question on tsh and family history

dolphinluv · 05-08-2008, 02:01 AM

my last tsh level was in 2005 and was 2.15. I want to be retested since it hasn't been done since then and since then I was diagnosed with PCOS and t3 and t4 were never done. thyroid issues run heavily in my family, both grandmas, 3 aunts and my mom was diagnosed about 2 months ago with hasmiotos (spelling?). I am always cold, tired, generally feeling lousy. I have also had issues with depression in the past and wonder if it is more of a hormone related depression vs a brain chemical imbalance. i think given my family history and symptoms it would be worth it to check again. I tried to make an appointment with an endocrinologist but found out that I have to be referred and my clinic wont refer me unless I have already been diagnosed. can I get my gyn to run this? should i even be tested again? maybe I am being overly worried but since 3 dr's ignored me last yr before I was diagnosed with PCOS, I am taking charge of my health and not waiting for a dr to do it!!

Renee3600 · 05-09-2008, 12:17 PM

Good for you for not waiting on a doc to take charge of you health. It certainly couldn't hurt to get your thyroid tested again. Your family doc or gyn should be able to run the blood work. You should definately ask the to test TSH, T4 and T3. Sometimes the tricky part can be getting diagnosed off of your results though. The new guidelines for TSH levels are something like .3-3.04 and if your doc goes off the old ones which are .5-5.0 it can be hard to get to an endo. I'm not an expert, but your symptoms sound like hypothyroid to me. Hopefully your doc will listen to your syptoms and not just lab results as well.
Good luck!

mommavia · 05-09-2008, 07:10 PM

I would do your best to get to an endo, but you do need to start with your primary care doc first. Your gyn may run the tests for you and that should be able to get you the referral you need. I would be sure to mention your symptoms and almost more importantly your family's history of not only hypothyroidism but Hashimoto's as well. If you have Hashi's it's essential that you see an endo who can help you with it (some for hypo, but moreso with Hashi's because the damage can happen over a period of time).

www.endocrineweb.com is a great place to start to familiarize yourself with the thyroid, the disorders, and Hashi's.

Let us know what happens,
Cynthia

dolphinluv · 05-10-2008, 01:01 AM

thanks for the link, it seems like it has a lot of useful info!