Dr. Fett - more new stuff

[miachic]

Hi Dr. Fett. Yep, I'm back already. So I just got a call from my primary doctor a few hours ago. I am officially diagnosed as hypothyroid from labs I had run Tuesday. She is putting me on Synthroid which I'm to start today.

Can you send me any links or direct me in any resources that I could find about hypothyroidism and PPCM/CHF? They aren't sure if it's postpartum thyroiditis or if I was actually hypo before pregnancy or what. They are saying it's not postpartum because they think it would have resolved by now. However, they aren't sure if my pregnancy brought on my hypo-T or what.

My doctor said "you're just a medical curiosity" to which I added "aren't you glad I can keep you entertained?" We had a laugh.

Anyway, thanks in advance!

[miachic]

My TSH was measured at 20 and my thyroid antibodies were so high that they were off the chart or what the lab could pinpoint as a value. My doctor said that they usually go as high as 1000 in value and mine were higher than that so they came back as too high to give a value for. My other thyroid antibody was slightly more elevated than it was when taken a few months ago...so both levels of thyroid antibodies are rising still.

Sigh. :confused:

[JAMESFETT]

Not very much available about cases of combined PPCM/hypothyroidism. However, both hypo and hyper- thyroidism can cause a dilated cardiomyopathy in advanced cases. Your diagnosis seems to be based upon blood tests with thyroid levels or thyroid stimulating hormone levels, and therefore not advanced, and therefore not the cause of your dilated cardiomyopathy and therefore a diagnosis of "PPCM" is still appropriate. I'm glad it has been recognized, and that you are now starting treatment for hypothyroidism.

JD

[miachic]

I didn't think that my hypo-T caused it, just curious about any correlations between autoimmune response/hypo and hyper-T/PPCM and future information to keep in mind regarding hypo-T, PPCM, pregnancy, recovery, etc.

Gosh, I am a medical curiosity aren't I? Let's just say I'm thankful that I'm getting everything in line. My poor body sure has been through the ringer huh? Glad I'm getting something under control (hypo-T)!!!

[JAMESFETT]

you can do an "Entrez PubMed" search with the words, "hypothyroidism, cardiomyopathy" and see what comes up.

JD

[miachic]

Cool! Thanks so much!

[miachic]

I'm going to ask my doc about this when he calls (hopefully by tomorrow) but is there any interaction between Coreg and Synthroid? Just curious. I'm starting Synthroid tonight and wanted to know what to ask my cardio about the two. Thoughts?

[JAMESFETT]

No problem whatsoever. Your synthroid is synthetic thyroid hormone and simply replaces what your glad is unable to produce. Therefore, there would be no medicine interaction and it would be like any person with normal thyroid function starting to take carvedilol.

JD

[JAMESFETT]

P.S. I don't know for how long you may have had hypothyroid state. In any event, for someone deficient in thyroid hormone for a long time it is wise to begin low and work up to necessary replacement doses. The reason for this is that there will be some effect in strengthening your heart contractions. Don't ask me the specifics on this, but do check with your physician because that is were the specific direction should come.

JD

[miachic]

Thanks! I think she's starting me on 50 mcg a day or something like that??? She specifically said something about getting it under control because of my heart, etc. and talked a little about my heart so I think she's taking that into consideration??? I'll remember that though.

Thanks again!