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Hypothyroidism, testing for it, and possible treatment
I'm a 17 year old female and at the beginning of the year during a sports physical, the physican said I have an enlarged thyroid and should get it checked out. I didn't know what that was so I researched it, and realized that the result of the medical issue had symptoms I was suffering from (rapid hair loss, trouble breathing, drowsiness, weight gain, etc.), so I panicked. After researching it, I realized that my symptoms began in 7th or 8th grade (when I was about 13 or 14), and those symptoms were weight gain and rapid hair loss, but at the time I though nothing of it and that it will all pass over. Neverthless, after my reseach I took a blood test but my doctor never told me the results. So my mother just assumed nothing was wrong. I continue to gain weight even though I am physically active everyday and I continue to lose hair even though I also take Biotin along with a daily multivitamin. I want my long, thick beautiful hair back and the healthy body I exercise so hard for NO MATTER WHAT THE COST. What should I do? Especially since I will go off to college in about a month?
Best Answer
That's a great idea, but that doctor was a pediatrician (since I'm technically not an adult yet) and she was almost never there when I went there for immunizaions, check-ups, etc. so she's probably one of those doctors who don't really have a concern with thyroid issues. However, I'm going to my mother's doctor, who she claims loves to send her out for blood work and gives her prescriptions and health tips frequently so hopefully I'll make some progress with that doctor. Thanks again! :)
I had another thought.
It might be a good idea to call the doctor who ordered the blood work previously and get a copy of the lab report. There's a good possibility it's pretty incomplete (my guess is TSH only), but if it by chance did include the "frees", you'd be able to see if there's any kind of trend developing.
It might be a good idea to call the doctor who ordered the blood work previously and get a copy of the lab report. There's a good possibility it's pretty incomplete (my guess is TSH only), but if it by chance did include the "frees", you'd be able to see if there's any kind of trend developing.
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You should be tested for FREE T3, FREE T4 and TSH. Be sure to specify the T3 and T4 as "free", otherwise they will run total T3 and total T4, which are not nearly as useful. Be sure to get your results from the doctor and don't settle for them just telling you everything is "normal". If you'd like help interpreting those tests, you can post your results here, and we'll help you. Be sure to ask for the reference range for each test along with the result.
I don't know if you're interested, but those tests are available online without a doctor's order (self pay).
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease, is the most prevalent cause of hypo in the developed world. If you want to know if you have Hashi's, ask for TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies) to be tested also. If either of those is elevated, Hashi's is indicated.