You can still have a low thyroid level but be in the "normal" range. It could be that your individual normal level was higher than it currently is and it has dropped, but not enough to show up in the low category. If the problems are still occurring, go have your levels checked again - the blood regenerates about every 3 months or so, so levels tend to change in that time frame - I work some bio-chem people.

The saying "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" is very true. You know your body, the doctor does not. Keep nagging and they should continue to look into the problem. I would also suggest getting a second opinion/check out a different doctor if this one won't listen to your concerns. All doctors know different things, so it's worth checking into another one.

Good luck and hopefully the mystery will be solved rather quickly.

I was also told I was "fine" and/or "crazy" for several years. I have a strong family history, and had all the symptoms, but was told my own WebMD diagnosis was not possible (I was of course correct). I gained weight eating less than 500 calories TOTAL a day and exercising like a maniac.

Your doctor is likely only reading your TSH value (a pituitary gland hormone), and not looking at any actual thyroid hormones, or antibodies. You have all the classic symptoms, and it is worth digging a little deeper (and not making the same mistake many of us had and just assuming we are "fine" because the labwork said so, despite continuing symptoms).

Helpful info:

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/tsh-why-its-useless/
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/things-we-have-learned/
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/recommended-labwork/

I cannot recommend Stop the Thyroid Madness' book highly enough - it is fantastic. Mary Shomon's site also has lots of great info:
http://thyroid.about.com/

Good luck to you.

What test did they run? What was your results compared to the range used by the lab? Normal may not be your optimal. Definitely get copies of all labs. Keep searching for answers and another dr if this one does not listen. I have been where you are. So sorry you are going through this.

Strongly advise the use of the "Stop the thyroid madness" Book and the "Root causes" book by Izabeela Wentz. Also, it could be that your in the middle of the "normal" range, but its not the "Optimal range" for you. I feel best when I am on compounded T3 & T4 as I am allergic to the fillers in the synthroid and levo, and even in the NDT meds too, and when my TSH is under 1.0. At 3.0, which is considered at the mid high of normal in the range, I am not even able to function becase of brain fog and is almost bedbound. Remember, the TSH test isn't even a Thyroid hormone test, its a putatity test, where the body is calling for more, but it can't tell if your thyroid is even answering that call. For me, the thyroid antibodies test, and the Free3 and Free4 numbers are the best way to see what is going on with my thyroid. After getting those in control, Going gluten and soy free, my hair loss stopped and has reversed, my joint achenes and brain fog dissipated. Its just too bad I had to fire 9 doctors, and over 5 years to get properly treated.

Also, after those two books, you might want to do research into the Mthfr gene that over 80 percent of those hypothyroid have. It will really help as it can falsely elevate your B12 readings, and show that your ok with it, when your really in the basement as your body just don't know how to process it unless its in the methylfolate form. Also, Vit D and selenium are important to know as well.

Read, learn, Advocate for yourself, as your the best and only person that can. Good luck! P.S., there is several facebook groups that are helpful for helping educating yourself too.

I don't know if any of this will help.

I am salicylate sensitive, one long term effect of this is it can weaken your thyroid, it is degreeof sensitivity dependant. I tried to look at your food log but like mine it is closed. mine is because I know how restricted my diet is and don't need telling. I was looking for high amounts of herbs, spices, olive oil, tomato purée, cornflour, tea and lots of apples, oranges, pineapples as well as veg like broccoli and more. Try the "Food can make you ill" site, this covers other things as well as salicylate or the "salicylate sensitive" site, or the "fail safe foods", the list as they use does not work for me it seems it is not precise. the information they use goes back to Anne Swane and colleagues she's an Australian Dietitian at city hospital.

You could try increasing the amount of iodine in your diet. STTM site says we are, I think, 80% deficient in the stuff. This would only be beneficial for someone with a tired thyroid not someone who has had it removed and you need to be careful because doing this could aggravate an underlying condition. You also need to include selenium. The best place for iodine is cod and for selenium, tuna though it also has iodine. Good vitamin and mineral supplement could help as well. I use one multivit and min and a mineral, I made sure they do not over dose. Iron comes close but as for me my iron levels are also suspect I took it carefully.

The thyroid is probably well described as the powerhouse for the cleansing of your systems which when it becomes over loaded can put pressure on other organs as it has, to some extent for me. I have not been able to use toothpaste for years now, probably the fluoride. I drink bottled water now because I feel unwell if I have too much tap water, could be fluoride again. I find going out to enclosed places difficult as well as strongly perfumed people in the open air. Most of this is salicylate related but my thyroid has been untreated for a life time and when it was tried I react to cornflour which is high salicylate and one pill a day was enough to undo all the progress I had made in a period of a month. Even with salicylate reduction tack-ticks in place I regained the joint pain, muscle ache, breathing problems, uti, urgency and fatigue, thick head all back. I went off pills because I do not do standard allergy test reactions and my physical condition improved. And this was without taking additional med as was suggested to clear everything up.

I get my immunology results on Friday. I have waited 8 months, 4 to have a consultation and 4 with the outcome hanging over me so I know what it is to wait. 20 degrees in here, off to find a blanket.

Seriously, hang on in there