I need some advice

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
I need some advice
9
Wed, 11-17-2004 - 8:12pm
Hi, I am new to these boards.I have been trying to concieve for about 16 months now and have been off of birth control for 2 years. I miscarried once during this time of trying, but I also miscarried once when I was trying for my son who is now 3. Recently I went to Kaiser to get a fertility work-up done and my TSH came back at 4.9. The doctor refused to treat me, but decided to order another test. The second one about 2 weeks later came back at 3.6. They still refused to treat me, but did a free T4 which came out at 0.9. Kaiser said that I am not hypothyroid. My hair is falling out like crazy, I am depressed and extremely tired I am also gaining weight, I am having night sweats..is this a symptom? I know that your TSH should be between 1-2 to concieve, but my doctor had never heard of that, or the new lab standards. So, I have been trying to get in to see a endocrinologist, but so far everyone I have talked to is 3 months out on scheduling, or agrees that I don't have hypothyroidism. I need your advice, opinins...am I hypothyroid, or is it in my head because Kaiser made me feel like I need to get psychological counseling and with the depression and mood swings I am beginning to think that they are right. HELP!!! Also, I spot for about 5 days prior to heavy bleeding and I wonder if this is due to my thyroid too.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Wed, 11-17-2004 - 9:17pm

Hopefully if and when you get into the endo-

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-14-2003
Thu, 11-18-2004 - 11:26am
I was still having nightsweats until my TSH was under 3. Up until they diagnosed me with the hypo I thought I might be going into early menopause but once I got treated it went away. Hopefully that will be the case with you. Keep after the doctors until you get some results. I was ready to go to a doctor outside of my insurance plan and pay for it if the doctor hadn't agreed to run the antibody test. When it came back positive she had no choice but to send me to the endo. Perseverance is a good thing.
Mary
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Thu, 11-18-2004 - 6:30pm
Thanks for your encouraging responses. It helps me to feel motivated to get this under control, at times I feel like I should just live with it, but I know that isn't right either. What is the antibody test?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Fri, 11-19-2004 - 1:39pm

Sometimes when people have thyroid problems it's b/c of an autoimmune type disease called Graves, which makes you hyperthyroid or Hashimoto's (Hashi's) which makes you hypo.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Sat, 11-20-2004 - 9:53pm

Hi - I really thought I had answered your post!! I must be losing my mind. LOL! I guess that's a common feeling here. It sounds to me like you are hypothyroid and you might want to wait on trying to conceive until you get diasgnosed and on medication. The chances for miscarriage with undiagnosed hypo is pretty high. All of your symptoms are classic hypo symptoms even though your TSH isn't too high, by relative standards. Someone else at that level might feel fine but your point to your doctor should be that YOU don't. I think Mary's right. Persistence pays off so keep looking for the doctor that is willing to diagnose you. Just because your doctor doesn't know about the new standards don't mean they don't exist, for goodness sake!! These doctors just drive me crazy!!! And then you have Kaiser telling you you needed counseling and medication - well maybe they're lousy doctors are to blame!! LOL! Ok - I need to go to bed. I'm getting to cranky.

I hope that you will be persistent and have some other options in finding a new doctor. Do you think you will be able to? Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 11:43am
Cathy, thank you for all of your advice. It's so frustrating to think that I should stop trying until I get on meds because it feels like that will never happen. I have a 3 and a half year old and I didn't want them spaced so far apart. But, I know you are right. At times I seriously feel like giving up on the whole thing and then I look at all the hair I am losing and I get so frustrated. I think I will try a naturopath next. AHHHH!!! I just want to scream. Anyway, thanks for your support.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Mon, 11-22-2004 - 10:30pm
You're welcome! And you just hang in there. You'll get to where you want to be, it just takes time. And patience!! Hugs, Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Tue, 11-23-2004 - 1:28pm
YAY! YAY! YAY! I contacted a naturopathic that is covered on my plan and she is going to treat me. She totally validated my feelings and said that based on my symtoms and lab results she will start me on a low dose of thyroid medicine. I actually spoke with two different naturopaths and scheduled two seperate appointments,and I am not sure which one I should go to. One seems a bit more into women's health, maybe I will go to both of them and see which one I like better.
I'm so happy...Naturopathis doctors rule!
thanks for your support.....Melissa
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 11-23-2004 - 10:38pm
Oh thank goodness!! That's just great news! See? You just can't give up!! :) You are an inspiration for others to stick to it and keep searching for answers. I'm so happy for you. That's really wonderful. hugs, Cathy :)