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We have a tentative diagnosis...
Just not for the symptoms I went in for... :D
It appears that I have Hashimoto's disease - an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid. However, other than a slightly enlarged thyroid, and elevated levels of thyroglobulin antibodies, I am asymptomatic. In men, that is usually the case, but women are 10-15x more likely to develop the symptomatic form, hypothyroidism. An associated symptom is that the same antibodies attack the parietal cells of the stomach, leading to poor iron and B-12 uptake. It is genetically passed, and dominant.
My mother has been treated for hypothyroidism for years, unsuccessfully, and is also badly anemic and shows signs of B-12 deprivation, despite supplements.
Go figure.
Long term prognosis for me is currently "get T4 levels checked at least once a year, probably twice", and if it starts to slip, then I start thyroid supplements. ie, no biggie. :)
Now if we can just figure out the rest of it...
It appears that I have Hashimoto's disease - an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid. However, other than a slightly enlarged thyroid, and elevated levels of thyroglobulin antibodies, I am asymptomatic. In men, that is usually the case, but women are 10-15x more likely to develop the symptomatic form, hypothyroidism. An associated symptom is that the same antibodies attack the parietal cells of the stomach, leading to poor iron and B-12 uptake. It is genetically passed, and dominant.
My mother has been treated for hypothyroidism for years, unsuccessfully, and is also badly anemic and shows signs of B-12 deprivation, despite supplements.
Go figure.
Long term prognosis for me is currently "get T4 levels checked at least once a year, probably twice", and if it starts to slip, then I start thyroid supplements. ie, no biggie. :)
Now if we can just figure out the rest of it...
Careful
So if you have the sudden notion that the CIA has replaced your eyes with cameras, don't put the aluminum foil helmet on. Go to the doctor :)
Strangely, Hyperthyroid has similar psychiactric effects, but it's much more manic.
sean 8-)
Re: Careful
And there's a form of acute Hashimoto's that bounces between the two, and can be mistaken for bipolar disorder, etc, etc. Wheeeeeeeee!
I have found out more recently about the endocrinological, immune, and associated psychological systems than I ever expected to. It's fascinating.
It's also a wonder our big wet bags of meat function at *all*.