HAD TSH TEST - NEED ADVICE!
Find a Conversation
| Mon, 10-30-2006 - 11:34am |
Hi,
I hope someone can tell me, from their experience, what would be a course of action to take. I have had 99% of the symptoms of hypothyroid problems (thinning hair, dry skin, brittle nails, yellowish skin, always feeling cold, tired and weak, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, muscle aches and cramps, weight gain - gained 10 lbs in the last month). I am not diabetic, so that is ruled out. I had this test:
TSH (THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE) WITH REFLEX TO FREE T4
My TSH test value was 1.56. My doctor says this: "The TSH test was not only normal but in an ideal range by any opinion. It is possible that the pituitary is not putting out the correct level of TSH. We could do a free T4 and T3 level to see if the hormone levels are also consistent with normal thryroid function. The problem with treating symptoms with normal thryoid levels is that the symptoms are not unique to thyroid disease and high thyroid levels carry significant risk."
My question: Does anyone know about the free T4 and T3 level tests, and does it make sense to do those tests when my TSH test was in the normal range? I thought the TSH test was to determine whether the pituitary gland is producing the right amount of TSH? I think my doctor is shooting in the dark about this. Any suggestions?
Thanks very much for any input.

Hi Justlaura1954,
Yes, I would agree that you should get the free T3 and T4 tests done.
Baby-Daughter
Hi,
I had read your posts after I posted mine. I'm so sorry you have had to go through all that with your doctor(s)! And boy, do I understand what you mean about dealing with the weight and all of the other stuff! Like another person who posted about weight, I also gained about 60 lbs. after a hysterectomy, after weighing no more than 120 lbs my whole life, so another 10 lbs. this past month has been the proverbial final straw. I am very, very fortunate that I have doctors who listen to me and order tests that I feel are necessary (if my symptoms indicate the need for the tests). I e-mailed him on Monday morning and got a response via e-mail from him this morning that he has ordered the T4 and T3 tests. My lab tests post on the internet within a few days. Also, there is no extra charge for the lab tests. We are with Kaiser so we just pay the humongous premium monthly and have very little other charges.
There's so much we have to do to just keep up in this life, while hoping to enjoy it along the way, that all of this stuff is almost too much to handle, I know. Please let me know how your tests come out and if you get answers. I'll post mine too.
The good thing is that you are strong enough to keep searching instead of giving up and feeling like crap all the time, so don't stop insisting on answers!
Thanks for the encouragement. My RAIU was inconclusive...My PCP's nurse phoned me this morning (although he said he would talk to me himself) and said "the doctor told me to tell you there is nothing wrong with your Thyroid", he said it might be your sinuses (causing the neck swelling, ear pain, etc..). He instructed me to begin taking the Provigil samples (for fatigue) and schedule an appointment to tx. my sinuses. I took the first pill this morning and it will be my last! It feels like I took "speed'. What a Joke!!! I wasted 6wks. entrusting my health to this "quack"!
After crying for about 30mins. I decided to contact a Wellness Clinic in my area. I had been referred by my previous Endocrinologist > a yr. ago (because they specialize in women's hormonal disorders. I decided to go a differnent route because of the expense (they do not file insurance for PPO's HMO's etc). I am SO angry with myself! I let my health deteriorate over the $. If it had been anyone else in my family; I would not have hesitated. Lesson # 1 (for all women)...DON'T PUT YOURSELF LAST!
I hope my post helps someone else. Don't give up. I KNOW that something is very wrong with me. My physical/facial appearance has changed noticeably in the last 6mos.
Baby-Daughter
And don't you just want SOMEONE to find SOMETHING? It gets to the point to where you don't care what they find, just so it's something that can be treated! Well, I mean not anything terminal...
I had the T4 test this afternoon and the test was posted to the Kaiser website in my health record a little while ago. I was disappointed that the test is in the normal range (1.), crazy as it sounds. They said the T3 test takes about 10 days.
I know how you feel - I am in the same boat, where there's something wrong with me but no tests show anything. A simple sinus scan should show if there's anything wrong with your sinuses. I've never heard of Provigil. A treatment for fatigue? It sounds like a pill to get rid of the symptoms (although way to the other side of fatigue, apparently!) but you'd like to find out what's causing the symptoms. It really should not be so difficult!
Well, hang in there. I feel for ya, I really do!
-Laura
It is SO funny that you would say "just find something"...I was hoping it might be Cancer (who would want Cancer-I prayed to God to forgive me for having such thoughts!). It is pathetic to reach this point. At least it is a definitive Dx. I would rather battle that than to feel like I am losing my mind and battle the dismissive sexism of my M.D.'s! If I hear 1 more time that I am stressed or depressed I am going to scream!!!!!!!!!! Stress and depression can't cause someone to have EVERY symptom of Hypothyroidism.
Regarding your Labs...you may find you are in the low/high normal as I was. However, your M.D. should be able to look at the data subjectively and make a Dx. I have read everything I can get my hands on and it seems more times that not; objective measures alone can't be used to make a Dx.
Please let me know what you find out ...
Baby-Daughter
I truly do understand what you are going through. I don't have severe pain, just enough symptoms to just make me feel like crap and not enjoy this wonderful life I have, and that just ain't right! I'm behind in every aspect of my life because it's hard to be energetic and accomplish much when you feel lousy. Also, I've lost ME because I certainly don't recognize this person I see in the mirror - can't stand her. I mention that to any of my friends and they start with the "oh, you shouldn't think that way", or "you should look at your inner beauty" - garbage like that that really doesn't help, even though they mean well.
I'm wondering what the actual risk is in taking a low dosage of hypothyroid medication for a week or so? Does it mess you up for life? Do you know much about the T4 and T3 tests (in regular person dialogue)? The T3 takes a long time, I wonder why...
Let me know when you find out something. I'll do the same.