Do I have Hypothyroidism??

[MG29]

I have gained about 20 pounds in the last year as well as having at least 3 to 4 sleepless nights a week due to heart palpitations. I read some other posts about how the heart palpitations were so strong for them they felt like the bed was shaking & that's exactly how it feels for me. I have tried to bring this matter up to my doctor a few times and the response I get it to go to bed the same time every night and to exercise everyday. As regards the weight gain she told me to eat healthy, not eat a lot of carbs, etc and says not to worry because I'm not overweight. Which is very frustrating to me because I live a very healthy lifestyle, workout everyday, eat healthy, and try to go to bed at the same time every night. I know my body and things aren't right. My whole family on my moms side has thyroid issues and I have thought for some time that I have hypothyroidism but the heart palpitations are what threw me off. My symptoms are, weight gain, heart palpitations (during the day and at night but more so at night which results in many sleepless nights), loss of energy with an accompanied feeling of exhaustion and sluggishness, achy body (which I felt was from working out but maybe not), also this is embarrassing but my digestion is really off, I get a lot of of gas. Has anyone else experienced the same symptoms? How do I get my Dr to take me seriously? She has tested my thyroid before and says it's within the normal range. But I have friends who have hypothyroidism and were told the same thing. I just want to feel better! Any help would be appreciated.

[Barb135]

Are you supplementing the vitamin D? Is your level really 171?  That might be too high for you.

[gimel]

Just my opinion but that doctor sounds like one with the "Immaculate TSH Belief".  She probably thinks that any dosage of thyroid med that gets the TSH below the middle of its range is adequate.  That approach will leave many patients still hypo and suffering with typical hypo symptoms.

I haven't heard of excess thyroid meds (whatever that is per her definition) stressing out adrenal glands trying to keep up with a revved up metabolism.  I'd really like to read any scientific study that proves this to be the case.  I have read that insufficient thyroid hormone levels will cause adrenal fatigue as the adrenals try to offset the low levels of thyroid hormone.  These patients then have adverse reaction to thyroid meds until their cortisol level is addressed, or the thyroid med dosage is kept to a very small amount over a long period to allow the adrenals to recover.  

Stay the course.  If you have concerns about adrenal function, then you can ask for a 24 hour urine cortisol test.

[graceym66]

~ I was just reading the life extension magazine August 2012 issue.  There's an extensive article in there on thyroid.  This Dr. says don't go over board with thyroid meds.  She said some of my patients have the attitude that if some is good, more is better.  She said however too much thyroid medication can stress out the adrenal glands which will then over produce cortisol as well as dysregulate ( impair) the ratio of cortisol and DHEA and epinephrine and norepinephrine.  This will leave you more fatigueed than you were in the first place, because the rest of your body's systems will not be able to produce the energy needed to keep up with your now revved up thyroid!

I'm wondering if this is what has happened to me going from 30 -60 mg.  I'm more fatigueed than I was before, and sometimes seem disjointed.   I lie down for awhile and then I'm fine.  I take it from your previous statement you think it would be wise to stay the course instead of reverting back to the 30 mg.?  I value your opininon.

[gimel]

Two weeks is not enough time to fully reflect the effect of a change in meds, even with desiccated.  The half life of the T4 portion is such that it takes 4-5 weeks to be over 90% of its final level in your blood.   In addition, symptoms tend to lag somewhat behind changes in blood levels of thyroid hormones.  The lag time can be dependent on degree of severity of being hypo and the length of time you were hypo.  

[graceym66]

My vitamin D is a s follows 25 (OH) D2  >2

25 (OH) D3 171

Total 25 (OH) D 171

>25 severe deficiency
25-80 moderate to mild deficiency
80 - 200 optimum levels
. 200 toxicity possibe.

I was also not that fatigueed on 30 mg but seem to be on 60.  I've been at this level for two weeks.  Is this normal, any other members report such?

Thankyou for you time.

[gimel]

For the Free T4 range (9 - 23), the midpoint is 16.   For Free T3 (range of 3.5 - 6.5) the upper half of the range would be above the midpoint, which is 5.0.  both your Free T3 and Free T4 are below the midpoint of their ranges, which is frequently associated with being hypothyroid.  

As I previously mentioned, In order to achieve symptom relief, many members report that Free T3 had to be adjusted into the upper third of its range and Free T4 adjusted to around the middle of its range.   So you need to continue to increase your meds as necessary to relieve symptoms, and  also test for both Free T3 and T4 enough to confirm your levels.  Fortunately for you, your doctor seems to understand this, since he said he wants your free T3 around 6

You haven't mentioned Vitamin D.  That is important to  know as well.  D should be around the midpoint of its range also.  

That level for ferritin is good.  No change needed.  

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