Those with thyroid problems

ladymantha

Were you easily diagnosed with your thyroid problem?  If not did you finally get diagnosed by your GP or did you have to see an endocrinologist?  I had mine tested in Sept (dr said it was normal) but since then I've developed more symptoms.  These are the symptoms of hypothyroidism and I have every single one except abnormal menstrual cycles.  I'm not sure what step to take next.  

Symptoms:

FatigueWeaknessWeight gain or increased difficulty losing weightCoarse, dry hairDry, rough pale skinHair lossCold intolerance (you can't tolerate cold temperatures like those around you)Muscle cramps and frequent muscle achesConstipationDepressionIrritabilityMemory lossAbnormal menstrual cyclesDecreased libido

 

MrsSR

What was your TSH?  What about your T4?

My doc wasn't on the same page as my endo.  So I only see my endo now for my thyroid.

 

ladymantha

MrsSR:

What was your TSH?  What about your T4?

My doc wasn't on the same page as my endo.  So I only see my endo now for my thyroid.

 

They never told me the numbers.  All they said was it was normal. 

Hooray2005

I would insist on being referred to an endocrinologist (or go see one if you don't need referrals).  The hard part about TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is it's only one snapshot of what's happening with your thyroid... and if you're thyroid is moving toward being hypothyroid, it's possible for there to be periods where it's "normal" and even "overactive."  For example, I'm hypothyroid now, but at one point my labs showed extreme over-activity - gah!

Also, what is "normal" for one physician isn't considered in-range for another.  The older standards said to treat thyroid when TSH was at or above about 5.0, but now there's evidence to suggest treating people at/around 3.0 or above is actually beneficial (do you know your TSH number... there are other labs, too but this will give you a ballpark idea).

Hope you're feeling better soon 

 

Jodi&Joe

It sometimes is not caught on a "normal" blood draw.  You have to request that they check your thyroid antibodies.  (I think that's it.  MLM told me).

Anyway - I'm having mine retested.  I had it tested after having Cam and it came back normal but like you, I have EVERY symptom (except abnormal menstrual).  Although last month, I had my period 3 times so add that one to the list too.  I have my blood drawn on 12/29 and I'm going to tell them to check the thyroid antibodies too. 

I told my OB I had all the symptoms and he said they can all also be easily dismissed as something else as well (I could just be fat, don't exercise, depression runs in my family, I have dry skin/hair from not drinking enough water, etc).  And honestly, he's right!  LOL (In my case anyway)

Hooray2005

*ladymantha*:

MrsSR:

What was your TSH?  What about your T4?

My doc wasn't on the same page as my endo.  So I only see my endo now for my thyroid.

 

They never told me the numbers.  All they said was it was normal. 

I would call them back and ask them for a copy of your labs (or at least ALL the numbers) and a referral to an endo

wifeandmama

Yes, it was hard!  I found out from a RE when we had fertility probs.  My then-gyno insisted I was fine, even though EVERY female on my mom's side has hypothroidism.  My GP controls it now fine.

MrsSR

Hooray2005:

*ladymantha*:

MrsSR:

What was your TSH?  What about your T4?

My doc wasn't on the same page as my endo.  So I only see my endo now for my thyroid.

 

They never told me the numbers.  All they said was it was normal. 

I would call them back and ask them for a copy of your labs (or at least ALL the numbers) and a referral to an endo

 

this!  what was "normal" for my doc was not even close to normal with my endo.

ladymantha

Thanks ladies!  I'll call tomorrow and get my #'s then maybe try to make an appt with an endo.

reederah

My GP actually diagnosed me more based of my symptoms than my numbers. I was having EXTREME fatigue and she tested my thyroid, but my T4 was normal and my TSH was only slightly elevated (4.57 compared to the 4.5 that lab used as their top of range). I was positive for Lyme disease so she treated that and all of my symptoms but the extreme fatigue went away. So she tried treating me for depression and I was still fatigue. She finally checked my thyroid again and my T4 and TSH were exactly the same. She decided to treat me for hypothyroidism despite barely being out of range because of my symptoms and I've been feeling great since.

 They've also been doing some research on what they consider the "normal range" for TSH.... check out this article:  https://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/a/normaltshlevel.htm

 

Good luck!

ridesbuttons

I just had mine tested again.  I hit the low number on the low range (2nd time consecutive).  That combined with my complaints of fatigue, etc. was enough for my GP to write a prescription.  I didn't have to beg for anything.  Wasn't on my radar, actually.

My iron was right on the low end of normal as well, and my blood pressure is low.  I'm on iron supplements too.

Gotta say, so far I do feel better.

justEK

Have they done other tests? Those symptoms could be a number of things. Maybe go back in for more blood work? I had tests done and everything came back fine. New symptoms showed up a few months later so they had to order different tests and that's how they found out I have Lupus.