Normal or Not?

[baz5]

I have been tested for Thyroid problems multiple times and sometimes its abnormal and sometimes its normal.
I do have symptoms of low thyroid but if the test is sometimes coming out ok then should i still go to an endocrinologist???

[baz5]

I am actually nearly alway hot, clammy and sweaty. And my mestrual cycle is either absent or very light. Im all over the place!
I just took my temp and its 98.2....kind of funny because even when I feel like im on fire I never have a fever!  Only when i was younger.

[PPhelps]

Shortness of breath yes, blue lips I don't know. However, being extremely cold yes. The pamphlet my doctor gave me says: Although many of the symptoms associated with thyroid hormone deficiendy occur commonly in patients withou thyroid disease, patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis who develop hypot are more likely to experience the following:
Fatigue
Drowsiness
Forgetfulness
Difficulty with learning
Dry, Brittle hari and nails
Dry, itchy skin
Puffy face
Constipation
Sore muscles
Weight Gain (unfortunately)
Heavy menstrual flow
Increased frequency of miscarriages
Increased sensitivity to many medications

[baz5]

I have been noticing that I have been a little out of breath and my lips are tinted blue (although others would disagree).  Is this a sign of Hashimoto's?

[baz5]

Thank you so much for your insight.  I will be making an appointment next week! :)

[laura1967]

Okay....wow...so you have Hashimoto's and with a TSH of 3.97 you are still quite hypo. When someone has Hashi's, their tsh should be supressed to between a .50-1.0 so that the body can start to heal. You will continue to have these hypo symptoms until your levels are corrected. Your doctor is keeping you undermedicated which is keeping you ill. This happened to me until I found a new fantastic endo who explained this all to me.
So yes it is time to get a good endo who specializes in thyroid, not diabetes.  :) :)

[rumpled]

Yes, it means something! It means you need to see an endocrinologist! You have Hashimoto's. And that is quite high.
Another prime example of why everyone should always get copies of their tests... LOL...

[baz5]

I was looking over my blood tests last night and noticed that my
Thyroid Microsomal AB is >1300 ...i guess the normal range is <60.
Does that tell you anything?  Or is it one of those tests that the Doctors run and yet when it comes out abnormal they say "its nothing". LOL!

[laura1967]

Yes I think you need to see a thyroid doctor, that way you can have ALL the proper tests done....including the Free T3 and Free T4 and TSH and antibody tests for Hashimoto's and Graves.

[baz5]

The doctor that did my tests was my rheumatologist and I dont think he has much of an interest to do any more testing on me...dealing with the thyroid of course.  I guess I should set myself up with an endocronologist.  I just didnt know if it was warranted.

[rumpled]

Your doctor is not doing enough tests to tell what your thyroid is doing...
TSH is a pituitary test - so if that is jumping all around, it could also be the pituitary, not just the thyroid.
Combine that with your period issues, your heart, your weight gain - you need a neuro-endo and a full check up.
Always get a copy of your tests when you leave the doctor's office so you know what is going on and keep copies for yourself. Labs, mrIs, all tests - I even have my films.

I understand being reluctant - I used to go through periods of years where I just gave up. Funny how I just got sicker. Not. You need to find the right doctors - then it will not be so bad. Hang in there.

[baz5]

Ok, so this is what it says..
On 9-17-08 my Free T4 was 1.1  normal and my TSH Reflex was 5.90 High

On 12-31-09 He retested a TSH only and it was 3.97...normal (high normal)

[laura1967]

Boy have you been through a lot! I can understand your being hesitant of a new added doctor, and your feeling down about yet another problem. Hang in there! I look forward to seeing your test results. :)

[baz5]

I did just get diagnosed with UCTD (Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease) if that makes any difference.  At age 33 I had a stroke and for a while now i have been treated for migraines (which i never really suffered from before I had the stroke).  I also had a cardio implant for a patent foramen ovale (hole in the heart) fixed...just in case the stroke had something to do with that.  So, for a good 3 years now I have been on some serious meds.  Last year my menstrual cycles got really irregular. I would have them every 2-3 months or so.  I get really hot and sweaty fast plus my weight has jumped up in a big way.  I have been tested for thyroid problems over and over again in the past with normal values. It was just last year when my menstrual cycle was irregular that the tests would come out abnormal.  Then the doctor would either retest a day or so later and it would be normal.  Recently my rheumatologist tested my thyroid and it came out abnormal and we waited 2 months and its normal again.  Being that I have a handful of specialists to start with, I am reluctant to add another.  I guess Im just tired of Doctors.  I want to be happy again.  I will call my doctor and ask for the test results so I can post them.  I appreciate your reply...I really didnt think I would get one!!!  My luck has been down lately.  Thanks so much!  I will get on my homework :)

[laura1967]

Why dont you post your most recent lab test results here for us to look at. Include the lab ranges as well....each lab varies. Normal range means different things for different people. Were you also tested for Hashimotos and Graves? These are 2 thyroid autoimmune diseases....and normal ranges can mean hypo if you have hashi's. :)