What are the symptoms of an abnormal thyroid? I know nothing about this, but was recently diagnosed with it.?

What are the symptoms of an abnormal thyroid? I know nothing about this, but was recently diagnosed with it.?

I got the results of my blood work and there are a couple of things that bother me. For one, my CO2 is at 32.6, which is high, my TSH level is 5.551, which seems high, my Total T3 is 178.0, which is high and my PTH, intact is 74.1, which seems extremely high. The doctor started me on Synthroid and will check the blood work again in 1 month. I have not talked with the doctor since I got the results back, but will see him next week. I don't want to wait that long to find some answers! I know nothing about any of this, including what the symptoms are. The reason I am asking this kind of stupid question is that I have another disease called RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) and I don't know what symptoms may be common for both of the diseases. I asked somewhat of this same question before, but I didn't include very much of the facts and I didn't ask what the symptoms are, which I need to know! Someone please help me!

User Comments

1. nurse for 21 years
   I also have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and lupus, and fibro-myalgia and various neuropathies related to auto-immune diseases.
2. What you have is a hypoactive thyroid. The Synthroid is a replacement for the thyroid hormone that your thyroid gland is not producing enough of. Hypothyroidism is an auto-immune disease as are diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and many many others. That means it is a disease where your immune system has decided that a part of your body is the enemy and is attacking it.
   When your thyroid hormones are low, you may feel tired all the time, have excessively dry skin, be thirsty all the time, have increase hair loss, irregular menses, constipation, joint pains related to tendonitis, increased thirst, intolerance of heat or cold and many more.
   Reflex Symapthetic Dystrophy is another of the auto immune diseases, but there is not as much known about it as there is about Thyroid issues. It is a disorder relating to nerves and circulation to a part of your body, usually involving one side of the body only. During flair ups you will have pain and swelling in an arm or leg on the affected side of the body (or possiby even the entire side of the body) Usually is treated with anti-inflammatory medications and medications to reduce nerve pain( such as Lyrica or Gabapentin).
   It is not all all uncommon for someone who has one auto-immune disease to also have another one (or 2, or 3,etc)
3. Your results seem a little odd. A high TSH usually indicates an underactive thyroid. T3 is one of the hormones produced by your thyroid, and if it is high it indicated just the opposite, that your thyroid is overactive. Synthroid is used to treat an underactive thyroid. I would call your doctor before your appointment, your test scores seem to be conflicting. I am familiar with these tests because I am tested regularly.
   
   Under active is known as hypothyroidism, while overactive is hyperthyroidism.
   
   Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (An underactive thyroid)
   
   fatigue, exhaustion
   feeling run down and sluggish
   depression
   difficulty concentrating, brain fog
   unexplained or excessive weight gain
   dry, coarse and/or itchy skin
   dry, coarse and/or thinning hair
   feeling cold, especially in the extremities
   constipation
   muscle cramps
   increased menstrual flow
   more frequent periods
   infertility/miscarriage
   
   Symptoms of Hyperthryodisim (An overactive thyroid)
   
   nervousness
   irritability
   increased perspiration
   thinning of your skin
   fine brittle hair
   muscular weakness especially involving the upper arms and thighs
   shaky hands
   panic disorder
   insomnia
   racing heart
   more frequent bowel movements
   weight loss despite a good appetite
   lighter flow, less frequent menstrual periods
4. Many Americans suffer from symptoms such as cold hands and feet, low body temperature, sensitivity to cold, a feeling of always being chilled, headaches, insomnia, dry skin, puffy eyes, hair loss, brittle nails, joint aches, constipation, mental dullness, fatigue, frequent infections, hoarse voice, ringing in the ears, dizziness, loss of libido, and weight gain, which is sometimes uncontrollable. Approximately 65 percent of the U. S. population is overweight; 30 percent is clinically obese. Research is pointing to the fact that an under active thyroid might be the number one cause of weight problems, especially among women, in the US today.
5. This is not a an answer to your question but it would be worthwhile to get your antibodies tested for Hashimotos thyroiditis. Those antibodies being: Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin Antibodies.
   From what I understand, Hashis can experience hyper feelings, although they are hypo. Further, I am told, checking your free t3 and free t4 is the route to go.
   
   You can get testing done, via healthcheckusa. Code 12345 will get you 10% off.
   
   This doesn't answer your question but thought it worth mentioning.
6. I'm a little confused because I have symptoms from both Hypo & Hyperthyroidism. I gave you the correct figures on all my tests, because I went back & checked them. Maybe I am getting things confused between my RSD and my thyroid. I look forward to seeing the doctor next week to get some answers. And, I checked my meds and it is Synthroid. Thanks for everybody's help! If anybody can add to this, I would appreciate it.
7. The thyroid results shouldn't have anything to do with the RSD. Symptoms of hypothyroidism (which means that for some reason you don't have enough thyroid hormone being absorbed, ergo, your body tries to stimulate more) are being cold all the time, overweight, more hairy than normal, lethargic, depression. You will probably have to have your synthroid levels messed with a couple of times to get it right with your body.