Hypothyroid or Manic Depressive

[T Gilbert]

I posted before about my son.  The symptoms that my son shows that look like hypothyroidism are as follows: Low body temp...96.4 or less taken in the morning before getting out of bed 5 days in a row. Dry skin/hair...to the point of scratching himself constantly. Brittle nails...they flake off. Insomnia...he lays in bed for hours. Poor short term memory and concentration...He has to write notes to himself. Depression... irritability... anxiety attacks...not that many though. Swollen looking eyes... Skin problems/infections... Dry eyes... Heat and cold intolerance...when hot rips clothes off(no matter when we are)/when cold screams. Constipation... Slow healing... has sores that have been on his legs for up to four months... Itchiness...takes medication to stop. Mood swings... Crying jags... Stiff joints... Loss of appetite...He has weighted 60 pounds for three years. Pale skin...you can almost see through it. The last blood tests were in Feburary of this year. TSH.....2.69 FREE T4.....1.30 His doctor told me she wouldn't even order liver tests every other month because she doesn't like to have kids stuck if it isn't needed. (While the other doctor is freaking out because they aren't done monthly)

My Daughter has most of the same symptoms with the addition of Slow speech... she has been in speech class for the last three years. Muscle cramps... in her legs. Astmhma/allergies...has inhaler for pollen season and takes Zyrtec... Food intolerances...tomatoes and red dye. She is in summer school for kindergarten because of her poor concentration. She hasn't had blood work done.

I have always been told that my blood levels are "fine" without an discription as to what is high or low. But still have my symptoms.

I would like to thank you for answering my questions here. It is a wonderful site. And have learned many things just from reading other peoples posts. Thank you again!

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Ms. Gilbert,

The range for TSH values are .35 miu/ml - 5.50 miu/ml. If the TSH value is greater than 5.5, generally a Free T4 level will be ordered, and this is regarded as an effective indicator of hypothyroidism.

I'm not sure how to be helpful to you at this point. Perhaps a second opinion consult would be in order, particularly because you are experiencing some disagreement between your son's providers. Also, it sounds like he is pretty persistently ill, so it makes you wonder about how effective his current treatment is.

[T Gilbert]

Thank you.  I guess I have been thinking that I should get a second opinion, but needed someone else to think so too.  You have been a great help and my family and I thank you.  I will try to get a second opinion.  This may take a while since we are in the military.  Military insurance and doctors don't take kindly to even speaking of a second opinion.  When I told our family theripst your advice, she said it was the best she ever heard.  Thank you again.
T Gilbert & family