Can thyroid lab tests be wrong?

[hurtingrightnow]

I have been having several medical issues for the past 10 years or so. During the last 5 years I began gaining weight, losing hair, and having non-stop fatigue (at varying levels). When I went to the doctor last about swelling so bad I couldn't fit any shoes and barely any clothes, I also mentioned to her that I was on an exercise program and lost about 10 punds (about 1-2 pounds a week) but had gained it all back after missing two days! She told me that she has been waiting on my blood work to show a thyroid problem. She said that many symptoms I have had under her care resemble a disfunctional thyroid. After years of pain and fatigue I was also recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

My doc ordered a new set of blood work and my numbers still came back "normal." I do not know the exact results. When I did a test a few years ago the numbers were low but normal. She told me that sometimes it can all bounce around for a while before it appears abnormal on a test (which would explain my periodic bouts of weight loss without diet or exercise). I just began taking my basal metabolic temp- the first readings were 95.8 F and 96.2 F. Is there anything else I can do to rule out or be treated for a thyroid condition? What can I do? I am tired of exercising daily to no avail and stopping it only to gain.

I just learned that I have a family history of hypothyroidism- my great-grandmother and all of her siblings had issues including goiters.

Is there anything else I should/could tell my doctor to get her to do other tests (besides blood work) and get started on some trial treatment routine??

[hurtingrightnow]

I believe she has done most of these tests, although she hasn't given me the results. She has tested the same thing several times.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Would test TSH, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies to confirm there is not a thyroid problem.  All these symptoms suggest thyroid, but there are numerous other potential causes and working with your primary doctor is important to try to determine the cause.

[hurtingrightnow]

I also have very bad dry and flaky skin on various parts of my body including my face. I started getting gray hair in my early 20's, at 28 I have about 10 grays! From time to time I have very dry mouth and difficulty swallowing. The list goes on and on.