Possible Hypo with Questions

Avatar for laurajb_1
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Possible Hypo with Questions
3
Sat, 02-05-2005 - 10:03am

Hi Everyone! I just have a couple of questions for those with hypothyroidism.  I have a family history of thyroid problems (mom has my mom has hypo and they think it's Hashimoto's and her dad had hyperthyroidism) and I've been totally worn out for quite some time, and got some initial bloodwork done this week.  My doctor seems to be willing to explore this further (they just tested for TSH levels) and I would like to have my T3, T4, etc... tested.  My TSH level was 3.73 (with a normal range of .2 - 4.2).  My mom says her endo likes to keep her right around 2 b/c that's where she feels the best in terms of energy, even though when she was diagnosed her TSH was like 9.7 something. 


I guess my question is did anyone start treatment for hypo even when they're in the "normal range"?   I know that some doctors are very hesitant to do anything unless you're way out of the normal, but considering the family history and I just haven't been feeling well even though I'm eating balanced meals and getting the right amount of sleep. They did a complete blood work on me and everything else was fine. 


I guess if you have any tips or pointers on any specific tests I should ask for, and dealing with doctors.  Thanks in advance!!



 



 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Sat, 02-05-2005 - 11:59am

Hi Laura and welcome!! Great photo of you and your husband and "babies"! Your tsh level is actually .73 above the normal range now set by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. The new upper limit for diagnosis is 3.0, but most labs and doctors haven't caught up yet!! It might take more than a year before they do. So you can definitely be treated for hypo. Plus with your family history, any doctor worth going to would have to pay attention to that as well as your tsh level. It sounds like you have a good doctor since he's willing to treat you even though he thinks you're still in the normal range. Getting treated now will help you avoid any of the more aggravating and debilitating symptoms of hypo!! Here's the link on the new range so you can print it for your doctor: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthyroid/a/labs2003.htm

Hope this helps! Cathy :)

Avatar for laurajb_1
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Sat, 02-05-2005 - 11:47pm
Thank you for the warm welcome Cathy, as well as the info! Even though my mom has hypo, I still don't know very much about it b/c she was diagnosed after I was away at college (across the country) so I'm still trying to learn some more.
 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 6:40pm
Hi - being so little over normal would be nothing if you were feeling great. But since you're feeling that something isn't right, it's great to catch it now and start taking medication. You will most likely avoid all the dreaded things .... dry skin, dry hair, hair loss, fatigue, mental confusion or brain fog, weight gain, constipation or other digestion issues, mentrual or pre-menstrual issues, and the list goes on and on. So if you can catch it early and have a doctor willing to treat you, I'd say go for it!! There's many of us who have had to switch doctors three or more times to find a good one who was willing to treat our symptoms as well as our tsh level. It's not like you're adding something to your system that your body doesn't alreay make on it's own - it's replacement therapy so it's replacing the thyroid hormone to bring you to a level that helps you feel good. What do you think? Cathy :)