Every thing is normal--now what??

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Every thing is normal--now what??
15
Thu, 03-30-2006 - 9:10pm

I had a retest on Monday. All this time I thought they were testing everything but they were only doing TSH. The lab lady told me this time that if my TSH level was still high the lab order said to test the T4, T3 etc.

I called today and they said that my thyroid level was at normal, and they would send a copy of the results. That means they didn't test all the other stuff. :-(

It would have been nice to know. I feel ok on the dosage of levoxyl (only 50mcg)a little better than before I guess.

I'm really watching what I eat, eventhough I have almost unbearable carb cravings. I exercise 6 days a week, and drink about 80 oz of water a day and I'm still not losing, (not losing inches from the exercise either). Its like I can feel my self growing!!

Guess I'll call my Dr. and see if I can get in. Thanks for letting me vent.

Dana

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Thu, 03-30-2006 - 10:43pm

Hi Dana:

I just want to say that I have "been there..." Isn't it weird to be so disappointed to be told that "everything's normal?" It's like you're hoping for not-normal because you'll be so relieved to hear that they're changing your dose or medication... or anything hopeful.

I guess she didn't offer up the TSH value that they're considering normal? When you get the results, post them here for us. I really hope that it truly was a good, low number, but I have a itsy-bitsy hunch that since you're having symptoms, it isn't going to be that easy...

Most of us need the TSH to be a 1 or a 2... In my case, my TSH was once as low as .25, but the T-4 and T-3 levels were comfortably normal and I was feeling OK, so my doc didn't worry about it... he said that there's a whole host of reasons why TSH might be supressed so he goes on symptoms and since the other levels were normal, it was fine.

It really winds me up when they go on TSH alone! Grrrrrr.

Good luck! I'll be thinking of ya....
Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2004
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 8:32am

Darn that lab!

The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes...
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 8:54am

The lab they use considers up to 4.82 normal. I was subclinical--when I was diagnosed in Nov. I was at 6.28; then in January I was 5.42. I should be getting the results in the mail today. It usually only lists the TSH.

My Dr. is usually very thorough, it surprises me she hasn't checked the other thyroid factors.

Dana

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 8:57am

I'm going to see if I can get in next week and at least talk to her about the weight issue.

If I would have worked out this hard a few years ago, I would have been a stick!! Don't want that, I just want the 20-25 pounds I've gained in the past year to go away!!

Dana

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 10:09am

Hi:

Those numbers are too high. The new normal range of TSH = 0.3-3.0 was suggested by AACE in 2003, but as we know many labs haven't yet updated. The research is there to back it up, (it's legit), and you've nothing to lose by mentioning the new range to your doctor when you go in to see him.

Good luck & remember, the most important thing is that he consider your symptoms! It isn't "subclinical" if you're having symptoms.

Take care,
Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 10:17am

One more thing...
I'd be somewhat careful about discussing the weight issue. My advice (for what it's worth) is that you emphasize the symptoms that can't be attributed to anything else. Doctors learn that patients chronically over-report physical acivitiy and under-report calorie intake, and so their attitude is shaped to be generally skeptical on this issue. I usually really hit on hair loss, low body temperature, constipation, fatigue, dry skin... & etc. I mention the weight thing, but casually... I'm also more casual about mood swings, low sex drive and the other "emotional" ones...

OK, that's really it now! :-)
Take care,
Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 10:45am

Thanks for the advice. I think I will approach it that way. I also need to talk to her about whether I should go back on estrogen replacement.

When I first went in in November and told her what was going on she immediately said thyroid(I never mentioned weight). She looked at my records and saw how much weight I had gained from March05 to November05, plus I had terrible nerve pain in my feet.

I just looked back at my Nov04 TSH and it was 3.86; but of course that is seen as normal by the lab.

Thanks again.

Dana

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 12:48pm

Hello. I hope that everyone is doing good. I'm having a fun day. So maybe I can ask a question to. I was reading Dee's post and she said normal ranges for TSH was 0.3-3.0. At my last doc appointment my TSH was 0.01 but my t-3 and t-4 total were within range. Will I always have a low TSH? And can my t-3 and t-4 total really be within range and have a low tsh? I'm still trying to understand the numbers.

I am still feeling pretty good. I am getting more energy back which is nice. I have also changed doctors. YES! I will go into my new doc in 2 months.

Dana I hope that you and the docs can find out why you are not losing weight. I know it's discouraging. Keep hanging in there and remember you are not alone.

Take care
Kim


Ph
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 3:59pm

Hi Kim:

I suspect that since your T-4 and T-3 are normal, then your TSH will catch up to reflect something more within the normal range. It was probably temporary suppression... there are fluctuations. It's really great that your doc took all the levels so that you know all the info. In my case, they were both within normal, but the T-4 med needed to be backed off a little, and the T-3 dose increased a little... That straightened out the low TSH.

I'm so happy you're improving~!

Take care,
Dee.

Check out "15 reasons why your TSH might be fluctuating:"
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/tsh-fluctuating.htm the info...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 9:29pm

Got my lab results today. The only thing listed is TSH, says it is 3.46; which according to the lab is normal--normal for them is 0.34-4.82.

Dana

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