Is it hypothyroid

[ladams]

Can you offer any suggestions?  I have the following symptoms:
Fatigue, my arms and legs feel like lead weights(even at rest), headaches, dizziness, hair loss, reactive hypoglycemia, veer to the left when I walk, cold hands and feet, feel chilly when in a room that is 78, high triglycerides (687) despite the fact I have cut back on carbs, dry skin, weight gain, hoarse voice, anxiety, I also get spaced out and dizzy in stores.  I have had MRI, rotation chair, ENG, EEG,…  nothing shows up.

My Dr says TSH level is normal (3.8) The blood test was done last week.  I feel terrible every day.  The symptoms have been getting worse over the course of many years, to the point I am not dealing with it very well.  Dr asked what I wanted to do.  He is the Dr.  Then he said he would send me to an endocrinologist.  They made the appointment and it is not until Feb 2008.  Wow. I have a desk job so I move very slow at times but if I had a very active job, I know I could not handle that.  What do you think?  I know something is wrong but what?  I just want to feel better

[kitcurious]

See doctor's comments regarding TSH

[cheshire]

Sadly, most labs use outdated ranges and doctors overlook elevated results.

Your TSH is a poor indicator of what is really going on in your body -- 4.38 can feel very hypo. I felt very tired and hypo when my TSh was 8. I felt a little more tired when my TSh was 682. Then when my TSh was less than 1 on synthroid I felt like the walking dead. Labs are just tools -- if you feel bad, it's time to make some changes. Symptoms are more important than labs.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

TSH is the single most useful thyroid test we have currently available.  The key is interpretation.  The minimally elevated TSH (eg, 3.8) may mean early hypothyroidism and in these cases antibodies should be evaluated as many would have Hashimoto's.  With the symptoms, it may be worth treating with levothyroxine.  

However, this is not likely the source of all your issues.  You likely have Insulin Resistance Syndrome -- high triglycerides, overweight, blood sugar difficulties (even though you mention reactive hypoglycemia, this is likely an early manifestation of pre-diabetes), also high blood pressure and low HDL (good cholesterol) are associated with insulin resistance.  Small frequent protein based meals will be the most helpful - but limit calories so that weight is lost not gained. (easier said than done I know...).

[kitcurious]

Actually yes, your TSH is very mildly elevated and no, TSH is not a "lousy lab" LOL

[cheshire]

Oops! The current range for TSH is .35-3.5, so your result is actually NOT normal. Also your doctor should be looking at your symptoms, not just a lousy lab that rarely works (the TSH)! There is no doubt in my mind that you are hypo. How is your Free T3 (note the word “free”)Thyroid Antibodies (anti-TPO and TgAb. YOU NEED TO CHECK BOTH). You should also check your free T4. You want to see your FREEs at the TOP of the range, not at the bottom -- BOTTOM is HYPO. Run B12 (you want this higher than 600) and ferritin (this should be between 60-150). Hope this helps. And sorry you are not well.