Please Help!! Thyroid test come back negative but that is not how I feel

[nicolevallery]

Four years ago I was diagnosed with a Hyperthyroid. I also have a nodule in my neck (i am unsure of the exact size) Now the symptoms feel as if I have switched over to Hypothyroid.

My TSH = 0.58 Range(0.40-4.50)
My Free T41.1 Range(0.8-1.8)

My Symptoms = Extreme Fatigue to the point where i cant even get out of bed, Cold Intolerance, Extreme Weakness, Joint pains and aches especially in my right knee, coarse, dry hair, a lot of hair loss, extremely rough dry skin, memory loss which seems to be getting worse, depression, irritability, constipation, weight gain that is escalating

Also, I dont know if this is related by my neck, possibly the glands in my throat or my thyroid are swollen and tender, My doctor also agrees that I have all of the symptoms of a thyroid condition but nothing is showing up.

What do I do??

[gimel]

I have several doctors in your area, each of which has been recommended by thyroid patients.  I just sent a PM with the info.  To access, just click on your name and then from your personal page, click on messages.  

[nicolevallery]

*finding (sorry for the typos, responding from my phone)

[nicolevallery]

Oh, and then she proceeded to say she thought that the way i was feeling was because i was depressed. Which I agree, i am depressed but i believe it is because my hormone levels are off. Such a vicious cycle.

[nicolevallery]

Hi Faithforhealing, my doctor's reaction was almost as if she was insulted that I would turn to a medical board online instead of just listening to her. I brought a print out of Gimels advice and mentioned how he was correct about knowing my B12 and D Levels were low without me telling him. She became kind of confrontational, insisting that all of my levels were fune although the lab report clearly indicates that they are low. Finally, i broke down and explained that I just dont want to deel this way anymore. At that point she read gimels post and referred me to a endocryn. Badically, in my opinion wiping her hands of it.

[nicolevallery]

Sorry, I just saw your post. Her reason for not being willing to do the FT3 test was vecause she said my tsh was normal. Although when you look at it, my level is at the very bottom of the range. So like you said, how can that possible be considered normal. I live in Torrance, California. Any help you have with funding a doctor is greatly appreciated.

[FaithforHealing]

I am just curious as to how the doctor reacted when you told her there are scientific studies showing that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH do not correlate at all? Did she get indignant that you were informing her of something she did not know, or she disagreed with?

[gimel]

Thought I responded to this, but I don't see it, so I'll try again.  

Just curious.  What excuse did the doctor give for not testing Free T3?  If you will tell us your location perhaps we can suggest a doctor, based on patients' recommendations.  That could save you a lot of time and frustration trying to do it on your own.  

[gimel]

Just curious.  What excuse did she give for not testing for Free T3?

If you will tell us your location perhaps we can recommend a doctor for you, and save you the time and frustration involved in looking for one on your own..

[nicolevallery]

*refused

[nicolevallery]

I just saw my Doctor. I told her everything you said and she basically tefused to test my Free T3 but said she would test my ferritin. Time to find an endocrin. Feeling super frustrated! Just wanted to post the recent update.

[nicolevallery]

Ok, I was diagnosed with a nodule/goiter and was had to have an ultra sound every 6 months. The nodule/goiter would grow a small amount each time but the doctor never seemed worried. But you are right, it is way past time to have it checked again.

Oh and the primary concern was the palpitations I have started to experience which I just read is also a symptom of hypo

I cant say thank you enough for your insight. I was starting to feel crazy, having all of these symptoms and being told that I am fine.

[gimel]

The only other thing that comes to mind is to discuss with your doctor your sore neck and see if he thinks it would be a good idea to go ahead and do an ultrasound on your thyroid gland, or wait and see how you feel after getting started on thyroid medication and gradually increasing it to get your Free T4 and Free T3 to optimal levels.

[nicolevallery]

Also, I am not sure if this matters but I have heard some negative things about Quest Diagnostics which is where I got my blood test done... should I have not gone there?

[nicolevallery]

ok, Free T3 and Ferritin, anything else?

[gimel]

You said you would get the additional test done.  I assume you mean Free T3.  For reference, if the doctor resists, just say that there are scientific studies showing that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH do not correlate at all.  Also, the range for Free T4 is way too broad for a test result in the lower end of the range to be adequate for everyone.  Logically, how could a FT4 of .8 be considered "normal" along with a level of 1.8, which is 250% higher than the low limit of .8?  NOT!

Don't forget to also get tested for ferritin.  Very important also.

[nicolevallery]

Thank you Gimel!! Really good information! You are right, my test says I have low B12 and D.

B12 = 263 with a range of 200-400 being deficient
Vitamin D = 30 with a range description saying the 20ng/mL - 30ng/mL suggest diffiency.

I have an appointment on Monday and will request the additional test be taken. Then let you know what it says.

Thank you again!!

[gimel]

Your doctor is overlooking the possibility of you having central hypothyroidism, which is characterized by relatively low TSH, accompanied by low in the range levels of Free T4 and Free T3.  Central hypothyroidism is caused by dysfunction in the hypothalamus/pituitary system, resulting in levels of TSH that are too low to adequately stimulate the thyroid gland.  

With all those hypothyroid symptoms, you need to be started om thyroid medication.  Before that you need to be tested for the other biologically active thyroid hormone, Free T3 also.  In fact you should insist on being tested for both Free T4 and Free T3 each time you go for tests.  Since hypo patients are also frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D. B12 and ferritin, I also suggest testing for those.  

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.  Many member say that symptom relief for them required Free T4 at the middle of the range at minimum, and Free T3 in the upper part of its range as necessary to relieve symptoms.  You can get some good info from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.  

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

If you can go back and get those tests done, then post results and reference ranges and we will be glad to help interpret and advise further.  When you see your doctor next, I also suggest that you find out if the doctor is willing to treat clinically, as described above.  If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.