Aa
Angry !! and tired !!
Hi,
It's been 3 long years, and doctors still cannot figure out, cause of my fatigue !!!! I have an enlarged thyroid, all my symptoms are hypo, all though labs results are alway's normal. I have chornic fatigue, freezing hands/feet, feel cold all the time, tinnitus, etc.....
I've been doing research, and a few cyberspace doctors, has stated although thyroid labs are normal, patients who complain of hypothyroid symptoms, especially fatigue, usually resolves with medication called Cymetol (T3),.
Also body temps, can cause thyroid fatigue, my body temp average is 97,. My body temp this afternoon was 97.3,.
What will it take to convince a doctor, my symptoms are real ? Regardless of what thyroid labs reveal.
My thyroid did not enlarge, just cause it felt like it one day. Once thyroid enlarged, fatigued kicked in.
Does anyone have method to share, to convince my doctor, my symptoms are real ? thyroid related ?
I have also read, there are many doctors, that treat thyroid patients, without the use of modern day thyroid labs.
Life without energy, is horrible !!!!!! I have been tested for adrenal fatigue, cortisol, etc... all return normal.
My fatigue began, after thyroid enlarged. Why ? doesn't any doctors listen.
I surely hope, someone out thier somewhere, can help me find a solution.
Thank you
It's been 3 long years, and doctors still cannot figure out, cause of my fatigue !!!! I have an enlarged thyroid, all my symptoms are hypo, all though labs results are alway's normal. I have chornic fatigue, freezing hands/feet, feel cold all the time, tinnitus, etc.....
I've been doing research, and a few cyberspace doctors, has stated although thyroid labs are normal, patients who complain of hypothyroid symptoms, especially fatigue, usually resolves with medication called Cymetol (T3),.
Also body temps, can cause thyroid fatigue, my body temp average is 97,. My body temp this afternoon was 97.3,.
What will it take to convince a doctor, my symptoms are real ? Regardless of what thyroid labs reveal.
My thyroid did not enlarge, just cause it felt like it one day. Once thyroid enlarged, fatigued kicked in.
Does anyone have method to share, to convince my doctor, my symptoms are real ? thyroid related ?
I have also read, there are many doctors, that treat thyroid patients, without the use of modern day thyroid labs.
Life without energy, is horrible !!!!!! I have been tested for adrenal fatigue, cortisol, etc... all return normal.
My fatigue began, after thyroid enlarged. Why ? doesn't any doctors listen.
I surely hope, someone out thier somewhere, can help me find a solution.
Thank you
Hi Barb,
Thanks for input. My thyroid labs are approx a year old. Doctor appointment on 19th, will ask for new thyroid blood labs. Also, will ask for new Endo.
I'm just disppionted in medical professionals, it's been 3 years since my goiter appeared, thyroid symptoms and no treatments, and waiting, waiting, waiting between appointments.
How is a person, suppose to function with no energy ? Goodness gracious !!!
I'm at my wits end, Acupuncturist shared, she has natural hormone and T3 hormone, might take matters into my own hands.
Thanks for input. My thyroid labs are approx a year old. Doctor appointment on 19th, will ask for new thyroid blood labs. Also, will ask for new Endo.
I'm just disppionted in medical professionals, it's been 3 years since my goiter appeared, thyroid symptoms and no treatments, and waiting, waiting, waiting between appointments.
How is a person, suppose to function with no energy ? Goodness gracious !!!
I'm at my wits end, Acupuncturist shared, she has natural hormone and T3 hormone, might take matters into my own hands.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Can you post your most recent lab results, along with the reference ranges, since these vary lab to lab?
As you can see, many of us have been through the "doctor nightmare". I had a doctor that I really liked, but had to move on, once my hypothyroidism was dx'd because all he wanted to use for dosing was TSH, and since my TSH runs very low, he kept reducing my med, which kept me very ill.
Knowing what your labs are, would help us see where you are in the range and maybe help come up with a way for you to get a trial dosage or something. Do keep in mind that it may be time to find a different doctor.
As you can see, many of us have been through the "doctor nightmare". I had a doctor that I really liked, but had to move on, once my hypothyroidism was dx'd because all he wanted to use for dosing was TSH, and since my TSH runs very low, he kept reducing my med, which kept me very ill.
Knowing what your labs are, would help us see where you are in the range and maybe help come up with a way for you to get a trial dosage or something. Do keep in mind that it may be time to find a different doctor.
The frustration that these doctors give us by not looking outside the box is enough to give us depression and high anxiety. I felt totally beaten down by all of them and at times I realy felt I was out of my mind. They called me a doctor hopper because I went from one doctor to another. I blame the doctors for my osteoporosis. I was losing bone mass quickly and no Endo would take a Vit.D test?? Finally the 4th one did and it was 8.5. This doctor also took a TPO test and came out Positive for Hashi's. My number was 483.
Deelited- I'm not a doctor but with a number of 200 for your TPOab I would think you do have Hashi's. I may be wrong but I don't think so.
Deelited- I'm not a doctor but with a number of 200 for your TPOab I would think you do have Hashi's. I may be wrong but I don't think so.
With thyroid the only perfect range is that which relieves symptoms. If you are talking about the reference ranges, they are far too broad to assure anything. Being in the lower half of the ranges is frequently consistent with being hypo and having symptoms such as fatigue and low body temperature.
A good thyroid doctor is willing to treat a patient clinically by adjusting FT3 and FT4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. A good thyroid doctor is also willing to prescribe meds other than T4 types, when advisable. Ask your doctor if he is willing to do these two things, and if either answer is no, then find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.
A good thyroid doctor is willing to treat a patient clinically by adjusting FT3 and FT4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. A good thyroid doctor is also willing to prescribe meds other than T4 types, when advisable. Ask your doctor if he is willing to do these two things, and if either answer is no, then find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.
Wow !! Happy to see, I'm not the only one, with emotional distress with doctors. Normal labs = psychiatry, seems every doctor follows this standard.
I surely read Hashi alot. Maybe, I'll have my doctor, investigate more deeply. My symptoms are mainly fatigue and cold body temps. Sometimes, I'll be shivering when it's 80 degrees in the house.
All my thyroid labs, return in perfect range, including free T3/T4, antibodies.
I surely read Hashi alot. Maybe, I'll have my doctor, investigate more deeply. My symptoms are mainly fatigue and cold body temps. Sometimes, I'll be shivering when it's 80 degrees in the house.
All my thyroid labs, return in perfect range, including free T3/T4, antibodies.
Here are my recent experiences with my doctors.... i started with a gyno because I am certainly perimenapausal. When I was in for a pap and to talk about night sweats, etc. I asked that he check my thyroid levels as it had been awhile and I knew I had nodules, he refused and also refused to recommend a endo. He said I needed a Primary Care doctor to do that. I was new to the area and thought "OK, I need one anyway". He did recommend a anti-depressant for "mood swings" though.
So.... next stop Primary care doc: full physical and a referal to endo. Also, another recommendation for anti-depressants.
First Endo: looks over all my old thyroid info (I keep a copy of everything). Takes very basic blood tests, and tells me before she even has any results that none of my symptoms could be thyroid. have i considered an anti-depressant?
So by this point I think "maybe I need a therapist?" I get an appointment with someone highly recommended who spends a good deal of time with me and says " have you had your thyroid checked? - you do not show any signs of depression.... but some physical signs of thyroid problems." He recommends a different endo....
Now a year later I have had my HUGE disfunctional thyroid removed and have an excellent working relationship with my new endo.
Keep fighting the good fight..... good docs are out there!
PS - most of the "peri-menapausal" symptoms disappeared with the thyroid issues.
So.... next stop Primary care doc: full physical and a referal to endo. Also, another recommendation for anti-depressants.
First Endo: looks over all my old thyroid info (I keep a copy of everything). Takes very basic blood tests, and tells me before she even has any results that none of my symptoms could be thyroid. have i considered an anti-depressant?
So by this point I think "maybe I need a therapist?" I get an appointment with someone highly recommended who spends a good deal of time with me and says " have you had your thyroid checked? - you do not show any signs of depression.... but some physical signs of thyroid problems." He recommends a different endo....
Now a year later I have had my HUGE disfunctional thyroid removed and have an excellent working relationship with my new endo.
Keep fighting the good fight..... good docs are out there!
PS - most of the "peri-menapausal" symptoms disappeared with the thyroid issues.
I did send an email to my first endocrinologist (the one who wanted me to stay on the thyroid med that made me feel ill) Her assistant provided her email address to me when I told her I would not be returning for my next appointment.
I told her I simply could not understand or accept that she never once palpated my neck or felt my lymph nodes even though she was aware I had nodules (from another doctors ultrasound scan) I also told her that the very same day she insisted I stay on the Levoxyl that I'd called and asked my primary care physician to prescribe natural dessicated and within three days - THREE DAYS! - the side effects were gone. I told her they had been CAUSED by the med and I did NOT need a neurologist as she suggested. I also told her that her haughty & aloof behavior made a doctor / patient relationship with her impossible. My experience that first month with Levoxyl does not mean it is not effective for others - but in my case I needed the T4/T3 combo.
Anyway - It felt REALLY good to be able to just tell her what I thought. Of course she didn't respond.
I also have thought about sending a letter to one of my former primary care physicians whom I liked personally, but was one of the doctors that had said they'd though I'd benefit from seeing a psychologist (she wanted me to go on antidepressants) I am not against anti-depressants and had taken them off & on for several years. But you know, there comes a point in time when you just KNOW they are not getting it right.
I will never ever simply just take a doctor's opinion as the last word. In fact, I honestly believe that many of them simply GUESS at what is wrong without taking the time to really do what is necessary to really research a persons symptoms.
I don't know how I'd have gotten through those first few months without this forum.
I told her I simply could not understand or accept that she never once palpated my neck or felt my lymph nodes even though she was aware I had nodules (from another doctors ultrasound scan) I also told her that the very same day she insisted I stay on the Levoxyl that I'd called and asked my primary care physician to prescribe natural dessicated and within three days - THREE DAYS! - the side effects were gone. I told her they had been CAUSED by the med and I did NOT need a neurologist as she suggested. I also told her that her haughty & aloof behavior made a doctor / patient relationship with her impossible. My experience that first month with Levoxyl does not mean it is not effective for others - but in my case I needed the T4/T3 combo.
Anyway - It felt REALLY good to be able to just tell her what I thought. Of course she didn't respond.
I also have thought about sending a letter to one of my former primary care physicians whom I liked personally, but was one of the doctors that had said they'd though I'd benefit from seeing a psychologist (she wanted me to go on antidepressants) I am not against anti-depressants and had taken them off & on for several years. But you know, there comes a point in time when you just KNOW they are not getting it right.
I will never ever simply just take a doctor's opinion as the last word. In fact, I honestly believe that many of them simply GUESS at what is wrong without taking the time to really do what is necessary to really research a persons symptoms.
I don't know how I'd have gotten through those first few months without this forum.
& ShelleyN. It really is beyond belief how many GP's & Endo's just brush us off and want hand out the sample box of the latest antidepressant!! I'm in Australia and we also have the "15 minute" appt block and its out the door. Its seems these experiences are so common with members and I really am angry too. I have also wanted to send letters to all of the GP's and specialiasts I have seen!!! Maybe we should ALL write letters. Once I finally do get a dx I have even condisered taking legal action against the first Endo I saw.... I am ANGRY too.
So many times I have also left a Dr's appt in tears and this entire experience has, at times, nearly driven me to suicide. Thank goodness for this forum & its members, it makes such a difference to speak to others who are going through the same things so I "KNOW" its not in my head!!!
Lori, my last test showed TPOab was 200 with lab range of <60. My TPOab has increased from 102 to 200 over the past 2 years.
My FT4 was 11 with range of (10-20). This has dropped from 17 over the past 2 years.
I suffer from ALL the symptoms you & Shelley speak of and feel & look like I am aging 10 times faster than everyone else. Yes, the dry, wrinkly arms & legs, drooping eyelids, wasting muscle tone, ruddy, crappy skin, deteriorating eyesight, thin hair. Its so awful, when I go out with my mother "everybody" thinks she is my sister.....*moan*. I'm 42 & she is 66! I have a panic attack if I run into somebody I havent seen for years as I just have to look at their shocked expression to know exactly what they are thinking.
Since posting my question in the Forum I have had some very helpful replies (thanks again ShellyN for yours) and I am now convinced I have Hashi's and have had it for over 20 years! *Sob* I also now know to 'interview' Endo's before just going blindly to another one and I am in that process at the moment. The waiting time for appts are ridiculous and so many Endo's here have closed their books to new patients. But I will persist, I want to get well!!!!!!
Thanks for your replies, grateful as always.
So many times I have also left a Dr's appt in tears and this entire experience has, at times, nearly driven me to suicide. Thank goodness for this forum & its members, it makes such a difference to speak to others who are going through the same things so I "KNOW" its not in my head!!!
Lori, my last test showed TPOab was 200 with lab range of <60. My TPOab has increased from 102 to 200 over the past 2 years.
My FT4 was 11 with range of (10-20). This has dropped from 17 over the past 2 years.
I suffer from ALL the symptoms you & Shelley speak of and feel & look like I am aging 10 times faster than everyone else. Yes, the dry, wrinkly arms & legs, drooping eyelids, wasting muscle tone, ruddy, crappy skin, deteriorating eyesight, thin hair. Its so awful, when I go out with my mother "everybody" thinks she is my sister.....*moan*. I'm 42 & she is 66! I have a panic attack if I run into somebody I havent seen for years as I just have to look at their shocked expression to know exactly what they are thinking.
Since posting my question in the Forum I have had some very helpful replies (thanks again ShellyN for yours) and I am now convinced I have Hashi's and have had it for over 20 years! *Sob* I also now know to 'interview' Endo's before just going blindly to another one and I am in that process at the moment. The waiting time for appts are ridiculous and so many Endo's here have closed their books to new patients. But I will persist, I want to get well!!!!!!
Thanks for your replies, grateful as always.
I can REALLY understand your anger!!!! I'm still angry and I have a right to be. I also think from time to time of writing all these doctors letters but then I decide not to. Maybe I really should.
It just aggravates me to read over & over how we have all been treated by physicians who had NO problems taking our money & filing their insurance claims while herding through patients like cattle evry 15 minutes! %$^&%(*%&*!!!
I left so many appointment crying and angry. It was always the same - "you are depressed" you should really consider antidepressants! Well antidepressants were NOT going to fix the skin on my arms and legs which were becoming dry & wrinkly, OR fix my muscle tone which was changing dramatically, or fix my drooping eyelids! They were not going to cure my frequent constipation!
I swear once I was diagnosed with hahsis I wanted to write letters to the three doctors I'd gone to for help and tell them to go BACK to medical school and PAY attention this time! I also wanted to write to my first endo who was an aloof arrogant woman and tell her when I stopped the thyroid med she'd prescribed and changed to another that the side effects I'd acquired were gone in 3 days - she'd told me to go to a neurologist when all I needed ws a change in meds!
QUACKS!!
I left so many appointment crying and angry. It was always the same - "you are depressed" you should really consider antidepressants! Well antidepressants were NOT going to fix the skin on my arms and legs which were becoming dry & wrinkly, OR fix my muscle tone which was changing dramatically, or fix my drooping eyelids! They were not going to cure my frequent constipation!
I swear once I was diagnosed with hahsis I wanted to write letters to the three doctors I'd gone to for help and tell them to go BACK to medical school and PAY attention this time! I also wanted to write to my first endo who was an aloof arrogant woman and tell her when I stopped the thyroid med she'd prescribed and changed to another that the side effects I'd acquired were gone in 3 days - she'd told me to go to a neurologist when all I needed ws a change in meds!
QUACKS!!
I agree totally with ShelleyN720!
I believe I was hyper prior because I my heart rate and blood pressure was totally unstable. I even had to have a heart catherization which came out clean. No one could understand it. I lost 50lbs in a few months. I might add I also have active Lymes disease so I don't know if these symtoms came from being Hyper. My Endo doctor gave me the antibody test and it came out at 483 High. Then my T4 finally showed Low and I was put on Synthroid. My endo said that I had been walking around for years with Hashi's.
My temperature was also low. I couldn't tell if it was hot or cold,terrible anxiety,depression (maybe because my Vit D was so low). Now that the doctor put me on Synthroid and my Vit.D is good, I don't have depression anymore.
I might add that the Endo that diagnosed me and tested for Hashi's was my 4th Endo I went to within a year. No one else tested.
Doctors were telling me it's psychological. I felt I would go out of my mind. It was horrible what they put me through. I took control and went from doctor to doctor until I found the right doctors!!!! It's NOT in your mind.
Find a doctor that listens to you. A person knows when something is wrong with them. Most doctors do not look outside the box rather they see things in black and white. If it's not showing on the tests, then you're okay and they tell you to seek psychological help. After 4yrs of being ill and going in and out of hospitals, I finally found wonderful doctors and I'm sticking with them.
Be well!
**What was your TPO number from the blood test? I forgot what the normal range is.
I believe I was hyper prior because I my heart rate and blood pressure was totally unstable. I even had to have a heart catherization which came out clean. No one could understand it. I lost 50lbs in a few months. I might add I also have active Lymes disease so I don't know if these symtoms came from being Hyper. My Endo doctor gave me the antibody test and it came out at 483 High. Then my T4 finally showed Low and I was put on Synthroid. My endo said that I had been walking around for years with Hashi's.
My temperature was also low. I couldn't tell if it was hot or cold,terrible anxiety,depression (maybe because my Vit D was so low). Now that the doctor put me on Synthroid and my Vit.D is good, I don't have depression anymore.
I might add that the Endo that diagnosed me and tested for Hashi's was my 4th Endo I went to within a year. No one else tested.
Doctors were telling me it's psychological. I felt I would go out of my mind. It was horrible what they put me through. I took control and went from doctor to doctor until I found the right doctors!!!! It's NOT in your mind.
Find a doctor that listens to you. A person knows when something is wrong with them. Most doctors do not look outside the box rather they see things in black and white. If it's not showing on the tests, then you're okay and they tell you to seek psychological help. After 4yrs of being ill and going in and out of hospitals, I finally found wonderful doctors and I'm sticking with them.
Be well!
**What was your TPO number from the blood test? I forgot what the normal range is.
You can have normal thyroid tests for years when you have hashis. Most doctors only do TSH along with the isual CBC's. If the TSH is in range they think the thyroid is okay. NOT!
Even the free T's can be in range while the auto-immune antibodies are quietly destroying your thyroid gland - and sometimes nodules develop.
Hypothyroid is the usually the last stage of hashimotos - prior to that there is often a period of "hyper" thyroid. I remember mine well - insomnia, anxiety, heart racing - emotional distress...for several weeks. Then slowly the hypo symptoms started to develop over several weeks & months - all the bizarre & frightening body changes as my body ws starved of thyroid hormone.
Hashis is diagnosed by the antibody tests (you probably saw in other thread)
Even the free T's can be in range while the auto-immune antibodies are quietly destroying your thyroid gland - and sometimes nodules develop.
Hypothyroid is the usually the last stage of hashimotos - prior to that there is often a period of "hyper" thyroid. I remember mine well - insomnia, anxiety, heart racing - emotional distress...for several weeks. Then slowly the hypo symptoms started to develop over several weeks & months - all the bizarre & frightening body changes as my body ws starved of thyroid hormone.
Hashis is diagnosed by the antibody tests (you probably saw in other thread)
Hi there,
I hope you dont mind me asking you a few questions as I am desperately trying to get a dx of suspected Hashi's and not having much luck. Sick for 'years' with all the usual symptoms plus TPO Antibodies which indicate Hashi's but like you my thyroid panel always comes back as normal.
How did they dx your Hashi's? Was it antibodies or due to the low T4? Thanks so much for any insight.
I hope you dont mind me asking you a few questions as I am desperately trying to get a dx of suspected Hashi's and not having much luck. Sick for 'years' with all the usual symptoms plus TPO Antibodies which indicate Hashi's but like you my thyroid panel always comes back as normal.
How did they dx your Hashi's? Was it antibodies or due to the low T4? Thanks so much for any insight.
I had symtoms for quite some time and my tests came out normal. I then went to a new Endo doctor and was tested for Hashi's. It came out positive. The doctor said that I have had it for "years" while my thyroid tests were coming out normal. Finally my T4 went low.
My Vit.D was 8.5.
Were you tested for Hashi?
My Vit.D was 8.5.
Were you tested for Hashi?
Sounds like the same symptoms we all have, even though your test results seem within "Nomal" Range, Many MDs and Labs today use outdated ranges, post your results here for members to see, a lot of them are sharper than I am, but I have Hashimoto's and have the same symptoms and so does everyone else. It takes trial and error to find a good thyroid doctor that treats your symptoms not your labs. Good Luck FTB4
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