Could This Be My Thyroid?

[Guest BERNESES]

OK- I have been gluten-free since last February as many of you know and I have had some success with the diet. I've gained back about 15 pounds etc. But I'm still really struggling. I saw an allergist on Monday and he did some preliminary allergy teests and i turned up allergic to abolutely nothing! nada. they had to give me the actual histamine about three times before my skin even reacted to that.

I've had my thyroid tested but just a regular thyroid test as far as I know. Last Feb. my thyroid T4, Free Thyroxine was 1.3 (within a range of 0.7 to 1.7). Honestly, I don't know what this means but every doctor I've seen from my OB/GYN to the allergist always says have you had your thyroid tested and i have three times this year.

My primary symptoms are:

night sweats

fatigue

nausea/vomiting

strange bowel habits (don't we all have those!)

mood swings

Are there more advanced/more specific tests I should be having done? Should I see an endocrinologist? I know how closely Celiac's and thyroid problems are linked. I am grateful for ANY advice. Thanks, Beverly

[Jenn2005]

Hi Beverly. I have hypothyroid but I do not have Celiac (just to be clear on that point - my husband has the Celiac) but I thought I could offer my experience with thyroids. My levels are normal but I have Hashimotos Disease and my endocronologist uses the thyroid medicines to treat the symptoms caused by the Hashimotos. My GP took me off of the thyroid meds for about 6 months because my levels were running normal and because of insurance changes I wasn't seeing the endo on a regular basis. I ended up really feeling bad. I got a swelling in my lower neck (goiter), fatigue, hair falling out, moody, racing heart, sweats, cold intolerance, head aches, back and forth w/ const. & diar. and the list goes on - I also supposedly have IBS and Acid Reflux so sometimes its hard to tell where the symptoms are coming from but I've had the thyroid thing for 9 years and as long as I'm on the meds most of those symptoms are controllable. If you see an endocronologist you should be able to get some better answers than from your GP.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Jennifer

[Guest BERNESES]

Jenn- Thanks so much. I was just wondering how accurate that general test for thyroid was. I've had it done like 3-4 times in the last year and it always comes back normal but despite eating gluten-free, I still feel like crap! Maybe I need a full thyroid panel. I feel like I'm getting nowhere.