New and have a quick Q

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-30-2004
New and have a quick Q
7
Tue, 11-30-2004 - 5:13pm

Okay I have been exhausted since I had my hysterectomy 4 years ago, my hair comes out(not in handfuls but it is more than normal says my hair stylist) I have gained a LOT of weight since then and have a really hard time losing it. So, I have had 2 TSH tests from my general practitioner in the last 2 years and both times they were within normal ranges but just within. Like the tsh I had 2 weeks ago was 2.60 Is this really within normal ranges or could I have a thyroid problem? The reason I ask is that if others have had tsh levels around this level and ARE indeed hypo then I will push my doc to do the other tests or send me to an endo. Oh forgot to mention I have depression off and on and have for many years. Oh, dont' know if this is anything but I have a terrible memory. It's things like remembering to do something, or if someone told me something or remembering words while talking to someone(like any words). Very strange to me.

I just have this deep down feeling that something isn't right with me, if it isn't this then it is something else. I can just feel that I'm not normal, too tired I can sleep 20 hours and still feel tired or 4 and feel tired as well. It doesn't seem to be normal to me.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 11-30-2004 - 10:47pm
Hi and welcome - I only have a second but yes, you can have a TSH of 2.6 and still be hypo. A normal thyroid is between 1.0 and 2.0 so even a little bit over for some people means that they have an underactive thyroid. And you have all the symptoms! So push!!! :) Cathy
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2004
Wed, 12-01-2004 - 2:51pm

Another thing to have the doctor check is your ferritin and saturation levels. Since you have had a hysterectomy, you could be iron overloading. Iron overload has many of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism - fatigue, brain fog, etc. My husband has hemochromatosis - a genetic disorder that leads to iron overload. It's a very common disorder, except most doctors don't seem to realize how prevalent it is. The American Hemochromatosis Society estimates that 1 out of every 250 people have hemochromatosis. The good news is, it is easily treatable, and if caught in time, most of the symptoms disappear.

Chris

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-30-2004
Fri, 12-03-2004 - 10:25pm

Thanks! Cathy, do you have a link to some site or something that has the info on it?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2004
Mon, 12-06-2004 - 9:54am

You can check out the website for the American Hemochromatosis Society at www.americanhs.org. It is something worth checking out. I had never heard about it until 5 years ago when my husband was diagnosed.

Chris

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-06-2004
Mon, 12-06-2004 - 5:07pm
I have congenital hypothyroidism and have had problems keeping it under control since i had my kids who are 3 and 5. I suggest having your doc check your T3 and T4 levels as well if your TSH is borderline. You might get some more answers there. Also depression can cause you to be extra tired and gain weight as well. Oh, and I also forget words and lose my hair so it does sound thyroid related.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Mon, 12-06-2004 - 10:50pm

Here you go!

Here's an excellent article: http://www.altsupportthyroid.org/tsh.php It pretty much covers everything you need to know.

Here's another article with some good info, too. http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/subclinicalhypofaq.htm

Hope these help. Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-30-2004
Tue, 12-07-2004 - 8:49am

Thank you so much!!!