Hypothyroidism question

[LauraInCO]

I've been concerned about a handful of symptoms I've been experiencing for a few years now (I'm 29) and after doing research via internet the closest match seems to be hypothyroidism. It made sense to me because my mother suffers from this also but I don't have all the symptoms, in particular the most notorious symptom of weight gain. These are the symptoms I have:

    *  Fatigue
    * Weakness
    * Dry, rough pale skin
    * Hair loss
    * Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
    * Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
    * Constipation
    * Irritability
    * Memory loss
    * Abnormal menstrual cycles
    * Decreased libido

Do you think I'm barking up the wrong tree? Does hypothyroidism mean there must be a weight problem? I don't have insurance at this moment but once I do I'd like to bring this to my doctor's attention with as much research behind it as I can. Thank you!

[LazyMoose]

Like everyone above already said......get it checked out! There were times that I didn't have insurance and the cash price of a thyroid lab at a medical doctor was $150 US. I now think I was Hypothyroid for 10-12 years before I was tested, began to show bad symptoms. I was not heavy either, but also very athletic (and tired!), and male. Mom had Hoshimotos as well.

Most people share similar symptoms, but have a few  way worse than others do. The memory loss may be related to 'foggy thinking' which most have but you did not mention.

If you have it, get knowledgeable on the different meds for thyroid on this forum. A lot of people need to try the different meds before feeling better! Most docs are not aware of this or are sold on the most popular brand!!!!

[MANmom]

My symptoms were mainly hoarseness after singing, I am a singer, I teach singing, so the hoarseness was interfering with my work.  I also had weight loss, trouble swallowing,  wierd menstrual periods, fatigue, trouble regulating heat/cold, night sweats, clumsiness, brain fog, constipation, and blood pressure spike.  I have a family history, dad and two brothers with hashi's, and that is what we found I had.  But I knew I had nodules since 2001, then we started looking into them, they had gotten pretty big, were vascular and solid, so we did a biopsy, which was NOT diagnostic, they could not tell whether is was cancer or not.  So after much angst, I decided on removal of the right half that had 3 large nodules.  Felt better after that, no swallowing issues and no hoarseness, but they did find cancer in the thyroid tissue, so the other side is coming out.  You should watch your hormone levels, but you may also request an ultrasound to check for nodules.

[LauraInCO]

Thank you for the replies....it helps to know that I just might have an answer. It's been extremely frustrating! A question about the memory loss...have you experienced this all your life (or as long as you can remember)? It's ironic, I didn't realize memory loss was a symptom until recently....my mother never mentioned it. I used to kid with the people in my life that I must have some kind of medical condition that ate my memory. On the bright side, I can always re-watch movies and be surprised at the end all over again. ;) How severe is the memory loss for most sufferers? What were the symptoms that brought you to your doctor? Thanks again!

[MANmom]

You are definately Hypo...I have all those symptoms, but because I run almost every day I do not have a weight problem.  You might also have them check you for nodules.

[sharnstne]

At the time of my diagnosis, at a height of 5' 9", I only weighed 125 lbs - considerably underweight by most standards...  It took over two years to get the diagnosis because all the doctors dismissed hypothyroidism as a cause - simply due to the fact I was so thin.  Don't let weight be a factor in diagnosis...

[gimel]

Believe me, with all those symptoms you should  be considering hypothyroidism.  Be happy you don't have weight problems as well.  It doesn't always show up as a problem, at least at the beginning.  
I suggest that you go to your doctor and request that they test your free T3 and free T4, along with thyroid antibodies and TSH.  Make sure they include free T3 and free T4.  Free T3 is the most important, because it is the most active thyroid hormone, it largely regulates metabolism and other body functions, and it correlates best with hypo symptoms.  
The majority of doctors rely heavily on TSH to diagnose and medicate patients.  TSH correlates very poorly with hypo symptoms.  Ideally you want a doctor that is willing to treat your symptoms by testing and adjusting your free T3 and free T4 levels as required to get you to the Euthyroid state, which means neither hypothyroid nor hyperthyroid symptoms.  Just keep remembering that you want your symptoms treated, not your TSH level.  Please let us know how things work out.