For those with thyroid problems

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

Saw my GP the other day - mainly about a tremor one hand has developed - probably due to broken arm. Jury out. Tests forthcoming. She did blood tests at the same time and phoned me yesterday to tell me that thyroid-wise I am overmedicated. (First time that has happened) have needed thyroid meds adjusted before - but always up the way.

She says that because of the break in my arm the stress has probably caused the change in numbers. So anyone with thyroid problems out there - remember that numbers can change - and get the blood checked at least every six months.

Got another dx as well - unwanted. I apparently have Dupuytren's disease. Cause unknown. Minor but uncomfortable ailment that affects tendons in the hand - and in the feet too but the feet ones get a different name.

Take care - Scottie 

[aussie mum]

Oh Scottie, not another diagnosis..... hope this one doesn't cause too much trouble for you.

Good advice about the Thyroid, it appears that many things can affect our Thyroid levels.

I found out last year that a spell of gastro can affect your levels. Recently my new Rheumy said that inflammation levels can affect the TSH. My TSH was a bit low, but T3 & T4 were fine, so he said to stay on the same level of medication.

It's always a bit of a juggling act.

Take care, hope the arm gets better soon

[Sooki]

Interesting about the hand tremors.  I've had them intermittently lately, and my TSH has been going up (5+) and down (.03) seemingly randomly.  I'll bet they're related. 

I also have Dupuytren's.  The hand doctor says it's genetic, my northern European heritage.  My father and sister have had it as well.

I hope your tremors go away when the thyroid levels are corrected.

[long time dry]

I have Dupuytrens, too, and so does my mother.  It tends to run in families but that's about like saying that lots of other things run in families.  It seems to be sometimes yes and sometimes no.

Anyway, it isn't always minor.  My hand surgeon told me that it can worsen over time, stay stable, or even get better.  Getting slowly worse is the more normal course and can result in the need for treatment or surgery.

There is a new injectable drug treatment but it is so new that I'm not sure the success rate is well known or understood.  The only person I know who has had it was very disappointed, but my hand surgeon was quite hopeful about it for me.  She basically told me to watch my hand for changes and told me when I would need to seek treatment.

I'm sorry you have this to add to your difficulties.  It is another one of the unknown and/or misunderstood diseases.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately the hand tremor is unlikely to be thyroid related because it is mainly three fingers on the hand at the end of the broken arm - and the other hand is fine. It is most likely to be nerve damage but the consultant I have been 'under' since I broke my arm is denying this. GP referring me for a second opinion.

I think what I meant by Dupuytren's being minor is that its not life threatening. It's already annoying because the knot in the palm of my hand hurts but it hasn't caused any contracture as yet. There is a similar small lump on one foot, that hurts to walk on.

My doc would certainly not test me for thyroid at shorter periods than 2 months because it takes that long for an adjustment of meds to show up.

Take care - Scottie 

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

She's actually referring me back to the surgeon who operated. He is the arm/hand specialist at the local hospital. I have not seen him since the operation because the consultant that has been overseeing my case was the orthopaedic consultant who was on duty the night I broke my arm. I haven't actually seen him since the operation either - just one of his registrars.

Depending on what the arm/hand guy says - she will refer me back to my neuro.

Take care - Scottie 

[susanep]

Yes Scottie I hope things go good. You are in my prayers too.

susanep