What is considered "borderline" TSH level?

[TXCC]

For many years, I had experienced heavy periods and other symptoms, along with weight gain, hair loss, low or lack of energy and eventually had a hysterectomy.  Along with this, I had had the various tests for my thyroid (ie T3, T4, TSH) and was told that they were fine.  Back in 1983, I was tested for hypothyroidism and was told that I was borderline at the time and put on some Rx that I cannot remember, but was for my thyroid and told to keep my calorie intake around 1200.

Unfortunately, even though I lost 40 pounds (back to a healthy weight) back in 1983, my then spouse lost his job and we were no longer able to get medical assistance (ie insurance support).  Through the years, I gained the weight and yo-yo'd.  I also learned that the Pill causes me to have sudden weight gain.  I good example was when the gyne. put me on the Pill to handle my extreme heavy periods (even after I told her that I gain weight, no matter how mild the pill was) and I gained 30 pounds in 6 weeks, without making any changes in my diet or activities.

After having the hysterectomy, I have gained over 100 pounds over a period of 5 years and still the tests say I am not experiencing hypothroidism.  Now my symptoms consist of inability to lose the weight, no matter what I do, lack of energy, fuzzy concentration, memory loss, lack of labido, hairloss, patchy dry skin, short-temperment (unlike my personality that was a happy go lucky, easy going) and there are nodules on my thyroid, but still I am not considered to be experiencing hypothroidism.  My TSH level was 2.75 this past week. My T4 is 9.4..but he didn't do the T3.

I have read that the levels are from .2 to 3.0, but I don't have a "professional" documentation to prove this.  I need something that is from a medical journal that I can use to show this doctor that I am borderline and that the nodules are also a factor.  Can anyone help?  I have a doctor here in this area I can go to, but he is not on my network of doctors for insurance and I have already spent a lot of money for Dr. Ridha Arem (who doesn't take any insurance), so I can't afford to go to the Hotze Clinic and pay cash for things.  Again..any one with medical journal support here?

[margretto]

It sounds like your Free T3 And Free T4 were not checked. The number you give for your T4 is for the Total T4 which can be bound to other hormones so it is  not the value which should be looked it.  I would receommend those tests first.  

I was treated with a TSH of 2.2 which looks pretty normal since it falls into the range.  However, it wasn't normal for me. I had many symptoms.

Ask your next doctor to look at all of your symptoms and then have the Free numbers tested.

[estrelinha]

See:
http://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/ss/normaltsh_5.htm

[TXCC]

I have been telling all of the doctors my symptoms.  I keep telling them over and over again and it is sooo frustrating to go through this and feel this way and nothing be done.  I want the person I was years ago, to come back.  I want to have the energy to get out there and do the things I use to do.  It takes everything I have to go out there and do what I love to do and when I am so tired around 3 in the afternoon, after having 8 hours of sleep the night before, it is frustrating.

I truly feel that this is why I lost jobs in the past.  I couldn't concentrate, I forgot procedures that were necessary for my job and I was exhausted by midday.  It is just getting worse as time goes on and doctors are not listening to me.  As you said here, "it wasn't normal for YOU" and that is how I feel.  This is not normal for me.

I am dealing with arthritis and joint pain.  I take ibuprophen all of the time and wake up to everything hurting in the morning.  I know that there are symptoms I am having that I am really overlooking and giving excuses for their existence.  Right now I have a cough that will go into spasms when I get this pinch in my throat.  Why it does it, I don't know, but the spasms can get pretty bad at time.  

The person I am today, is not who I really am and I fight the frustration and sad feelings I have all of the time.

[margretto]

I am so sorry that you are so frustrated and suffering so.  I would still ask for the Free T3 and the Free T4.  Perhaps you need to find another doctor.  Don't give up.  I guess I was very blessed, I had a wonderful GP who was open to whatever I told him.  Of course I had a stack on papers I printed off of the internet to prove my point.  

In the meantime there are dietary changes that can be made that can help tremendously.  To become healthy there are many sacrifices to be made.  I made many and I am glad that I did.  If you are interested in any tips I can share with you let me know.

I will pray for you as well.

[TXCC]

I would be very happy for any and all tips to help me out.  As far as finding another doctor, it's a costly search.  I have to find one that is not only open to practicing medicine the way it should be..by listening to the patient that knows her body, but who is on my network of doctors.  I don't have to have a referral, but as you know, to have insurance pay their part (since we pay them dearly) so my part is only my co-pay.

So if you want to send me any tips..I would be so happy to read them.