Just getting started with proper thyroid testing

[FSUMom]

I'm a 41 yr. female and for the past 3 years my "normal" weight has gone up approximately 25lbs.  In addition to my weight, I'm moody, more so than I believe is just my standard PMS as it seems to come & go all month, I never feel rested despite going to bed relatively early each night, and I suffer w/ insomnia requiring 1/2 an Ambien 4-5 nights per week.  My previous MD has drawn 2 TSH levels (11/05 & 6/07) and I was told the results were "slightly" elevated.  At an appt. yesterday w/ my new MD (new insurance) she showed me a copy of the old lab work showing that my TSH levels were 7.?? both times, the last one being a little higher than the first.  I had a TSH drawn today and certainly look forward to those results.  I've read through many symtoms of TSH and feel that I have several (weight gain, depression/anxiety, fatigue, dry nails).  Am I a candidate for treatment based on symtoms plus elevated TSH levels for at least 2.5 years?  My trip to the MD yesterday stemmed from feeling depressed/anxious and upset about my lack of control over my weight.  I was prescribed Levapro for the moods but read MANY comments on line that it causes weight gain - so I'm holding off on that now until I see where this thyroid issue takes me.  Am I a good candidate for hypothyroid treatment and what other tests do I need?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

You have early thyroid failure -- would consider treatment with this history.

[kitcurious]

Just a thyroid patient, not a doctor.

From what you describe, if your new tests confirm past results, you would be a candidate for replacement hormone.

From what I have learned from reading literature on the subject and the experiences of  other posters, appropriate replacement hormone alone will usually not result in weight-loss, but it may make it easier for a person, with effort, to lose the weight they have gained over time.