What's wrong with me?

[Baldandhatingit]

I started taking synthroid ten years  ago. At the time, I had BEAUTIFUL long hair. (As a matter of fact,I was voted "best hair" in high school, asked to be a "hair model" for a tv commercial, was asked for my hair for a wig so I did and cut two "pigtails" each one enough for a wig, hairdressers would tell me they'd never seen so much hair, everyone told me how lucky I was, people stopped me to ask what i used on my hair, etc., etc., ) I never thought a thing of my hair, never did anything but wash it daily. It was gorgeous. After tfe birth of my first child, I was severly depressed and my Dr. tested me for thyroid problems. He said I had a goiter. He put me on synthroid and THAT'S when my hair started changing texture and falling out.
I have seen SEVENTEEN doctors, from dermotologists to endos, and every one of them days "it's not the synthroid" and "your levels are normal".
My hair is now brittle, dull, and I have(I cry about this regularly) probably lost almost all my hair.
My once beautiful, shiny, long hair that would curl and stay curled  is now dull, short (barely grows at all) lifeless, brittle and falls out so much I have to plunge my shower and sink regularly.
Also, my fingernails have developed  ridges in the last few years that also curl down on my index and next finger. But it's "not the Synthroid". RIGHT. WHATS WRONG WITH ME??????

[goolarra]

I agree, "it's not the Synthroid", but for a different reason.  One possibility, as mentioned in the two posts above, is that your doctor is only testing or only paying attention to your TSH.  TSH is volatile, changing as much as 70% intraday, and a very poor, indirect indicator of thyroid status.  

The other possibility is that your doctor is testing FT3 and FT4, but is of the belief that everyone is comfortable anywhere in the ranges.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  

I think you're either undermedicated (need an increase in Synthroid) or badly medicated (need to add some T3 to your meds).  If you post recent labs, we can help you sort out which might be the case.  Your doctor has to provide you with lab results upon request.  If you get them over the phone, be sure to ask for reference ranges on each test as they vary lab to lab.    

[Barb135]

I addressed this on the other thread you posted on.  Just to clarify what Dee is saying -- the AACE recommended approximately 10 yrs ago that the range for TSH be changed to 0.3-3.0, instead of the current 0.5-4.5 or 5.0 ranges that we see currently.  The problem is, that  most labs don't haven't embraced the "new" range, therefore, they are still using outdated ranges.

All of that said - if your doctor is adjusting your med, based only on TSH, s/he will keep you ill, because TSH neither causes symptoms, nor correlates with symptoms.

[Dee1956]

Hi I am so very sorry for your loss.  I can feel  your pain.  Have you seen an endocrinologist?  Also, do you know what your original TSH was when you first started the synthroid?  I know that there is a range and the doctors say as long as you are "in the range" you are ok however some people do well with a TSH of .40 and some do better with 2.00
I have heard that the range that now exists is going to change, i.e. let's say it is .75 to 5.00, it is going to be lowered to something like .25 to 2.50
I do not have exact numbers but you could do a search online.  Also, is it possible that you need to have all your numbers checked, i.e. your free T-3 Free T4.  Some doctors only count on the TSH however there are other important numbers to know.  There are books out there about this very problem.  Some people might have the right TSH but their body isn't doing anything with it, Haishimoto, some have too much and get Graves disease, then some get both where the body is attacking the thyroid and something else I can not remember right now.  Sorry I am trying to help, there is a book and I will try to find the title.  An endocrinologist should be able to help.  Just because you are in the range for TSH does not mean everything is ok.  I hope you can find some answers.  I know how you feel
I gained 40 lbs out of no where and my TSH was "normal" finally a doctor took a chance with me and prescribed a low dose of thyroid meds and I lost the weight.  When I went back to my GP and asked how this was possible, he said, well I guess it was just the "spark" you needed, yeah that was helpful, NOT