Symptom-less

[skinnyman]

In 1996 or maybe earlier my doctor prescribed Levoxyl or its generic equivalent. At that time and during the intervening years I paid no attention to the diagnosis and were it not for my wife filling the prescriptions and insisting that I take the medication I would not. In fact I would quit occasionally as I do not have any of the traditional symptoms. I am 5'11" and weigh 155 lbs, I've run from 20 to 35 miles weekly, and worked modestly hard labor the majority of those years.

Recently, I read about the brain fog, concentration, and hair loss as possible symptoms so I've been educating myself about the condition. I got my bloodwork from 1996 and the TSH at that time was 8.59 and under medication I seemed to be varying to 6.01, to 4.59 and recently to 0.03. The dosages began at 25 mcg then 50 and 75, and just last summer was increased to 112 mcg. The doctor says I'm over medicated. Well I guess so but this is the first time I've seen the FT 4 result, which is 1.6ng/dl and the FT 3, which is 416 pg/dl.

One issue is I've almost never been checked more than once annually.

So, if some brain fog and hair loss are the only symptoms and I feel no different taking the medication am I hypothyroid?

Is there some other reason for the elevated TSH reading?

Have I been taking the medication only to artificially increase the T 4 and T 3 levels?

[skinnyman]

Laura, thanks for the comments.

I'm uncertain that I've had my antibodies checked. The only test result I can relate that to is the white blood cell count, which is in range and low.

As for the ultra sound I the answer is no.

Your comments are good to remember as I search for a different physician.

[laura1967]

have you ever had your antibodies checked to see if you have hashimotos or graves disease? These are both autoimmune diseases that attack the thyroid. They both can cause your tsh levels to jump around. First thing a doctor should do is run these tests when he finds you in the hypo or hyper levels. There are different reasons a person goes hypo....and the dr is suppose to figure out why, not just tell you here take this med your hypo. :)  Have you ever had an ultra sound done on your thyroid to see if you have nodules that could also be affecting your levels?
Also everyone's "normal" range is different....maybe your body needs to be suppressed that low. Just a few more thoughts. Good luck!

[skinnyman]

Yes, the recent tests indicate that I should be hyper but I had no physical signs that I was reacting to the medication. Frankly, this group of tests are the reason I've searched out and located this site. To have these results and not sense something is different does not make sense.

[janek]

Your labs look hyperthyriod now. Maybe you need to take less medication and you will do better.