I have symptoms of a thyroid problem

[ahorsegirl]

I have symptoms that indicate I have a thyroid problem but my doctor tells me I'm in the acceptable range. I am 40 years old, the same age that my mother, aunt and grandmother where diagnosed with a thyroid problem at. Here are the results I've had:

2003 1.97 TSH
2004 1.20 TSH
2008 3.75 TSH April
2008 2.25 TSH now
( I think it's important to note that the night before the blood draw I worked out extra hard, to the point that I got sick, was sweating profusely and then showed a 4 pound weight loss the next morning, which has since all come back on) could this affect the test results?

I have the following symptoms:

I've been working out hard for the last 2.5 months and have not lost one pound. I have gained 3 and my diet has remained at the same calorie intake before I started working out. I'm doing both cardio and circuit weights daily, 1 hour per day. I have not lost any inches.
I have joint pain in my ankles, knees, hips and shoulders
I have memory loss and fatigue
I have lost my sex drive
I had a strange rash on my hands one month ago and was treated with a steroid that cleared it up.
My heart rate seems to flutter and I get a little light headed when it happens.
I'm retaining water, mostly in my ankles. They are swollen and no amount of fluid intake seems to change it.
I am being treated for interstitial cystitis with Elmiron since July of this year.

I have the following medical conditions that seem to be unrelated but not sure:

I had my gal bladder removed in July of this year due to excessive stones
I have fibroids and have had them since my early twenties
I have rosacea
I have been diagnosed with ankylosis spondylitis

With all of this said, what should I do? My doctor is telling me I'm "normal" and doesn't seem to want to figure out what is going on with me. I've asked for a referral to a endocrinologists, but haven't been given that yet. Am I overreacting or should I take these signs seriously? I've been reading so many conflicting articles about the acceptable range for TSH that I don't know if the doctor is right or I'm right to question her? Please advise.

[ahorsegirl]

Thank you everyone who responded. I saw my Endo today and I'm finally getting some answers. It's all starting to make sense. The Endo believes that I have Hashi's and he had me do a blood draw today to confirm the antigens. Either way, he wants to put me on medication, but not until he has all the facts. All I can say is, If you know something isn't right, but you're doctor says you're fine, get another opinion. I've had to really take control of my health and be downright pushy with my family doctor to get the care I know I needed. I will trust myself from now on!  

[estrelinha]

Your symptoms may be aren't related with thyroid (could be if your free T3 and free T4 were really low), may be another autoimmune disease, I have high ANA's and doctor told me to go to a autoimmune specialist, I did all possible tests and they were negative, just Hashi but she wants me to repeat all in March (because of my ANA's). If you have an autoimmune disease (like Hashi) it's possible to have another....., may be you should go to a rheumatologist  (rheumatic diseases, autoimmune diseases)  and a endocrinologist (to check the thyroid and adrenals). Have you tested for Lyme? If it's not possible for you to go to both doctors, you can go to an internal medicine doctor (like my doctor). Arthritis can be associated with spondylitis,

[ahorsegirl]

I'll check that out. I don't think I have Hashi. I checked the signs and symptoms and I don't seem to match it. I tend to believe I am on the Hypo side only, but I'm eager to see the doctor to really figure this out. Thanks.

[estrelinha]

I think you should also ask for the thyroid antibodies (TPO and anti -Tg). Your TSH are like mine floating in the "normal range", I had TSH 3.5 in April and now 2.3, I had symptoms with TSH 3.5 (because I had a low free T4 in that time) and my TPO antibodies were higher then 1000, now I feel well (not completly) and my TSH is 2.3 and free T4 1.3 and my TPO antibodies are still higher then 1000, so no medication until I start to be real "hypo" and with symptoms (I had, not anymore). But I have Hashi, so I need to do ultrasounds and analyses very regulary. The doctor told me that stress was responsible for my symptoms........but I have Hashi....my TSH when I felt sick was higher.Doctor told me that may be i'll become hyper (transitory) and then hypo (then I'll start medication).

[ahorsegirl]

Thanks again. I checked out the site and luckily the doctor I'm seeing is on their list and is very highly recommended. It looks like I may finally get some answers :)

[gimel]

There's endos and then there are endos that are good with thyroid problems.  Here's a good link for top thyroid doctors, listed by state and city.  Of course, there are other lists, but this is one I have personal experience with.  If there are any listed in your area, read through the patients' feedback.  It will give you  good  insight.

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

[ahorsegirl]

Thank you. I will check out the link you've given me. I called the doctor today and pressed them to give me a referral to an Endo. I'm calling for an appointment now.

[gimel]

Using only TSH as an indicator of hypothyroidism is more of an indicator of needing a new doctor than anything else.   The revised range for TSH is .3-3.0.  Even though your TSH readings are below 3, there are many other factors to consider.  Some sources say that the upper range limit should be even lower. Then of course there are your symptoms to consider.  Plus, TSH is highest in the morning, and tends to go down significantly later in the day.  So the time of day when you were tested comes into play.  What you need is to have free T3 and free T4 tested, along with TSH.  Most docs don't do free T3 and free T4 unless pushed by the patient.  Free T3 is the most important because it is the most active component, that largely affects metabolism.  In the interim you can do your own checking by taking your normal temperature several times a day for several days and compare the average to the optimal of 98.6.  Here is a link on temperature as an indicator of metabolism/ thyroid levels.  

http://www.drrind.com/tempgraph.asp

[ahorsegirl]

Thank you for the comments. What's odd is that 3.75 was considered in the normal range too. What is the real answer? It seems like no one really seems to know what the actual number should be. I've read anywhere from 1.5 and over is high to 5.5 and over is high. I wonder how much that number can fluctuate day to day.

[Rachel4]

With the family history and high TSH levels in April I think you should go to another doctor. My family doctor describes endow (and some GPs) as accountants in medicine. They just look at the numbers rather than how the patient feels. It's important to find a doctor that treats the patient not the numbers. So get a second opinion.