Posted by TamaraJ on April 8, 2005, at 15:54:50
In reply to Re: Anyone, posted by Maxime on April 8, 2005, at 14:48:50
This is just some info I had previously found on thyroiditis, which may be of interest to both of you.
What I have read is that Thyroid Antibody Tests measure the number of immune system terminators created specifically to do battle against the thyroid. There are two types of these well-named antibodies, therefore, two tests are needed: antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomo. This is the test that helps identify whether you have thyroiditis, an allergy to your own thyroid. This autoimmune condition is becoming quite common. As I understand it, these two tests are the only way to diagnose thyroiditis (but then again, I am certainly not an expert or extremely knowledgeable about this stuff).
In the same book there is a reference to a summary of thyroiditis symptoms, as developed by Stephen Langer, M.D. The list is as follows and is in decending order of frequency:
"(1) profound fatigue; (2) memory loss; (3) depression; (4) nervousness; (5) allergies (6) heart-beat irregularity (7) muscle and joint pain (8) sleep disturbances (9) reduced sex drive (10) menstrual problems (11) suicidal tendencies (12) digestive disorders (13) headaches and ear pain (14) lump in the throat and (15) problems swallowing. Nervousness ranges from mild anxiety to full-blown panic attacks, of which some are true psychiatric emergencies. These are as puzzling to the patients as to their physicians, who, in desparation, recommend psychotherapy and powerful transquilizers."
Spriggy - You may be interested in the following (which could explain the high TSH level, while experiencing symptoms of hyperthyroidism):
Extracted information - clinical features of thyroiditis
The main symptoms are a painful swelling of the thyroid gland and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These symptoms include heat intolerance, nervousness, palpitations and weakness. The hyperthyroidism is due to the leaking of thyroid hormones from the damaged thyroid cells as a result of the viral infection. This is a temporary situation since once the virus infection has run its course, the thyroid cells recover their normal state. On examination, the patient has a very tender, swollen thyroid gland and mild signs of hyperthyroidism.
Maxime and Spriggy - websites with info on thyroiditis
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic534.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic949.htm
http://www.umm.edu/endocrin/hashim.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000371.htm#Symptoms
http://www.thyroid.ca/Guides/HG05.html#2
Tamara
poster:TamaraJ
thread:481499
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050408/msgs/481698.html