Hypothyroidism

Posted By M on June 06, 1999 at 16:17:42
I recently visited the doctor as I was concerneed re chronic lethargy and ballooning weight. I had previously put these down to a back injury of 3 years ago and osteopathic treatment advisign me against any 'serious' exercise. However, my brother, a qualified pharmacist, who hadn't seen me for 6 months, took one look at me and said you should have your hormonal level tested. As he is usually more phlegmatic in his approach to medicine I took his advice. Thus I visited the doctor.
They did some blood tests for hormones, thyroid and kidney  which all came out OK apparently (I wasn't told the exact 'measurements'). But I am concerned that the problem might be too subtle to be picked up this way. Are there other tests that can be done, bearing in mind I am a UK resident.
I have never been particularly strong, and at age 12 was the smallest in my class and wearing clothes made for a 9-year-old. I developed normally after that age, rapidly catching up with my friends. I have always had dry flaky skin and a sensitivity to perfumed products. I have also always tended to tire easily, and get cold easily. These are problmas I had attributed to inheritance (e.g. my father has a similar cold intolerance, my aunts were never strong) or as being normal. I have to drink loads of water to keep a chronic thirst at bay, and if I don't get constipation. I have dry, fine hair, very pale skin. Sometimes puffy ankles, difficulty concentrating and sluggishness. I have had OCD, but I feel it was only mildly i.e. only when stressed. I have suffered from depression at times but at a level I would consider normal for modern life (whatever normal may be!) and am quite nervous/shy as a general disposition. I definitely suffer from low blood sugar, a condition I realised I had as if I don't eat when I need to I can't concentrate and feel light-headed and become irritable very quickly - sometimes my vision seems to become blurred.
As I have lived with these all my life I had not realised they might not be normal or that together they could mean some dificiency.
I'd appreciate your thoughts in this, It is difficult to tell your own doctor you think they may not have carried out all the necessary tests.










Follow Ups:


Re: Hypothyroidism HFHS.MD-D.E. 6/11/1999
(1)

Hypothyroidism M 6/20/1999
(0)



Re: Hypothyroidism M 6/07/1999
(2)

Hypothyroidism Jeff 8/08/1999
(0)


Hypothyroidism M 7/09/1999
(0)