So your thyroid tests (TSH) are "normal"? So why do you feel so rotten?
I saw my doctor's records. I had a 4.7 TSH level in 1999. At the time up to 5.2 was "normal". Now 3 is normal. If I had only gotten treatment at the time for my panic disorder, which was from my hypothyroidism, I'm sure! (My only symptom was shortness of breath, not full blown panic attacks). Instead I was put on Paxil and gained 30 lbs which took a year to diet off, also given thousands of dollars of tests that revealed that my heart and lungs were, in my doctor's words, "like a 20 year olds."
I found a website that explains it all. Even a "normal" TSH level, under today's new standards, might be concealing hypothryoidism.
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
Read it-it could save your life, or restore your life!!!
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6 comments:
My TSH was 4.72 just recently. The doctor told me that my symptoms (extreme fatigue and anxiety are the big ones, also hypoglycemic symptoms, etc) were all in my head (when I asked "Well, what's wrong with me?" he said "I'm not a psychiatrist, and that's what you need" basically) and my TSH was normal and/or it was my birth control's fault.
So... I should go get it checked by a different doctor?
God yes.
Here is a list of top thyroid doctors:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/
Make sure that the doctor you call prescribes ARMOUR. The more I read, the more I'm convinced that ARMOUR is the way to go instead of Synthroid.
Now I have conflicting information - I'm not sure if my TSH was 1.8 or 4.something. (The 4.something is what's written on the fridge by my endocrinologist card, and I'm not sure which one it is). My lab report says my free t4 is 1.15 and my free t3 is 295. Whatever "Thyroglobulin, Quant" is, is 7.4.
I have no idea what any of that means and they didn't go over it with me. Well crap.
I've been in kind of the same boat and I am also a medical transcriptionist and you would not believe (or maybe you would now) the number of patients I see being put on antidepressants when they initially complain of fatigue symptoms, instead of having any lab work or further testing. Lazy doctors is all it is. They hope to either pacify you with an antidepressant to mask/numb your senses and/or make you come back every two or three months for a year so they can suck your insurance dry, and by then you're practically begging for help, before they will take the time and put forth an effort to see whats really going on. It's pathetic, and eventually I told my doctor that for those of us who are self-employed and unable to afford private health insurance, certainly a damn depressing situation.
I have been in your shoes, and a wacky thyroid is no laughing matter. I found out about my hypothyroidism by my GYN who was reading courtesy bloodwork from my GP! I was at 5.6. What really pissed me off was that when I had the bloodwork it was to address my hypothyroidism symptoms! They told me that it was normal.
I promptly fired the GP and got a new one on the pretense of addressing the thyroid issue. The second GP, who was a total quack, said, "You don't have hypothyroidism, you have Type II Diabetes because you're fat." I struck a deal with the new GP - give me a low dose synthroid and I'll have the big diabetes blood test. Yes, I had to barter for my health! I got the pill and went ahead with the bloodwork to prove a point.
Of course I didn't and don't have Type II Diabetes, I have hypothyroidism. For the second time in 3 months I fired a GP. I finally found one that treats me like a patient who has hypothyroidism. This doc does not ignore my symptoms, takes bloodwork every three months and does not act like I am freakshow because I am overweight.
Because I was aggressive, my thyroid is regulated and I feel like a different person. Don't let doctors blow you off. Ever.
Sorry for the rant, and I am so, so glad you're feeling better.
I stumbled here looking for adoption blogs (we're giving domestic a go) and I can't believe I found this post. Just yesterday I was at a chiropractor (first time for me) and she said "Have you ever had your thyroid checked?" and then went on to tell me that "normal" could still be a problem.
Now I am extra curious to learn more!
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