More Numbers

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I received records from The Mayo Clinic yesterday. There are some numbers

printed in bold print, and I don't know what they mean.

I do know they are checking blood. MCH 34.0 pg HI with normal range of 27.4 to

33.0 pg, MCHC 35.6 g/dl HI with a normal range of 33.1 - 34.4 g/dL, RDW 11.4 %

LOW with a normal range of 11.9 - 15.5. It appears they are only slightly

abnormal, and the doctor didn't mention them when he called with the biopsy

results. There are all kinds of other tests that were done, but they are all

within the normal range.

The S-TSH was 6.8s mIU/L HI, and I know what that is. Free T4 1.0 ng/d, with no

normal range shown. It appears I still haven't been tested for Free T3 or

Reverse T3, even though I persist in requesting it. The paperwork says I should

follow up at my doctor here with more bloodwork to check thyroid levels in 4 to

6 weeks. I'm told he's scheduling 8 weeks out, so that' how long I will wait

for another appointment. I'm feeling pretty good on 1/2 of a Levothyroxin pill,

which is only 12.5 mcg. I'm not feeling hyper like I often did taking a whole

pill.

The thyroglobulin antibody titer was negative and the thyroid peroxidase

antibody was positive @ 195 with a normal range of 0 - 8.9. I understand that

means I have Hashimotos.

Prior to my visit to Mayo, I was told all biopsies were done by surgeons. Mine

was done by a radiologist. It was between Christmas and New Years, so most of

them were probably on vacation. One of the ladies at the desk even told me it

probably wasn't the best time to go there because of all the vacations. The

report says a 1.7 cm nodule in the upper to mid aspect of the right thyroid lobe

was identified and targeted for biopsy. A second 8mm hypoechoic nodule in the

mid left thyroid was also identified. This nodule was examined with real-time

2-D and Doppler ultrasound, and did not demonstrate significant vascularity. It

says characteristics of the second nodule are less concerning, and biposy was

consequently deferred. It went on to say that I had discussed this plan with

Dr. Bernet prior to the biopsy. That part isn't true. When we talked he said

two nodules would be biopsied. The radiologist looked at it as described above,

and decided not to biopsy the second one. Even though I have multiple nodules

on both sides, only one was checkd for Cancer.

My concern is that I still have swelling behind the collar bone on both sides

of my neck, which no one can explain. The only explanation that made any sense

was when Chuck said the antibody attacks can cause inflammation of surrounding

tissues. The Mayo Clinic couldn't feel any swollen lymph nodes under the

swelling. I read on-line that swelling at the base of the neck can be a symptom

of Thyroid Lymphoma, which is quite rare and hard to diagnose, but can't find

the link right now. This was after I came home from the Clinic, or I would have

asked the doctor about it. It also said Hashimoto's patients are at higher

risk for Thyroid Lymphoma and the two may present at the same time, or not. I'm

not worried about it, but don't want anything to be overlooked.

Also, I don't know if it's related, but since I came back from the Clinic, I

noticed my tongue was sore. I brushed it with my teeth as usual, but when I

looked at it because of the soreness, I discovered it has a white coating and

red lines where I brushed some of the coating off. They seem redder than the

edges of my tongue, which isn't coated. I had an upper respiratory infection

from about Dec. 28th through a couple of days ago. This is the third day my

tongue has looked this way, but I thought it might be related to the respiratory

infection, or possibly inflammation from the antibodies. According to what I've

read there's no need to have it checked unless it lasts more than a week. It's

just another unusual, never before experienced symptom for me. I don't want any

more of those, although I suppose it's good if the symptoms lead the doctor to

something that needs to be treated. I remembered how bone density medications

can cause lesions of the gums, but this is only my tongue, and I'm not sure they

would be considered lesions. Also, I've only been on the medication for bone

density about a month and a half. The Mayo Clinic doctor agreed I need to take

it, and has no concern about it causing problems unless taken five years or

more.

I remember Chuck saying at one time that the radioactive iodine uptake test was

essential, but then my doctor said I didn't need it and scheduled a biopsy

instead. That was fine with me because it doesn't matter how the thyroid is

functioning, if it is going to be removed surgically, which had not been

determined at that time. Now that's it's not, do you think I need the

radioactive uptake test and scan to determine hot and cold nodules, and how the

thyroid is functioning?

Sorry this is so long. I hope everyone is having a good start to a great year!

Thanks,

Barb