Posted by Sarah T. on March 23, 2005, at 1:22:18
In reply to Re: Possible thyroid problem - thyroid antibodies? » Sarah T., posted by KaraS on March 22, 2005, at 14:00:48
Hi Kara.
Thanks so much for your post. I'm glad I saw it. I did see an endocrinologist last week, and he told me that my low TSH was not enough for him to order further tests! I mentioned the possibility of thyroid antibodies and said I wanted to be tested for them, but he said that even if I tested positive for antibodies, that wouldn't mean they were doing anything to warrant treatment. He said if I tested positive, that would mean that there would be the possibility of having other thyroid problems, and if those problems existed, they'd show up on other tests like T3 and T4. I don't believe he is correct. I am losing hair, my nails are very brittle, I'm exhausted, I'm chronically constipated, and my cognition has changed a lot in the last half year. I guess I'll have to try another endocrinologist. The endo did order another 24-hour urine to test for free cortisol, which has been elevated for my entire adult life. Although I've had a history of elevated urinary cortisol, my plasma cortisol is always normal, and the hair loss has only occurred in the last half year. Up until that time, my hair was quite thick. I don't have any of the characteristic features of Cushing's disease. I read that hair loss in Cushing's is usually temporal. The hair loss I've had recently is mainly from the top of my head, towards the back. I think I will probably have to get my pdoc to speak with an endocrinologist who is willing to cooperate. Thanks again for your help.
poster:Sarah T.
thread:459121
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050306/msgs/474402.html