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Could I have hypothyroidism?

Hi all!
I've started to think that I may have hypothyroidism, however my lab results were within the normal range so I was told that there is no problem, despite having symptoms relating to hypothyroidism. Now a year later I wanted to test them again, and I would much appreciate some help in interpreting the results, which I've listed below. I'm a 21 year old female if this helps.

July 2014:
TSH    1.61   range 0.4-4.0
F T4    10.48    range 10-21

March 2015:
TSH    1.34    range 0.4-4.0
F T4    9.64    range 10-21

The symptoms I've been experiencing are weight gain and very difficult to lose any, high cholesterol depsite a healthy diet, very infrequent periods, have days when I feel depressed or anxious for no reason, sometimes difficulty concentrating and remembering things, dry hands, brittle nails, infrequent bowel movements. My grandma also has hypothyroidism so it runs in the family.
The thing is that none of the symptoms except for the cholesterol, weight and missing periods are very severe. I don't feel tired, anxious or depressed all the time, just occasionally. I also don't have many of the other classic symptoms such as thinning hair, intolerance to cold or general weakness. So I'm not really sure what to think :D

Thank you for any replies in advance!
9 Responses
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Avatar universal
I want to purchase Natural Desiccated Thyroid.Kindly guide me.I am from Mumbai India.
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Avatar universal
Thank you very much! I will keep in touch
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Avatar universal
All those symptoms except one are frequently related to hypothyroidism.  So the most important thing to discuss with the doctor is that you have all those symptoms and your Free T4 that is bad enough to actually be below the range, so you would like to start on thyroid medication.  If he brings up the TSH level, then you can tell him that is likely because it is central hypothyroidism, characterized by TSH within the range, but inadequate Free T4 and Free T3.  

In addition to a prescription for meds, I would ask for a Free T3 test on Friday, and every time you go in for tests in the future.  That is because scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated beset with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate.  Also, since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, I would also push to get those tested.  

The symptom I mentioned as being different is the "frequent urge to go to the toilet".  I think that one is cause to ask the doctor for tests for early diabetes.   Also I think it is very important to ask the doctor if he is willing to treat clinically, by adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  If not, then you should know now and start looking for a good thyroid doctor.  

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Avatar universal
And also, from what i noticed, the doctor's answer for everything is paracetamol so could you please tell me what should i tell the doctor to give me? It's a little frustrating that I have to do the doctor's homework and ask other people what they should do, because they are being paid and i don't understand for what exactly.....but after all, this is about my health, so....

And Gimel, on the symptoms, i will also add:
-poor concentration
-easy irritable


A big thank you!
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Avatar universal
You make it to clear and easy, thank you!

Yes, indeed...the medical system in the UK is very poor and that's why i started to look out on the internet when i found this site.
I am not a big fan of 'going to the doctor' ( although i had to see them more often then i wanted ) , so I will give you some of my medical history, the most relevant that i'm thinking about:
- encephalitis ( around 5,6 years old )
- hepatitis ( around 10 )
- tbc ( i started the treatment in January...)

Based on what i have read about the thyroid, I had no idea what exactly i have ( hypo or hyper ) because i felt that i have both side symptoms.
- tiredness ( now i am more tired then even, i think because of the treatment that i take )
- dry skin
- sweating a lot (!!)
- i feel the urge to go to the toilet very often
- muscles stiffness ( just walking and my foot gets stiff, and the same for the leg muscles, but when happens at that one, it hurts; i have moments when i feel funny my hands, like almost stiff but i can still control them)
- i never had a regular period, so i don't know if it counts as a symptom
- palpitations ( i think this one is from the treatment that i take, because since i changed the treatment, i don't have so strong palpitations)
- short episodes of imbalance ( when walking or when holding still )

I had those test yesterday, but on Friday i have an appointment: could you please tell me, based on the above symptoms, what tests should i ask the doctor to take me?

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Avatar universal
Understand that TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone.  The purpose of TSH is to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone.  TSH is affected by many different things, to the point that at best it is only an indicator of thyroid status, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4.  The main value of TSH is to distinguish between primary hypothyroidism (related to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis), and central hypothyroidism which is related to a dysfunction in the hypothalmic/pituitary system.  

You haven't told us about any symptoms you have, but just from your limited test results I expect that you are hypothyroid and have some symptoms.  The ranges are far too broad, due to the erroneous assumptions used to establish them.  So even being in the lower half of the ranges for Free T4 and Free T3 will result in hypo symptoms for many people.  And your Free T4 is even below range.

So you do have hypothyroid problems and should be started on thyroid med.  You also need to make sure they test you for both Free T3 and Free T4 each time you go in for tests.  I know that in the UK that is frequently a problem, depending on your doctor.  In addition, a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Getting treated clinically will also be a problem for you.  So you need to find out if your doctor is willing treat clinically as described.  If not, you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.

Getting adequately tested and treated has been such a problem in the UK that a fellow member who encountered many barriers but who was finally successful told us this.  "What I have learned from my experience is that you have to go to the Dr's office and TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT and to go backed up with knowledge.  You have to tell them that you have done your reading and looked into your condition and care about the long-term treatment of your health and thyroid.  If you fight for what you want, you will eventually find someone that is happy to go along with your wishes.  But we all have to take charge of our own health, right?"   Another alternative is going private.  


  So please tell us your thoughts about this.  Also please tell us about your symptoms.  Also please clarify when those tests were done.
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Avatar universal
Hi,

I don't know where exactly to put this question, so I will try here.

A couple of years ago my doctor send me to an endocrinology specialist; the specialist told me based on the test result that i have to take every year those tests ( in simple words, she explained me that i will develop at one point some thyroid problems ), so this year, because I am in UK, i asked for those tests again, but I don't have the best feeling in the world about this doctor, reason for which I ask for your advice.
So, my test results are:

      TSH (0.30-5.00)        2.50
       FT4 (12.0-22.0)      10.2  L


Could you please tell me what you think about these? Should I be concerned? Do I have thyroid problems? And if yes, which ones....?

I thank you very muck!
  
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Avatar universal
Ok, thank you so much for your reply!
I hadn't heard of central hypothyroidism before but now that I've read up on it more it does seem quite possible that I have it.
I'm getting a call from a doctor about my results in a few days so lets hope this time she agrees that I have a problem with my thyroid and I can start taking medication or something to help.
Thanks again :)
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Avatar universal
TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that, at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3.  Of the two thyroid hormones, Free T3 correlates best with hypo symptoms.  So, you should make sure they always test for both Free T4 and Free T3 each time you go for tests.  

There is a long list of symptoms that can be hypothyroid related.  You have quite a number.  That is consistent with your Free T4 being so low.  Due to the erroneous way the ranges are calculated, they are far too broad to be functional across their entire breadth.  Many members say that symptom relief required Free T3 in the upper third of its range, and Free T4 at least at the middle of its range.  Along with the Free T4 result, and your symptoms, your TSH result indicates central hypothyroidism, which is caused by a dysfunctional hypothalmic-pituitary system.

A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  You can get some good insight from this link written by a good thyroid doctor,

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

So you need to discuss with your doctor and request to be started on thyroid med and then gradually increased until you reach optimal levels required to relieve symptoms.  Since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, I also suggest getting those tested.  D should be about 55 - 60,  B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin about 60 minimum.
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