Should levels be checked again?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Should levels be checked again?
7
Mon, 05-14-2007 - 10:25am

Last year around this time it was found that I have a 3.9cm nodule on my thryoid that is non functioning. Have done a FNA, and ultrasounds every 6 mos and it does not appear to be growing or doing much of anything else. When we originally found this, before even knowning what it was I had all of my levels tested. They are fine, according to both my primary, and the thryoid specialist. When I last went for my 6 mos U/S in March I asked him if it was ever necessary to repeat the blood work for thyroid levels, and he looked at my results again and said they were fine then so it's not necessary.

During this past year my sister was diganosed with an underactive thryoid. I really want it tested again. I am so tired 99% of the time..I mean I can get up and function but that is about as far as I can go. I work (desk job) 8hrs a day but about 2 hrs in I feel like I really need a nap. When I get home I go straight into the living room becuase I am so exhausted I just need to "relax". I rarely eat dinner at the table with my family because I am too tired to go out into the dining room and eat. By 7:00 I feel like I need to go to sleep. I force myself to stay up until about 8:30 and then go to bed with the kids. I have no energy to do anything with my children. If we go to a playground, they beg me to push them on the swing, and I beg them to let me sit on the bench.

In the past 6 mos I've gained about 30 lbs, even though I've changed nothing in my habits. I cannot lose weight even if I force myself to diet, and exercise.

Should I demand that my drs do my thryoid levels again, or is it really useless? I don't know what the levels were before as I was never told.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-1998
Mon, 05-14-2007 - 1:47pm
I think you've answered your own question. Yes, definitely go and get rechecked. It sounds like all the symptoms of hypothyroid. I myself got rechecked after 6 months and found out that I was borderline low because of taking generic meds. Luckily my endo's office is great and they had no problems going ahead and retesting me.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Mon, 05-14-2007 - 8:08pm
I definetly think you should get your levels checked again. I was diag. w/hypo in April and have been on meds for a little over a month and am feeling a lot better. You don't realize how bad you feel until you get on meds and feel better. Many of the thyroid symptoms sneak up on you as did in my case. I was first hyper about 3 yrs ago on meds for that, normal for over a year and now am hypo. Have you seen an endocrynologist? I just called my endo and told them that I wanted to get my levels checked and they got me in asap. I also have a PPO for insurance so I have more flexibility.
Good luck and let us know how things turn out!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Thu, 05-17-2007 - 3:57pm
So I went to my drs yesterday for something unrelated, and was mentioning how tired I was, and my inability to lose weight..I then brought up if I should have my thyroid levels checked again, to which I was cut off saying that they were just tested in September of last year..rather rudely. I then started to explain that I just wasn't sure if it is something that should be tested yearly, or..to which I was cut off again, to the dr saying that it hasn't even been 6 mos (which it actually has, but whatever). He was just pretty rude all over. He ended up ordering some blood work, and did the thryoid blood work again also (because he could tell I was shocked at how he was talking to me). He told me I probably just have a vitamin d deficiency (he thinks becuase I don't drink milk....)and that is why I am so tired. So that was a big fat waste of my time! What sucks is I REALLY like this dr, he is the only dr in this entire practice that I like. Maybe he was just having a bad day or something, but this time I am getting copied of my levels and will report back to see what they reall mean.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 05-17-2007 - 5:29pm
That's a good idea to get copies of your tests.
 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Thu, 05-17-2007 - 10:53pm
Was this your primary doctor or the endocrynologist? My endo is great and has never questioned me when I have asked to have my levels checked. I think that the way your doctor was treating you was terrible. Bad day or not, he shouldn't have cut you off! I can't stand doctors that do that! I know you said you like him, but he should be listening to you and your concerns about your body, not cutting you off and telling you what he thinks it is before he even let's you finish talking. In my experience and from reading others on this board, your thyroid levels can fluctuate quite a bit. I was hyperthyroid at one time, then normal for awhile and now am hypothyroid. My levels were normal in October as well when I went to my yearly endo apt and within 6 months I was hypothyroid with a TSH in the 8 range, so your levels can change. Are you experiencing any joint or muscle aches? I had that really bad and didn't even realize how bad it was until I got on my meds.
I am sorry that you are having such a difficult time, but don't give up! You know your body best and don't be afraid to fight for what you want! Don't let a doctor make you think you aren't feeling something that you are and don't let them intimidate you. Keep me posted on how you are doing! I'll be thinking about you!
((Hugs))
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Fri, 05-18-2007 - 12:29pm
It was my primary. When I went to the endo in March, I asked him about if I should have my levels checked again, and he said that it was fine in October so no. I do have muscle aches..I guess that is a good way to explain a symptom of my "fatique"..I just feel like I can't get my body moving, that my muscles are tired. Well, we'll see what happens when the results come back.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2004
Tue, 05-29-2007 - 10:31am
I think that if at any time you feel "strange" like perhaps your thyroid is not functioning right and you have symptoms, you should insist that your doctor order the test for you and yes, get a copy of the labs as well. I guess you will have to decide how you feel but TSH levels can jump around a lot. Can you call him back and just explain you don't feel quite right and would like to have him order the labs so you can put your mind at ease. If he says no again....well, I think I would be looking for another doctor, but I know it is hard finding a good doctor and one you have a good rapport with. But don't let any doctor get a "God complex" and ignore what you are telling him. That is dangerous.