test are normal BUT...........

Bottleblond · 02-14-2007, 12:22 AM

I was dx with pcos 5+ years ago. I take 2000 mg of metformin a day. Since last June I have been having symptoms of Hypothyroidism. I saw my endo, he did tests and says my thyroid levels are normal and that my metabolic panel is normal, they did not give me actual numbers. I am always exhausted, can not lose weight despite exercise and diet, my body temp averages about 97.9 degress, no sex drive, dry burning eyes, weak nails, hungry all the time. I do not know what the next step is now, I would like them to fax me the test numbers. I am not scheduled to go back there until June. Has anyone had this issue where the test was "normal" but you had all the symptoms, and if so how did you get someone to treat you? What about over the counter thyroid supplements or remedies? Thanks for any help.
Amy

Jes317 · 02-14-2007, 01:17 PM

I have all the same symptoms as you and have for years. I've been tested regularly but my TSH numbers are always very normal. Right in the middle of the range.

I think it's just PCOS. fun, huh. I'd be interested in the responses you get from other cysters. I do lose weight if I watch what I eat VERY carefully and exercise A LOT!

micheleinnewjersey · 02-14-2007, 05:04 PM

Normal TSH level is varies from individual to individual. My TSH is very supressed right now because I had thyroid cancer. My TSH is now .26. However, before thyroid cancer I was hypo and my TSH was usually around 2.00 while on Synthroid. I never felt good even though my levels were normal. Some of my friends need their TSH to be at 1. to feel good while others like it high 4.0 or 5.0

Another issue is that your T4 or T3 can be out of sync while your TSH levels are in the normal range. My sister has normal TSH but had a problem with her thyroid T4 level.

It is a good idea to get your numbers from the doctor. I would be happy to assist you with your number to tell you if you are on the high side of normal.

The important thing is not to ignore your symptoms. I was feeling crappy for months and bugged my doctor. He insisted that my levels were fine. I ended having thyroid cancer. Luckily though I caught it super early and only needed to remove half my thyroid. Since my surgery, I feel better than ever. Except for PCOS of course.....need I say more!

Good luck!
Michele

mommavia · 02-17-2007, 02:22 AM

When I was first diagnosed as hypo, my TSH was well over 100. A year prior to that I had a lot of the same symptoms, but my thyroid panel was normal. Needless to say, I wasn't treated until the insanely high TSH appeared. I wish I would have known that I could have asked more questions and pursue my symptoms further, but I didn't...I was in college and didn't know any better. I would keep asking, and if your doc doesn't respond, fire him/her and get a doctor who treats you the person, not the tests. I had thyroid cancer and my TSH is now suppressed less that 0.1 and it works for me. As Michele mentioned, each person had their own comfort level of what makes them feel great. Make sure you feel great! I have fired a doctor for not treating me (he was treating me tests)...my symptoms are just that...Sympotms of something! Hang in there and keep on pushing through.

And also, don't think b/c your tests are normal and you feel crappy it is thyroid cancer! Less than 10% of all thyroid nodules are cancerous...you just happen to be lucky and have 2 thyca Survivors in the same place ;-)

Cynthia

micheleinnewjersey · 02-20-2007, 07:38 PM

Yes, important point Mommavia. Thyroid cancer is still pretty rare while thyroid nodules are common. Just because you have a nodule, it doesn't mean you will have thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer survivors have a lot of insight on TSH levels and here to assist you in any way we can!

Delaney75 · 02-21-2007, 07:58 PM

Hi Ladies -

Amy, they just had something on my local news about this tonight, there is a new study going on right now with testing your muscle reaction time because they said 15% if not more of them time when you people are tested for thyroid problems they come back normal.

I feel I have thyroid problems as well, part of the thing that caught it for me is my moods, feeling depressed, not getting good sleep etc, but everytime I am tested I am told no, even through it runs in my family.

I would look for a doctor that specializes in thyroid treatment and ask if they are testing muscle reaction, since it is new it is still under development and has not yet been approved by the FDA.

Hope that helps!

Cortney

thyroidlady · 02-22-2007, 09:06 AM

This is quite common that symptoms appear before 'proof' in blood tests.
You should have a test for antibodies--Hashimotos to be precise. PCOS and thyroid are often related problems. Also tests should be compared over time. Get your results and write them down. If you TSH is climbing then you know that you are developing a thyroid condition.

fluffynotfat · 03-18-2007, 07:42 PM

I'm not sure if this will help, but... For years, I've been going through the same problems you've mentioned. I've been to countless doctors, all did the thyroid blood work, all the work came out normal. My mom has hypothyroidism and insisted that I had more symptoms than she does. I still don't feel right, so off to a new doctor I went. This doctor did a complete blood work up and ordered several tests, including a thyroid ultrasound. Well, my thyroid hormones were normal again, but I was diagnosed with PCOS due to my high and resistant insulin and all of my other match up symptoms (and well, if you saw me, you'd think I could be the next poster child for PCOS). The thyroid ultrasound also revealed a nodule. I had a nuclear test that showed that the nodule was hot, but it also showed that the nodule is in full control of my thyroid function. It's working overtime to keep my thyroid hormone levels normal while the rest of my thyroid is slowly beginning to atrophy. Sooner or later that nodule will give out and the whole thing will die off--- this is kind of what happens with an auto-immune thyroid disease like Hashimoto's and Grave's. Hashimoto's most likely eventually leads to hypothyroidism. Though I don't have Hypothyroidism (yet) I sure feel every symptom of the disorder just the same. The point of my rambling--- if you think you might have a thyroid condition, research the facts, check your family history, talk to your doctor, ask for a thyroid ultrasound (if I didn't persist, I would still be questioning what is wrong with me!). Good luck!

Bottleblond · 03-23-2007, 10:27 PM

I called the endo, and requested my test results be sent to me and checked if they had tested for hasimotos ds. The nurse said that was not tested for, and she would fax my test results. Well, I soon received another phone call from the nurse saying that the DR. had reviewed my results and because I was in the "low normal" he would put me on synthroid if I wanted but did not feel it was necessary. I said yes I want it. It has been a month on the synthroid, I have energy, I am not tired all day and up all night, and I have lost 10 lbs without trying! My dosage is .75mcg, I really believe "normal" is relative to each person, because I can not believe how much better I feel.
BB