Hypothyroid or not?

[c0nfused]

All the doctors I go to don't care to explain anything since I'm on medicaid. So I'm a bit loss.

On the 22nd of November my TSH was 2.63, which I guess would be normal. On the 19th of December my TSH was 4.55... isn't that a bit high? I though 3 was the cut off, but it says the normal range is from 0.7-6.4 mIU/L. Should I bother? My other levels are okay:

T-4 TOTAL: 7.1
FREE T-4 INDEX: 2.2
TESTOSTERONE TOTAL: 53
T3 TOTAL: 149
T-3 UPTAKE: 31

How come some people have TSH of like 100 and are hypothyroid? Can having one of only 4.55 still cause symptoms and problems (weight gain and all the other stuff)? It seems so low in comparasion.

I've been having trouble losing weight for forever. I was thinking maybe it was a progesterone/estrogen imbalance. I got tested a month ago, 3 days before my period and I had a progesterone level of 3.3, which is normal for that phase.. but I wanted to get tested like 7 days before my period when my progesterone should be at it's highest. I went for this test, but my retarded endo had tested me for everything but progesterone/estrogen (i thought I saw it on the prescription tho!). So now I'm pissed because I believe I'd have to wait until next month to test again. Do you think I should worry about my progesterone?

I have no idea if I have PCOS or not. I don't know what's wrong. But I've been through hell trying to lose weight (20-30lbs) with no success. I have moodswings, crying a lot, my hair is thinning, very irritable, have cold toes and hands, 36 day cycles, my breast have been really sore often, i can't sleep yet im so de-energized, i get anxious, ance, and also out of no where sometimes my face gets soooo flushed & red all of a sudden for like 10 seconds with absolutely nothing to cause it.

What can I do?
Medicaid doctors aren't helping me.

I wanted to get a saliva hormone test, but I have no idea of a retail store to buy it at (not online or catalog or anything).

[c0nfused]

Also, if I think I might be hypo, is there a next step I can go from here for FURTHER testing to help prove it?

[mommavia]

Having Medicaid should not affect your ability to get adequate healthcare! If your doctors are not explaining things to you, ask more questions until they do. It is your right (and responsibility) as a patient to be informed. If they won't help, ask them for a referral of a doctor that can help you with this concern further.

It is very strange that you had such a large jump in your TSH levels, they shouldn't be that much of a variance. It could, however, be due to a difference in the labs who did the testing, but there still shouldn't be that big of a diff. All your other levels seems fine, but that doesn't mean that there isn't something wrong. Sometimes a family doc doesn't know enough about thyroid disease to be able to properly diagnose or treat it, an Endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid disease and dysfunction is your best bet.

I hope this has helped...keep asking questions until you get answers and push to get the care you need! Only YOU can be your best advocate!

Cynthia

[c0nfused]

Thanks momma.

I was the same lab, which is why it confuses me. At first I was thinking maybe TSH was someone related to my period phase or something. Idk, I thought maybe it fluxuates... I have no idea.

I only have two endo's to choose from. So far this guy just says everything is normal. I'd have to made an appointment with the other guy and maybe he'll be a bit more helpful. I already talked with two primary doctors about this and other related stuff and neither of them cared either. One even said that not having your period for over a year is nothing to worry about (not that that happened to me, but I was worried since mine kept getting further and further apart). So I keep changing hoping to find someone good. *shrugs*

[c0nfused]

Wow. I was looking at all three of my blood test results together.

August 05 my TSH was 1.67
November 06 it was 2.63
December 06 it's 4.55

That seems very odd. I'm 19 1/2. Does this have anything to do with the changes? Does stuff fluxuate like that when you're young?

[mommavia]

It shouldn't flucuate that much. Be persistant to find out what you need to know. If you have problems with a doc not explaining things to you, let the "complaint department" know at Medicaid, there should be someone that you can report poor service to. I have insurance through the military (hubby is a Marine) which is essentially the same as you...when I have a problem with a doctor I let someone know. Hang in there!

Cynthia

[bec415]

I've noticed that your testosterone free and total are very similar to mine - (only now that I'm on met they've come down to that) But for me, it's too high and still enough of a problem for me to have horrible skin.

So what's normal for one person can be high enough for someone else to be effected. I'm on spiro even though my levels are also within normal range. My endo said that even if there's a very slight imbalance for your particular body, it's enough for you to have the symptoms of hypo/hyperthyroidism. It's almost like a guessing game. The blookwork doesn't always reveal the whole story, that's why it's so important for us to listen to our bodies and be aware of any symptoms.

[c0nfused]

I went to the doctor and he said it's very normal for the TSH to fluxuate from 1.6 to 4.55. That it's still in the normal range.

He also said there is no reason to test my progesterone/estrogen because if my testosterone (53) is normal, then the others are normal, too.

[m1sm2lg2]

I actually have a question about this too...I have every single symptom of hypothyroidism. I totally fit the part of someone with it. However, my bloodwork has always come back normal....what is up with this? Can you have normal bloodwork and still possibly have hypothyroidism???

[vicandla]

I have to say that if you feel badly I don't care what your tests say you should be being treated!!!! We need to educate these Endo, they are not keeping up with today info.
First if you need to be tested for thyroid the tests that need to be run are
1. TSH
2. Free T3
3. Free T4
4. TPO which checks for Thyroid Antibodies
I have I believe been Hypothyroid since I was 18 yrs old but not DX until I was 29, I suffered with being overweight and being tired most of my teenage years and worse when I became an adult. I am glad to say now I am on a 2 meds and doing better than ever and have finally found a Dr who I can share my articles with and who will listen to me and try to understand me, Now If only I could find a Dr to help my baby. Good Luck Ladies, I hate this disease more than anything and plan to kick its butt at every turn I get!!!

[nature_2402]

I have no idea if I have PCOS or not. I don't know what's wrong. But I've been through hell trying to lose weight (20-30lbs) with no success. I have moodswings, crying a lot, my hair is thinning, very irritable, have cold toes and hands, 36 day cycles, my breast have been really sore often, i can't sleep yet im so de-energized, i get anxious, ance, and also out of no where sometimes my face gets soooo flushed & red all of a sudden for like 10 seconds with absolutely nothing to cause it.

Wow, reading that was like reading my own thoughts...except that i have been diagnosed with PCOS. My doctor always checks my thryroid. But apparently some of the tests will not acurately determine, a more complete pannel is required. My TCM thinks that i have a thyroid issue....i finally have a refferal for an endo in a couple of weeks and he ordered a more detailed blood work up. Hopefully they can figure something out. I'm at home right now, instead of being at work, because yesturday i started getting the the red and flushed face with the feeling of being overwhelmed...again this morning i feel like that as well...so here i am! still feeling overwhelmed.....

[mommavia]

Nature, glad to hear you are getting to see and endo that has ordered a detailed thyroid panel. Hopefully that will turn something up and you'll start feeling better soon!

Confused, how are you doing?

Cynthia

[K&JinMA]

Nature & c0nfused,
You might want to check your library/book store for the book "What your doctor may not tell you about hypothyroidism" by Kenneth Blanchard and the website www.thyroid-info.com. Both are really good resources about thyroid issues. I don't think it's normal for TSH to fluctuate that much and while most endos think values over 3 (or even 2) are normal, there are doctors (like Blanchard) that disagree.
I have a naturopath that prescribed Armour natural thyroid meds for me with a TSH of 3. Naturopaths tend to be more open to alternative treatments like herbs. Luckily for me, mine is also an MD so he takes my insurance--most aren't.
I agree with momma--just because you have Medicaid doesn't mean you should suffer with sub-standard health care. Keep trying doctors until you find one that will listen to you. I have heard of primary care docs being open to treating TSH that is "normal."
Bottom line, trust yourself and your symptoms (and always get copies of your test results)!
Good Luck!
Kate

[isenephthys]

k8- thank you for the link.

c0nfused- i would keep pursuing those doctors in search of an answer. it IS possible to have symptoms of hypothyroid even though your hormone levels fall within an arbitrary predefined "normal range." and insurance status is NO EXCUSE for substandard care.

[isenephthys]

i just found an interesting bit of research online: (the whole article is too long to post, but it has some good information and is well worth reading in its entirety.)

In late 2002, the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) issued new guidelines for the diagnosis and monitoring of thyroid disease. In the guidelines, the NACB reported that the current TSH reference range -- which usually runs from approximately 0.5 to 5.5 -- may be too wide and actually may include people with thyroid disease. When more sensitive screening was done, which excluded people with thyroid disease, 95 percent of the population tested actually had a TSH level between 0.4 and 2.5.

As a result, the NACB recommended reducing the reference range to that. Meaning, anything below or above that could be a sign of thyroid disease.

from http://thyroid.about.com/od/getteste.../garbertsh.htm