Thyroid blood test normal? Maybe not...

JoMarie76
JoMarie76 Posts: 3
in Health and Weight Loss
I have every symptom of hypothyroidism, yet every blood test that I've had done for it has come back normal. So I was told I don't have it, and there must be some other reason why I can't lose weight no matter what I do, I'm always cold, I get headaches all the time, my face has been breaking out, my skin is dry, and my hair is brittle and falling out all of a sudden. Then, by chance, I came across a video today. It's a thyroid specialist talking about how many people are undiagnosed with hypothyroidism just because their blood tests come back normal. It was a very enlightening video and it explained a lot. I am now going to bring everything I learned up to my doctor. Of course, at the end there is a promotional gimmick, but you do not have to do it (I didn't). But I just wanted to share this for all of you that might be undiagnosed even though you have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. If you have about 42 minutes to spare, watch the video. :smile: http://w3.newsmax.com/newsletters/brownstein/thyroid_video/video3.cfm?promo_code=12E4B-1
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Replies

  • ashleey1000
    ashleey1000 Posts: 256 Member
    I'm going to the doctor to get checked for my thyroid and pcos bc my weightloss seems to not be happening as well and I've already been told my thyroid seemed enlarged a few years ago.
  • aims_86
    aims_86 Posts: 74
    Hey there,

    I'm from the UK & was diagnosed with hypothyroidism last year.

    I hope this helps. My family has a history of under active thyroid & most females have ballooned in weight as a result, so I was really keen for this to not happen. I kept going back to the doctors every 12 months or so asking to be retested.
    I was coming back normal, even though I suspected I had it. I was putting weight on & had no energy at all.

    However, since being diagnosed last year & then being put on 50mg then up to 75mg of thyroxine, I haven't noticed a change. I'm still tired & exhausted, still over weight.

    It's only since I've stopped wallowing & feeling sorry for myself and my underactive thyroid that I've actually lost weight! I lost 8lbs by myself, yes it takes longer as I also have PCOS but I did it.

    Maybe, as a suggestion, you should look at what you can eat to help your hair, your skin etc.

    I still think you should ask the doctors for blood tests, usually hypothyroidism is hereditary so if your family has it, then definitely ask.
  • Bettyeditor
    Bettyeditor Posts: 327 Member
    I have every symptom of hypothyroidism, yet every blood test that I've had done for it has come back normal. So I was told I don't have it, and there must be some other reason why I can't lose weight no matter what I do, I'm always cold, I get headaches all the time, my face has been breaking out, my skin is dry, and my hair is brittle and falling out all of a sudden. Then, by chance, I came across a video today. It's a thyroid specialist talking about how many people are undiagnosed with hypothyroidism just because their blood tests come back normal. It was a very enlightening video and it explained a lot. I am now going to bring everything I learned up to my doctor. Of course, at the end there is a promotional gimmick, but you do not have to do it (I didn't). But I just wanted to share this for all of you that might be undiagnosed even though you have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. If you have about 42 minutes to spare, watch the video. :smile: http://w3.newsmax.com/newsletters/brownstein/thyroid_video/video3.cfm?promo_code=12E4B-1

    Wow, I have all the same symptoms as you. Always cold, headaches, face breaking out, dry skin, hair brittle (nails too). I'm keeping a bit warmer but still get cold feet. I just had my thyriod tested by primary doc in Feb. and came back normal. But I know something is going on with me so I saw a naturopathic doctor a few days ago and he ordered a bunch of tests for me, including thyriod, adrenal, hormones and yeast/parasite. I'm looking forward to getting the results. This doc was also unimpressed with my "normal" thyriod test. He said the problem with most of those tests is that the scale is too broad or not calibrated correctly. He sees a lot of undiagnosed hypothyriodism in his practice.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    The range for normal TSH most doctors use is way too broad. I believe the most used upper cut off is 5 but when I was seeing a specialist for my miscarriages she wanted it to be 2 at the most. What was yours?
  • Carrie_704
    Carrie_704 Posts: 24 Member
    I'm going through this right now. I just did labs today with a new doc who looks at ranges differently. It's very frustrating! Hang in there
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
    Many thyroid symptoms can also be mistaken for Adrenal Fatigue, something most doctors don't 'believe' in. I feel a lot better when I'm taking an adaptogen like Ortho-Adapt as well as a B complex. I take Orti-B. A good indicator is low basal body temp.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    I was tested a dozen times, and it was only the last time, when they checked the stimulating hormone and not just the blood, that the indicator came back positive.

    You need both tests. One tests TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and one tests the level of naturally produced thyroxine in your blood.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    I was tested a dozen times, and it was only the last time, when they checked the stimulating hormone and not just the blood, that the indicator came back positive.

    You need both tests. One tests TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and one tests the level of naturally produced thyroxine in your blood.

    oh and also my 'normal' blood reading was 0.1 over unhealthy. But technically normal, so didn't trigger the right result. My TSH was 3x higher than safe and they told me I could have died if it was left untreated for much longer.
  • iceey
    iceey Posts: 354 Member
    My TSH was 3.3. My doctor said that's fine and normal but my naturopath disagreed and put me on a supplement Adaptogen. Is 3.3 high?
  • delekium
    delekium Posts: 40 Member
    bumpy
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    My TSH was 3.3. My doctor said that's fine and normal but my naturopath disagreed and put me on a supplement Adaptogen. Is 3.3 high?

    mine was 6.9. 3.3 is normal range but what they don't GET is that their normal range might not be normal for the patient. I operate best in the middle to top of normal. too low and I get symptomatic. Luckily my doc totally supports me and if i ask to change my meds or try and alter my levels, he's fine with that.

    If they won't medicate you, try natural support. Things like kelp, zinc, and coconut oil are incredibly effective at supporting an ailing thyroid
  • djtbford
    djtbford Posts: 3 Member
    :flowerforyou: Thank you , I have the exact same problem. I had part of my Thyroid removed 2 years ago and my symptoms increased , but my levels did not change. I will definately be asking my PCP to investigate this further.
  • Princess4Run
    Princess4Run Posts: 135 Member
    There is still a lot of debate about normal TSH levels. Old guidelines had normal as .5-5.0 and that is what most labs still use as their reference. In 2003 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists released guidelines to narrow TSH range to .3-3.0 If your doctor is going by the old range and is merely looking for the bold, abnormal values from lab results then your hypothyroidism will be missed. Many docs will treat patients for TSH above 3 when combined with signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Ask for your TSH levels with lab range reference used, make your doc aware of updated TSH levels. Ask for treatment if TSH is above 3.0 and if your doc refuses, find another one that will treat.
  • aims_86
    aims_86 Posts: 74
    If it helps, mine was 12 when it was diagnosed.

    Last test after being on 50mg thyroxine, was 4. I was then put on 75mg & my next test is in May.
  • chasetwins
    chasetwins Posts: 702 Member
    Out of curiosity - are any of you taking a multivitamin? Something with Selenium & Iodine in it? (or even taking those supplements separately>)
  • mamosh81
    mamosh81 Posts: 409 Member
    i just got back from the doctor today and kinda disapointed last month i had my blood tested and it came back that my TPO antibody are high 1239 instead of below 100 and that my TSH is high at 4.3 when 0.2 till 4.0 is normal. Also had it tested 3 yrs ago where my antibody were high but TSH normal. So my gyn told me to go see another doctor about my thyroid.
    Today that doc pretty much told me yes your thyroid is out of wack but there is nothing we can do because your Fritt T4 is still 15.4 and not below 11.0. So i asked him if there is anything i can do i am on low carb diet and metformin for my pcos and he told me pretty much i got to wait till my Fritt T4 is below 11 witch will happen in the next 6-9 months and then he can give me Levaxin.
    So i am pretty bummed because i struggle so much to even shift one pound due to pcos and my thyroid its just all so frustrating
  • karendee4
    karendee4 Posts: 558 Member
    Are you seeing an endocronologist? My thyroid was normal but my Insulin Growth hormone was elevated. I am still having tests done but my doctor said this could be why I have trouble losing weight lately.

    If you have problems I would see an Endo. if yours is not working maybe a second Endo? There are so many other things that could be off.

    GOOD LUCK
  • mamosh81
    mamosh81 Posts: 409 Member
    yes my insulin and glucose levels where high but thats due to my insulin resistent pcos witch i take metformin for now. I was just hoping i could heal my thyroid somehow =/
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    Not to scare you, but my cousin recently passed away from an enlarged heart that we believe was linked to hypothyroidism. There is no reason why you can't get a second opinion. I know it's preferable and comfortable to always see the same doctor... but sometimes they are wrong.

    Go see someone else.
  • aprilkats
    aprilkats Posts: 34 Member
    I went to the doctor because I thought for sure I had an under active thyroid- tons of symptoms. It came back normal, but that I had very low iron. I upped my iron intake and began to feel better quickly.

    They have many of the same symptoms.
  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    Go see someone else.

    This. It sounds like you're doing the right thing by listening to your body and researching your symptoms. Whether you're actually hypo or not still remains to be answered, but seeing a different (and perhaps more open minded) doctor would be my next move.

    Lots of information about thyroid disorders can be found here: http://thyroid.about.com/

    And good luck to you. I personally know how frustrating it can be.
  • mamosh81
    mamosh81 Posts: 409 Member
    thank you for all the good advise i think i wait for my next bloodtest in 4 months (for pcos and thyroid) if they go further down or if its getting better now with the healthy eating exercise and metformin lowering my glucose levels.
    Cant really afford to many doctors at the moment due to not heaving health insurance and had all that blood works and treatments done for my pcos and today it cost us almost 80 bux just for him telling me to wait till it gets worse. Defenetly wont be seeing him again
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Do you eat soy? It can also mess with your thyroid as well as raw cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
  • mamosh81
    mamosh81 Posts: 409 Member
    aww i love cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower but i never eat it raw just cant get it down that way. And nope dont eat soy
  • Bianca42
    Bianca42 Posts: 310 Member
    Do you eat soy? It can also mess with your thyroid as well as raw cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
    I knew soy could impact things....but didn't realize that cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower could problematic.
  • hegster23
    hegster23 Posts: 36 Member
    I went to the doctor because I thought for sure I had an under active thyroid- tons of symptoms. It came back normal, but that I had very low iron. I upped my iron intake and began to feel better quickly.

    They have many of the same symptoms.

    ^^This^^
    I have both low iron and and underactive thyroid (fun times, right?). The low iron really kicks my butt.
    Also, what is a "normal" thyroid level may not be for you (found this out at my last visit to the endocrinologist). My levels were on the higher side of "normal", but it was affecting me. It depends on the type of hypothyroidism you've got. My endo is super awesome and understands not just because he's been educated well, but because we have the same variety of hypothyroidism.
    :wink:
  • JayMri
    JayMri Posts: 241 Member
    I had Thyroid cancer 3 years ago. Prior to that I had symptoms of hypothyroid but was told blood work was always fine, however no matter what I did I could not lose weight. After having my cancer treatment and getting stable on meds I began to drop weight. My Endo doesn't think that my thyroid had anything to do with it because my levels before were "fine", even thought pathology showed I had Hashimoto's. My Gyno agrees with me that my thyroid was a factor in me not being able to loose.
  • paintlisapurple
    paintlisapurple Posts: 982 Member
    bump
  • 1223345
    1223345 Posts: 1,386 Member
    I had "sub-clinical" hyperthyroidism after a period of clinical hyperthyroidism. If it is your primary care dr telling you it's normal you may want to question it. You may fall into a gray area that the primary care dr is not willing to acknowledge.
  • theCarlton
    theCarlton Posts: 1,344 Member
    Another thing I've learned about the thyroid is that despite being a gland, it can be physically broken. If you've ever had a serious car accident, your thyroid might be broken. Hospitals are checking for broken bones, not broken glands when they're checking you over. Your endocrinologist can have an ultrasound done to determine if that's the case.

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