Wondering if I have Hypothyroid

dani8477 · 04-24-2007, 02:57 PM

Hi all... the whole PCOS thing has been a confusing process for me. It seems like my ONLY symptoms are hair loss, inability to lose weight, and occasional acne. But I am tired all the time and have pretty bad sensitivity to cold/heat.

What makes me think I may have a low thyroid is that my TSH levels keep going up. When I first had them tested it was only 3.7. Several months later, it was 4.0. And now, as of three weeks ago, it is 4.9. Is it normal for it to go up like that? It is supposedly in the normal range up until 5.5, but I think 4.9 is on the high side. My doctor does not see it as an issue and hasn't mentioned it as being high.

But no matter what my hair loss has not stopped even though my testosterone and androgen levels are normal. I am on Yasmin, Spiro, and Met and nothing has stopped the hair loss, which is progressing fast. My hair is also very dry and brittle.

Does anyone have a similar case and actually have hypothyroid? If you do have it, what are your TSH levels? What should I say to my doctor so she will consider it and consider treating it?

Thanks for all your help.

mommavia · 04-24-2007, 07:24 PM

It is very possible the you are hypo. I find it odd that you doc has been testing your TSH but has done nothing about your increasing levels. It isn't a big increase and still in the normal range, but every one has they level at which they feel best. I would consider seeing an endocrinologist that specializes in thyroid disease/dysfunction. The things that are sticking out to me are you being tired most of the time, your inability to regulate your body temp, and your dry/brittle hair. Some of the classic hypo symptoms. I encourage you to investigate this further...there is obviously something going on!

Cynthia

micheleinnewjersey · 04-25-2007, 04:49 PM

I have been getting my blood tested every 6 weeks. I noticed that they changed the guidelines and 3.5 is the high end of normal. It used to 5.5. You are hypo and need to go see an endo who specializes in thyroid! I feel hypo at 3.0.

You will feel much better once they treat you and you will see an improvement with your hair loss.

SouthernGal32 · 04-25-2007, 05:28 PM

YES!!!! YOU ARE HYPO, sounds like your DR & his lab are still going by the OLD lab numbers. Normal range is between 0.3-3.0 - You need to be on some type of thryoid hormone to get you back within the normal range. Many women say they still don't feel well unless they are 2.0 or under!!! TRUST ME - you DON'T want to mess with your thyroid!!! Mine being out of whack took at least a year of my life, if not more. I am feeling much better now at 2.73 BUT still have not gotten ALL my energy back - I just have an occasional energy spurt here and there and long for the day where I can buzz around with energy once again! I lost a lot of hair too and am happy to say that most of it seems to have come back - I take EPO[evening primrose oil] for my hair loss & to help with CM from AF to O because I am TTC & can't take Spiro because it can cause birth defects. BUT how you should you talk to your DR about it is another thing entirely. I know they don't take it too well when you tell them they are wrong from personal experience!! I had to just find other DRs that would listen to me and do the proper testing and finally settled on 3 - My Gyno, an RE, and an internist to oversee all the issues I have, and to make sure I am taking all the right stuff. I still get frustrated with them sometimes, I have begged them to give me something for my energy levels. And they have finally gotten recognizably better, just not what I'd hoped them to be - I want to be BUZZING with enery again!!! Best wishes to you - I hope you find a good DR that is up to date on proper thyroid care!!!

verity777 · 04-27-2007, 07:32 PM

Hi

I can symphatise with what you're going through. I had similar experience with you. My TSH level was at one point 4.7 but the doctor didn't highlight it. Later on, when I still continued having hypo symptoms, I knew something wasn't right with my body and I did alot of investigating on ym own.

And then I by God's grace, I switched doctors to a gynae who ordered a complete blood test and discoevered that i was hypo.

Now, I still feel hypo although my sysmptoms are not as bad as they used to. I'm less tired, my hair has stopped dropping as much as it did but I'm still not back to normal. My TSH now is 2.7

I'm hoping it will continue to drop.

Keep up updtaed with your progress. All the best! Any questions, let me know