Aa
help
For the last couple of months I have had body aches and slight off and on headaches along with very irregular periods. I have also been very tired and irritated with everything. My neck also has been swollen for a while. Some days it's worse then others. Could something be wrong with my thyroid?
You should make sure to request to be tested for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and Total T4). If the doctor resists, just insist on it and don't take no for an answer. It is that important.
On his own the doctor will, no doubt, test for TSH which is a pituitary hormone that doctors like to say will tell them all them need to know about your thyroid status. Wrong. TSH cannot be shown to correlate well with either Free T3 or Free T4, much less correlate well with symptoms, which should be all important, not just test results. In addition, since you mentioned that your neck as swollen, I would also recommend testing for the possibility of the antibodies related to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. You need two tests for that, TPO ab and TG ab (Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies). Also might be a good idea to request an ultrasound test on your thyroid gland to see if there is anything causing the swelling.
In preparation for the doctor, you might also take a look at this link that shows about 26 typical symptoms of hypothyroidism, and see if there are any others that you have that you should mention to the doctor along with ones you mentioned.
http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html
Since hypo patients are also frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin (iron related), I also recommend those.
When you have test results, please post, along with reference ranges shown on the lab report and we will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
On his own the doctor will, no doubt, test for TSH which is a pituitary hormone that doctors like to say will tell them all them need to know about your thyroid status. Wrong. TSH cannot be shown to correlate well with either Free T3 or Free T4, much less correlate well with symptoms, which should be all important, not just test results. In addition, since you mentioned that your neck as swollen, I would also recommend testing for the possibility of the antibodies related to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. You need two tests for that, TPO ab and TG ab (Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies). Also might be a good idea to request an ultrasound test on your thyroid gland to see if there is anything causing the swelling.
In preparation for the doctor, you might also take a look at this link that shows about 26 typical symptoms of hypothyroidism, and see if there are any others that you have that you should mention to the doctor along with ones you mentioned.
http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html
Since hypo patients are also frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin (iron related), I also recommend those.
When you have test results, please post, along with reference ranges shown on the lab report and we will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
