Thyroid tests are normal?? Are you sure?

[nonstickpam107]

There are a lot of people who go to their family doctor to be tested for thyroid because they are having symptoms of hypothyroid. The following link explains the new ranges for "normal" thyroid. Also, keep in mind that even though your TSH falls within normal lab parameters, it doesn't mean you DON'T have hypothyroid. If the TSH is over a certain number, and the specific thyroid hormones (FT4, and FT3) aren't tested, than you still don't know.


http://thyroid.about.com/library/wee...ewTSHrange.htm


Pam

230/136/120

[Phena_Gen]

I had this problem for years till finally one doctor admitted I had it even though before they were all saying I was fine. The last one told me I probably had it for years but other doctors weren't aware of the difference! It sure explained a lot.

[Coopergrrl]

I went thru this with my doc In June. He told me that I was 'normal' at 3.4 even tho I have been maintained with my medicine at 1.9. I gained 10 pounds, was in a fog, was hoarse, and was losing hair even. My doctor likes to use my fibro. as an excuse for everything and he told me basically to get out and walk more.
My GYN started me on OCP's even tho he felt there was a thyroid component b/c of other probs I was having.
I got to the endocrinologist in August and was in tears. He looked at the numbers and then listened to me and agreed that the numbers don't matter. I got an increase in meds, and am at a happy 1.7 and doing great.

[Coopergrrl]

I went thru this with my doc In June. He told me that I was 'normal' at 3.4 even tho I have been maintained with my medicine at 1.9. I gained 10 pounds, was in a fog, was hoarse, and was losing hair even. My doctor likes to use my fibro. as an excuse for everything and he told me basically to get out and walk more.
My GYN started me on OCP's even tho he felt there was a thyroid component b/c of other probs I was having.
I got to the endocrinologist in August and was in tears. He looked at the numbers and then listened to me and agreed that the numbers don't matter. I got an increase in meds, and am at a happy 1.7 and doing great.

[Coopergrrl]

I went thru this with my doc In June. He told me that I was 'normal' at 3.4 even tho I have been maintained with my medicine at 1.9. I gained 10 pounds, was in a fog, was hoarse, and was losing hair even. My doctor likes to use my fibro. as an excuse for everything and he told me basically to get out and walk more.
My GYN started me on OCP's even tho he felt there was a thyroid component b/c of other probs I was having.
I got to the endocrinologist in August and was in tears. He looked at the numbers and then listened to me and agreed that the numbers don't matter. I got an increase in meds, and am at a happy 1.7 and doing great.

[nonstickpam107]

I am appalled at the number of doc's who just will not research this area of medicine!! I have been conversing on the net with one of our members at this site, and she presented with a low TSH (like I did) and low FT4 and FT3, and her doc is actually telling her she is HYPER and giving her anti-hormone!!! Can you imagine??

I have Hashimoto's hypothyroid, and we have hyper periods when our thyroid is dying because of the antibody attacks, and we swing from hyper to hypo until the thyroid "dies" off, and we become completely hypo.

During my three "hyper" periods in my life (I didn't know I had Hashi's at this time), I lost weight so easily, all I had to do was follow the induction guidelines, and whoosh, off it came, and then when I would go hypo, it would be harder for me, and I had to really stay strict.

The problem with having untreated (or undertreated) Hashimoto's disease is that it is autoimmune, and once you have one autoimmune disease, others sometimes follow. During the time I was never diagnosed (even though I complained of all the symptoms) and didn't get the hormones my body needed, I was left open to other diseases. Now I have Sjogrens disease, and a couple others. I have ceased to look for more!! The next time my endo walks in the room and is going to tell me there are more, I'm sticking my fingers in my ears, and yelling "la, la, la, la".

I rapidly take on weight no matter what, if my TSH is over a 1.0, and if my FT4 and FT3's aren't middle of lab range or higher. But that's me, and everyone is different.

Those of you whose doc's are saying you are "normal", ask for the lab work, and please, ask to be tested for ANA antibodies so that you know if you have autoimmune hypothyroid, it does progress as time goes on. Pam

230/136/120

[A Kitara]

I just got my results and I'm at 1.16 but I don't know what the FT3 and FT4 counts are, I just had general bloodwork done and it said TSH 1.16. Should I test the FT3 and FT4???

[nonstickpam107]

Kitara, That would depend on if you were having the symptoms of hypothyroidism, or if you had been experiencing the symptoms for quite some time, and they were getting worse.

FT4 would be the next test you would do in that case, these tests can get very expensive. Also, I think everyone should keep in mind that other things can mimic hypothyroid. Like ferritin level being low (which everyone associates with iron level, but it really CAN be low even with good iron levels), B12 being low, perimenopause, and menopause (low estradiol levels can feel like hypothyroid), and low testosterone (in men), being pregnant, or after having a baby.

If you are losing at a good rate, don't have a whole bunch of the hypothyroid symtoms, than I wouldn't bother. My major symptoms were: carpal tunnel, and joint pains and aches, inability to lose weight even on induction, major fatigue, muscle loss, infertility (for 17 years! Doc said it was "nerves"), excess bleeding during periods and longer periods. Look at my other thread on "learning about thyroid" and take the "test" provided at that site. Pam

[nonstickpam107]

Just bumping this up so it can be copied and given (ohhh, as a present, you know) to a doctor or two. Pam

[trekga]

I'm a 34 year old women who never had a problem with weight gain/losing weight. After I had my DS 3.5 years ago I was back to my prepregency weight of 115 within 6 week. I started gaining weight SUDDENLY in February 02', about 18lbs. I also had hair loss, fatique, was COLD all the time. I finally went to a family DR in Jube of 02' when I could not loose the weight even while running 5 miles a day. Well everything came back "normal" but only my TSH was tested 1.75. The Dr. put me on an 800 calorie diet and I still did not lose weight, the DR BTW about accused me of cheating.

Well, fastforward to November 02' when I went to OBs office because my hubby and I been TTC without any luck. This time my TSH, along with T4/T3 was tested and everything came back "normal". TSH was 1.34, T3 was 30 & T4 was 9.1, and T7 was 2.7. Anyway, I started Atkins on 1/20/03 and followed the INDUCTION perfectly and now in week 5 have still LOST NO WEIGHT! I thought it might be the Zoloft still affecting me, although I stopped taking it during 2nd week of the induction.

My syptoms are - weight that came on suddenly, inability to lose weight even with vigerous exercise, hair loss, fatique, COLD all the time, basal temp never more than 98.1! How should I proceed? The scale is STUCK at the same weight, NEVER flucuates at all even during TOM!

I have been telling my hubby for over 1.5 yrs that soemthing does not seem right with my body! I went on Zoloft because I felt so alwful (this before getting any thyroid work done. I was very irriatable, frustrated easily,etc.
TIA,
Wendy

[nonstickpam107]

Wendy,
Your T4 and T3 don't tell me anything without the lab ranges, but just a quick lesson in T's. TT4 and TT3 tell you how much of those hormones are just running around in your body. FT4 and FT3's say exactly how much of those hormones your body is actually USING!! So, for example, my TT4 says I have all kinds of T4, but my FT4's show that I'm just not able to use them cellularly. Ok? Also lets say the lab range is, for example, on FT4 from .9 to 3.4, ok? Lets say your test came back at .10, and the doc says, "Oh, that's fine, it's within range", than here you are still having all the symptoms because your FT4's and FT3's should be almost to middle, or a little higher than that in the lab range!!

I presented with a TSH of .08, and they ignored me. My FT4's were at the bottom of range, and my FT3 was non-existant, but my family GP never tested me for antibodies for autoimmune hypothyroid, and I had every symptom you can have.

I finally got very ill (we won't go into it, don't want to scare you), and that's when I was finally referred to an endo. You cannot just go by TSH, and with you having this many symptoms, you need a FT4 first off, and make sure you look at lab range and where your number is, and a test for antibodies to see if you have Hashimoto's hypothyroid. Lots of doc's still will say "We don't treat Hashi's till you are either: dead, 100 lbs. overweight, or you fire us and get a better Doctor".

If it were me, I would have an FT4 done and check for antibodies, people with Hashi's are helped immensely by giving them just a little teensy bit of thyroid hormone until the thyroid gradually dies from the antibody attacks, and the antibodies are even seen to decrease with treatment. Also, check out the link I provided to learning about your thyroid. Pam

230/136/120

[Kellyann]

OMG! This is me. I always test 3.something and told I am fine and sent on my way. The one doc that did a full thyroid panel said one of my levels was off (FT3 or RT3 maybe) one of the T3s. Anyway he wasn't willing to treat it. I went to an endo and he only did a TSH. My dermatologist ran TSH too and tested me for a slew of other crap...nothing...well borderline high serum steroid levels but we are blowing that off too....here are a crap load of antibiotics for your unexplained adult onset acne...have a nice day. I have all of my labs at work. I am gonna pull them out on Monday. I have the low body temp, irregular periods, joint pain, groggy, very hard time losing weight, chronic constipation and on and on. Thank you for this info. I am going to present my doc with it. I am concerned though because 3 docs have already said their isn't a problem.

[oow-woo]

Wow Pam- isn't it amazing that there are so many doctors out there who are so clueless about Hashimoto's?? I had a similar problem 2 years ago. I had already been on Atkins for 2 years and had not only NOT lost weight but GAINED 10 lbs (all while on induction levels, following plan religiously, eating NO processed meats, cheese, soft drinks etc... AND exercising--even trying KISS). After going to the G.P. he told me there was nothing wrong with my thyroid.....the Endo immediately discovered I had Hashimoto's (by then I was so exhausted, I could hardly walk upstairs--legs ached and were swollen--I was falling asleep at the dinner table). Anyway, you have to make it your business to research when you think you have a problem. Now I am wondering if this is why I have such dry irritated eyes all of the time too! I am still stuck at 156 lbs--now it is 4 years since I have been on Atkins (and I am on the highest dose of Armour thyroid--couldn't take Synthroid--bad reaction)


Carol

[nonstickpam107]

OH, yeah, and if that isn't enough to tick you off here:

SYNTHROID IS MADE FROM CORN.

I don't do corn, I'm allergic to corn, therefore allergic to synthroid.
Pam

230/136/120

[Coopergrrl]

Pam, there are other brands. I was on Synthroid for years, and the doc switched me to generic (levoxyl) this past August. It is worth looking into to see if there is a difference. Maybe you will want to look into Armour as well.
--Deanna

[Coopergrrl]

Pam, there are other brands. I was on Synthroid for years, and the doc switched me to generic (levoxyl) this past August. It is worth looking into to see if there is a difference. Maybe you will want to look into Armour as well.
--Deanna

[nonstickpam107]

Yes, Coopergirll, I am well aware of all 15 kinds of T4. I cannot take Armour, my antibodies are well above 4000.

It's just that so many doctors will ONLY Rx Synthroid. Pam

230/136/120

[getthin]

All you experts out there. How would I know if I am Estrogen Dominant or have a Thyroid problem? I seem to have symptoms from both. I am suppose to get another depo shot this month but I am discontinuing it. I want to see if the depo is the problem. Doctors don't seem to be too reliable when it comes to diagnosing a thyroid problem. Just wondering if any of you would know.

[nonstickpam107]

Well, you would go and get tested for estrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH, TSH, FT4 and FT3, of course. Made that sound easy, didn't I??? LOL

Actually, I had every symptom of estrogen dominance and it turned out that I had a lab value of zero for estradiol, so go figure. I take estradiol and just a little, teeny bit of progesterone (both compounded natural).

Your FT4 and FT3 will be very low (and NO not normal even if in the bottom of hte lab range) if you are hypo, and if you have Hashimoto hypo, you will most likely test positive for the antibodies.

I would think it would be easiest to just check for TSH, FT4, estradiol as a starting place. I at first went by my symptoms for "estrogen dominance" and ended up packing on almost 35 lbs. around my middle by using over the counter progesterone (in the dosage Dr. John Lee suggested, too). I had no idea that my estradiol was non existant at that time, and am glad I went to the endocrinologist and got tested. Pam

230/136/120

[inatic]

great info..just following along here. I am trying to tell my dr about this but ofcourse they are just going on lab results. And some are a year old..GRRRR I hate when they don't listen to ya.
I have been feeling off for almost two years and no one can figure it out. I even had an mri cause i thought i was losing my brains or there had to be a tumor.. cant get my thoughts together. I finally asked for a referral to an endo...they said my labs were fine. I told them i am not asking their permission,, i am going!! so recommend one. they did. It is going to take over a month to get in there cause they are so busy ..

On the about site they mentioned a doc on there that is recommended by my gyn, i imagine if he is recommended from the site it will take a long time too.

I also found a dr thru my sister in law tht was recommmended highly froma dr that she trusts, that seems to run a naturopathic clinic . there is one dr there too..i dont know if i should try them, they specialize in this too, so it says.. www.infinityhealthclinic.com

Listening to what ever ones says it is almost hard to believe that these docs will even find a problem

here are my labs results as of 8/22/02 in the middle of me not feeling well.
thyroid panel lab scale
t-3 uptake 27% 22-35
t-4(thyroxine),total 9.1MCG/DL 4.5-12.5
ft4 index 2.5 1.4-3.8
tsh 3.24 micro iu/ml .4-5.50

can you tell anything from this. I think i need to also retest this as well as add an antibodies test. I was diagnosed with graves 11 years ago..took med and went into remission.. I have a lot of symptoms of hypo. but they said no.. I feel like many of the patients in these books, like i am losing my mind

[nonstickpam107]

inatic, I am hypo, and would never let my TSH be over a 1.0 in order to lose weight!! You are hypo!! You may be Hashimoto's, lots of people get told they have "Graves" and go through hyper periods when they really have Hashi's! With Hashimoto's you swing back and forth until your thyroid dies, and at first they toldme I was HYPER!! NOT!! Pam

230/136/120

[nonstickpam107]

inatic, they tell a lot of folks they have "hyper" when it's Hashimoto's hypo!!! I test for both Graves and Hashimoto's!! So, your TSH is hypo, and the other tests are bogus!! Who is your doc??? You need a FT4, a FT3, total t4 just tells how much in your body, not how much you are USING!! uptake says you are hypo, not hyper(Graves). Pam

[inatic]

Pam, the dr that told me that was NOT an endo but a GP. I was arguing with their nurse about a referral. Per the doctor she told me that my labs were fine..I had to tell her that i was not ASKING for permission to go to an endo!!

I wantedmy lab results so that i would have something to show them.. She told me if the dr think is should go then they would send them.. She FINeLLY got the message that I was to be sent my results no matter what!!!

I am calling today!! thank you!!

[nonstickpam107]

Bumping again. Pam

[nonstickpam107]

Bumping for information for someone. Pam

[nonstickpam107]

Bumpity-bump-bump!! Pam

[2B Me]

Glad you bumped this. I don't know if I have a thyroid problem or not, but I'm going to start taking my temp. I watched Dr Atkins (rurun of course) on Larry King and he talked about even with normal tests you should take your temp before every meal and bedtime and average it and if it's 97.8 or lower you could have a thyroid problem. I just happen to be taking my temp often recently when my dd couldn't shake a fever and I was often lower than 98.

It's interesting to hear that docs just aren't too saavy in this area. I'm going to schedule my physical and ask for tests. Which should I ask for to start with and how do I know to ask to go to a specialists or not?

My dh can't believe that last weekend I gained five pounds while out of town. I ate off plan, but I didnt' binge. I actually at very little off plan food. I've been doing LC and keeping cals low and did drop the five pound this week but it was also post TOM.

I have fibro. and I'm tired a lot and get tired easily. Any one have sympotoms I should watch for or link I can check? I'm feeling too old for my age and it scares me.

[nonstickpam107]

Well, there's a start----I "supposedly" had fibromyalgia and had been taking beta blockers for doctor's told me for over 20 years was "mitral valve prolapse". Hmmm. Guess what??? Almost everyone, everywhere, has IVP's, and MVP-type results on echo, and electro-cardiograms if they have Hashimoto's hypothyroid.

I do not have MVP---I have a condition that resembles MVP closely, that is found in people who have Hashimoto's and haven't been treated for it for years. I now take NO meds for heart palps, because the endocrinologist I have has finally given me the correct meds, and dosage of meds.

You need: TSH, FT4, FT3 (that's free T4 and free T3, as opposed to Total T4 and Total T3 which look like this: TT4, TT3) as blood tests for hypothyroid. Symptoms of hypothyroid are many, but mostly: inability to lose weight, cold even in summer, dry skin and eyes, thirst, heart palpitations, "brainfog", poor memory, aching legs, feet, and joints, etc. Oh, thinning hair, or losing hair, too.

Read in this thread about the fact that most "normal" people without thyroid disease have a TSH of under 1.5, and FT4 and FT3 of middle to upper lab range. OH, and have them check for antibodies for Hashimoto's, if your TSH comes back over a 2, and your FT4 and FT3 are low in lab range.

Be forewarned....most doc's won't treat you for hypo unless the TSH comes back really high, I had my regular doc tell me he "waits till it gets about 10" before he treats, NO MATTER the symptoms. He has since been educated by my endo!! Pam

230/128/120

[nonstickpam107]

Bump Pam

[annie5773]

Pam, my latest results are back and my doctor is still telling me that my thyroid is fine... she did the antibody test and it came back as less than 1.

She also tested for Epstien Bar, and I tested positive for that.. no current infection, but I have the antibodies and antigens. I was also given an MRI to rule out MS... it ruled out MS, but found a Chiari I malformation which I now need to have looked at...

I am trying to find out if the Chiari can mimic hypothyroid... its where the cerebellum is herniated into the spinal column. Lovely headaches to go along with everything else I have been dealing with.


Just as a reminder, here are my numbers:

Feb 03
TSH Sensitive 2.95 (0.35 - 5.50)
T4 Free 0.89 (0.89-1.80)

March 03
THS Sensitive 1.89(0.35-5.50)
T4 Free 1.03(0.89-1.80)


April 03
antimic AB <1:100

Interpertations
Normal Titer


Any thoughts?? Still have hair loss, still am cold, am now experiencing some weight loss, but I have added coconut oil and carnetine to my diet... all the other symptoms of hypo...