Second Opinion?

[srkriston]

I have been struggling to lose weight for quite sometime.  Seems like no matter what I do, I just keep gaining.  I had a bunch of blood work done and got the results yesterday.  My doctor was very blasé about all of the results.  He said exactly what I expected him to say, "You're within normal limits".  According to the labs interpretation of "normal limits," I do fall in the category but I would like a second opinion.  They only did TSH and FT4 tests.  The results were:

TSH: 1.60  (lab normal limits are 0.34 - 4.82)
FT4:  0.67  (lab normal limits are 0.64 - 1.46)

I can see that my FT4 is on the low side and from what I have read online, normal limits are actually a but higher, which would put me below normal limits.  I also read that when your FT4 is low, your TSH is usually high but mine seems to be ok, leaning more toward the lower end of "normal limits."  I read that when your FT4 and TSH are low, that it could be a problem with the pituitary gland and not just thyroid.  Should I get a different doctor or at least a second opinion or am I overreacting?  Thank you!

[remar]

Yes, feeling cold is one of the symptoms. Actually, all of the symptoms you have are symptoms of low thyroid.
Your Dr put you on a starvation diet? Good grief!
Did you symptoms start after you had your son? This can happen in pregnancy or after giving birth.
It really looks like you need to see another Dr who will do all of the tests you need. Even if your within "normal" range you can still be hypo.
Please write down the tests I gave you and take them to your Dr. If he refuses to do them or if they come back with in normal range then maybe you should see someone else. Don't give up. I had to see 3 Drs before I found one that would treat my symptoms and not just my labs. When you do get your lab results will you post them here? The people on this forum are very knowledgeable and will tell you what they mean. This is of course if your Dr does'nt explain in detail what they mean.  Take care. Remar

[srkriston]

I hadn't really looked at other symptoms I have had that may be associated with a thyroid problem.  I just looked up symptoms of hypothyroidism and I do have quite a few.  

Intolerance to cold - It is almost unbearable sometimes with how cold my hands and feet are in particular.  Just last night I told my husband that it felt like I had my hands sitting in ice water for a while because they actually hurt because they were so cold.  This was at home with the thermostat set at 71.  I often have to use a heating pad to warm up my hands and feet, just to fall asleep.  I always contributed this lack of body heat to poor circulation and not to a possible underlying problem.  

Fatigue and sluggishness - These are problems when I don't take some kind of stimulant.....which isn't very often.  If it wasn't for caffeine or other stimulant (e.g. diet pills) I would only get out of bed because I have kids to take care of.  Seriously, I could probably sleep all day, everyday.  Once again, never looked at an underlying problem, just that I am a very busy woman who doesn't get enough good quality sleep.  

Constipation - This has recently become a problem but my doctor had me on a "starvation diet" for 30 days and that really messed up my whole system.  
I am definitely a pale skinned person and I ALWAYS have dry skin but I it's winter now and I definitely don't drink enough water.  I am getting better at that though.

Elevated blood cholesterol levels - My blood cholesterol level is 205 mg/dL which lies just over the line of "Desirable" into the "Borderline High" category.  HDL is good at 51 mg/dL and my LDL is 132.6 mg/dL which is also in the "Borderline High" category.

Unexplained weight gain - I am not sure how "unexplained" it is.  I know I am not the healthiest eater.  I don't eat a lot but I am a "grab-n-go" type person and most of the things I eat are not the best.  However, I kill myself in the gym 3 to 5 days a week and since I had my son a year ago, I have put on 30 pounds.  I know that I don't eat THAT bad.  I have tracked my meals and exercise and it just didn't make sense.  I had tried to explain it away with me being an unhealthy eater, quitting smoking, and being back on birth control after 5 years of not being on any.  All contributing factors I am sure but 30 pounds in a year is a lot for someone who makes a genuine physical attempt to keep off or lose weight.  (I did lose 16 pounds on my doctors "starvation diet" of under 500 calories a day, but I am sure you can imagine what happened when I started increasing my calories again)

Depression - Tough one.....I have my days as I assume that everyone does.  This is another thing that I have never really looked the symptoms up on as I seem to have a logical explanation for most of my symptoms.

Of the symptoms that I located, these are some that I have and now that I have given  a fairly in-depth look into my life, I will kindly bow out at the moment to get my son off to school  :-D  Thank you for your advice.  I will definitely be seeking a second opinion.

[remar]

Your Ft 4 is on the low side. Your Dr really needs to test TSH, FT3, FT4 and antibodies. Some people do better when their TSH is around 1.00. Of course TSH is not the only indicator of thyroid problems and that's why you need all the other tests too.
What other symptoms are you having?
If I were you I would get a second opinion. Take care. Remar