Are Dr's telling you that you do not have thyroid problems?

Umeboshi

If a person's thyroid is in normal ranges but they still have significant trouble losing weight, they should get their cortisol levels tested. There's a rare condition called Cushings Syndrome.

Symptoms include rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs (central obesity). A common sign is the growth of fat pads along the collar bone and on the back of the neck (buffalo hump) and a round face often referred to as a "moon face." Other symptoms include hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), telangiectasia (dilation of capillaries), thinning of the skin (which causes easy bruising and dryness, particularly the hands) and other mucous membranes, purple or red striae (the weight gain in Cushing's syndrome stretches the skin, which is thin and weakened, causing it to hemorrhage) on the trunk, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts, proximal muscle weakness (hips, shoulders), and hirsutism (facial male-pattern hair growth), baldness and/or cause hair to become extremely dry and brittle. In rare cases, Cushing's can cause hypercalcemia, which can lead to skin necrosis. The excess cortisol may also affect other endocrine systems and cause, for example, insomnia, inhibited aromatase, reduced libido, impotence, amenorrhoea/oligomenorrhea and infertility due to elevations in androgens. Studies have also shown that amenorrhea is due to hypercortisolism, which feeds back onto the hypothalamus resulting in decreased levels of GnRH release.[8] Patients frequently suffer various psychological disturbances, ranging from euphoria to psychosis. Depression and anxiety are also common.[9]

becoming_a_new_me

My surgeon did blood test (due for surgery) and found my tsh level high and sent me to the endocrinologist. He said he'd test my T3 and T4 and if they came back normal, I wouldn't need treatment. He also tested my vitamin D level.

My T3/4 came back normal but my vitamin D was really low. When I researched it, the symptoms are almost the same. I was also diagnosed with PCOS years ago, now with researching vitamin D deficiencies I think that's a mistake. It's the same symptoms. I've been complaining for years and no one ever tested me for Vitamin D. This is the first time my TSH was high and they sent me to work on that.

I just finished 8 weeks of mega D and need to go back for a check up and further plans. I do feel better, not perfect but better.

This is right along the lines of what I was saying. Vitamin D is a hormone, and the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are very similar to thyroid issues. PCOS also mimics thyroid issues and the treatment for thyroid issues is often similar to PCOS.

becoming_a_new_me

If a person's thyroid is in normal ranges but they still have significant trouble losing weight, they should get their cortisol levels tested. There's a rare condition called Cushings Syndrome.

Symptoms include rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs (central obesity). A common sign is the growth of fat pads along the collar bone and on the back of the neck (buffalo hump) and a round face often referred to as a "moon face." Other symptoms include hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), telangiectasia (dilation of capillaries), thinning of the skin (which causes easy bruising and dryness, particularly the hands) and other mucous membranes, purple or red striae (the weight gain in Cushing's syndrome stretches the skin, which is thin and weakened, causing it to hemorrhage) on the trunk, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts, proximal muscle weakness (hips, shoulders), and hirsutism (facial male-pattern hair growth), baldness and/or cause hair to become extremely dry and brittle. In rare cases, Cushing's can cause hypercalcemia, which can lead to skin necrosis. The excess cortisol may also affect other endocrine systems and cause, for example, insomnia, inhibited aromatase, reduced libido, impotence, amenorrhoea/oligomenorrhea and infertility due to elevations in androgens. Studies have also shown that amenorrhea is due to hypercortisolism, which feeds back onto the hypothalamus resulting in decreased levels of GnRH release.[8] Patients frequently suffer various psychological disturbances, ranging from euphoria to psychosis. Depression and anxiety are also common.[9]

I did consider this at first, but OP does not demonstrate any of the visual symptoms of Cushings. Those that have it have very characteristic visual indications.

ArtemisMoon

I have been told several times with my most recent blood tests that I have borderline low thyroid. Since I am not being treated for it I started researching what could be affecting it. A lot of foods will (soy, strawberries, raw spinach, almonds, etc) but I also saw a lot of information regarding fluoride treated city water. If you moved and they tell you that you are no longer having trouble, did you possibly move to a city without treated water to a city with it? I'm very curious to know if this is true. Apparently fluoride has been used in the past (I have not done enough research to be able to call this a fact) as a thyroid suppressing medication and people who are most vulnerable to it are those with low iodine intake. I live in a place with fluoride in the water and I know my iodine intake is low, so drinking water with the fluoride removed and an iodine supplement is something I want to try to see if it helps me before my next blood test. At least it is something natural I can try because I would rather not go on medication.

Umeboshi

I did consider this at first, but OP does not demonstrate any of the visual symptoms of Cushings. Those that have it have very characteristic visual indications.

Yup, I didn't really think OP had it but I thought the information could be of use to other people potentially reading the thread.

jenniejengin

I have been told several times with my most recent blood tests that I have borderline low thyroid. Since I am not being treated for it I started researching what could be affecting it. A lot of foods will (soy, strawberries, raw spinach, almonds, etc) but I also saw a lot of information regarding fluoride treated city water. If you moved and they tell you that you are no longer having trouble, did you possibly move to a city without treated water to a city with it? I'm very curious to know if this is true. Apparently fluoride has been used in the past (I have not done enough research to be able to call this a fact) as a thyroid suppressing medication and people who are most vulnerable to it are those with low iodine intake. I live in a place with fluoride in the water and I know my iodine intake is low, so drinking water with the fluoride removed and an iodine supplement is something I want to try to see if it helps me before my next blood test. At least it is something natural I can try because I would rather not go on medication.

I only drink bottle water (spring or distilled). I been drinking that for the past 2 years, give or take.

becoming_a_new_me

I have been told several times with my most recent blood tests that I have borderline low thyroid. Since I am not being treated for it I started researching what could be affecting it. A lot of foods will (soy, strawberries, raw spinach, almonds, etc) but I also saw a lot of information regarding fluoride treated city water. If you moved and they tell you that you are no longer having trouble, did you possibly move to a city without treated water to a city with it? I'm very curious to know if this is true. Apparently fluoride has been used in the past (I have not done enough research to be able to call this a fact) as a thyroid suppressing medication and people who are most vulnerable to it are those with low iodine intake. I live in a place with fluoride in the water and I know my iodine intake is low, so drinking water with the fluoride removed and an iodine supplement is something I want to try to see if it helps me before my next blood test. At least it is something natural I can try because I would rather not go on medication.

The flouride theory is debatable, but low iodine intake can cause significant symptoms. As long as you are not currently on medication (iodine can interfere with the absorbtion of thyroid medications), then try getting a supplement with Kelp. I can point you in the right direction if you need.

NoAdditives

Good grief.....WHY do so many people need to be snooty??:noway: The OP stated she WAS ON a thyroid medication at one point....clearly indicating her prior physician felt she had an issue! Best of luck to you my dear....Dr's are human....and can have varying opinions like anyone.... I have a genetic clotting factor.... my primary Dr said I was simply a carrier....yet my sister's Dr said no, I have the same thing she does....a factor that makes me 6x more likely to clot or so. And that Dr was the specialist who had been treating her ( my sister nearly died from massive blood clots in her lungs due to the genetic factor and various contributors that all together made her hundreds times more likely to have it happen......) If her Hematologist had not also reviewed my results I would have treated certain aspects of my health differently since...which could have been disasterous.... It can NOT hurt to get a second opinion and more detailed tests! I would also see if your records indicate why your origonal Dr put you on the meds....hope you get the answers you need soon!!!!

Thank you so much. I tried to call my old doctor from way back then and they said that do not keep medical records past 10 years. I made the calls today, as a matter of fact.

I am so sorry that you and your family had to encounter that. I hope all is better with you and your sister. I wish you both the best of health and God Bless.

They don't keep the records at all, or they don't keep them in the office? I worked for a medical group for a few years and the general practice regarding records is that they are kept in the office for a certain number of years. If the patient isn't seen within that time span they records are boxed up and kept in storage. Doctors aren't allowed to just get rid of patient records.

becoming_a_new_me

Good grief.....WHY do so many people need to be snooty??:noway: The OP stated she WAS ON a thyroid medication at one point....clearly indicating her prior physician felt she had an issue! Best of luck to you my dear....Dr's are human....and can have varying opinions like anyone.... I have a genetic clotting factor.... my primary Dr said I was simply a carrier....yet my sister's Dr said no, I have the same thing she does....a factor that makes me 6x more likely to clot or so. And that Dr was the specialist who had been treating her ( my sister nearly died from massive blood clots in her lungs due to the genetic factor and various contributors that all together made her hundreds times more likely to have it happen......) If her Hematologist had not also reviewed my results I would have treated certain aspects of my health differently since...which could have been disasterous.... It can NOT hurt to get a second opinion and more detailed tests! I would also see if your records indicate why your origonal Dr put you on the meds....hope you get the answers you need soon!!!!

Thank you so much. I tried to call my old doctor from way back then and they said that do not keep medical records past 10 years. I made the calls today, as a matter of fact.

I am so sorry that you and your family had to encounter that. I hope all is better with you and your sister. I wish you both the best of health and God Bless.

They don't keep the records at all, or they don't keep them in the office? I worked for a medical group for a few years and the general practice regarding records is that they are kept in the office for a certain number of years. If the patient isn't seen within that time span they records are boxed up and kept in storage. Doctors aren't allowed to just get rid of patient records.

Actually, in most states, a doctor must keep a patient's medical record for at least 7 years after the last treatment date. After that they are allowed to destroy the records. In practice, many health care providers keep their medical records longer. And for as long as those records are kept, a patient has a right to see them. This is why it is important to get copies of your medical records and update them every year. Your medical records are just as much your responsibility as the doctors. I have all my records including medical imaging saved onto a flash drive. I carry it with me everywhere, and once it actually saved my life when I was unable to communicate.

sleepytexan

My grandmother and 3 aunts have/had Hashimoto's.

I spent 7 years on meds bc a doctor said I had Hashimoto's. The meds were never right, and they never resolved my symptoms.

The last med I used was called Armour Thyroid (dessicated pig thyroid). It became intermittently unavailable in the US from 2008-2010. During one of the periods when it was unavailable, I started an OTC supplement that stimulates the thyroid to make its own hormones, rather than replace the hormone. I never went back to Armour -- I've been off meds 2 years now, feeling great; no more energy, hair, skin, or nail problems, and my levels are all normal, as well as neck ultrasound clear.

Since I started eating right for the amount of exercise I do, I lost the 15 lbs. I needed to lose. (I used to eat too little, without realizing it).

Do not jump to get back on these meds; you are lucky that your thyroid is still working (even if you feel tired)! There is a reason they say you 'need them forever' -- it's because they cause your thyroid to shut down, and there are a host of other negative side effects. I am very lucky too, that my thyroid did not shut down completely.

If you are interested in info on the supplement, PM me. I do not sell it, or have anything to gain; I can just tell you the name and you can buy it online or from a local naturopath.

Finally, sometimes you can have exhausted adrenals, which present with the same symptoms as thyroid. Google that and read up -- a naturopath can treat you; also the same company I mentioned above makes an adrenal supplement too.

Blessings.

jenniejengin

Good grief.....WHY do so many people need to be snooty??:noway: The OP stated she WAS ON a thyroid medication at one point....clearly indicating her prior physician felt she had an issue! Best of luck to you my dear....Dr's are human....and can have varying opinions like anyone.... I have a genetic clotting factor.... my primary Dr said I was simply a carrier....yet my sister's Dr said no, I have the same thing she does....a factor that makes me 6x more likely to clot or so. And that Dr was the specialist who had been treating her ( my sister nearly died from massive blood clots in her lungs due to the genetic factor and various contributors that all together made her hundreds times more likely to have it happen......) If her Hematologist had not also reviewed my results I would have treated certain aspects of my health differently since...which could have been disasterous.... It can NOT hurt to get a second opinion and more detailed tests! I would also see if your records indicate why your origonal Dr put you on the meds....hope you get the answers you need soon!!!!

Thank you so much. I tried to call my old doctor from way back then and they said that do not keep medical records past 10 years. I made the calls today, as a matter of fact.

I am so sorry that you and your family had to encounter that. I hope all is better with you and your sister. I wish you both the best of health and God Bless.

They don't keep the records at all, or they don't keep them in the office? I worked for a medical group for a few years and the general practice regarding records is that they are kept in the office for a certain number of years. If the patient isn't seen within that time span they records are boxed up and kept in storage. Doctors aren't allowed to just get rid of patient records.

When I called and they told me that, I was like wo.w, that is crazy. She was very apologetic after I told her what I was dealing with, and why it was so important.