Thyroid blood test normal? Maybe not...

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  • TOPSmarca
    TOPSmarca Posts: 187 Member
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    The T3 prescription is called Cytomel. and it is simply T3. as for waiting till you move, it just depends on what you are willing to live with. If this is something that is not debilitating, you may choose to wait. I would say that it is basically your call.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
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    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.

    such things are usually undiagnosed or untreated hypo. Its a possibility, but not that common if the medication is right
  • Willowana
    Willowana Posts: 493 Member
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    I was tested for thyroid problems a million times before...no trouble. All of my hormones have been tested as well. Everything was perfect. Until my thyroid was tested late last year, and yep! Thyroid problem.

    Doc put me on Synthroid, and my hair began falling out in clumps in the shower one morning...NOT the usual amount. I mean I could literally run my fingers through and inbetween my fingers were clumps of hair. I had to clear the drain twice.

    I stopped taking the meds immediately with no regard to what my doctor thought about it. He said we would test again in the near future. In the meantime, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and that's when I began taking my health seriously in November. Sometime in mid-January, I joined MFP and started trying to lose weight. It took a lot of effort, but the weight started coming off slowly.....and as time went on, my weight loss built momentum.

    I saw my doctor on Good Friday. He nearly fell out of his chair when he saw my progress. 35 lbs. down in less than 3 months. The fat chick on a host of weight gaining medication for Fibro, who stopped taking the thyroid pills months ago. It boggled his mind. Needless to say, he drew a slew of blood that day. He's running all my tests again.

    Maybe it will show a deficiency again, maybe it won't. Hypothyroidism can come and go as it pleases. Some people go between periods of hyper and hypo. It's a tricky diagnosis. For me personally (not a recommendation to anyone here), I don't want the drugs unless it continues to show consistently that it's underperforming. Because I know, that the moment my thyroid starts functioning properly, the Synthroid will then be too much, and my hair will start falling out again.

    To hell. with. that. I'm on so many meds and supplements now for the Fibro (feel free to check out the laundry list, because I add them to my open food diary)... the very last thing I want is another pill. Hypothyroidism has been linked to high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I am keeping a close eye on both and doing what I can to keep them within range. I intend to keep going as long as I can before I have to take synthetic hormones.

    OP, the choice is yours to make on whether you stick it out, or keep checking every month in hopes of catching it in its underactive phase. You can ask your doctor for the bloodwork sheet, hold onto it, and when you feel like you are having an increased episode of symptoms....THEN go get the blood drawn. Maybe timing it with your symptoms will help you catch it. Hope everything works out for you. It's a sucky thing to deal with.
  • spaghetti93
    spaghetti93 Posts: 140 Member
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    I've been seeing an endocrinologist for the past year after having weird symptoms related with thyroid issues. and every blood test i've gotten back is in the "normal range". not just hypothyroidism, but all of the tests. It's an odd feeling wanting there to be something wrong with myself just so there is a solution to the problems I've been having. i can definitely relate to any frustration you feel.
  • jenniferitzep
    jenniferitzep Posts: 66 Member
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    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?

    I had a miscarriage last year and they checked my thyroid for "unrelated" issues Does the thyroid effect it?
    I am just wondering because I have strong family history of bad thyroids Overactive, under active, even some that goes in cycles of over then under active. My test was Normal but wasn't giving any info on it I thought I was a positive \ negative kind of test. I know I'm not who you were asking question to but more info would be great. thanks

    Yes both hypo and hyperthyroidism could cause miscarriage. If the baby goes on to be born it could also cause other complications with development. My reproductive endocrinology wanted to make sure my TSH stayed under 3, preferably under 2. I would ask for your numbers and make sure they also test your T3 and T4. I'm sorry about your loss.
    Ps in most cases it's impossible to say what exactly caused a miscarriage as there are so many possibilities. I had several of them and went for a battery of tests to find out why. I swear the requisition had about 20 items checked. Sugar levels, genetics, progesterone, thyroid etc etc. good luck.

    None of the doctors I seen ob/gyn ,primary care, or ER doctor told me anything I had to ask the receptionist to even find out the. Pregnancy hormone levels. Thank you for the info I will definitely be calling them tomorrow to request my results . This was my 3 or 4 pregnancy my first two were preemies (1st@ 27weeks. 2 sd@ 34 weeks) and one suspected miscarriage but I couldn't confirm it
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
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    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.

    'CAN' being the operative word. I'm hypo, soy doesn't affect me in the slightest. In Japan my thyroid was the healthiest it has ever been and everything has soy in it there.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
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    WOW!!! Some of the things I am reading on here that are considered a "normal" level are really stunning!!!! My ENT has told me that GPs and such use old out dated guidelines and that she likes to keep women's TSH levels between 1 and 2, she never prescribes levothyroxine because the doses are not as even and she finds that often women need more than a supplement of T4 (the commonly supplemented thyroid hormone) but also need small doses of T3... and let me tell you, I have felt better since I have been under her care!!! Also, I am a FertilityCare practitioner and our studies have show that even mild thyroid dysfunction can cause some sub-fertility and infertility, as well as miscarriages. It stuns me that the thyroid is STILL not one of the FIRST things checked in these situations!!!:explode:
    Rant over!!! LOL!!!:tongue:

    if she doesn't prescribe levothyroxine what does she prescribe?
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
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    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?

    I had a miscarriage last year and they checked my thyroid for "unrelated" issues Does the thyroid effect it?
    I am just wondering because I have strong family history of bad thyroids Overactive, under active, even some that goes in cycles of over then under active. My test was Normal but wasn't giving any info on it I thought I was a positive \ negative kind of test. I know I'm not who you were asking question to but more info would be great. thanks

    Yes both hypo and hyperthyroidism could cause miscarriage. If the baby goes on to be born it could also cause other complications with development. My reproductive endocrinology wanted to make sure my TSH stayed under 3, preferably under 2. I would ask for your numbers and make sure they also test your T3 and T4. I'm sorry about your loss.
    Ps in most cases it's impossible to say what exactly caused a miscarriage as there are so many possibilities. I had several of them and went for a battery of tests to find out why. I swear the requisition had about 20 items checked. Sugar levels, genetics, progesterone, thyroid etc etc. good luck.

    None of the doctors I seen ob/gyn ,primary care, or ER doctor told me anything I had to ask the receptionist to even find out the. Pregnancy hormone levels. Thank you for the info I will definitely be calling them tomorrow to request my results . This was my 3 or 4 pregnancy my first two were preemies (1st@ 27weeks. 2 sd@ 34 weeks) and one suspected miscarriage but I couldn't confirm it

    Keep in mind they don't do testing after one miscarriage. You usually have to have three in a row. Single miscarriages are usually chalked up to a randomly faulty chromosome.
  • kitty_764
    kitty_764 Posts: 64
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    I have to take the time to read everyones post but until then - AAAAAAAARGHHHH How frustrating!!!!! I feel your pain. My TSH was 1.41 last year and as of today it's 3.98. My doc wants me to come back in a month to retest.

    I started dieting in January and wanted to lose 20lbs by June. I haven't lost a F'N thing! I should have lost around 15 pounds by now AAAAAAAAARGHHHH!! My hair has been falling out, my brain is just not like it used to be, dry skin, among other things.

    I am my profile pic :( Good luck OP and everyone else that is having issues.
  • vegannewbie12
    vegannewbie12 Posts: 19 Member
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    bump
  • TOPSmarca
    TOPSmarca Posts: 187 Member
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    if she doesn't prescribe levothyroxine what does she prescribe?
    She prescribes Synthroid only and no generics.
  • TOPSmarca
    TOPSmarca Posts: 187 Member
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    I have to take the time to read everyones post but until then - AAAAAAAARGHHHH How frustrating!!!!! I feel your pain. My TSH was 1.41 last year and as of today it's 3.98. My doc wants me to come back in a month to retest.

    I started dieting in January and wanted to lose 20lbs by June. I haven't lost a F'N thing! I should have lost around 15 pounds by now AAAAAAAAARGHHHH!! My hair has been falling out, my brain is just not like it used to be, dry skin, among other things.

    I am my profile pic :( Good luck OP and everyone else that is having issues.
    Get an appt with an endocrinologist and get yourself a second opinion!!!
  • magpie0
    magpie0 Posts: 194 Member
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    I'm not overweight but I too have a lot of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. I've had my blood checked since I was young to test for it but the results were always negative. I have normal iron levels and my symptoms started around puberty. I'm on an assortment of medications for depression now because that seems to be the only likely solution. :(
  • arcaneshadowcat
    arcaneshadowcat Posts: 41
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    Just as a note, I was recently tested for hypothyroidism for not getting results my TSH was 21.4, when a few years ago it was at 4.5 which was well within normal. I've been having increasing problems with the symptoms though for the better part of a decade now. Apparently mine just needed to start slow and over the past couple years decide to go for the gold and sprint the last bit to crazy high levels.

    My mother has Hashimoto's syndrome or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, apparently her version has the levels low enough that they masquerade as normal and then occasionally spike. They have different sets of tests to run specifically for it. You may have your doctor check if you are on the scale for Hashimoto's syndrome. It is a long shot, but a potential. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hashimotos-disease/DS00567/DSECTION=symptoms
  • Qskim
    Qskim Posts: 1,145 Member
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    Byron Richards..."Mastering Leptin"... Mentions PCOS, thyroid problems (often undiagnosed when tested). He's a top american specialist in nutrition specifically addressing thyroid and leptin issues. Years of studies used. Leptin is a relatively new discovery that is yet to filter down to doctors/nutritionists. If you google his name you will get his website. It is supplement heavy but I did it without them (personally don't have either PCOS or thyroid problems but suspect I was insulin resistant). The site, when you dig around has terrific explanations. Body is overheated basically...need good nutrition and gentle exercise to "cool" the system and regulate hormone function. His book is a must read.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
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    if she doesn't prescribe levothyroxine what does she prescribe?
    She prescribes Synthroid only and no generics.

    Synthroid is a brand name for levothyroxine.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,229 Member
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    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.

    such things are usually undiagnosed or untreated hypo. Its a possibility, but not that common if the medication is right

    She had other issues. Hypothyroidism was kind of low on the priority scale for the most part. It was primarily genetically inherited so its upsetting to me that this slipped past her doctors. And worries me for my other family members who have it.
  • RetiredAndLovingIt
    RetiredAndLovingIt Posts: 1,394 Member
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    bump to read later
  • Hi_Im_Jess
    Hi_Im_Jess Posts: 347 Member
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    My thyroid levels were "normal" or "not too bad" for years so my doctor just kept letting it go.. it wasnt until things spiraled out of control that my GYN finally decided it was time to start synthroid. I have every symptom on the checklist but my doctor would go by lab results. It might be time for a new physician if they arent helping you. Definitely get a second opinion.. I'm now on synthroid 100mcg and still not feeling 100%. Nobody knows your body like you do, if you feel that something is wrong dont stop pushing.
  • TOPSmarca
    TOPSmarca Posts: 187 Member
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    if she doesn't prescribe levothyroxine what does she prescribe?
    She prescribes Synthroid only and no generics.

    Synthroid is a brand name for levothyroxine.
    Thanks for catching that!!! I misspoke:blushing: , I was on Levoxyl, another brand name... and THAT is what my ENT will no longer prescribe!!! She has had much greater success with Synthroid.

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