Thyroid Level Results

steph96

I have been having a lot of symptoms of low thyroid--constantly tired (even if I sleep 12 hours a night) and could literally fall asleep at almost any moment, sudden weight gain (20 pounds in less than 2 months with no change in any part of my life), hard time losing weight (even though I exercise and eat healthy), extremely emotional, memory fog, constipation, dry skin and nails, and sudden heavier cycles (which started right before all the weight gain).

I had it tested at my annual gyno visit and I got the results back today.  It's a 1.83 for my TSH level which is within the normal range of 0.4-4.0.

Now I'm really frustrated.  I'm having all the symptoms and apparently I'm fine.  I don't know what to do now.  None of the symptoms are normal for me and I'm tired of having to deal with it every single day.

Autumnbride2006

Can you request a referral to an endocrinologist? That's very frustrating.

Joenali

That's not even a borderline result. I agree talk to an endo. I have sub clinical hypothyroid and my levels were like 4.2  and 5.6. Usually if you are hypo weight gain is slow not allof a sudden 20 pounds in two months. Have you tracked youR food and the kinds of food you ate eating? Have you tracked your sleep and exercise habits? Those would be good things to show any doctor. 

steph96

I'm not sure if she would.  She seemed to think I was just trying to blame being fat on something.

My doctor moved and it was my first visit with her.  When I was telling her about my symptoms, she told me it's because I'm going to school full time and working and tried to blow it off.  Then she told me that I need to track my food and exercise (which I have been since before the weight gain).  I broke down crying because I was so frustrated and she finally agreed to send me for a test.

I'm not sure that I want to go back to her and I don't have a PCP. 

J&K10910

Did they only test your TSH?  TSH isn't the only indicator.  You can have a hypoactive thyroid and have TSH within normal limits.  I'd ask to have your T3, T4, free T3 and free T4 tested as well. 

 What was her plan for following up?  I mean, you have these symptoms, and the test was "normal" so where do you go from here?  If she's not willing to do some more tests and look at other potential causes, I would definitely look for a new doctor.

steph96

Joenali:

That's not even a borderline result. I agree talk to an endo. I have sub clinical hypothyroid and my levels were like 4.2  and 5.6. Usually if you are hypo weight gain is slow not allof a sudden 20 pounds in two months. Have you tracked youR food and the kinds of food you ate eating? Have you tracked your sleep and exercise habits? Those would be good things to show any doctor. 

I have been tracking my food and exercise.  As far as sleeping, I always get at least 7.5 hours.

I really don't know what caused all of this.  It all started at the same time.  I have struggled with my weight for 7 years and it always seems like I'm never losing weight, but gaining that much weight that quick just blows my mind.  

ETA:  I just realized that it was over 3 months (October to December) and it really surprised me because I only had one Christmas cookie and I never ate more than usual at holiday meals.  I also eliminated most alcohol in my diet during that time. 

steph96

J&K10910:

Did they only test your TSH?  TSH isn't the only indicator.  You can have a hypoactive thyroid and have TSH within normal limits.  I'd ask to have your T3, T4, free T3 and free T4 tested as well. 

 What was her plan for following up?  I mean, you have these symptoms, and the test was "normal" so where do you go from here?  If she's not willing to do some more tests and look at other potential causes, I would definitely look for a new doctor.

They only tested my TSH.

She told me that if I did have issues, I would have to contact my PCP (which I don't have) to help regulate it. 

Joenali

Show your doctor all of the things you have been tracking. I brought in my except use log to my endo to show him how much I was working out and I wasn't losing. I even wrote notes after each workout to keep track of how low energy I was feeling. Thay bit of info was realky helpful in helpng me explian to my doc how i was feeling. And one Christmas cookie???? Hmmmmm.

J&K10910

Ok, but what's stopping you from getting a PCP?  Sounds like that's what you need to do.

lexus192

Have your doctor check your B12 and D levels.  Those were my issues and I presented with all the same symptoms.

steph96

J&K10910:

Ok, but what's stopping you from getting a PCP?  Sounds like that's what you need to do.

I know I need to.  I'm planning on moving pretty soon, so I hate to have to switch doctors again. 

lexus192:

Have your doctor check your B12 and D levels.  Those were my issues and I presented with all the same symptoms.

Thanks for the info!  I will definitely look into that! 

tiki_life

Definitely try to get your doc to test for T3 / T4  levels in addition to TSH.  TSH isn't even produced by the thyroid (it's a pituitary hormone) yet it's considered the standard measure of thyroid function.  If your pituitary is out to lunch, the low TSH level could just mean it is failing to stimulate your thyroid sufficiently.

moreace01

lexus192:

Have your doctor check your B12 and D levels.  Those were my issues and I presented with all the same symptoms.

I would also get your vitamin levels tested. I recently got tested and found to have a hypothyroid condition (still in the middle of doing some tests so we don't know what is causing it - my thyroid is also enlarged). Anyway - additional to my thyroid problems, my vitamin D levels are like off the charts low (13). Low vitamin d levels have been also linked to things like depression, weight gain, dry skin and fatigue. If you live in the northern hemisphere and in area that doesn't get much sun, it is likely that you may be deficient. We don't get much of our vitamin d from our diet.  It's worth a shot to get that tested as well.