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What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?

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Posted on Fri, 26 Jun 2015
Question: Recently I had an ultrasound and biopsy as a previous ultrasound revealed a nodule, size 11mm. The biopsy was ok, no cancer cells detected, the ultrasound stated I have multi nodular goitre. I am taking a thyroxine tablet daily and will go back for TSH measurements in a few months.
I also had the full set of blood tests done to measure levels of T3, T4 & reverse T3 - they were within normal levels. Last October my TSH levels were marked as 8.5, but a month later it was down to borderline. The recent level was marked down as 4.99. Both blood tests, in October and more recently reveal I have high levels of two euthyroid antibodies.
While one doctor, doing the ultrasound said there is no damage to the thyroid tissue to indicate thyroiditis, a specialist said I have Hasimotos.
I don't just accept this latter diagnosis as sometimes antibodies can be present due to virus and I frequently have had viruses over the years.
I also have strong hayfever that causes congestion and pain in my sinuses. I have inflammation in my sinuses and probably other areas in my body.
I am wondering if the thyroid inflammation is due to allergies and/or virus.
Please give your advise regarding diagnosis and treatment.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
With antibodies, Hashimotos’ is more likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this low thyroid and the disturbing information about thyroiditis. Viruses can cause inflammation of the thyroid gland. With this, the gland would be painful. However, there would not be an antibody against the gland.

In Hashimotos, the reason why the gland is inflamed is because antibodies are directed against the gland. With the antibodies detected, viral causes are completely ruled out and the most probably explanation of these findings Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is unlikely to have antibodies caused by a virus. Though this s what you truly desire and wish it were the case, the pieces put together make this very very unlikely.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 hours later)
What treatment is required and is it a life long condition or can it be cured with diet and exercise. I have symptoms of sore skin, often on my scalp or/and along my arms, neck, shoulders and joint weakness, plus general fatigue, and my weight is bordering obese. Often I have dehydration, according to the special scales I use, not severe but slight to moderate. Do you think their is adrenal strain, and/ or electrolyte imbalance although recent general blood tests only indicated borderline iron and TSH levels?

I finished up a masters last XXXXXXX and was suffering from sore neck due to sitting at the computer for long periods of time and eating much chocolate with meals and drinking maybe four ground coffee from machine daily, plus one or two energy drinks.
I went to a chiro for a series of adjustments over a two month period and stopped using the computer. My neck pain was relieved although I get some more general stiffness in my body on waking.

I make sure to eat veg, white fish (frozen), tinned tuna with chilli in oil and baked smoked salmon, one of either of these daily. I stopped eating meat about 6 years ago. I cut out energy drinks and chocolate but do have some dark chocolate daily.

I take many various supplements as wel as the herbal therapy, (a daily iron with vitamin C tablet). I also take a Prozac daily for over twenty years after being let go from nursing training back in the early nineties.

I take the thyroxine supplement with some water usually a more than three hours after eating anything, especially dairy since a month ago. Eutroxsig is the name of the thyroxine supplement.

I will probably go back to the endocrine specialist again for her opinion also in a month or two.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Treatment may include monitoring and hormones, if needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for sharing your story with me. I very much appreciate this.

I have reviewed your information fully.

1. There are no natural remedies for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The plan is to monitor your TSH levels. If they are above normal, then you would be advised to take hormonal supplements. If they stay normal, you would continued to be monitored only. For now, you need the hormonal supplements until monitoring shows that there is no more need for hormonal supplementation.

2. I am happy with your diets. Being overweight/obese could also be caused by low levels of thyroid hormone. As you continue the treatment, let’s see how well your weight and general health responds. Please, exercising often, low salt diet, regular fruits intake and low consumption of fats would make your great diet even better.

3. Your neck pain is not caused by this condition. I believe it was caused by the bone/soft tissues in this area.

4. Congratulations on your master. I feel your pain about what happened in the 90s. However, it is a long time and i will advise that you let go and go off this medication. An even in life, some 25years ago, should not entirely ruin your life, please. At times, smiling over our disappoints is the best solution.

I hope these lines are helpful to you. I wish you well. Keep me updated as you continue to address this disease condition. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (5 hours later)
X-Ray showed moderate degeneration of cervical discs in c5,c6, with some Spurs evident at 45 degrees. I encorporate some neck exercises into my regular work outs and thankfully can walk regularly with my beautiful Golden Retrievers.

Did over thirty paid employed work positions since nursing, most casual, part time, having more success in some than others. After moving to Australia 15 years ago, getting married, I was lucky to have time to mind our healthy daughter. I occasionally help my husband who loves to work (as an Engineer).

Well ... Your opinion sounds good. If you have any tip for keeping hydrated please advise. I have frequent urination the past few years and a naturopath picked up over a year ago that fluid level outside cells were higher than inside but he didn't state why.

More fruit and less salt I will keep in mind, plus more green tea and water, low sugar as well.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for your positive spirit!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Keeping hydrated is all about drinking much water. Drink as much as you can and make a rule not to drink less than 1.5Liters per day. This helps keep the body great.

What the doctor found really has no longterm bearing. It is often an acute imbalance and needs no longterm fears.

I wish you well. Hi to your lovely husband and daughter.. I can tell your love them very much!
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: With antibodies, Hashimotos’ is more likely. Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this low thyroid and the disturbing information about thyroiditis. Viruses can cause inflammation of the thyroid gland. With this, the gland would be painful. However, there would not be an antibody against the gland. In Hashimotos, the reason why the gland is inflamed is because antibodies are directed against the gland. With the antibodies detected, viral causes are completely ruled out and the most probably explanation of these findings Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is unlikely to have antibodies caused by a virus. Though this s what you truly desire and wish it were the case, the pieces put together make this very very unlikely. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.