Aa
Thyroid?
Last April I went to a private lab without any doctors referral and did a thyroid panel. My lab results were: Free T4 0,92 ( ref 0,89-1,76). units: ng/dl
Free T3 3,5 ( 2,3- 5,0). units: pg/ml
TSH 1,10 ( 0,40- 4,0). units: ulU/ml
Since they all were within their range, I didn't think of going to a doctor for further investigation, but as I read more and more about it I realized one can still be symptomatic even when they're within the range. My ft4 is on the very bottom of the range at 15%, but the ft3 is pretty normal (?) with 44%. My tsh looks good (?) too, I recon.
I have tons of symptoms, have had them my whole life. Fatigue dispite of getting enough sleep, major hairloss, acne, rosacea, scalp folliculitis so I have to be on Minocykline at all times, I had eczema as a kid up to my late teen years, insomnia, hot flashes, depression, no libido what so ever, and on and on...
I'm now 43 years old and at my wits end. I just decided to go gluten free, as of next tuesday it will be 2 weeks without. My mom has gluten intolerance, as well as have had some problems with her thyroid and needed a biopsy long time ago. My grand mom had surgery to remove hers.
I'm thinking about driving back (2 hours drive) to the lab I went to in April and do yet another thyroid panel. It has been almost 5 months since last. I have no medical coverage and dread going to expensive doctors. But I have to do something.
This years hair loss started around April/May sometime, it actually started with my hair all of a sudden became very dry and brittle and felt weird, sort of crunchy. Conditioner didn't help. Then it picked up in June and in July it was aweful, I had huge clumps of hair every day in the shower drain, hair was everywhere, even on the walls after blowdrying, I imagine I lost around 300-500 hairs a day, all with the white tips on the ends. I panicked and bought a laser comb for hair loss. After a few week using it as directed, the hair loss subsided a lot, now losing just a few straws a day. And now it picked up again, around week 10 of using the laser comb, I'm back to losing massive clumps again every day. Just pulling my fingers through the hair makes me lose 5-10 straws. I do see new growth coming in, but not enough to cover what's been lost, I have to mask my peaking scalp with Toppik daily.
I also have the Beaus Lines on both my thumbs, the horizontal lines with palpable groves on the nails, about in the middle of the nails, which indicated something disturbed the nails matrix about 3 months ago, which could explain the reacurring Telogen Effluvium, since nails and hair grows the same. I have several Beaus lines on the nails, from the middle going up to the tops, which means I do have a repeated trigger.
In April I did get a pretty bad tooth abcess on a cuspid tooth and was put on strong antibiotics and later had a root canal. Other than that I can think of other major triggers, except for my terrible anxiety, depression and stress. I did use a lot of the sleeping medication Ambien this year, which ive heard can cause hair loss, but I have now stopped using them.
This hair loss is terrible and I don't even want to leave my house anymore. I still use the laser comb 3 times a week as directed, I just finished 12 weeks use, so I just don't get it why my hair started to fall out again. I do use Nioxin shampoo 3 times a week, but makes sure I thoroughly rinse it out. The rest of the days I use a shampoo bar with very skin friendly oils. I rinse with apple cider vinegar, since using a conditioner seems to make my hair fall out even more. I only use conditioner when I wash with the Nioxin.
If you please could tell me your thought of my thyroid lab results and tell me if they're out of the range "within the range". Ovenware that a lot of people lose hair from the synthetic thyroid meds but not with the natural grinder up pig thyroid meds, so IF I need meds, that's what I want to use. Is the Armour medication expensive without insurance? Anyone who knows?
Thank you for reading, I so hope I hear from you!
Free T3 3,5 ( 2,3- 5,0). units: pg/ml
TSH 1,10 ( 0,40- 4,0). units: ulU/ml
Since they all were within their range, I didn't think of going to a doctor for further investigation, but as I read more and more about it I realized one can still be symptomatic even when they're within the range. My ft4 is on the very bottom of the range at 15%, but the ft3 is pretty normal (?) with 44%. My tsh looks good (?) too, I recon.
I have tons of symptoms, have had them my whole life. Fatigue dispite of getting enough sleep, major hairloss, acne, rosacea, scalp folliculitis so I have to be on Minocykline at all times, I had eczema as a kid up to my late teen years, insomnia, hot flashes, depression, no libido what so ever, and on and on...
I'm now 43 years old and at my wits end. I just decided to go gluten free, as of next tuesday it will be 2 weeks without. My mom has gluten intolerance, as well as have had some problems with her thyroid and needed a biopsy long time ago. My grand mom had surgery to remove hers.
I'm thinking about driving back (2 hours drive) to the lab I went to in April and do yet another thyroid panel. It has been almost 5 months since last. I have no medical coverage and dread going to expensive doctors. But I have to do something.
This years hair loss started around April/May sometime, it actually started with my hair all of a sudden became very dry and brittle and felt weird, sort of crunchy. Conditioner didn't help. Then it picked up in June and in July it was aweful, I had huge clumps of hair every day in the shower drain, hair was everywhere, even on the walls after blowdrying, I imagine I lost around 300-500 hairs a day, all with the white tips on the ends. I panicked and bought a laser comb for hair loss. After a few week using it as directed, the hair loss subsided a lot, now losing just a few straws a day. And now it picked up again, around week 10 of using the laser comb, I'm back to losing massive clumps again every day. Just pulling my fingers through the hair makes me lose 5-10 straws. I do see new growth coming in, but not enough to cover what's been lost, I have to mask my peaking scalp with Toppik daily.
I also have the Beaus Lines on both my thumbs, the horizontal lines with palpable groves on the nails, about in the middle of the nails, which indicated something disturbed the nails matrix about 3 months ago, which could explain the reacurring Telogen Effluvium, since nails and hair grows the same. I have several Beaus lines on the nails, from the middle going up to the tops, which means I do have a repeated trigger.
In April I did get a pretty bad tooth abcess on a cuspid tooth and was put on strong antibiotics and later had a root canal. Other than that I can think of other major triggers, except for my terrible anxiety, depression and stress. I did use a lot of the sleeping medication Ambien this year, which ive heard can cause hair loss, but I have now stopped using them.
This hair loss is terrible and I don't even want to leave my house anymore. I still use the laser comb 3 times a week as directed, I just finished 12 weeks use, so I just don't get it why my hair started to fall out again. I do use Nioxin shampoo 3 times a week, but makes sure I thoroughly rinse it out. The rest of the days I use a shampoo bar with very skin friendly oils. I rinse with apple cider vinegar, since using a conditioner seems to make my hair fall out even more. I only use conditioner when I wash with the Nioxin.
If you please could tell me your thought of my thyroid lab results and tell me if they're out of the range "within the range". Ovenware that a lot of people lose hair from the synthetic thyroid meds but not with the natural grinder up pig thyroid meds, so IF I need meds, that's what I want to use. Is the Armour medication expensive without insurance? Anyone who knows?
Thank you for reading, I so hope I hear from you!
Just wanted to add: I do take a daily multivitamin, also 5000 mcg Biotin, magnesium, sink, calcium, iron, L-Lysine, fish oil, vitamin E.
Your FT4 is actually only 3% of range...very, very low. Many of us find we have hypo symptoms until FT4 is about 50% of range. FT3 is 44% of range, but the rule of thumb for FT3 is upper half to upper third of range, so you are once again quite low.
Unfortunately, your TSH is not just "normal", it's just about optimal. This could indicate a pituitary issue. Your pituitary isn't producing enough TSH to stimulate your thyroid to produce enough hormone. This is referred to as "secondary hypothyroidism".
Hair loss is a symptom of hypo. Properly adjusted meds (meaning adjusted for the person, individually, not just until labs are "in range"), whether synthetic or desiccated, will usually stop hair loss. Some people react more positively to one thype of med than another, but that's something each of us has to find for ourselves. One of the determining factors in choosing meds is the balance of FT3 to FT4. Right now, it looks like yours is excellent.
My advice to you would be to try to get treatment based on your very low FT4. Most doctors thinkTSH is all that matters, though, so it's probably going to be a battle.
Multivitamins are usually kind of useless. The best ingredients are seldom used in them. It's best to address any deficiencies individually. Which do you take 5,000 mcg of?
Unfortunately, your TSH is not just "normal", it's just about optimal. This could indicate a pituitary issue. Your pituitary isn't producing enough TSH to stimulate your thyroid to produce enough hormone. This is referred to as "secondary hypothyroidism".
Hair loss is a symptom of hypo. Properly adjusted meds (meaning adjusted for the person, individually, not just until labs are "in range"), whether synthetic or desiccated, will usually stop hair loss. Some people react more positively to one thype of med than another, but that's something each of us has to find for ourselves. One of the determining factors in choosing meds is the balance of FT3 to FT4. Right now, it looks like yours is excellent.
My advice to you would be to try to get treatment based on your very low FT4. Most doctors thinkTSH is all that matters, though, so it's probably going to be a battle.
Multivitamins are usually kind of useless. The best ingredients are seldom used in them. It's best to address any deficiencies individually. Which do you take 5,000 mcg of?
Thank you very much for answering!
So, do you think it will be hard to find a doctor that will help me since I am within the range? I will go next week again to the same lab to have a new thyroid panel drawn. I'm not feeling any better since April, as a matter of fact, worse.
I'm still a tad bit confused about which FT hormone is the most important. It "seems" I do have "enough" of the FT3, even though I'm not in the ideal place within the range; the upper third. Anyway, is it still crucial to have a better FT4 in that case? Wow, yes, 3% sounds way worse than 15%, I'm sure I'm hypo but scared to be dismissed by doctors and I just can't afford to go doctor shopping.
It's the biotin I take 5000 mcg daily, it's supposed to be good for hair. So far nothing have helped though and I'm getting desperate...
Again, thank you!
So, do you think it will be hard to find a doctor that will help me since I am within the range? I will go next week again to the same lab to have a new thyroid panel drawn. I'm not feeling any better since April, as a matter of fact, worse.
I'm still a tad bit confused about which FT hormone is the most important. It "seems" I do have "enough" of the FT3, even though I'm not in the ideal place within the range; the upper third. Anyway, is it still crucial to have a better FT4 in that case? Wow, yes, 3% sounds way worse than 15%, I'm sure I'm hypo but scared to be dismissed by doctors and I just can't afford to go doctor shopping.
It's the biotin I take 5000 mcg daily, it's supposed to be good for hair. So far nothing have helped though and I'm getting desperate...
Again, thank you!
O, wanted to add some of my other weird symptoms I've been experiencing. I've gotten really wrinkly fingertips. They're usually smooth upon wakening in the morning, but an hour later all wrinkled up like I've been sitting in the bathtub too long and stay like that all day.
The top of my toes are all wrinkly, at all times, look like a very old persons toes ( I guess) Deep lines both vertically and horizontally.
This past summer I had terrible hot flashes, several times every hour, so bad it made me soaking wet. Since a month ago, they seemed to have dissapeard. I also woke up several times a night, dripping with sweat so bad I needed to change clothes and get a towel to sleep on. That's gone too now.
A year ago, I exercised every day, running, biking and gym, was pretty hardcore. Now I can't, I'm too lethargic. I'm not sure if it's the depression I'm experiencing from losing my hair that makes me totally out of spunk or the fact I might be hypo. I just don't have energy, all I do I sit on my couch and watch my hair fall off. I can't work even though I really need to. I hardly ever want to go out, and I used to be a very social person.
I can't say I have gained any weight, but my former muscles have turned into mush, I have zero muscle tone. I do have normal appetite though, and right now I'm on my second gluten free trial week. I can add that a month ago I did start to take unflavored gelatin, about 10 grams mixed with a tiny bit cranberry juice every night before bedtime. The collagen is supposed to be beneficial for the skin and also help you sleep more soundly.
Sorry for rambling, but I'm so tired of this!
The top of my toes are all wrinkly, at all times, look like a very old persons toes ( I guess) Deep lines both vertically and horizontally.
This past summer I had terrible hot flashes, several times every hour, so bad it made me soaking wet. Since a month ago, they seemed to have dissapeard. I also woke up several times a night, dripping with sweat so bad I needed to change clothes and get a towel to sleep on. That's gone too now.
A year ago, I exercised every day, running, biking and gym, was pretty hardcore. Now I can't, I'm too lethargic. I'm not sure if it's the depression I'm experiencing from losing my hair that makes me totally out of spunk or the fact I might be hypo. I just don't have energy, all I do I sit on my couch and watch my hair fall off. I can't work even though I really need to. I hardly ever want to go out, and I used to be a very social person.
I can't say I have gained any weight, but my former muscles have turned into mush, I have zero muscle tone. I do have normal appetite though, and right now I'm on my second gluten free trial week. I can add that a month ago I did start to take unflavored gelatin, about 10 grams mixed with a tiny bit cranberry juice every night before bedtime. The collagen is supposed to be beneficial for the skin and also help you sleep more soundly.
Sorry for rambling, but I'm so tired of this!
It's hard to find a doctor who doesn't think that TSH is the be all and end all in thyroid testing. They've been taught for decades in med school that TSH was the gold standard. In a perfect world, it would be, but we're human, and if something can go wrong, it will. For many of us, TSH is totally useless.
The best way to weed out the worst of the worst of your choices is to interview them over the phone and probably through a nurse before making an appointment. You can ask them which tests they customarily order for their hypo patients. If they say just TSH...run! You want a doctor who will order FT3, FT4 and TSH EVERY time you have labs drawn.
You can ask if they treat clinically to relieve symptoms or "by the numbers". Though the answer to that seems a no-brainer, you'd be surprised how candid the resonses can be.
Also, you can ask which meds they're open to prescribing. Some doctors only prescribe synthetic T4 (once again...time to run), some synthetic T3 and T4 combos, some desiccated. I've found it's really tough to find a doctor that is open to prescribing both synthetics and dessicated...they usually fall into one camp or the other.
Why do you feel it important to go to the same lab again if it's so far away?
Both T3 and T4 are important. T3 is the only hormone that your cells can use. However, very little T3 is made directly by your thyroid. Most of T3 comes from conversion of T4 to T3, which happens mostly in your liver, though there are lesser sites throughout the body. So, if your T4 is low and there's little to convert, your T3 is going to suffer as well. Some of us convert better than others. Since your FT3 isn't bad (compared to your dismal FT4), it looks like you convert just fine (at least at the moment).
Could your hot flashes and night sweats be due to menopause or peri-menopause?
The best way to weed out the worst of the worst of your choices is to interview them over the phone and probably through a nurse before making an appointment. You can ask them which tests they customarily order for their hypo patients. If they say just TSH...run! You want a doctor who will order FT3, FT4 and TSH EVERY time you have labs drawn.
You can ask if they treat clinically to relieve symptoms or "by the numbers". Though the answer to that seems a no-brainer, you'd be surprised how candid the resonses can be.
Also, you can ask which meds they're open to prescribing. Some doctors only prescribe synthetic T4 (once again...time to run), some synthetic T3 and T4 combos, some desiccated. I've found it's really tough to find a doctor that is open to prescribing both synthetics and dessicated...they usually fall into one camp or the other.
Why do you feel it important to go to the same lab again if it's so far away?
Both T3 and T4 are important. T3 is the only hormone that your cells can use. However, very little T3 is made directly by your thyroid. Most of T3 comes from conversion of T4 to T3, which happens mostly in your liver, though there are lesser sites throughout the body. So, if your T4 is low and there's little to convert, your T3 is going to suffer as well. Some of us convert better than others. Since your FT3 isn't bad (compared to your dismal FT4), it looks like you convert just fine (at least at the moment).
Could your hot flashes and night sweats be due to menopause or peri-menopause?
I am in your same boat. Out of all my symptoms...I think my hair loss is what makes me so depressed. in society, a full head of hair is recognized as healthy and beautiful (with women). Its said but true. i have about 1/4 of my hair left. For 5 years Ive been trying to figure out why I am losing my hair. Now its a matter of me trying to find a doctor who will listen to me. Try not to stress out bc that wont help the situation. I have levels that are within range but I clearly have a lot of hypo symptoms. You are headed in the right direction. seek a good doctor that will listen to you. Good luck!
goollara: The reason I'm going back to that lab again is because it's the only lab around here where I don't need a doctors referral, and it's pretty cheap. I paid 75 dollar for the TSH, FT3, FT4 panel. If I go through a doctor first, I need to pay for the initial visit as well as lab costs, which will be more expensive than the 75 dollar. I don't have any insurance and have to pay out of pocket for everything and trying hard to cut corners, lol. But, it wouldn't surprise me if the doctor I'm going to would insist on new thyroid tests from his lab, so I'm afraid I'll end up with double costs anyways. Gaaah, I just wish I was healthy with a full head of hair, my vanity will ruin me financially! Lol.
Hm, yes, there's a possibility I could be menopausal too. But does one lose massive amounts of hair then also? I did have a hysterectomy two years ago, but was left with one ovary and my gyno told me I'm not going to become menopausal.
I also have cold fingers and toes. I just bought a new and accurate thermometer and will start recording my morning temp the first thing I do as I wake up, for a week.
Ill629: I'm so sorry to hear you're right here with me in the midst of the horrors of hair loss. I agree, it's not socially accepted for a woman to have thin hair with see-through scalp. This year has been a complete nightmare, I haven't been out since end of may because I feel so ugly. I don't hang out with my friends anymore or do fun things. I'm just sitting on my couch watching Netflix and googling on hair loss and thyroid problems. I even went gluten free, which is ok, I feel no need in indulging in great foods anyways, I just keep it simple. When I don't have my kids, I mainly just make curry chicken and cooked spinach, just to get protein and iron.
Yea, I have about a third left of my hair compared to how it was earlier this year. My scalp shines through. It's a battle to hide it, I need toppik and I can't have it lose anymore, I need to put it up in a clip. But that is an at least ten to fifteen minute procedure to get it right so the back of my heads scalp is not peaking through. I dread going out, I hate it!
I'm just so afraid that I can't find a doc that will take me seriously, that my new lab results come back just wishy-washy borderline as well and there's just no solution to my hair loss.
My mom had some issues with her thyroid, had some lumps as younger and she's been through menopause, but never had hair loss. Her har is great. My dad is pretty bald though, but I've heard women don't inherit their dads baldness ( thank god)
I have had bouts of hair loss my whole life. After quitting birth control pills and after giving birth, the hair shed like crazy. And I have these scalp issues with folliculitis and inflammation as soon as I go off Minocykline.
Hm, yes, there's a possibility I could be menopausal too. But does one lose massive amounts of hair then also? I did have a hysterectomy two years ago, but was left with one ovary and my gyno told me I'm not going to become menopausal.
I also have cold fingers and toes. I just bought a new and accurate thermometer and will start recording my morning temp the first thing I do as I wake up, for a week.
Ill629: I'm so sorry to hear you're right here with me in the midst of the horrors of hair loss. I agree, it's not socially accepted for a woman to have thin hair with see-through scalp. This year has been a complete nightmare, I haven't been out since end of may because I feel so ugly. I don't hang out with my friends anymore or do fun things. I'm just sitting on my couch watching Netflix and googling on hair loss and thyroid problems. I even went gluten free, which is ok, I feel no need in indulging in great foods anyways, I just keep it simple. When I don't have my kids, I mainly just make curry chicken and cooked spinach, just to get protein and iron.
Yea, I have about a third left of my hair compared to how it was earlier this year. My scalp shines through. It's a battle to hide it, I need toppik and I can't have it lose anymore, I need to put it up in a clip. But that is an at least ten to fifteen minute procedure to get it right so the back of my heads scalp is not peaking through. I dread going out, I hate it!
I'm just so afraid that I can't find a doc that will take me seriously, that my new lab results come back just wishy-washy borderline as well and there's just no solution to my hair loss.
My mom had some issues with her thyroid, had some lumps as younger and she's been through menopause, but never had hair loss. Her har is great. My dad is pretty bald though, but I've heard women don't inherit their dads baldness ( thank god)
I have had bouts of hair loss my whole life. After quitting birth control pills and after giving birth, the hair shed like crazy. And I have these scalp issues with folliculitis and inflammation as soon as I go off Minocykline.
I understand about the cost. I have very high deductible insurance, so I pay out of pocket for all my labs, too. I didn't know there were labs that didn't require a doctor's order (except for the online labs). I see where it would be best for you to go to the same lab...saves the initial appointment, and the follow-up (if there's nothing wrong). I think (hope) doctors are coming more to the realization that patients can't always afford to unnecessarily repeat tests, etc. If you let your doctor know that you pay for all tests out-of-pocket, I'm sure he'll use your lab's results (as long as it's a reputable lab).
I was thinking that you might be having both menopause AND thyroid symptoms together. Hot flashes and night sweats can be symptoms of hypo, too. Of course, menopause doesn't make sorting it all out any easier! LOL I never lost hair, either, and I was pretty hypo. It affects all of us differently. If you've had a lifelong predisposition, it could be that almost any imbalance can set it off. Quitting birth control pills and giving birth both send your hormones into a tizzy.
I was thinking that you might be having both menopause AND thyroid symptoms together. Hot flashes and night sweats can be symptoms of hypo, too. Of course, menopause doesn't make sorting it all out any easier! LOL I never lost hair, either, and I was pretty hypo. It affects all of us differently. If you've had a lifelong predisposition, it could be that almost any imbalance can set it off. Quitting birth control pills and giving birth both send your hormones into a tizzy.
Lovely! :) That would be just my luck to get both at the same time, lol.
The weird thing though is that my hot flashes and night sweats stopped as sudden as they came early September. I haven't had any since then. Maybe I just went through menopause super fast, lol. It's hard to know since I don't have any more periods since my hysterectomy. But I don't have any breast pains and I do still get my monthly zits in my face as I always blamed my periods on. But yea, my libido is completely zero. I thank my lucky star I'm not married anymore or it would have gotten pretty ugly, lol.
I don't have moodswings either. I'm never cranky or irritated, I'm just constantly sad inside. I just feel my joy and happiness of living slipping through my fingers and get deep pangs of sadness. I'm also very worried about the future and can get severe anxiety. I wake up every morning with anxiety and I dream vivid bad dreams that makes my heart race. But, I never cry, I feel I can't. I'm also very embarrassed and haven't told a soul about this. My parents live far, far away and I just don't want to tell them or they will go nuts.
I took my temp last night before bedtime, it was 96.6 F ( orally) and when I woke up at 3 am: 96.4 F and at 8 am this morning: 97.6 F. Seems pretty low, especially since I know I always used to have a very high temp, around 99 F. My normal temp used to mean a fever to others. I read about the correlation between low temp and hair loss.
Tomorrow it will be two weeks gluten free. As of today I will try to up my body temp by keeping my home warm and take hot baths and long hot showers and even try some chili peppers. And lots of hot tea.
My ice-cold fingers and toes started right after my hysterectomy ( which was paid for by a public aid system we have in place in my state and which I'm eternally grateful for since it was a 40K procedure involving biopsies and stuff) I did have some hot flashes right after the surgery and removal of the one ovary, but my gyno told me that's to be expected as the remaining ovary will take over all the work. Then they subsided only to come back with a vengeance early this spring. And now gone again.
I used to be all bundled up in bed but now, still even with out the night sweats, I like my bedroom ice cold with window open even when it's freezing out and if I wake up at 3 am I like to lay without the cover on. It's kind of weird for me.
I'm thinking of contacting a holistic doctor in my town. Are they "real doctors" and are they allowed to prescribe Armour? Are they usually cheaper than the conventional doctors?
I'm gonna keep on recording my body temps. You guys on here are terrific and I so appreciate you taking your time to read and give feedback. That truly helps a lot, I learn so much and it makes me realize I'm not alone in this. Thank you! :)
The weird thing though is that my hot flashes and night sweats stopped as sudden as they came early September. I haven't had any since then. Maybe I just went through menopause super fast, lol. It's hard to know since I don't have any more periods since my hysterectomy. But I don't have any breast pains and I do still get my monthly zits in my face as I always blamed my periods on. But yea, my libido is completely zero. I thank my lucky star I'm not married anymore or it would have gotten pretty ugly, lol.
I don't have moodswings either. I'm never cranky or irritated, I'm just constantly sad inside. I just feel my joy and happiness of living slipping through my fingers and get deep pangs of sadness. I'm also very worried about the future and can get severe anxiety. I wake up every morning with anxiety and I dream vivid bad dreams that makes my heart race. But, I never cry, I feel I can't. I'm also very embarrassed and haven't told a soul about this. My parents live far, far away and I just don't want to tell them or they will go nuts.
I took my temp last night before bedtime, it was 96.6 F ( orally) and when I woke up at 3 am: 96.4 F and at 8 am this morning: 97.6 F. Seems pretty low, especially since I know I always used to have a very high temp, around 99 F. My normal temp used to mean a fever to others. I read about the correlation between low temp and hair loss.
Tomorrow it will be two weeks gluten free. As of today I will try to up my body temp by keeping my home warm and take hot baths and long hot showers and even try some chili peppers. And lots of hot tea.
My ice-cold fingers and toes started right after my hysterectomy ( which was paid for by a public aid system we have in place in my state and which I'm eternally grateful for since it was a 40K procedure involving biopsies and stuff) I did have some hot flashes right after the surgery and removal of the one ovary, but my gyno told me that's to be expected as the remaining ovary will take over all the work. Then they subsided only to come back with a vengeance early this spring. And now gone again.
I used to be all bundled up in bed but now, still even with out the night sweats, I like my bedroom ice cold with window open even when it's freezing out and if I wake up at 3 am I like to lay without the cover on. It's kind of weird for me.
I'm thinking of contacting a holistic doctor in my town. Are they "real doctors" and are they allowed to prescribe Armour? Are they usually cheaper than the conventional doctors?
I'm gonna keep on recording my body temps. You guys on here are terrific and I so appreciate you taking your time to read and give feedback. That truly helps a lot, I learn so much and it makes me realize I'm not alone in this. Thank you! :)
The lab I'm going to is Any lab test now and they have one location in my states Capitol city. Their website is AnyLabTestNow.com where they have whole menus of tests and they seemed very professional and reasonable priced. I'm thinking of throwing in tests to check my hemoglobins and ferritin levels as well as B12 and vitamin D.
I just found them online early this spring when I started to realize I'm not well and suspected my thyroid. I first made an appointment with one gyno that specializes in hormones here in my town, but she charged around 250 dollar for just the initial visit, then additional tests and procedure cost more. After I learned about this nonrefferral lab I felt really smart to cut out that initial visit, especially if the lab turned up normal.
But as I read up on this thyroid madness as I just started to feel worse and worse, I realized one can still be very much hypo even if one is still within the labrange. I'm not sure that gyno would have treated me anyways with my numbers, so I would have "lost" those 250 bucks and still feel crappy. She most likely would have pushed for a antidepressant, which I refuse to take.
So, I most likely will roll down to the lab early tomorrow and be retested, then try to find a good holistic doc here in town. I do have a feeling my new tests will be way worse now than in April, which I view as something positive. Then I can get treated instead of dismissed. Heck, I really long for an explanation to this hair loss. And all of my other weird symptoms.
I just found them online early this spring when I started to realize I'm not well and suspected my thyroid. I first made an appointment with one gyno that specializes in hormones here in my town, but she charged around 250 dollar for just the initial visit, then additional tests and procedure cost more. After I learned about this nonrefferral lab I felt really smart to cut out that initial visit, especially if the lab turned up normal.
But as I read up on this thyroid madness as I just started to feel worse and worse, I realized one can still be very much hypo even if one is still within the labrange. I'm not sure that gyno would have treated me anyways with my numbers, so I would have "lost" those 250 bucks and still feel crappy. She most likely would have pushed for a antidepressant, which I refuse to take.
So, I most likely will roll down to the lab early tomorrow and be retested, then try to find a good holistic doc here in town. I do have a feeling my new tests will be way worse now than in April, which I view as something positive. Then I can get treated instead of dismissed. Heck, I really long for an explanation to this hair loss. And all of my other weird symptoms.
Everyone is affected differently by thyroid dysfunction. Every cell in your body needs thyroid hormone, so the list of symptoms is almost endless. Not feeling well can make you sad. You'll feel better once you can get some treatment. Anxiety is a common hypo symptom, too.
I don't think the chili peppers will help! Hot peppers were traditionally used by people in equatorial regions to cool off. Chilis make you sweat without adding heat, so they cool you.
Since you still have one ovary, which your doctor told you would take over the work of both, it would seem like there might still be some menopause involved???
I believe holistic practitioners, like naturopaths, are sometimes "real" doctors and sometimes not. What they can and cannot prescribe depends on whether they have an MD or DO after their names and varies by state. "Cheap" and "doctor" don't belong in the same sentence! LOL I'd doubt they are less expensive since they often use alternative therapies, e.g. acupuncture and massage, which aren't usually covered by insurance (not relevent in your case, I understand).
You might try looking online to see if any of the other online labs us a draw station closer to you and to compare prices. I know some of our members have had good luck going through healthcheckusa. Just trying to save you the drive... Iron/ferritin, D and B-12 would be excellent additions. What about thyroid antibodies? TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) is one of the markers for Hashi's. If it's elevated, it can help you gt treatment.
I don't think the chili peppers will help! Hot peppers were traditionally used by people in equatorial regions to cool off. Chilis make you sweat without adding heat, so they cool you.
Since you still have one ovary, which your doctor told you would take over the work of both, it would seem like there might still be some menopause involved???
I believe holistic practitioners, like naturopaths, are sometimes "real" doctors and sometimes not. What they can and cannot prescribe depends on whether they have an MD or DO after their names and varies by state. "Cheap" and "doctor" don't belong in the same sentence! LOL I'd doubt they are less expensive since they often use alternative therapies, e.g. acupuncture and massage, which aren't usually covered by insurance (not relevent in your case, I understand).
You might try looking online to see if any of the other online labs us a draw station closer to you and to compare prices. I know some of our members have had good luck going through healthcheckusa. Just trying to save you the drive... Iron/ferritin, D and B-12 would be excellent additions. What about thyroid antibodies? TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) is one of the markers for Hashi's. If it's elevated, it can help you gt treatment.
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