster


Re: introduction and question 

Hi Cathy,

In the last few years, the ranges for the TSH level, which is used to assess thyroid function, have been lowered twice. Unfortunately, most labs still use the old ranges because it's expensive to set up new ranges for lab tests. The idea here is that endocrinologists will know about the changes in the TSH test. But your endocrinologist may not.

By law, you have a right to get copies of all your lab results. If you had them done at a hospital you may want to stop at the medical records department and ask for copies. If you had the tests at your doctor's office or a clinic you could ask them to mail you copies.

Many of the symptoms you're describing, including anxiety, can be caused by thyroid hormone levels that are too low. Even if levels are "within range" they can sometimes be too low for your body's needs, causing symptoms of hypothyroidism. 

Thyroid eye disease, which can cause dry eye, can occur in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, especially if the levels are off.

I think I'd first get copies of your labs and see if your internist or the endo have run an ANA test. If not, see if you can get a referral to a rheumatologist. I don't specifically know any doctors in your area but rheumatologists typically treat autoimmune disorders, with the exception of the autoimmune endocrine disorders, which are usually treated by endocrinologists.

A neurologist would be helpful if your doctor suspects that you could have a neurological disorder like MS, but it seems like a rheumatologist would probably be more helpful. Let me know what your thryoid function tests and blood sugar or AIC levels look like. Best, Elaine

 

 

 
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