Misdiagnosage common?

[Shay63]

I have had my thyroid checked about a year ago and test results came back normal. I have hair loss, weight gain, fatigue, anemia, dry skin, depression, constipation and diarrhea. I suffer from cronic sinus infections and allergies, and now I have a  tiny knot and pain (like it's bruised) under my chin. I am just wondering if I should bug my Dr or if I am reading too much. My best friend is a nurse and says I could have been misdiagnosed but I don't like to bug my Dr. What do you think?

[JMcKale]

Hi Shay:

It very well may be due to other causes which should be looked into. For example, you could have a vitamin deficiency.

I have Hashimoto's. I've had symptoms of hypothyroidism on and off...mostly on, for about ten years. I was tested on a regular basis because I did have the antibodies and the tests came back normal.

When my TSH suddenly skyrocketed they finally put me on medication and within a month, the symptoms I had for 10 years disappeared.

My doctor said that people with Hashimoto's can fluctuate between hypo and normal range on the lab results and that it's possible I was hypo before and they always just happened to perform the tests when I had jumped back into normal range.

But still, rule other things out first.

[Barb135]

A lot of things can happen in a year's time, so I'd say the labs done last year would not be worth  much today.  I had horrible symptoms, so had a set of tests done and everything was in the normal range, but a month later, when they were done again by a different doctor, my TSH was way up to 55+ and my FT4 was way below range.  Since you have so many of the classic symptoms, I'd suggest that you ask to get tested at least every 6 months.  

Additionally, I agree with the other posters -- ask for the antibody tests because it's very possible to have antibodies and still have your thyroid tests come back "normal".  AND, make sure you get the FT3 and FT4 tests done; don't let them do the totals because they are obsolete.

[jtlmom1577]

Bug your doctor for additional blood work.  SInce it has been a year, it shouldn't be too hard to convince him (hopefully).  Make sure your doctor is testing your Free T3 and Free T4 in addition to TSH.  TSH is a poor indicator of thyroid disease.  You sound hypo.  Make sure your blood includes the thyroid antibodies as well.  When you get your results back, post them along with your reference ranges.  There are lots of wonderful people on this board who can help.

Good Luck.  

[laura1967]

Could you post your most recent thyroid lab results with ranges here, for us to look at please. Normal range doesn't always mean normal.
Also did your Dr test you for autoimmune thyroid disease? You can start having symptoms long before your labs show sometimes with autoimmune.