Thyroid problems- NO TREATMENT

[TiffanyLeatta87]

I'm 22 years old and I've gained 20 lbs in the past year and 1/2 for no reason, I am constantly tired, irritable, my menstrual cycle is far from regular, i have irregular bowl movements, always constipated, and now my hair is thinning out. I work at healh facility so I had a Thyroid Panel done. My results are as follows:
TSH- 4.6
Thyroxine (T4)- 7.9
T3 Uptake- 31
Free Thyroxine Index- 2.4
The underactive thyroid result would explain my symptoms but everyone tells me that a dr will not prescribe medication if it isnt over 5.0. I do not have insurance so I have been putting going to a Dr. off,  but I need help. These symptoms arent getting any better. Does any one know of any at-home resolutions?

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

Your TSH is high, optimal is usually 1- 2 (though the NEW reference ranges go up to 3.5)..  I don't know your refernece ranges for the other results, so I can't comment.  YOu would obviously benefit from a low dose of thyroid meds.  If your current doctor won't prescribe, you need a second opinion, or a referal to an endocrinologist.

[McMillanNelson]

Hi Tiffany, I have been doing a lot of reading lately about natural cures and causes of thyroid disorders.

one great source of information is http://www.mythyroid.com/bloodtests.html

Some doctors believe that Hypothyroid disorders are directly linked to poor diet (fast food Processed foods etc) and more importantly Iodine deficiency. There are several simple ways to test whether you are iodine deficient or not or you can get and Iodine log test from your doctor to see if you are deficient. I am by no means an expert but I know that several people on this forum use Iodine supplements and have had good results.  I personally can not use iodine supplements because I have Toxic Multinodular Goiter, which means I have nodules that produce too much hormone so more iodine in my case would not be good.   I would urge you to discuss it with your doctor.

There is much to be found about Iodine deficiency and Hypothyroidism on the internet, in fact if you go to youtube and search for "Dr. David Brownstien Iodine thyroid"  you can watch several very informative videos about how the thyroid works, symptoms of iodine deficiency and a lot of useful info.

Too many doctors these days treat your blood results or tell you you are within range and give you an anti depressant and send you home,  and  they never really look for, and treat the underlying cause of your symptoms.  If I would have found out I was iodine deficient 10 years ago I seriously doubt I have Toxic Nodules in my thyroid today,.

Iodine is a controversial topic here so I urge you to learn as much as you can so you are informed and talk to your doctor.

I hope that helps!

-McMillan

[laura1967]

The NEW lab ranges for TSH are .30-3.0, for quite a while now. Your lab is using old ranges. So yes.....you are a bit over. Also....most important is the Free T3 and Free T4 results....any other tests such as T3 uptake are outdated.  Also at your age I would demand to know why your thyroid is sluggish and showing signs of hypo. It might warrant having the autoimmune testing done for Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroid disease.