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Men and Hypothyroidism

Is it terribly uncommon for a man to be hypo? I am a male who had a TSH of 16.96. I went and had more blood work done monday and still have not received a call from my doctor. I am just nervous and feel bad. I was just talking with guys at work and they never heard of men having thyroid problems, and then I check on line and it is rare. I was just wondering if anyone here knows of any men who have thyroid problems?
And if my 16.96 TSH is something to be concerned about.
THANKS!
219 Responses
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Avatar universal
My father had hypothyroidism starting around age 45.
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Avatar universal
Us6
Hi Ryan,
My Husband was diagnosed at 35 years old with Thyroid Disease.  He became very ill in his late teens back in the 1990's.  No one was able to help him understand what was going on with his body as a young adult.
Consequently he suffered from major depression for years which very much interrupted his young life.  
It is good That you have the help you need!  Depression and bouts of forgetfulness are normal for thyroid conditions. Keep your chin up. My husband has some incredible hobbies that help keep his mind occupied and active when he's feeling down.
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Avatar universal
After reading these posts I think this is what I've been suffering with for almost a year.  Before moving I was in perfect health, was able to run a mile in less than 4.30 sec, had a six pack, possessed endless energy and the list goes on and on.  Back in January of 2013 I moved into a new apartment; not sure what was in that environment but after about 6 months of living there my health deteriorated rapidly.  
My guess is one of three things happened; was exposed to black toxic mold, radiation or some other unknown toxin.  
Symptoms stage 1 was chronic fatigue, memory difficulty and difficulty sleeping.  Stage 2 started about 7 months of being in the apartment, in addition to stage one symptoms: headaches, blurry vision, disorientation, lack of appetite, increased chronic fatigue, equilibrium problems, and lack of libido.  Stage 3 was: min strokes, pain in joints and muscles, headaches, migraines- thought my head was going to explode.  After a few weeks of feeling terrible I was admitted to the ER; but here’s the thing after all the test the ER doctors did they said I was fine and to go home.  So, I went home and within 24 hours my symptoms had gotten worse.  After leaving my apartment for about two weeks I realized my symptoms has lessened in severity  so I moved out.  Health continued to improve until about three months afterwards, at this point whatever my body was fighting off ceased to do so—my metabolism, digestion, adrenals, thyroid, pituitary functions all seemed to slow or something just wasn’t working.  Gained 30 pounds within a month and started to see doctors and specialists, because of my suspicion of mold all individuals in traditional medicine had discounted my ideas and thoughts on the cause of going from perfectly healthy to severely impaired.   For the last year I’ve fought with doctors and specials, they have not known what to do or think of me.  

Giving up arguing with them I’ve tried to ignore the symptoms for the last year;  (in simplicity I’ve felt dead, not in the ground but like a zombie—have stayed away from family and friends even social events because of my weight gain) the symptoms are as  follows: cold and feet, extreme sensitivity to cold, hair loss, chronic fatigue, no libido what so ever, diminished muscle tone and strength, increased weight despite diet and exercise (truly it is depressing to eat so little and continue to gain weight), depression, lack of interest and desire in anything, trouble sleeping, dry skin (especially on my elbows), blurry vision, memory difficulties, high cholesterol, and IBS.  
Not sure how my doctors and physicians can miss this but getting frustrated with the lack of care I’m receiving.  Even looking over my tests for TSH have shown a dramatic increase.  


My levels are as follows: T4 1.1
                                     T3 123.6
                                     TSH 1.73
                                     Free hyroxine 0.85
                                     FSH 4.8
                                     Luteizing hormone 1.7
                                     Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Ab 0.4

According to my endocrinologist there is nothing wrong with me.  
Helpful - 0
11947160 tn?1422320425
I am a guy 44years old and this started last year so its been more than a year . I can gladly say I have thyroid disease don't wish it on my worst enemy but up to 50mg of lethoxthine etc. I also have a pacemaker/ diffilater which it getting time to get my third one so I am well humble with thyroid problems another stump to get over what can you do there's ten percentage of men in the USA that has this I have really used GOOGLE to better educate my self.  
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Avatar universal
Your doctor is one that has the "Immaculate TSH Belief' and thinks that is all that is necessary to diagnose and medicate a thyroid patient.  Wrong.  TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that it cannot be shown to correlate well with either of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4.  So, at best TSH is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of Free T3 and Free T4.  

How can your doctor say you are completely fine when you have all those symptoms.  That is insulting.  I suggest that as a start you should be very aggressive and insist on being tested for Free T3 and Free T4.  It also sounds like an untrasound of the thyroid gland test is in order.  Although your TSH doesn't suggest it, I would also request to be tested for the antibodies of Hashi's.  Those tests are Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies and Thyroglobulin antibodies, often listed as TPO ab and TG ab.  If you cannot get your doctor to even test for those in view of all your symptoms, then you are wasting your time there.  
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Avatar universal
I am a 30 year old male and I am experiencing what I think may possibly be thyroid problems.  I have went to the DR. and had my TSH test done and it came back at a 2.6, which is normal according to the DR. My symptoms are extreme fatigue, preassure and itching in my underarms, face, scalp, groin. My throat seems like it is swollen and hard to swallow sometimes with horseness occasionally.  Most recently my joints are hurting almost to the point where I cannot take it anymore.The itchiness is probably the symptom that I absolutely can not live with.  I am so frustrated it doesnt seem like the DR. can figure this out and seems to say I am completely fine.
Helpful - 0
2644165 tn?1387244348
A year ago, I had a cervical CT conducted for a swollen mass on the back of my neck. Incidentally, multiple hypodensities were discovered in my thyroid. A few months later, my general practicioner, wanted me to have a follow-up ultrasound of my thyroid, which resulted in a diagnosis of NON-DIFFUSE MULTI-NODULAR GOITER. I had several small nodules both anechoic and a few solid, as well as two complex cysts in the right lobe that were close to 1 cm^3. I consulted an endocrinologist who put me on 50mcg Synthroid after I had bloodwork conducted. The bloodwork was relatively normal , except that the TSH was borderline low. I have been on the meds for 6 months now, and about a month and 1/2 ago, I began developing extreme tightness in my throat like a choking feeling, pill stuck-feeling, tightness in the back of my neck and sternum. My general practicioner had me see GI doctor, who found minor constriction in my esophagus by conducting an upper endoscopy. I had a followup ultrasound of my thyroid indicating the same findings as the previous except additional growth (+1mm) in some of the cysts. I have since been taking Prevacid, Sertraline, and Xanax with the Synthroid. I take the medications at least 4 hours after taking the Synthroid to avoid interactions among the medications. Since seeing the GI, I had minor relief from the symptoms in my neck, and they have since returned and are getting progressively worse (tightening in throat, choking, pill-like feelings; tightness in sternum and back behind lungs). I am also noticing some weight gain, and I lift weights and do cardio 4-5 days a week for at least an hour. I am 29, male, biracial (black & white), and I was in good health up until a year ago...

I am curious to see if these choking/tightness/pill-feelings are a side-effect of the Synthroid...? Also, I am concerned that this goiter may be causing these issues... I am really concerned that these nodules may be forming into thyroid cancer... Currently, the doctors feel that they are too small to biopsy, and they are pretty much playing The Waiting Game... Any pointers?
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Avatar universal
Not showing would mean it's taking up the same amount of radio iodine as the rest of your thyroid.

Since the nodule isn't hot, I'd expect your doctor to order a biopsy, to rule out cancer. 95% chance it's not cancer, just a lump. For a 38 year old man in good health, the twenty year survival rate for thyroid cancer is 99%. So don't let the cancer word scare you.

Did your doctor test your TSH and T4 hormone levels?  Those are what are important for detecting hypothyroidism.  A thyroid antibody panel is also a reasonable test.

PS: Other endocrine disorders can cause symptoms very similar to hypothyroidism.  Checking the thyroid is a good start since it's the most common problem after diabetes. And it's much less tricky to diagnose than other problems. Also problems with libido in younger men is a big red flag for endocrine problems.
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Avatar universal
38 yr old male with a 1.1cm single solid nodule on my left thyroid. I'm always tired. I just had an up-take that should on the high end of normal. However the  the scan didn't show the nodule. It is still there, but for some reason that scan show no 'hot' and 'cold' spot. What can case it to not show during an up-take?
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Avatar universal
Hi Im a 53 year old male and I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about 6 months ago after going clinic having palps and uncomfortableness, anxiety, stress. Would come and go still does. Im on 25 mcg of Levothyroxine. I need to get back to doc these heart palps are really scary and can't relax or sleep well. It stops and goes. Ugh.  Tim
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1139187 tn?1355706647
Gimel is very macho.  

I had a whole conversation with my wifes uncle about 6 months ago about what was going on with me.  I explained the whole thing like i would someone who had no clue.  I get done with my conversation and he looks at me and says "i take 125 synthroid and have for years".    I look at him and say "what???"   Hes like "yes for 15 years and sometimes ill forget to take it for a few days and i just get tired but i dont even think about it anymore.  I went in for a routine blood test and they said i needed some thyroid, never felt any symptoms, never had any side effects".     Unreal!
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
gimel takes his pills and says he feels best ever.
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1139187 tn?1355706647
true dat.  I think kevin is "macho".   LOL

I think it might be tougher for a guy to treat this disease too.  I havent met a guy yet that says "oh yes i have hypothyroidism and take a pill and feel great"   but i know plenty of women that can say this.  
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535882 tn?1396576685
Truth
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is a very old thread and your situation would get much more attention if you post your own new thread, rather than attaching your question to such an old one.  

You can start a new thread by going to the top of the page and clicking on the "Post a Question" button, then type your question and click the "Post a Comment" button.

You can access the home page of the thyroid forum via the following link:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Thyroid-Disorders/show/73?controller=forums&action=show&id=73&camp=msc
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Avatar universal
I was told about 8 months ago by my 1st sgt to go to the doctors and get checked for something causing me to gain or retain weight. When I was 16 I was told I have sports enduced asthma, I no longer use an inhaler. In Aug of 2008 I had a knee injury the doctors could not explain why I lost all muscle strength in my left knee. In Feb of 2011, I was diagnosed with grade 1 spondylolythesis in the last vertebrae of my lumbar region. I find it hard with these conditions to exercise as it is. Shortness of breath(asthma) muscle weakness in the leg (knee injury) and hard to exercise (back). I noticed an article on yahoo talking about signs the fingers can tell you and everyone always says I have fat fingers, have had them for years. The article said fat fingers can be a sign of hypothyroidism and at first I didnt think anything but looking into the illness and how I was told 8 months ago I should get tested for something causing me to gain/retain weight, I found in interesting. Wondering if I should get tested. In 2007, I graduated Basic at 180, weighing 200 before I went, I am 22 now and have a hard time dropping below 225. When I had severe pain in my back before getting diagnosed with grade 1 spondylolithesis, I went from 200 to about 260. I changed my eating since I was on profile, and I dropped to about 230-235. I run everyone now and then because of pain in my legs, but I am stable around 225-230. I need to lose another 50 lbs and wondering if this is causing me to retain weight. When I run I lose weight in my neck thighs and arms, but cant hardly anthing from my waist. Any ideas or advice?
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
How many men are "macho" and refuse to get tested, even though they have symptoms?
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535882 tn?1396576685
yea but there are more men out there  its not uncommon as people say I personnally know 5 men with thyroid problems so how uncommon is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
It's proven that hypo is much more common in women and the older we get, the more likely it is.  Most guys are lucky.  

It is a good source of information...... would be nice if MH would make threads like this "read only" so people have to post their own new thread....I'd like to stop posting on it, but I can't take a chance on someone's issues not being addressed.

So we travel on.........
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1139187 tn?1355706647
I guess its a good source of information, but wish people would start with thier own posts.  Its hard to keep up with this much stuff and that many people.

I am finding that for every 5 women i know with thyroid disease that are in the same situation as us, i know one man.   There arent as many of us as women .  I think i personally know all of them LOL
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
It comes up on google searches and apparently, people don't read how old it is, so just keep posting on it.  A thread with this  many comments has to be good, right?  
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1139187 tn?1355706647
the thread that never dies....  
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, it appears that you could be hypo. What is the reference range for the FT4?  Was there an FT3 test done?  If so, what was the result and range?

Are you currently on thyroid medication?  If, what medication/dosage?

What symptoms do you  have?

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?
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Avatar universal
I am male of Indian Origin age around 35...I have done my blood test and my TSH has come upto 6.51 uIU/ml and my FT4 is 1 ng/dl. Am i "HYPO" . Please guide me.
Helpful - 0
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