My test results...shoud END put me on meds?

[Renee65]

Hello all,

I'm a 42 yr old female.  For about 6 years I've been complaining to my doctor about the following symptoms:
Extreme Fatique and body ache
Continuous slight headache
Chills
Sleeplessness at night but can't control small cat naps in the day
Extreme dry skin
Weight keeps rising even though I am continuously dieting
I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol but HIGH resting heart rate (95-110).  The blood pressure is being controlled by meds.  I refused to continue the cholesterol meds because they caused my muscles to ache even more.

This is my lab history
3/27/08  4:10PM    TSH   4.03 (.35-5.50)
                            FT4    1.07 (.61-1.76)
                            FT3    2.7   (2.3-4.2)
5/31/07 12:12PM   TSH   3.81 (.35-5.50) No other tests
9/29/03  9:42AM    TSH   4.24 (.35-5.50) No other tests
5/25/01 11:52AM   TSH   3.09  (.35-5.50) No other tests

I have an endo appointment on Monday.  I want to go to the doctor prepared.  Has anyone on here ever gotten thyroid treatment for what seems to be only subclinical hypothyroid?  Although my numbers don't show it I am getting much worse every day.  I'm so tired of going to the doc over and over and not getting any results.

Thanks!

[stella5349]

I know it is tough over there compared to here - I would love to have an answer - but I don't - all I can say is you are sub clinical hypothyroid - you deserve to be treated and feel good - I am sure your expenses over there are the same - You are the patient - AND you ARE paying for HELP. You should get it.

Please check out other choices - you do not need an actual endo to care for you - at least at this time -  Maybe an MD - GP OBGYN- anyone who will listen to the reference ranges and more importantly  - listen to you.

I have to go back to what I spoke to Rite760 about - don't give up and settle - FIGHT for yourself - no one else will - only you. SOMEONE IS out there - you need to find them.

Your situation is not dangerous - but why feel like he// - when you don't have to.

[Rite760]

Hi, I just wanted to say my TSH has been up to 4.6 and I too was told they wanted it to be over 10 before they treat it even though it is classed as borderline high. I am also waiting to get antibody results on Monday, and I like you were doing, am hoping it is positive so I can get treatment. And you're right, it is sad to want to have something just to get help because no one will listen to you when you know you really do have thyroid symptoms. But I'm still fighting and I'm not going to give up. Please do the same. One day they will have to listen. Either that, or we'll end up in a coma and then they'll have to do something won't they!!! Mind you knowing our luck, even then they'll probably just step over us on the floor and carry on to the next patient!

[Renee65]

Well...my antibodies came back negative so no meds for me.  This is really so sad.  I know what is wrong with me and they refuse to treat it.  

You know I've been taking my basal body temperature for the past 3 weeks before I get out of bed.  My avg temp is 96.4.  No wonder I can't lose any weight.  I'm hibernating like a bear.

[stella5349]

There is a directory available online.

Go to www.about.com - search "thyroid disease top doctor directory"

This listing is available in all of US and United Kingdom. I am sure there are better endo's in your area that will see you as a person with symptoms and not a number.

[Renee65]

Thank you for your concerns.  After my ENDO realized that I had been studying up on Hypothyroidism he seemed very defensive.  One thing you have to realize is that at first I was only seeing his assistant.  She was the one that told me that I was just fine and didn't have a thyroid problem.  The ENDO only came into the room because I told his assistant that I still felt this was a thyroid problem regardless of whether they felt my TSH wasn't high enough or not.  The assistant told me that I might have a sleep disorder.  

The ENDO came into the room after that, introduced himself and starting telling me all the different ranges that the organizations were using.  I told him that it looked like my tsh was a little high then.  He said that just because it is in the high end of the range it doesn't mean that I need or would be benefited by the treatment.  I asked him what the harm is in treating it.  He said that in his experience treating someone with a TSH at my level wasn't beneficial.  That is when he said that I could go into HYPER.  I then told him that I would expect that he would check my tsh again to see if it is going down.

So, he knows about the different ranges and doesn't really care.  The proof is in the test and not the symptoms.  When the test gets high enough he treats.

If I don't get results here I will go elsewhere.  One thing I wish that we could do is come up with a list of ENDOs that will treat Subclinical Hypothyroidism.  Like I am in Raleigh, NC.  Here's a list of understanding ENDOs in the area.

Thanks!

Renee

[stella5349]

MY GOD !!!  Where does he come up with 10!! Is he an endo from the AACE or not?

If I were you I would take appropriate documents stating the AACE reference range

( HERE-- I JUST PERSONAL MESSAGED YOU A WHOLE ARTICLE ON CORRECT GUIDELINES TO TREAT HYPOTHYROIDISM. ) I am so steamed with YOUR doctor.!!! GRRRRRRRRR......

Print that out and either call that quack or stomp down to his office and demand help for hypothyroidism.  

a 10!!! what a putz !!  If it comes right down to it - fire him as your doctor and get someone with some brains.

BUT - get your labs and tests all together before you fire him - it is much harder to get all that and it saves you time and money having that available with another doctor.

Check out my personal message to you tittled "Reference Range "  and if you have questions just write back. Again ... what a putz this endo is treating you -- I feel so sorry for his patients and how some of them possibly feel. God ... the thought makes me sick!

[Renee65]

Had my ENDO appointment today

My doctor doesn't seem to be concerned about me at all.  According to him there is all kinds of disorders that can cause my symptoms.  He said that he really doesn't like to treat anyone that doesn't have a TSH above 10.  I told him that I didn't think that it was just a coincidence that I had almost all the symptoms as well as a sister and mother with thyroid problems.  He even noted that I had some of the physical symptoms.

He ordered the following tests:

Another TSH
Thyroid Peroxidase AB
Thyroid Antithyroglobulin  

Conclusion:  He will treat me with the smallest dose of Synthroid if, and only if, my Antibody test comes back positive.  This is after he said that he could treat me but would fear putting me into hyper.

I'm disappointed because I don't want the test to come back positive but at the same time I know that something is wrong with me. It is very sad when one feels that they have to get bad news to get treatment.

So...this is what I'm going to do.  If these test come back negative I'm going to tell the nurse to talk to the doctor about putting me on Synthroid.  Maybe I'll fair better if he can't preach to me.  If it doesn't work the first time I'm going to keep calling and bugging them until they do it.  I don't care what they think of me.  I know 1 and 1 is 2.

Renee

[stella5349]

Nomal testing on patients on a thyroid test are usually at or around a 1.2 range - so if you take that on your 3.09 - you are having issues.

As Kitty said she fought long and hard to get someone to listen to her as many others did hear - and I as one - is still fighting the battles.

Tell the nurse - if she felt bad every day - she wouldn't be so kurt!!

Then talk to your doctor and get him to hear your symptoms and stop looking at you as just a number.

[kitty9309]

The endo should know much more.
Rude nurse! You should call her and tell her you read her "note".

I am glad seeing my TSH numbers helped you feel better about the endo visit. I saw many doctors for years who would check for a thyroid problem based on my symptoms, but though because I was in the lab ref. range, I was ok. NOT!

[Renee65]

Thanks to everyone for their advise.  I guess I really just don't feel confident in doctors right now.  I hardly ever go to the docs because I can't ever get anything done.  They just look at me like I'm crazy.  Maybe the Endo will know a little more about thyroid than my PCP.  Also....when I got my lab results from the PCP I noticed that the nurse had written a little note on it about my complaining that I want to see a specialist.  That wasn't very nice!

Kitty9309,

Thanks for giving me your TSH numbers.  Now I feel a little better about going to the Endo.  Who cares what those other doctors think!

[ChitChatNine]

Looks like you got some great advice

WELCOME to this great community!

Cheryl

[kitty9309]

But, my levels were any where from 3.8 to 4.7 for years before I got the on blip that was above range. The next TSH after that came down to 4.45.

The family history counts as well.

Hypo can cause fluid retention, including around the eyes. It is possible. No allergies, but doc says it is from allergies? What is he thinking? These doctors need thyroid education in a big way!

Did you read the article?

[Renee65]

My TSH seems to be lower than yours.  It looks like it will be according to the doctor as to what he believes.  Both my sister and mother are hypothyroid but I don't know what their numbers were before treatment.  I am so happy that after these tests were run they actually sent me the results instead of just saying that it was normal.

Also...Could my swollen eyes and dark bags under my eyes have anything to do with thyroid.  My doctor insists that it is allergies but I've never had any problems with allergies?  This has started in just the past few years.

[kitty9309]

Yes, I am being treated for "subclinical" or mild hypothyroidism. Primary care docs all said I was ok, despite symptoms for several years. The endo said it should have been treated years ago.

My TSH finally went just above range at a 6.96, and I went to an endo after the PCP said he wouldn't treat unless it was over 10!!

Look at the Health Pages above right and see the article I posted about the reference range. It is the 11th article on the list. It is called "The Evidence for a Narrower Thyrotropin Reference Range Is Compelling ".

This would be an excellent article to print out once you have read it. It is a bit technical, but the point gets across even for a lay person.

Hope this helps you some and good luck. It's a tough battle.

[Lalina]

I know how you feel.  My TSH about 2 1/2 years ago was 4.50 and felt like I couldn't function .My GP wouldn't do anything about it so I self referred to endo.  He said I had subclinical hypo......it may have been from after having my son?? they wanted to wait it out (easy fpr them to say) but i did get on a low dose .025 mg of levothyroid and I felt tons better for a long time.  Then they took me off to see what my body would do (reverse itself?) Nope I sill high TSH at 3.26, we are waiting another 3 months to decide if I need meds or not.  My dad has thyroid problems.  I am not overweight at all but I just don;t feel good most days.  I wish every clinic would lower their TSH levels to 3.0 being the highest.
A good book to read Living well with Hypothroidism.    It is best to be prepared so they brush you off.  
Good luck let me know ow it goes.
Lalina