Hypothyroidism Support Group

You shouldn't have to fast. Have your TSH, your T4 Free and T3 Free all tested. Doctors do not routinely test for anything other than TSH, in my experience. Knowing all of your levels will be helpful in determining if you have a thyroid condition. Good luck.

From other things I've read...I'm getting the impression that doctors are HORRIBLE about listening to people about this problem. What's the reason? It's obviously a real problem for a lot of people....why all the denial?

Anyone have suggestions to make sure I don't get the run-around?

Get a copy of your results and if you dont feel what the doctor says is valid take the results with you and get a second opinion.

Most of all in determining thyroid problems is the symptoms. The numbers will confirm it but the symptoms are what started messing me up big time. Then I demanded my GP at the time to do the blood work even though he didn't want to. Well guess what----my numbers were way off.......best wishes but don't hope for this disease if you really have it then you will be in for lots of a mess.

Yeah...it would be a bit of a relief for me to know "What's wrong" though....it's been years of fighting with the symptoms that I'm having and I'm so tired of the challenges.

Biggest issues are unexplained and uncontrollable weight gain...I work out 3-5 days a week with a personal trainer who also monitors my food intake and I've gained 50+ lbs in just over a yr in mostly fat. I'm tired all the time...I can't fight off anything illness wise, I have horrible mood swings for no reason, low sex drive, very dry skin and hair, etc etc.....I have printed out a checklist and had all of the symptoms except for 2. PLUS....I apparently have a family history of thyroid problems that I was not aware of.

The answer might not be great to know I have it...but it's better than hitting a wall with no explanation as to why....

I'm starting to get nervous though....I dislike blood tests.

You know there are many many worse things that you can have though! Try and stay positive. I am fourtunate enough to have been regulated on my medication fairly quickly and feel pretty darn good. I have my bad days of course, mostly when I am stressed or I get sick, these two things really seem to affect my hypothyroidism more than anything else. But, for the most part I feel a lot better now that I have been diagnosed and began treatment. I have almost a normal life now :)
All of your symptoms are classic of hypothyroidism and with the family history I would be shocked if you didnt have it. So much so that if they say you don't I would strongly urge you to get a second opinion. Some doctors use the old standards as to what your levels should be, apparntly there are new standards which are a lot different. I can't elaborate too much on this as I dont know the exect numbers but, I am sure there is someone else here that would know. I wish you all of the luck in the world and I hope you find out whats going on real soon. I know how scary it can be to not know what is wrong with you. It took me about a year and many expensive tests before I got my diagnosis and I remember that being one of the hardest times in my life! Hang in there.

Thanks everyone for the advice and support :) I have no doubt that there are many many people who are much worse off...and I really hope that they are getting the help they need/desire....we all deserve to feel like we're ok again. I'm just happy that I actually DID get the courage to make the first call to get tested...and hoping for the best either way.

Thanks again! I'll keep everyone posted :)

Doctor appt yesterday (at a new doctor for me), and it was a very encouraging experience. She actually LISTENED to all my issues...not just focusing on my thyroid concern but noticed a few other things and options. She ordered a complete blood work, including full panel of Thyroid (she agrees that it certainly sounds like thyroid problems - but wants to make sure all other avenues are looked at). I know some might say that they're ordering all these tests as a way to "get more money" but honestly - I'm just THRILLED that she paid enough attention to point out other things that are of concern. Previous doctors I've had never did that....they would only order a test if you demanded it.

I should know by next week sometime. YAY!

Keep us posted:) Glad you found an attentive doctor!

I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism last October. My TSH levels were 11.7, which meant nothing to me at first, then I did some research and found out that a normal level of TSH is between 3 and 5. So you can see my numbers are high. The adrenal gland secretes TSH to get the thyroid gland to secrete its hormones, when the thyroid gland does not respond the adrenal gland secretes more TSH. So you can see why higher levels of TSH show lower levels of activity from the thyroid gland. I have started on levothyroxine, 50mcg a day, and have not noticed a change in symptoms yet, but I have been told that it can take a few weeks to notice changes. My advice to you is to make sure you see a copy of the lab work when it is completed. In addition, if you feel like you are having symptoms, and the doctors are not listening to you, seek a different doctor till you find one who takes you seriously.