Thyroid tests are normal?? Are you sure?

[nonstickpam107]

Bumping for those who have the symptoms, but whose physicians have told them they are "normal".

Pam

[nonstickpam107]

Bumping for information!!

Pam

[valg]

Bumping for new people asking about this.

[valg]

Yes, even if you are losing, doesn't mean you're not hypothyroid. I THINK (correct me if I'm wrong Pam) Pam lost about 60 pounds before getting dianosed. I was able to drop 19 before.

I think the lab for the testing is www.healthcheckusa.com but I'm not sure of the coupon code to use (search these recently bumped thyroid threads for it). I believe it does test all the ones she recommends.


(Hoping Pam jumps in here......)

[nonstickpam107]

CAKat,
www.healthcheckusa.com and thyroid panel II is only TSH, FT4, FT3, but for only 90 dollars with COUPON code: 12345. Now, they HAVE the other tests, but it's just "less money" to run that profile first because there is no sense paying out the big bucks (for antigen and TPO testing) until you have these first tests, anyway, ok? BTW, that panel would cost you about 500 dollars (that's including just having to go to the doc to get the lab tests!!), so that much is a bargain.

Now, if that panel comes back looking low in FT4, FT3, or high in TSH, THEN it's time to start tracking it all down. Also if you don't even want to put THAT much money out....than have a ferritin test first, if that is below 65 or 70 (even though it's lab range was made by a man for a man, chuckle, chuckle), than just having a low ferritin will mimic hypothyroid.

Hope this helps,

Pam

[ew1]

Hi Pam. Part of the problem is that RX plans will only cover certain meds. Caremark only covers Synthroid and Levoxothryoid(?).Armour or anything else comes out of my pocket.
PS, still waiting to hear from the gyn re: Vivelle patch. I faxed her my bloodwork this AM.

[252dlp]

When I went to refill my Armour prescription, the pharmacist said she had to give me a generic because my insurance wouldn't pay for Armour. Bummer...today was my first day of the generic, so we'll see what happens.

[valg]

One thing that's good about Armour tho.....it's pretty cheap, so even if you have to pay out of pocket, and it's the right med to make you feel better, it's worth it.

[252dlp]

Originally posted by valg
One thing that's good about Armour tho.....it's pretty cheap, so even if you have to pay out of pocket, and it's the right med to make you feel better, it's worth it.

Okay, see, that's what I thought. I don't remember it being expensive, but I've only got it once and it was around the same time as I filled three other prescriptions, so can't remember. Wish she'd asked me if I wanted to pay out of pocket, LOL!

[nonstickpam107]

Ummm, Armour 120mg. here is a whopping 5.67!!! It's CHEAPER, and always, always have your doctor sign the "do not substitute" and that way your copay will pay it!!

Pam

[252dlp]

Originally posted by nonstickpam107
Ummm, Armour 120mg. here is a whopping 5.67!!! It's CHEAPER, and always, always have your doctor sign the "do not substitute" and that way your copay will pay it!!

See that's why I love these boards...I didn't even know that you could do that. I'll make sure my doctor sign that from now on. Thanks Pam!

[nonstickpam107]

Many, many people go on the anti=depressants until they can find a doc who will treat their hypothyroid symptoms. I say start on it, especially since you understand enough to use it while you are seeking treatment for the thyroid.

Feel free (that goes for anyone) to click on the link below my name---over 300 members to help with information on hypothyroid, what doc's are thyroid-friendly, etc.

Pam

http://nonstickpam107.ontheweb.com/

[Anais]

Due to many unhappy combos and strenthgs my doctors have me started on the following:

1 1/2 Grain Natural Thyroid

.75 mcg levoxyl or unithroid

My labs have been a wee bit wakko so the thoughts here are this is gonna do it. Aftre one week I certainly had more energy and was happyyyy!

Jeanne

[nonstickpam107]

Bump for Tinytoes

Pam

[valg]

Bumping for others.

[Sionhainn]

Apparently I am cured of my thyroid disease I have had since I was diagnosed at 18 years old I got new health insurance due to a new job last year and went to get tested to get back on my medication, and all of the sudden my tests are 'normal'. Thyroid disease isn't something you just get over, is it? I don't know what to do to get the proper testing done. My Mom has hypothyroid, and I still have all the symptoms (though not many of them went away even when I was on medication).

[nonstickpam107]

Umm, read this again......just because your tests looked "normal" in lab ranges doesn't mean the newest lab ranges were used, or that you are, indeed, "normal" as far as thyroid disease. I went untreated for 14 years because my numbers were "normal". I am now disabled from Sjogren's, Lupus, RA.

You see, if you have autoimmune hypothyroid, not only will you have a wonderful chance of passing it to YOUR children, the antibodies will keep attacking the thyroid, killing it off, but you also are left wide open to develop MORE autoimmune illnesses.

What are your "normal" labs? Make sure they did TSH, as well as FT4 and FT3---and of course, what was your TPO, and Ag antibody tests???? You can call the doc, and then go and pick up the lab results for all of those.

Pam

[wendysmiling]

What a wealth of info to bring to my doctor. THANKS!!!!!

Gawd I've felt soooo "WRONG" these last 6-12 months. There are times I just want to die...just SO sick of searching for why I feel "wrong".

Thought it was candida...I asked GP to treat me for it. He did. No change. Talked to psych about not losing & depression. Told him all my symptoms. He said losing weight was a matter of simple physics and if I wasn't cheating I would lose. He also said none of my symptoms made sense and had I considered it was all in my imagination. He was fired that very day, thank you very much.

My brain is so clouded I have to write my symptoms down because I can't even remember what they are. DOH!

Hair loss BIG TIME... does it ever grow back???? And the hair I DO have is all dired out & weird looking.

Chronic fatigue and Severe lack of concentration... so bad often times I go to work and just stare at the computer because I can't work between the severe lack of concentration and the fatigue.

Bloating... often 6 to 10 inches in my gut. Just had a boat load of tests on this and of course they are all normal.

Depression/Anxiety.... really bad. I cannot relax at all EVER. (ugh).

Muscle cramps/spasms in my neck & back, general joint pain thoughout my back. My neck is so taut that my I get dizzy because my equilibrium is affected.

Body temp has been 95's - 97's

There is probably more, but I can't remember anything else right now. I just know that I feel "wrong" and I hope my endo helps me out. My GP is a dear heart... but he doesn't know thyroid.

[oow-woo]

It is so interesting to read all of these posts. I am convinced that although I am feeling pretty good, my medication may still not be quite right.... My endo decreased my 180/day Armour to 165 because my TSH was reading .01. He told me that I was 'overtreated' . What I do not understand is this: I had no symptoms: i.e. here I am following a STRICT lowcarb plan (no cheats), exercising, and not losing any weight (in fact, I've gained 4 lbs in the last 5 weeks!-- I really am frustrated. Now I am going to give the fat fast another shot (haven't tried that for ages). (Started Atkins 4.5 years ago at 155--STILL doing Atkins Clean and now at 157.....)

Carol

[wendysmiling]

So what's the best route for low carbing w/ thyroid problems? Just stick to the basic 20-25carbs and limit calories?

How can you tell if anything is stalling you, when you can't lose in the first place? I restricted myself all the way down to oly 4 foods trying to find what was "stalling" me. None of it made any difference....or did it (under the surface of thyroid)???

All of this is making me obsessive/ compulsive in a very BAD way!

[valg]

Oh Wendy,
I feel for you. I'm so glad you've posted about this.
You sound SO much like me. I also had to write down my symptoms because I would forget what they were as soon as I walked into the doctor office. I had every single symptom you listed. Every single one. Ever get swelling/tenderness in your neck too?
I was SO spacy and forgetful, one of my bosses actually thought I was on drugs
I had one moment in a store this spring as I was trying to get the the root of what was wrong/testing/and getting proper meds, that was VERY scary! I know in the extreme stages people can fall into comas, and all I could think was this probably was close. I literally could NOT think, I barely had the strength to walk, and I couldn't talk hardly at all. My son was with me and was able to help me get to the car and drive me home, but I honestly don't know what I would have done had I been alone. I just wanted to sit/lie down in the isle of the store. I don't think I could have even dialed 911 had I gotton to a pay phone. Very scary.
My only consolotion about LC and not losing, is I'm sure it's keeping me from gaining! If I ate like I used to before LC, it's terrifying to think how much I would weigh right now.
Another thing you may want to do in the meantime......you talking about not being able to relax, please read a book called "Adrenal Fatigue" by a Dr. Wilson. I got mine from amazon.com. For me it was also a factor in the mix and I needed some of the info there to help me stablize. Even on the thyroid dose I'm on now, until I added some of this into the mix, I didn't feel good. It took both, because my adrenals were affected, and adrenals should be addressed first. But at least you could be getting information now. For me, I believe my adrenals were affected because of so many years being undiagnosed, but being undertreated can do it too.

[redy_to_be_lean]

I'v learned so much from this thread the past couple of days. I lurk at work when I have a free minute. It's nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with the frustation of LC and thyroid problems. I can relate to most everyone here.

I started taking Synthroid 2 1/2 week ago. I'm on 75 mcg and I have gained 6 pounds. I eat clean and stay at 20 to 25 carbs.

Can you gain weight on Synthroid. I thought I should start lossing since I'm being treated with a thyroid med. And if I am gaining weight on this med, should I contact my doctor and let him know?

[nonstickpam107]

Synthroid (the most expensive of all the synthetic T4 drugs, and the one that has the most cornstarch filler) has NO T3. T3 is the "energy" part of thyroid hormone. If you don't mind, redy, can you please either PM or post your latest TSH, FT4 and FT3 with their lab ranges (always get a copy of your lab results).

If your doc didn't get a T3 or FT3 it means that s/he doesn't CARE if you are: depressed, unable to lose weight, have sore and aching joints, etc. I'm sorry, but it makes me mad to think that some doc's only go by the TSH (which doesn't tell you how much actual thyroid hormone you are getting) and think that T3 isn't necessary.

Ask your Doc to put you on natural Armour (this is what Doc Atkins wanted his patients on), and see if s/he tells you something like "Oh, it's not stabile, they don't know how much of what is in it".....It's been stabile since about 30 years ago!! It has both T4 and T3 in it. The drug reps from Synthroid (also known as the "Synthroid Nazi's" at our house) tell the doctors this BS!! To sell their cornstarch pills. Synthroid has had so many recalls for unstable content, it's not funny.

Pam

http://nonstickpam107.ontheweb.com/ for thyroid help

[redy_to_be_lean]

Thank you so much for looking at my results. I went to one of the doctors of the Top Doctors list in Dallas, Texas.


Here's my results:

TSH 1.271 (0.350-5.500)
T4 6.2 (4.5 - 12.0)
T3 Uptake 36 (24-39)
Free T3 105 (85-205)
TPO ab <10 (0-34)
T Anti <20 (0-40)

[nonstickpam107]

redy, I'm going to assume those were the tests BEFORE the Synthroid was started. It takes a full six weeks for T4 to start working (or ANY thyroid med). I just can't understand why Synthroid when you don't have Hashimoto's, and your T3 is so low. Hmmm, you might want to ask JUST that question, too.

You are going to have to wait it out until the next batch of tests (which will be when???). If you are a good converter, than you will see a little improvement in your function in the next few weeks. YES, I bloated something AWFUL on Synthroid----gained about ten pounds before I finally figured out that it had corn in it---so my doc first said "Oh, there's not enoug to hurt you". but it was throwing me OUT of ketosis!!! So I not only tossed the Synthroid (cuz that doc said it was the "best", the drug rep SAID SO!!!!), I got a better doc, too.

Just because a doc is one the top doc's list doesn't mean they are good. I know two "top doc's" in Texas that are only good with hyPERthyroid, but terrible with hyPO to start with.

Pam

[redy_to_be_lean]

Pam,

Yes, the test results are before the Synthroid. I just recently found out 2 1/2 weeks ago I had Thypo. I figured it out reading your threads and visiting some awesome web sites.
The doctor gave me free drugs, he gets them from his reps. Now Im woundering if his pushing them for his reps.


What Med's do you see people with my test result take?

Did you make a appointment with another doctor before tossing the Symthroids?

I'm scard I'm going to gain more weight. I'm already at 182 at 5'5. I feel like I'm bloating up too.

Will doctors changes your meds so soon after dignose?

Sorry about so many questions I'm still learning.

[nonstickpam107]

It's ok, you need to ask questions!! If you will come to the group: http://nonstickpam107.ontheweb.com/ we have a lot of info in links and in just the people in the group itself. You need to ask your questions to a lot of people in order to get different opinions. We are all different, so different things work for different people.

I'd much rather get feedback from a LOT of people (and we have people there doing well on Synthroid, too, as well as some who have had to have T3 added, or natural Armour) than just one!!

This way we can guide you along the path to feeling better and perhaps by learning of other's mistakes, you won't be waylaid off that path.

Pam

[valg]

bumping for new ones asking

[nonstickpam107]

Bump

[nonstickpam107]

Bump for newbies.