Aa
What does my TSH mean?
How, question about my TSH.I had an operation in 1995 to remove most of my thyroid, then radio iodine treatment in 2001, i am taking levothyroxine 125mg. My tsh is 0.8 the range is 0.2/5.5, he didn't do anymore tests. I have been feeling very tired, cold, freezing hands and feet, anxious, fast pulse,my arm keeps going numb, i have lost 12lbs, i know this as before xmas i was 10stone and now 9 2lbs.I have an appointment with my doctor this week and was wondering if there are any other test i should request, i know he will want me to go back on anti depressants, as i took myself off these 6 months ago. I had been on them for 9years, but never felt 100%, still had panic feelings, brain fog, these are the only complaints i've ever been to him about over the years, and he's always put it down to depression, i have suffered with thyroid problams for 15years and it's only the last 3 weeks that i have looked in to the disease and now i am beginning to wonder if my mental symtoms are related to my thyroid, i do not and have never felt i was depressed, but i have been so scarred over the years as sometimes it really feels like my brain just won't work.It really frightens me.Please any advice would be so appriciated, i have 5 children and can't carry on feeling like this for much longer. What does my TSH result mean, my doctor said it was normal, so why do i feel so ill?
Good for you! Finally, someone who tells it like it is. I always said show me a poor doctor and I'll show you a healthy community.
Hi Amber,
Although I am no medical expert, I have been going through something similar for 20 years so I am confident in saying that, yes, it could be the Thyroid. The symptoms are very familiar to me with the exception of the numbness in your arm.
I was 87 lbs at the grand old age of 25, when I got married and I was very happy until one day when I fell asleep at the wheel and then temporarily lost my sight for about 10 minutes or so At this point I decided it was time to check into the issue. Prior to this, I was just tired and cold all the time, but I attributed that to the fact that I was so thin. As it turns out, I was diagnosed as hyperthryroid.
I had my thyroid mostly killed with radioative iodine and I felt the best I ever have in my entire life. I was genuinely happy and yet still energetic. It's a shame, but I never knew at the time to have my thyroid (TSH and T3 and T4 Levels checked so I would know what level made me feel "normal". Unfortunately I then went on synthroid and immediately began feeling miserable. They say it takes a matter of weeks for a person to feel the effects of the synthroid. No matter what the medical "experts" say, I vehemently disagree. I can tell the difference within a day or so. Whether it is "logical" or even "un-scientific", I will argue it to my death.
After some time of my hair falling out in clumps to the point where I would no longer wash it, my skin feeling dry and actually hurting, feeling quite insane and anxious for extended periods, sleeping and feeling lethargic, I started speaking out. Loudly and steadfastly. You have to make your doctor LISTEN to you. If he or she does not, then get another doctor. It seems the question is quality versus quantity. In my experience, most doctors seem to go for quantity and a long life withouth considering that a long life is hell if you feel miserable every day of it.
When I was finally able to get someone to listen, even though my "Thyroid levels were normal", my doctor finally began to work with me to fine tune my dose. Against her better wishes, she changed my dose to something that made me feel better and monitored the results. My heart flutters went away, my sweats, dry skin, hair loss and most of all my anxiety got much better.
I have been on .088 mcg for quite a few years now and have been feeling quite well with the exception of a short period of depression. By the way another thing that doctors fail to tell you is that if you try to get off anti-depressants without weaning yourself off them, you will have withdrawal symptoms and feel like you are losing your mind again. Just no being told I was crazy and depressed helped me to feel sooooo much better.
In any case, a few weeks ago, I began to notice that I was feeling rather anxious and tired. My hair began to fall out. Then I noticed that the base of my neck was beginning to swell. Being familiar with thyroid issues, I knew that it could be the beginning of Goiter. Since we had just moved and I did not have a doctor yet, I began to self medicate by skipping doses of my synthroid. My symptoms improved within a day or so and I went back on my regular dosing. Again my symptoms got worse and I laid off the dosing. This went on in this cycle until I could get settled and find a doctor.
When I did, he immediately lowered my dose to .075 mcg and said that he would check my TSH levels in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Since my neck is still swolen I have not yet started my new dosing and I am not taking my .088 mcg dose either. When the swelling on my throat subsides a little more, I will start back up on my new dose. I have done this many times before, against my doctor's wishes and it always seems to work out ok for me. It may shorten my life but at least I won't be prolonging a life of mysery. I'll feel better for the shorter time I'm here.
Also, since I am not taking any Synthroid dose at all right now, I can honestly say that I feel like I am on top of the world emotionally. I do feel much more tired, but all of my symptoms have stopped for now. I am aware that I need to be very sensitive to when it is time to get on my new .075 dose.
To me it is soooo important for your doctor to listen and for you and your doctor to work as a team. There is nothing worse that a doctor that is more concerned with long life as apposed to quality of life except a doctor that is so concerned with billiable hours that he/she will not take the time to really LISTEN to you.
Just an afterthought. You say you have 5 kids, but you don't say anything about their ages, whether you work and/or whether you get any help with them. Remember that a woman's work never ends. Not only does she quite often have to work out of the home, but then she has to come home and do that job too. Men on the ohter hand just have to put in their time at work and then come home and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Make sure you take time for yourself. It will make a world of difference and if anyone tells you that you are being selfish; proudly reply....Yes I am!
Hope this helps,
Jeanne
Although I am no medical expert, I have been going through something similar for 20 years so I am confident in saying that, yes, it could be the Thyroid. The symptoms are very familiar to me with the exception of the numbness in your arm.
I was 87 lbs at the grand old age of 25, when I got married and I was very happy until one day when I fell asleep at the wheel and then temporarily lost my sight for about 10 minutes or so At this point I decided it was time to check into the issue. Prior to this, I was just tired and cold all the time, but I attributed that to the fact that I was so thin. As it turns out, I was diagnosed as hyperthryroid.
I had my thyroid mostly killed with radioative iodine and I felt the best I ever have in my entire life. I was genuinely happy and yet still energetic. It's a shame, but I never knew at the time to have my thyroid (TSH and T3 and T4 Levels checked so I would know what level made me feel "normal". Unfortunately I then went on synthroid and immediately began feeling miserable. They say it takes a matter of weeks for a person to feel the effects of the synthroid. No matter what the medical "experts" say, I vehemently disagree. I can tell the difference within a day or so. Whether it is "logical" or even "un-scientific", I will argue it to my death.
After some time of my hair falling out in clumps to the point where I would no longer wash it, my skin feeling dry and actually hurting, feeling quite insane and anxious for extended periods, sleeping and feeling lethargic, I started speaking out. Loudly and steadfastly. You have to make your doctor LISTEN to you. If he or she does not, then get another doctor. It seems the question is quality versus quantity. In my experience, most doctors seem to go for quantity and a long life withouth considering that a long life is hell if you feel miserable every day of it.
When I was finally able to get someone to listen, even though my "Thyroid levels were normal", my doctor finally began to work with me to fine tune my dose. Against her better wishes, she changed my dose to something that made me feel better and monitored the results. My heart flutters went away, my sweats, dry skin, hair loss and most of all my anxiety got much better.
I have been on .088 mcg for quite a few years now and have been feeling quite well with the exception of a short period of depression. By the way another thing that doctors fail to tell you is that if you try to get off anti-depressants without weaning yourself off them, you will have withdrawal symptoms and feel like you are losing your mind again. Just no being told I was crazy and depressed helped me to feel sooooo much better.
In any case, a few weeks ago, I began to notice that I was feeling rather anxious and tired. My hair began to fall out. Then I noticed that the base of my neck was beginning to swell. Being familiar with thyroid issues, I knew that it could be the beginning of Goiter. Since we had just moved and I did not have a doctor yet, I began to self medicate by skipping doses of my synthroid. My symptoms improved within a day or so and I went back on my regular dosing. Again my symptoms got worse and I laid off the dosing. This went on in this cycle until I could get settled and find a doctor.
When I did, he immediately lowered my dose to .075 mcg and said that he would check my TSH levels in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Since my neck is still swolen I have not yet started my new dosing and I am not taking my .088 mcg dose either. When the swelling on my throat subsides a little more, I will start back up on my new dose. I have done this many times before, against my doctor's wishes and it always seems to work out ok for me. It may shorten my life but at least I won't be prolonging a life of mysery. I'll feel better for the shorter time I'm here.
Also, since I am not taking any Synthroid dose at all right now, I can honestly say that I feel like I am on top of the world emotionally. I do feel much more tired, but all of my symptoms have stopped for now. I am aware that I need to be very sensitive to when it is time to get on my new .075 dose.
To me it is soooo important for your doctor to listen and for you and your doctor to work as a team. There is nothing worse that a doctor that is more concerned with long life as apposed to quality of life except a doctor that is so concerned with billiable hours that he/she will not take the time to really LISTEN to you.
Just an afterthought. You say you have 5 kids, but you don't say anything about their ages, whether you work and/or whether you get any help with them. Remember that a woman's work never ends. Not only does she quite often have to work out of the home, but then she has to come home and do that job too. Men on the ohter hand just have to put in their time at work and then come home and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Make sure you take time for yourself. It will make a world of difference and if anyone tells you that you are being selfish; proudly reply....Yes I am!
Hope this helps,
Jeanne
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