I have been convinced for a while now that i'm hypothyroid. (Have almost every symptom, but the two that concern me the most are exhaustion and a 10 lb weight gain since last June). Underwent gobs of lab testing from my PCP, all of which came back normal (and also ruled out Lyme, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Hashimoto's, among other things). Doc suggested that it might either be from my birth control, or from my age (i'm 33) and things just slowing down, but if my "hypo" symptoms persist to call her back.
I still think i'm hypo but decided to try and work on ruling out her other theories first before I call back and press for more testing or go to an endo (I don't think my PCP would treat me when i'm testing within normal limits).
I'm switching back onto the bcp but can't until the end of April, so that is a waiting game. Otherwise i'm not on any medication except for a 10 mg generic claritin tab for allergies.
In the meantime I decided to start working out again and change my diet. I started at the end of February and I have been forcing myself to do Jillian Michaels dvds at least 3 times a week (I can only work out at night and i'm tired pretty much all day). I track everything in MFP. I am doing everything that it is saying to do and I feel better physically (no more joint pain although i'm still tired and not sleeping). I don't eat perfect, but I have pretty much doubled my protein, fruit, and veggie intake from before. We aren't big drinkers (alcohol) but in general I do not like to drink my calories so I normally have 2 cups of black coffee a day and plain water otherwise. All that and no weight loss (and I feel like i'm eating less than half of what I used to, which you would think would lead to some sort of weight loss...)
Anyone have any thoughts? Suggestions? Encouragement? Has someone gone through something similar and can give me some insight?
Re: Am I just old? Hypo? Doomed by post-pregnancy? Something else? lol
I would get a referral to a specialist.
As a side note, what is your daily calorie goal? If you're routinely hovering at or below 1200 you may have been too agressive on the lifestyle change.
Seriously though, there are plenty of things your PCP may not be able to diagnose if you're not in a certain range for tests. I would get the specialist appointment out of the way. Being sure is not wasting money, no matter what the outcome.
I don't really understand your PCP reluctance to treat your hypothyroidism if you are at the low end of normal (I'm assuming this is the case). I tested right on the low end 3 times in a row and that was enough, along with my complaints of tired/cold, etc, for him to prescribe levothyroxine. The difference is noticeable.
I also take iron daily. Combined I feel like a new person and/or myself of 10 years ago. When I get lazy and don't take the pills, I feel like someone is physically pushing me down I am that tired.
33 is awfully young for your PCP to suggest that things are 'slowing down' enough to truly affect you this way. I felt my physical best through my 30s. Now, at 43, I am trying to NOT justify my creeping weight gain on age alone.
My suggestions would be to cut out coffee (seriously, it is not helping) and make sure you are ingesting 150-400 calories every 3ish hours throughout the day. Have your PCP check your blood sugar with a hemoglobin A1c test. It might tell a story as well.
I dont remember all of my numbers, but my TSH was 1.18 and my blood sugar and hemoglobin were normal.
MFP suggests 1200, so yes, that is my daily goal.
How about your antibodies? My TSH tests in the normal range, but my antibodies are all out of whack, so my endo has had me on a low dose of levothyroxine for years.
Again, unsure of the numbers, but I was told they were normal.