Aa
How to clinically indentify Thyroid Disorders when blood tests are OK?
Hello Doctor,
I have been telling/requesting my doctors for more than 6 to 7 years (since I noticed my neck enlargement) (it could be more than 7 years) that I must be having problems with my thyroid. I still strongly believe that there is something wrong with my thyroid and it is the root cause of my health problems that affect my professional and personal lives. The normal blood tests/reports are I am normal. However, over these years, I have accumulated all the side effects/diseases that (I strongly believe) cause by thyroid problems. I have been diagnosed with Polycystic ovary syndrome (under treatment), high cholesterol levels, obesity, acne (almost cured with Accutane), Sleep Apnea (Using CPAP, however, I can fall asleep in the morning only), migraine and high blood sugar level (no medication yet) and so on. More than anything, I see myself depressed and I feel very tired- kind of permanently tired/ burned out. My depression level has increased over the years to the point where I feel I have no energy and etc etc at all. (I was very ACTIVE and OPTIMISTIC before 6 to 7 years) Recently, my hairs are severely falling out [it happened a couple of years back also]. Surprisingly, my hair is turning to gray recently. My mother and two of my sisters are under treatment for hypothyroid.
I think I am being treated for the symptoms, not for the root cause. How can I avoid the worse at least in the future?
Could you please help me? If it is not possible, could you please recommend me an expert doctor/specialist (in Toronto, Canada) who can help me to find out what is wrong with my thyroid?
What questions I should ask or what requests I could make to my doctor regarding this?
What are the tests I should request to find out what is causing the problems?
Could you please help me out?
I have been telling/requesting my doctors for more than 6 to 7 years (since I noticed my neck enlargement) (it could be more than 7 years) that I must be having problems with my thyroid. I still strongly believe that there is something wrong with my thyroid and it is the root cause of my health problems that affect my professional and personal lives. The normal blood tests/reports are I am normal. However, over these years, I have accumulated all the side effects/diseases that (I strongly believe) cause by thyroid problems. I have been diagnosed with Polycystic ovary syndrome (under treatment), high cholesterol levels, obesity, acne (almost cured with Accutane), Sleep Apnea (Using CPAP, however, I can fall asleep in the morning only), migraine and high blood sugar level (no medication yet) and so on. More than anything, I see myself depressed and I feel very tired- kind of permanently tired/ burned out. My depression level has increased over the years to the point where I feel I have no energy and etc etc at all. (I was very ACTIVE and OPTIMISTIC before 6 to 7 years) Recently, my hairs are severely falling out [it happened a couple of years back also]. Surprisingly, my hair is turning to gray recently. My mother and two of my sisters are under treatment for hypothyroid.
I think I am being treated for the symptoms, not for the root cause. How can I avoid the worse at least in the future?
Could you please help me? If it is not possible, could you please recommend me an expert doctor/specialist (in Toronto, Canada) who can help me to find out what is wrong with my thyroid?
What questions I should ask or what requests I could make to my doctor regarding this?
What are the tests I should request to find out what is causing the problems?
Could you please help me out?
It is possible to have Hashi's or Graves antibodies but yr levels to be normal.
Ask for antibody testing too when you go for the Free T's and TSH.
Ask for antibody testing too when you go for the Free T's and TSH.
When you go in for testing, insist that free T3 and free T4 tests be done, along with TSH (which doctors over emphasize). Always make sure that you get a copy of the actual results and their reference ranges so you can do your own assessment. Never just accept from the doctor that you are in the "normal" range. For example the reference range for TSH has been revised from .5-5.0 to .3-3.0, yet many labs and doctors continue to evaluate TSH test results against the old range. So what would "normal" really mean if you did not know the numbers?
Free T3 is the most active component of thyroid hormones and is about 4 times as potent as free T4. Knowledge of the levels of these tests, along with your symptoms, will provide a much better assessment for determining potential need for further examination of your thyroid gland and for meds.
Free T3 is the most active component of thyroid hormones and is about 4 times as potent as free T4. Knowledge of the levels of these tests, along with your symptoms, will provide a much better assessment for determining potential need for further examination of your thyroid gland and for meds.
I am really sorry ..I don't have them with me. I am getting one test done this week. I think I could post the details.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
