Does this sound like hypo & at home test

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2004
Does this sound like hypo & at home test
1
Thu, 12-09-2004 - 8:52am

Hi. I posted a question on the gyn boards and was told it could be a problem with my thyroid. I work and live under pretty wierd conditions so I can't just run to the doctor (involves a flight,car rental and missing a day's work minimum) so I went ahead and ordered one of those BIOSAFE at home tests that use FDA approved labs. It is supposed to test your TSH levels in your blood. Does anyone know if these are accurate...the websites offering them (many) all say that they are the same tests done at the doctors office and they actually will send the results to you and your doctor if you choose.
I've been reading the information the other poster gave me (link on ivillage) and I have some of the symptoms, but not all. My major complaints are that for about 6 months now I have been skipping every other period (sometimes it is just a discharge with a tinge to it, but its just like once or twice in a day that I notice that and that is all...but I will have some cramping...which in itself is wierd to because I was one of those lucky ones who rarely had cramping, now I seem to have it every month, and its not always just before my cycle is due...I will get mild cramping throughout the month).
I also am finding it IMPOSSIBLE to lose weight. I exercise like crazy (and no, that is not why the periods are screwed up because I was exercising just as much before they started getting wierd). And I watch what I eat and the scale just won't budge. They only time in 5 years I had any success with weight loss was when doing a low carb diet. Not sure why that would work for me when nothing else would and I was concerned about all the fat in my diet so I quit and of course gained back the weight.
Also, I am cold all the time...this has been for years too and its annoying but not something I ever thought to go to a doctor about. My fiance is always saying my thermostat is off. It will be 80 degrees and I'll have on pants a sweat shirt and still want a blanket when we're on the couch. I do have times where I feel normal temp wise and even times when I'm hotter than what others are feeling, but those are far and few inbetween..the cold thing is pretty regular. I haven't ever noticed my actual temperature reading to be off though, its just that I feel cold.

Other than that I don't think the other symptoms really fit so could this be something else??? Do you know of anything else that has very similar symptoms to hypothyroidism? I'm trying to find a doctor now (my ob/gyn retired this month so I need to find a new one and I've never set up a primary physician).




Edited 12/9/2004 9:34 am ET ET by scubagal2004
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Thu, 12-09-2004 - 10:58pm

Hi and welcome - I don't know much about the home tests for TSH but if the ads say they are the same ones the doctors use, then I would trust them. And, in your situation, it is better than nothing at this point. I wouldn't use one if I were already diagnosed or if I had access to a good doctor but again, in your situation, it's probably a good idea. It does sound like you have many hypo symptoms and nothing comes to mind in terms of what else it could be. Have you ever had trouble with low iron? That can sometimes have similiar symptoms. I'll check that out for you - what other conditions might have the same symtoms because I'm not thinking of anything offhand.

The important thing about doing the test yourself, I would think, would be to follow the directions exactly. Then when you get the results, come back and post them here and we'll see if we can help. You're going to be looking for a TSH level at 2.0 or above to identify a hypo condition. Don't even pay attention to the range they give you with the test if it says 5.0 and above or even 3.0 and above because many women have been diagnosed as hypo with many symptoms and a TSH level of over 2.0. I'm hypo and I don't feel well at all at 2.3! So, everyone is different when it comes to symptoms and TSH levels and how they feel. But let us know what it's like, ok? And what your results are. Cathy :)