Desperate & Confused

[myworlduk]

Hi, I recently went to see my GP again as I have over many years experienced constant fatigue, low mood, difficulty in losing weight, need at least 10-12 hours sleep a day, unrefreshing sleep, headaches, drying skin and hair, frequent constipation, low libido, sensitivity to cold, cracked and peeling cuticles, I am always nervous and easily spooked.

My mother and sister are both Hypothyroid and take Levothyroxine to compensate and it was suggested I check out my own thyroid functions to rule this out.

I initially reported my symptoms to my GP over four years ago and test resulted in TSH of 1.6 (0.5 - 6.0), so no further treatment/tests were ordered and I was put on anti-depressants, which did not help.

My new test results are antibody negative, TSH is 0.6 (0.5 - 6.0) and my T4 is 13 (9 - 23).

My GP said this was considered very normal and suggested that I try the anti-depressants again and since I am overweight this is something I should reduce.

I also suffer from hypertension @ 160/98 and take Bendrofluazide for this condition.

Having gone through the forum and scoured google for answers, I still feel very confused at how I could have these Hypo symptoms yet yield normal results like above.

All blood work done at the same time showed almost perfect levels of everything else.

If I'm not Hypo what am I, so far I can see my TSH is almost at Hyper levels, yet T4 is low enough to suggest Hypo ?

If anyone can shed some light, I intend to challenge my GP again or see an Endo to get the answer I have been searching for years for.

Thanks.

Neil

[myworlduk]

Hi Mark

Thanks for getting back to me on this.

Out of curiousity, would you not expect the T4 level to be nearer the 25 end of the scale with my TSH being nearer the Hypo end of the scale ?

I'm at a loss at what else to request a check on, any ideas ?

Thanks again.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Your labs are normal.  TSH, T4 and antibodies.
Your symptoms could have been thyroid, but more commonly are not.
Hypothyroid symptoms are very non-specific, so the presence of symptoms does not mean the cause is thyroid.