TSH level and ferritin

[Lalina]

Seems like ever since my son was born in 2005 I just haven't felt right.  I have been having panic attacks, tiredness, weakness, and just not myself.  My TSH last year was 4.50 and my Free T3 and Free T4 were fine.  Is this something you would put me on med for and my ferritin is at 19?  I seem to see these docs and they look at me like I am crazy but I just don't feel well most days....light headed, depressed, and I have always been a go getter to the extreme.  All other labs came out fine I even had a EKG that was fine and a echo done and that was normal.  Please tell me what you think.

[MKlacza]

I know this story all too well!! I had my first in 2005 too and thats when all my "****" started!! Anxiety/Panic attacks and thyroid issues! I just had a TT and I have to say I havent had a panic/anxiety attack yet.. Knock on wood!!

Seriously, pregnancy can do that to us as well per my OB. He said are hormones have been back and forth and back and forth that sometimes they just dont get back to normal. I kind of agree because before I had my 2 children, I had not one problem...

I mean I got a cold or something, but that was even rare. Ever since pregnancy, it has been an up hill battle for me!!

[Lalina]

What is a TT?  I am very interested.
Yeah ever since I have had kids I have been a little off...I take care of myself I am 30 years old and do spin classes and run/walk and in pretty good shape.  I am so glad to have people on here to relate with.  I had not one problem before kids either.
I hate panic attacks and anxiety.  What was your TSH at? and are you currently doing anything for it?

[kitty9309]

My TSH levels were similiar to yours for years and all the docs said it was normal.
I finally went slightly above the reference range-5.96, and went to an endo who said I should have been treated for hypothyroidism years before.

I only had anxiety (bad) and insomnia (even worse) when my TSH finally went from 3.8-4.7 to almost 6. The anxiety went away as my TSH fell on treatment.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?

My ferritin is also low at 9 and 14 latest readings. I am taking iron.

[Lalina]

No I have not been tested for antibodies, but made an appt to do so in 3 weeks.  I guess sometimes you have to be your own doctor.  Not one doctor told me my ferritin at 19 was low ,I have been doing some research online and figured it out for myself.  
What kind of meds do you take for your hypo? and what kind of iron do you take?  

[kitty9309]

Lalina-

We definately have to advocate for ourselves. I have learned to be tougher in the last 2 years during my latest struggles.
I have been on Synthroid since 9/07.
Even my new endo (who is truly wonderful) didn't think my ferritin level was a big deal. Though he did say it wouldn't hurt me to take it.
I take an iron supplement called iron-bisglycinate, also known as Ferrochel. This is not a brand name, but will be written on the ingredients as such. It is easy on the stomach and doesn't cause constipation. I take it at night and have no nausea, etc.
I haven't had my ferritin checked yet because it takes many months to raise it.
Apparently, low ferritin (which IS iron deficiency) can have the same symptoms as iron deficiency ANEMIA. I don't think most docs know this.
Unfortunately, many of us are diagnosed with anxiety or worse, hypochondra before we are fianlly taken seriously.
Have you been to an endo yet? They are more likely to see your TSH as elevated.

Good luck and stand your ground!
~kitty

[Lalina]

I have been seen an endo doc and he seems to hmmm and haaa about whether or not I need meds.  I am getting my TSH, T3, and T4 done in a couple months to see.

I just don't feel like myself, that may seem weird but I am not the powerful fun loving girl I use to be, and the sad thing is I have 2 kids that need me, they are 6 and 2.  Having kids sure messes up hormones, I never had issues until I got pregnant.  Or maybe it is because I just turned 30????

I am going to start taking iron.  Thank you so much for your words of advice, it is def reassuring

[kitty9309]

I know what you mean when you say you are not your fun-loving self.
I wonder what "myself" really is. I have been ill off and on since the 10th grade. I am now 40.  (No female hormone issues, luckily. Endo said my estrogen levels were that of a 25 year old and I am nowhere near peri-menopause! Wahoo!)
I also feel like I wasn't able to fully enjoy my kids all the time. They are 9 and 12 now. More energy when they were little would have been nice.

I hope the iron helps and the next doctors visit gets you what you need.

Kitty

[MKlacza]

TT- Total Thyroidectomy... I had nodules that were suspicious. My numbers were always ok. Maybe just above hyper, but nothing to medicate me for. Thats why this is so hard for me!!

[TheCarMan]

Unfortunatley, I have become very familiar with ferritin levels because of my "other" desease...HH or Heriditary Hemachromitosis. I store way too much iron. I stuggle to keep mine below 45.

Low is bad too.....get some iron in you!