I was dx'ed with fibro in 2009. According to the regular blood tests taken during my yearly physical my thyroid is ok. Yet I am unrelenting fatigue which is worse in the winter. How was your thyroid condition diagnosed? Were special blood tests taken beyond that of the normal blood tests. I am soooo looking for an answer to the fatigue and brain fog - as well as pain. I'll be happy to find an answer to the fatigue part right now. Hope you are feeling good w/o much pain. Take care:)

There is a special test that looks specifically for T3 and T4 in the thyroid. All my tests, EVERY TIME said my thyroid was "normal' however, when I began taking thyroid med, I improved. It's the same for all my family...we test NORMAL but respond to thyroid meds. See if you dr will try it. Mine was and that's how I found help....it won't harm you to try and you should know in about a month if there's a difference for you.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Thyroid!!!! I have been amazed at the incredible mis-and-lack of understanding of these conditions by the medical community.... Actually, I am mystified: you would think that with something that reaches pandemic proportions, individual doctors would realize that there is a ton of money to be made, if compassion alone doesn't move them.... What some people think is "normal???" Give me a break!

There are several tests that try to establish a baseline: The TSH is the test most doctors seem to use, but what this measures is whether your pituitary gland "thinks" there is something weird going on with your thyroid. You can have so-called "normal" results, but still not be well.

The better tests to push for are called "free T4" and "free T3," as FIC has said. These are the forms of the hormone that eventually get used in your bloodstream. That is how my doctor was able to diagnose me. I was well below the range. But - the RANGE itself can be subject to interpretation, so it often depends on which doctor and which standards are being used. You have to be sure that your doctor is using the most up-to-date standards for the range.

For some of us, the diagnosis is just the first step. We then have to figure out the optimum dose of medication and WHICH medications are going to help us.

I am not an expert, but there are some incredibly generous people on the Thyroid Support Group here at this website. They will help you find resources and also have ways of helping you find a qualified doctor.

I am really happy to report - I had my first physical therapy last night and I am doing a WHOLE lot better! The P.T. used ultrasound and a really souped-up version of a TENS-Unit.... I nearly cried because I felt so much better!

I still have a ways to go, but I feel really blessed to have come so far toward recovery.

I sure hope you all start to heal quickly and completely!