Thyroid problem

[Fatgary3]

Hi my names Gary I got my thyroid removed 20years ago and not been right since doctors got me on 175 thyroxine and I'm getting feeling of anxiety mood swings and don't want to go out having to empty my bowels often got my bloods took and doctor said it was fine what do I do now

[goolarra]

Please post your thyroid rest results with the reference ranges from your own lab report.  We'll show you how to interpret them and see if your doctor is right that it's "fine".  Just being in range on tests doesn't guarantee we will feel well.

[goolarra]

If you are in the U.S., your doctor has to provide you with all test results upon request.  He can charge you for copies.  However, it's well worth it, since it's very important for you to keep your own history.  When you get your lab reports, jot down what you were taking for meds for six weeks prior to the blood draw and your symptoms.  A pattern will emerge, and you will learn to read it.

So, if you are in the U.S., get results from your doctor to make sure he is testing adequately (FT3, FT4 and TSH, minimum, every time blood is drawn).  Fatgary3, in the U.K., you may be more dependent on the largesse of your doctor.  It's his decision whether to provide you with results or not.  Last I looked, FT3, FT4 and TSH can be purchased online for less than $75.  Results are accurate and prompt and sent directly to the patient.  You have to keep an eye on your doctor and make sure he knows what he's doing.  If you still have thyroid symptoms, he obviously doesn't.  

Once YOU know what it is you need (and we can help you interpret that), it will be easier to find a way to go about getting proper treatment.  Without some labs, it's pretty hard for us to do anything but guess.

Good luck, everyone.

[updownandallaround]

I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Hypo and I have major mood swings, Joint pain and heavy legs. Anxiety. tired but sometimes insomnia. my dr has never given me my lab results. and fails to listen to me when I tell him my symptoms. I am looking for a new Dr, all these problems from my thyroid are ruining my 18 year relationship and its breaking my heart. I just found this group and Its nice to know that others are going through the same problems. I feel less alone and crazy.

[Fatgary3]

Hi thanks for your comments but try not to affect your relationship I know it's easier said than done when you were diagnosed with hypo did your doctor not put you up a tablet

[handsinclay]

I understand your frustration and symptoms.  

The only way people on this forum can respond intelligently to your situation is to study your lab results with reference ranges.

It is a patient's right to get copies of all labs.

Generally thyroid patients report feeling best with FreeT4 is at least in the middle of the range and Free T3 is in the top 25% of the range.  People here can help you interpret your labs.

As has been said before, sometimes patients have chosen to pay for their own Free T4 and T3 labs if their doc(s) won't do them.  There are labs online (google "labs online").

If things for you are bad enough, there is always the acute care walk-in clinic or E.R.

[handsinclay]

I have had Hashi for over 20 years, treated with Levo.  Crashed last summer with being very hypo.  I am still on the road to finding optimal dose of Levo plus NDT.  Feeling better than ever when the dose is right!

[Fatgary3]

Did your muscles in your legs and arms feel weak and feel you are shaking inside

[Fatgary3]

I'm starting to suffer again muscle weakness funny feeling in my glands tension in my chest sore stomach and heartburn and hot  I've had enough of this it's been going on for years they say it's all in my head they try to put me on anti depressants what shall I do

[handsinclay]

If there are no docs that will test Free T4 and T3, then following gollarra's suggestion of getting your own tests done may be a good investment for your health.  That way you can either rule in or rule out if your anxiety, etc. might be related to hypothyroidism.  If the labs are not optimal, then you have leverage with your provider to change your med(s).

Just also wanted to say from my experience (Hashimoto's) that two of the hallmark symptoms for me of being hypothyroid are itchy skin and itchy ear canals (and ringing in ears).  Been through the anxiety and depression too when my meds are not at optimal doses.

[Fatgary3]

That's great thanks a lot for your advice and how do you feel now

[des900]

Seems like low vitamin D which can bring dry skin and other skin problems. Also side effects from being on high levothyroxine dose. T3 levels might be low due to high reverse T3.

[Fatgary3]

Thanks for your comments the doctors still say its anxiety but it's ruining my life

[goolarra]

Is it possible for you to go private and get FT3 and FT4 tested?

I suspect you are taking too much T4 and may need to replace some of that with T3.  However, without FT3 and FT4 blood work, I'm pretty much guessing.  

[goolarra]

What was she basing her suggestion of an increase on?  Did she up your meds?  

Itchy shins are not a typical thyroid symptom.  However, dry skin is.  Have you tried applying lotion?  Remember that for lotion to work, the skin has to be damp, so it's best to apply it right after a shower.

Have any of your other symptoms resolved?

[Fatgary3]

No she said 3.3tsh is fine but I know somethings not right I get very nervous and feel sick a lot  specially when I go somewhere I get a lot of dry skin in my ears

[goolarra]

Any doctor who refuses to test anything but TSH is not a good thyroid doctor.  

Your TSH is probably in range according to your lab's range.  However, many years ago now, AACE recommended TSH range be changed to 0.3-3.0.  As you can see labs and doctors have been slow to adopt the new range.  According to it, your TSH is too high.

Is it possible to see another doctor?  Another alternative would be to go private for FT3 and FT4 testing.  At least with those results in hand, YOU will know what you have to do.  Any doctor who only tests TSH will keep you from feeling your best.

[Fatgary3]

Went to see the doctor again she was hesitating weather to put me up a tablet to 200 from 175 another symptom I'm getting is very itchy shins at night what do you think I should do

[Fatgary3]

I got my results tsh is 3.3 that's all they told me they said my tsh is fine so they won't test for t4 or t3

[Fatgary3]

Thanks for that I will let you know how I got on and fingers crossed I could get somewhere cos it's not nice the symptoms

[goolarra]

It sounds like you might be taking too much T4 (175 mcg), which is giving you some hyper symptoms (diarrhea, etc.).  Since you also have some hypo symptoms, it's likely that you should be adding some T3 (Cytomel and generics) to your meds.  Be sure to request that your doctor test your FREE T3 and FREE T4 along with TSH.  You have to have all three of these test to really determine what's going on.  If you want to post results and reference ranges when you get them, we'll help you interpret them.

[Fatgary3]

I will get appointment with doctor and get all my results been feeling crap today arms and tops of my legs feel heavy feel like tension in face and still feel as if you need to empty my bowels a lot been on 175 for years