If you have female problems, get your thryoid checked

Hello, I'm popping over here from the thyroid forum. Thyroid disease can cause many female problems, including endometriosis, miscarriage, heavy, painful periods, infertility, preemies, etc. Thyroid hormone pills have made a WORLD of difference for me. Please read my story below:

1. Premature baby after difficult pregnancy birthed six years ago - OBGYN did not run thyroid tests.
2. Endometriosis three years ago and cured with one year of birth control pills - GYN did not run thyroid tests
3. Painful periods, swelling, heavy, irregular, mood swings continued after I got off the pills and GYN did not run thyroid tests.
4. Severe constipation, GERD, Heartburn, fatigue for the past three years - Gastro docs did not run thyroid tests.
4. Diagnosed Hashimoto's in August of '09, and now I wonder WHY doctors never ran thyroid labs despite myriad symptoms since birthing my preemie.

Blood tests needed to diagnose hypothyroidism - TSH, FT3, FT4 (warning, many docs use outdated TSH labs. Endocrinologists who KNOW thyroid will tell you that any TSH above 2.0 is hypo).

Blood tests needed to diagnose Hashimoto's (the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US) - TGab and TPOab

Also, thyroid ultrasound is recommended for any hypothyroid patient.

:) Tamra

[skepticalpeach]

I've already had my thyroid tested several times and it's fine.