OT: Thyroid - YouLookFab Forum

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OT: Thyroid

kimlee

Veteran

Hi Everyone! It has been far to long since I was here on the forums. Forgive me? Anyways, I return not with a posting of some fab outfit I am wearing but in search of advice.

I am experincing numerous symptoms that seem to indicate problems with my thyroid but blood test show my TSH levels are normal. Anyone else have similar issues?

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Krista

Isis

Veteran

Did you get your T3 and T4 tested as well? TSH stimulates the thyroid but the "real" thyroid hormones are T3 and T4.

I was hypothyroid and had somewhat normal TSH (although on the hypothyroid end of normal). However my T3 and T4 were low. My main symptom was that I was very tired. Supplementation cleared everything up.

Anonymous

My mom has hypo thyroid. There are a vast number of symptoms! Weight gain, hair loss, feeling cold, night sweats, dry skin, low immune system, fragile nails, extreme tiredness like you can't get out of bed, just not feeling right...you know something is wrong even if tests don't show it. You need to ask for the TRH Stimulation test. If your dr refuses to do it then get another dr who will respect you! Best wishes!

kimlee

Veteran

Isis - No, I have not had my T3 and T4 levels checked. My concerns started with weight gain - I've gained 15 pounds in about 3 months and all efforts to lose it have failed. Then I began to be tired all the time as well as extremely sensitive to cold. I talked with my doctor about it - but her response was "You are in a normal weight range and your TSH level is normal."

I think I am gong to go back and ask for my T3 and T4 to be tested.

Isis

Veteran

Was your TSH above 3.5? Many labs say up to 5 is normal, but some endocrinologists thing 3.5 is a better number. Anything higher than that is worth a trial of thyroid hormones, particularly with symptoms.

Here's a site about the 3.5 number. It's worth poking around that site for other information about thyroids so you can be as informed as possible....Good luck!!!!

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/te.....bs2003.htm

Anonymous

Have you cross-referenced your symptoms with any prescription meds you might be taking?

ETA: It's an obvious question I'm sure your doctor addressed, but I gained weight while on an anti-depressant and my doctor never said a word. I gained 25 lbs. and was lethargic and that didn't concern her? Anyhow, just thought I'd put that out there.

Mochi

Veteran

Kimlee, you would be better off doing a full thyroid panel (which is not always what is given), as Isis recommends.

I took the liberty of seeing from your website your general location. Here is a link to recommended docs that are perhaps still located in your area:

http://thyroid.about.com/gi/o......eorgia.htm

I hope you figure it out! Thyroid is a complicated issue, and as you know already, very integral to our overall sense of wellness, weight regulation, etc.

kimlee

Veteran

Anne - I am not taking any prescription medications, but I do appreciate you chiming in you pose the question!

Mochi - Thank you!

Anonymous

My TSH was normalish too, but my T3 and T4 showed that I needed to go on levothyroxine. I go in fairly regularly for a blood check and my dosage is adjusted accordingly if necessary. It's made such a difference to my life!

kimlee

Veteran

Ceit - Thank you for sharing your story. I am calling my doctor this afternoon to schedule another visit and plan on getting her to listen and order the additional tests.

catgirl

Veteran

Me. At around 40 I started developing thyroid symptoms (enlarged gland, depression, dizziness, trouble breathing at times, weight gain, freezing all the time, tired) and after a bunch of tests, it turns out my thyroid is slowly crashing. Right now it's just a "goiter" because my levels are all normal, but my doc has said they will take it out if symptoms start to bug me (like problems breathing or swallowing) or put me on meds when my levels are out of whack. I had a biopsy for a nodule but that turned out to be nothing.

It's weird and annoying. My sister (4 years younger) is now following exactly in my steps - I even went to her doc with her in NY to compare what he said.

You're not alone! Just make sure you get EVERYTHING checked before concluding anything. Hashimoto's is another common diagnosis.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I got the same problem. I had cysts in my thyroid but blood tests always came back normal. I have different symptopms over 15+ years I had it such as weight jumps (both up and down), heart problems, digestive problems, fatigue and low energy levels.... Apparently this little thyroid can control a lot even without changing the hormon level!
They were watching my cysts over the years but I did not really had any treatment except watching my eating and life habits. Then one cyst began to grow rapidly and I had to have a surgery to remove it.
Did you have an ultrasound done? If not maybe you should ask for this.

shiny

Veteran

I have had symptoms of both hypo *and* hyperthyroid going on 20 years now. It fluctuates between the two. Sometimes I'll go through months (or even years) with a super slow heartbeat, weight gain, sluggishness, low body temp, etc. Other times I'll drop weight like mad without trying, I have a lot of insomnia, hot flashes (even when in my 20s) and my heart beat is rapid. What's more years ago I was on a med that is notorious for trashing your thyroid. For that reason, I get the full panel work up every once in awhile... However, my blood tests always come back perfectly normal.

What my doctor says: thyroid levels are highly unique to the individual, so what may be normal for most people may not be normal for me. But, we know there's nothing seriously wrong (or else I'd have had a crisis by now). The fluctuations I have are mild. It's more annoying than anything else.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Another chimer-inner here i'd say yes get a full thyroid panel as well as anti-thyroid antibodies (test that would help diagnose Hashimoto's thyroiditis, for example).

Other diseases and physical troubles besides the thyroid can cause what you see happening with your body. I would emphasize to your doctor that you want to find out what is going on, whatever it is, and tell him/her that you are open to considering whatever possibilities they think are worth exploring.

The thing about the thyroid is it's a 'master gland' which means it plays a role in just about every part/function of the body. so it can be difficult to sort out what's behind some of these symptoms. But keep at it, you can get to feeling better! Best of luck to you!! steph

Laurinda

Veteran

I was overwhelmed when I was first diagnosed as hypothyroid, but for most people simply taking a pill a day makes them feel a whole lot better. TSH levels should be used with the understanding that you need to find the level that makes you feel healthy. Sometimes you need to go through more than one GP, or endocrinologist, to find one who will work with you as a partner in your health.

This site has much helpful info: http://stopthethyroidmadness.c.....e-learned/

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

I would echo mrseccentric on this. Although you probably should have had a free T4 done, it's not always useful to just throw a bunch of tests at someone and fish for something. Thyroid symptoms are very non-specific, so definitely be open to other things your doctor suggests may explain your symptoms!

Hope you feel better soon!

pil

Veteran

New member here, this is my second post. I've been having thyroid issues myself. This website seems to have interesting information too. She has a Q & A forum where you can ask questions. Hopefully the link shows up.

http://www.elaine-moore.com/

Krista

Veteran

Hi Kimlee,
I am going to add another possibility that no one has mentioned. Would you consider asking your doctor to test you for Vitamin D deficiency?
I was convinced I was hypothyroid for years because (a) my mom is hypothyroid and (b) I had several symptoms that were similar to hypothyroidism. But my blood tests always came back normal. I recently changed doctors and had new blood work done.

Turns out I had a Vitamin D deficiency that was far beyond low levels, and the symptoms are very similar.

As soon as I started supplementing with Vitamin D, I noticed an immediate change in my energy levels.

Just a suggestion - good luck!
Krista