Hi:

Checking the TSH doesn't necessarily screen for any thyroid problems as it is a Pituitary hormone. I would have the following thyroid labs of the Free T3 and the Free T4 to determine how high and/or low these are.

Sonograms would check for any nodules in the thyroid, how big or small.

{{{hugs}}}

Thank you so much. I will ask my doctor. I wonder why she wouldn't have also checked for these too?

Doctor insisted that I'm "fine" even though I have at least a goiter to prove something is going on. She finally relented and said all I need is a Free T3 - not the 4. She tried to tell me that my symptoms - weight and hair loss - not sleeping well - etc - could simply be stress even though my sister and mom have thyroid issues too. So I pressed it a bit more and is going to refer me to an endo. because of the significance of my goiter. You would think she would throughly check out this issue before moving onto checking to see if I have a vitamin D deficiency (like she wanted to do).

Anyway - thanks. At least I'll be tested for the Free T3 and then I can go from there....

In the meantime insist to the doctor to order the Free T4. Both FT3 and FT4 are two important thyroid hormones.

Good luck and {{{hugs}}}

Doctor told me that the Free T4 test wasn't necessary since the TSH was fine. Okay. So I go in today for the T3 and lo and behold - she ordered the T4 too. I have a feeling that something will show up. I forgot to ask how long it will take to find out the results. No matter - I wasn't able to get an appointment for a few weeks.

Anyway - THANK YOU SOOO MUCH mmztcass. You are very helpful and knowledgeable.

HUGS TO YOU!

Even though we cannot use the TSH to accurately assess how our thyroid is doing especially if a thyroid disease is involved. A positive thyroid disease for either having Graves' Disease (hypER) or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (mainly hypO) makes the TSH number all wonky.

What was exactly your TSH number? GD will cause the TSH to be at something like 0.01. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis will drive the TSH higher than 1.0. Many doctors like to see their patients TSH to stay around 1.0 to 1.25.

{{{hugs}}}

My TSH reading is 1.600

Okay thanks about the TSH number. Let's see what the Free Ts says.

Here is an extended list of hypER/hypO to see what is going on with you:

http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/topic/5-symptoms-list-extended-version/

The list is from another forum that I moderate at.

{{{hugs}}}

Hard to believe but my test results were fine. Evidently, all within the normal range. All my symptoms - weight loss, hair changing, sleep issues, heart palpitations - ya da ya da........ must be all in my mind - LOL....... OR ........ I'm really stressed out OR I have something else. I do have the goiter, however. I wonder if the doctor still wants to be see and endo or not. I can breathe fine with no problems so ........

If you find the Thyroid 101 on that forum I moderate at, you will find a list of dietary/environmental triggers to avoid for the thyroid. I have to maintain as chemical and toxin-free (GMO-free) diet and avoid many household and personal products which sets off my symptoms.

It could be the case for you.

However, finding out what your thyroid levels of the Free T3 and the Free T4 will be helpful to determine where you fall in the ranges for these numbers.

Most people do better when their Free Ts are within the mid to the upper third ranges.

Has your doctor ever checked you to see how your thyroid antibodies are doing? Whether these are positive or not? The tests to get would be:

TSI
TRAb
TPOab
TgAb

{{{hugs}}}