I believe you have to treat by symptoms and labs. When my doctor told me my TSH was in the normal range, I told him maybe it was his normal, but it wasn't my bodies normal. We increased dosage slightly, helped with the depression and tiredness, but still am fighting the aching like you are. Been on increased dosage for 2 weeks.
You have asked the $64 question. One would think if symptoms not resolved, the doctor would look further, eh? You're a medical professional... what's up with these docs?
I have been "stable" with "normal" thyroid numbers for 2 years, yet I still continue to lose hair, constantly cold, fatigued beyond belief, can't remember anything longer than the 2 seconds it takes to pass through my brain, and have gained 12 pounds in 6 months. When I queried, yes challenged, my endo yesterday, he got angry at me and fired me! He said whatever problems I have are NOT thyroid related. He stated he had patients who were "literally dying..." (read: so my problems were of no consequence to him). He then told me to "go meditate and decide what's really important in my life."
So, I guess what I'm saying is, if you find a doctor who makes you feel better, please share his/her name!!!!
Imin the same boat as you..Labs say normal, body says Im not!!! Hmmmm which one should I believe... I think every person has a different normal, my last results were TSH 2.41 and I still felt very symptomatic!!! Hairloss, anxiety, tiredness, aches...Doc is treating according to my labs, no increase for me... So where does that leave me, what options do I have??? I don't know really just wait and hope for an improvement, Im sick of fighting for people to listen to me.. So in my opinion they only treat by looking at labs, its the good docs that treat using both!!!