You are definitely on the right track. You do need testing for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and Total T4), along with the TSH. TSH is a pituitary hormone that is supposedly an implied value for the thyroid hormones, but TSH is affected by so many variables that it is inadequate as a diagnostic for thyroid. At best TSH is an indicator to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of Free T3 and Free T4. FT3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Scientific studies have also shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate.
So the first thing you need to do is to request testing for Free T3 and Free T4, along with the TSH. If your doctor resists and makes excuses as to why it is not necessary, just insist on it and don't take no for an answer. Since hypothyroid patients also are frequently low in other important areas, you should ask to be tested for Vitamin D, B12, iron/ferritin, zinc, and selenium.
When test results are available, then please get a copy of the lab report and post results and their reference ranges and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
You should also be aware that a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically, for symptoms, by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief has to be all important to you, not just test results. If you want some good insight into clinical treatment, this is a letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with from a distance. The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
When you next see the doctor you need to find out if he is willing to treat you clinically, for symptoms, rather than just by test results. Also ask if he is willing to prescribe meds with T3 in them, if necessary to raise your Free T3 level enough to relieve symptoms. If the answer to either question is no, then you will have to find a good thyroid doctor that will do both.
ok well i can only ever get to see my endo like once or twice every 3 to 4 months my last test on my tsh was 4.6 and that was what inclined them to put me on meds. as for what ever other stuff i dont know yet because i am really new to this an i just want to know if i am on the right track
You have many of the typical hypothyroid symptoms indicative of being incorrectly medicated. Please post whatever thyroid related test results you have, along with their reference ranges shown on the lab report.
Feeling tired (fatigue) and sluggishness
Weight gain- but then i lose it relatively fast right now its been on a healthy level
Constipation- all the time sometimes can be the worst and to the point that i have to take something just to go.
Increased sensitivity to cold- never use to be a prob until more recently
Puffy face
Swelling around the eyes- i always thought it was because i was not sleeping right but i never seen to sleep normally and i have noticed that even with a time of good sleeping i still have puffy eyes
Joint and muscle pain, aches, and stiffness- this is new as well and ha pends now almost 1-2 times in a month and sometimes will hurt so badly that i feel extremely unhappy
Pale, dry,skin- seems to never go away i cant tan at all in the summer with or with out sunblock i rarely burn
A horse voice- i will get this sometimes for no reason at all it seems
Decrease in taste- everything tastes like cardboard too me so i crave vary sweet or salty food sometimes
Infertility- i have not ever had a period an i have not been officially tested to see if i am because it costs to much to have it done.
Depression- all the time for as long as i can remember
http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html