Hypothyroid symptoms, still within normal range

[dlynn37]

I have had hypothyroid symptoms for at least 1 1/2 yrs..  My Tsh was .7 and my T4 was .9 consistantly and Dr. would not recognize it.  Now my Tsh is 1.68 and my T4 is 0.62, she acknowledges that the symptoms and the levels changing suggest hypothyroid but wants to wait and retest in 3 months before doing anything.  In the meantime, I feel horrible and now my eys are acting up.  In addition to my original symptoms of weight gain, muscle loss, pitting of the skin, slow healing, (I've always been skinny prev.), fatigue, extreme dry skin, confusion, memory loss, irritability, throat swelling, headaches, exhaustion, hair loss, constipation, shortness of breath, etc., I have recently had problems with my eyes, including twitching, and a pulling sensation in one that has a old corneal abrasion and itching and irritation in both.  I want to know if this all sounds like hypothyroid and if the eye thing is connected and if an opthamologist might be able to confirm anything.  I'm just frustrated with feeling this way and am tired of waiting for anything to be done.  I was diagnosed with Non-hodgkins lymphoma in 2000 and have been in remission since 2001 but I haven't felt right since.  Any insight into my situation would be greatly appreciated.

[Ryynicole]

My grandpa who is 83 has been acting very weird lately.  He has always been very sharp and friendly.  Lately for the past 3 mths he has been very quiet, sad, and in irriteted moods.  He finally went to the neurlogist and he was sent for a blood test.  The doctor marked TSH and vitamin B12.  After looking on the internet i came to this web site about thyroids from tsh.  Just wondering if it could be this causing my grandfather's moods.  Hopefully we will find out!

[smiley55555]

Hello, I am new and just found out I have Hypothyroid after going to the hospital when I had hearth palpitations one night. I wanted to ask you guys what you think of this. I am 28 and have always been rather thin, and still am. I am a competitive runner. I have hearth palpitations, the kind that feel like my heart has paused and then skipped around for a moment, especially when resting and lying down, and I also have shortness of breath. I went there thinking that I would be told I have hyperthyroid so when they said it was hypo I was really taken aback. I do have mostly all of the other symptoms of the hypothyroid, but the fact that I have palpitations and are thin makes me really scared about taking the thyroid hormones. Will it make the palpitations worse? Will it make me become even thinner? Thanks for the help! Namaste, Kelly

[whitetigerrr]

You may be having dry eye problems,(commom on Hypo's) An OTC eye drop such as SYSTANE 3X a day will help. Your eyes will be blurry for a few min after-this is normal.That should help the itching and irritation.You should see an ophthamologist if it doesn't help. They would probably prescribe an allergy drop.Twitching is usually a result of stress,excessive twitching could be a mild form of dystonia - unlikely unless it's a constant uncontrollable twitching.In extreme cases, Botox is used to relax the muscles.

[md1johnson]

The problem is the sign your having could be anything. I had the same signs ended up being plumonary hypertension. I didn't although have the hot flashes but I am now my primary dr did a adb ct and seen a large cyst on my left ovarie. Seems like one thing after another since the tx ended.

[dlynn37]

I really appreciate both of your comments, thanks.  As for needing new docs, you are probably right.  I have considered this, but have already dealt with so many, I guess I started to think that no one would acknowledge this.  This one says if the next test shows the same trend, she will treat me for hypothyroidism.  It's just that after I got home I started thinking, but what's the point in waiting when all the symptoms point to this, ya know?  Quilting1, side effects of treatment are always a concern to me as well and you have some major health problems to consider but from what I've read, it seems that there are more risks of that sort to not treat hypothyroidism than there is to treat it, if I'm understanding correctly.  And your levels scream hypothryroid. Best of luck to you too.

[boanna]

I think both of you need new doctors.

[dlynn37]

It just feels so good to be able to express these feelings to people who understand and to get feedback from those who have been there.  Thank you all for that. You begin to feel like a burden and a complainer to your family and friends after awhile and begin to question whether or not they even believe you. So this opportunity is greatly appreciated.  Before I forget, any insight into the opthamologist question?  Thanks again.

[Quilting1]

I did a bunch of research on the internet and made sure I had reliable websites and then called my doctor.  I explained what the information said about effects of not treating it - heart problems (increasing chances of coronary artery disease, decreases heart's ability to pump thereby increasing risk of stroke), high cholesterol which may not respond well to meds without thyroid being treated and also increasing my risk for heart disease and stroke, as well as increased eye problems when I only have one good eye and am suspect for glaucoma in the other (with some vision problems as well) and pointed out Levothyroxine causes virtually no side effects when used in appropriate does (according to the Mayo Clinic).  She pointed out that by current guidelines I do not have hypothyroidism and I reminded her with all the symptoms I have (some of which I probably have blamed on other things and some of which I just didn't even try to figure out what they're from) I think it was time to at least try conservative treatment.  She agreed; however, said I needed a bone density test before she would consider it.  So I am set up for that.  I told her there is treatment for that as well that we probably should consider as well depending upon what the results of the test shows.  She agreed.  She said it would mean I would need blood tests every three months for awhile and said that concerned her with my previous lack of follow through  That REALLY burned me because the only thing she could be referring to is my refusal to have some tests done that they suggest.  I pointed out that if I do not agree that tests are needed, no, I will not let them set the tests up.  That's not lack of follow through; that's refusal.  I pointed out when I was on a blood thinnner following my stroke, I went in weekly for 6 weeks for blood tests without any problem.  So I guess I have satisfaction but I had to do my homework and really be prepared.  It's a good thing I'm not a young, naive young lady anymore!  I have found out you have to do your homework and advocate for your own best interest!
Pam

[Quilting1]

I am experiencing similar issues with my doctor except my TSH is 4.77 now (up from 3.79 a few years ago) and she will still not treat it because I have had a stroke and am at high risk for osteoporosis - she states side effects of the meds can cause heart palpatations and osteoporosis.  I have attributed several of the symptoms to my stroke even though I physically recovered very quickly (3 weeks or so) and so now I am wondering if it is actually my thyroid.  

I wish I had some words of wisdom, but I hope it helps in knowing you're not alone.  I think we need to be very educated on health issues ourselves, as well as be our own advocate.  I wish you the best!
Pam