Am I hypothyroid??

Over the past couple of years my symptoms have began to get worse, especially over the course of this year.  My hair which was once long and full is now short, dry and sparse, my energy levels suck, my moods swings are almost unbarrable, PMS make me want to jump off of a bridge, the ends of my eyebrows are almost gone, I'm having crazy dizzy spells that come ad go, and I have gained 15 pounds just this year while eating clean and working out 6 days a week.  I am a personal trainer with certificates in nutrition, point being, I know how to eat properly and I definetaly know how to lose weight.  I finally have gotten fed up, and knowing the symptoms of hypothyroid because my sister has it, finally went to the doctor to get a blood test.  My TSH level came back at 5.3.  Now, with all the research i have been doing on hypothyroid, as far as I have read, 5.3 is a fairly high level and should be treated.  The lab which did my blood tests range goes up to 5.5 therefore it says i'm fine.  The doctor won't treat me and sent me away saying "come back in 6 months".  I'm so frusterated and feel like I'm going crazy.  I can not handle these symptoms anymore, I feel like **** everyday, can't fit into my clothes, and know that in 6 months i'll probably gain another 20 pounds!! I'm freaking out.  My question, am I crazy or should a TSH level of 5.3 with all the symptoms I'm having be treated???? And how do i go about finding a doctor who will treat me???  I'm so upset, I just want to feel normal again. HELP!!!

[Susie125]

I recently discovered that my TSH level was too high (at 5.4) ... although my doctor felt that it was normal.  It was my naturopath who recognized the problem and in addition to testing for TSH levels, advised me to have free T3 and T4 levels checked, and now wants me to have Reverse T3 done.  My naturopath cannot prescribe medication (in Canada) and I had to ask my doctor to increase my medication (which he was reluctant to do even though I had a visible goiter, symptoms of hypothyroidism and TSH level of 5.4.)  He was following the old standards of 5.5 being acceptable .... these standards are now lower and you'll need to be pro-active to get your situation resolved.  

My naturopath loaned me a book on Thyroid which describes many scenarios very similar to yours .... people not being diagnosed and suffering through symptoms that can easily be treated.  I'm not sure why some doctors aren't up to date on the new levels??  Good luck with getting this resolved! http://www.altsupportthyroid.org/tsh.php

[barleypop]

I highly recommend finding a new doctor.  TSH of 5.3 is considered by some as subclinical hypothyroid (however, I think if you have symptoms you should be treated especially if you have antibodies) and numerous doctors won't treat until it hits 10.  I would find another doctor (endocrinologist perhaps) and have TSH, freeT4, freeT3 (not total T4 or T3 uptake but freeT4 and freeT3...some doctors won't run those tests) and TPO antibodies/Thyroglobulin antibodies checked.  

The American Association for Clinical Endocrinologist (AACE) recommends a new the range for TSH be 0.3-3.0.  Check out the AACE website for guidlines
www.aace.com/pub/guidelines/

Hope this helps!

[Rite760]

I agree with the other two, when my TSH was 4.6 it was classed as borderline high. But they couldn't treat it because it keeps swinging from high to low. You need to get them to repeat the test frequently to see what the trend is. And I cannot really understand your symptoms as I get awful ones whenever my TSH is either high indicating a swing to hypothyroidism and when it goes back low to hyperthyroidism. Some docs will treat you with your TSH find someone who will look into it  more for you. Good luck!

[brat31]

Thank for all the support guys!  So i got a call from the doctors office today asking me to come in regarding my free t4 and antibodies test.  Apparently my t4 is normal but my antibodies are super high.  I have been refered to an endo, but have to wait 6 weeks to get in!!!  In the mean time, I'm gaining at least 2-3 pounds a week....I'm freaking out.  I can't exercise anymore than I already do nor can I eat any cleaner!! I'm about to get t3's(cytomel)myself which i don't need a doctor to get and start taking them in the mean time at a low dose just to keep it under control.  This is the most frusterating thing EVER!!!