What is under active thyroid

[worried784]

and how is it diagnosed?  Does a blood test determine whether I have it, and why do some blood tests say I don't while others say I do.   I was told I have an underactive thyroid.  Can it be cured?  A few months ago the blood test revealed I was ok.  Is it possible to take another blood test in the future and it reveal I am ok again?
I am already taking beta blockers for my heart rate and high blood pressure and don't want to start another
medication.  If anyone can help/advise I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Also, what a nice introduction to this site!

[worried784]

Thank you both for answering me, I appreciate it.  I wish I didn't have another ailment though.
I wonder if I take another blood test, maybe it will come back ok?
Also, I have been taking beta blockers for heart rate problem and high blood pressure recently.  Now do I have to worry that these medicines will interact with each other and cause MORE problems?
Again, thank you very much for your answers.

[Rite760]

The reason why some tests say you have a thyroid problem and some don't is because they all use different reference ranges to class what is "normal" or not. It's also down to how the docs themselves intepret them, some will treat at certain levels whilst others won't until the thyroid deteriorates further. Unfortunately, if you have developed an underactive thyroid, it cannot be "cured" as such, because it will stay underactive, and you will need medication to make it work like a "normal" thyroid again. Without this medication, you would continue to suffer from symptoms of an underactive thyroid. At the beginning of thyroid disease, the blood tests can jump about a bit, showing normal sometimes and then out of whack again, until the thyroid finally gives up trying and stays underactive all the time. Hope this helps.

[KJ19]

Hi,
I'm very new to this site as well, but I'd like to tell you my experience. I went in for a routine phsyical in December. The doc took blood to check for whatever they check for, and my TSH level was barely low. 6 weeks later I had to get another blood test, and the level was still low, so my doc put me on Synthroid. I didn't even realize I was feeling badly until I started feeling like my old self. I had been gaining weight (I've always been very active and thin), didn't feel like doing anything (especially going to the gym), and felt tired and depressed. After I started the med, things have been getting much better. I too was pretty upset about having to take another med, but there's no cure and the Synthroid replaces the hormone your thyroid is no longer producing.
I hope I helped a little!