Frankly, there'll come a point where you don't keep going. That's why it's so very important to keep trying to find that doc that is not TSH ignorant.

Many, many people have lost jobs, families, and their sanity wrestling with this disease while continuing to get an incorrect diagnosis.

YOU must be your own advocate and keep pushing for treatment. I know how hard it is...but what other choice do you have?

Keep in mind that depression is the No 1 symptom of hypothyroidism. That will get better when you get treatment.

I push when I can. Today was a bad day for me. I lifted weights and had trouble breathing, like I couldn't catch my breath. It's been like that all day. I started lifting again on Mon and didn't recover until today! Way too long to recover. I'm pretty stubborn and headstrong, and we'll, pretty stupid too so I do what I have to do and push through it. I pushed so hard today that I spent the rest of the day on the couch, took a nap, and tried to eat to give me energy. Hasn't worked out for me though. Can you post your labs again? If I remember correctly, you have secondary hypothyroidism based on your labs. Don't quote me on that. That's what I have. Pituitary dysfunction.

My TSH was 1.5 but my free T4 was .9. My doc didn't do a free T3 test. The breathing thing is another symptom I've had a lot recently. Sometime it almost feels like I'm suffocating

jwlee35

You and I are in the same boat except I am now finally getting proper treatment, all because of this forum by the way. I struggled and floundered for 4 years with idiotic doctors and ignorance.

Its a very long hard torturous struggle to regain health, I am not one to mince words. Its an uphill battle. But there is relief and health to be regained down the line as soon as you can get proper medical attention as well as following the vital intelligent advice from most people on this forum.

I just posted on UtahGals link what this disease has cost me in my personal life, not a pretty picture. But reality. I did everything I could to avoid that disaster but the disease won this time. Sh** happens. Now I need to pick up the pieces and move on with my life and look forward to returning to wellness and health. I am slowly getting there but its not fun. Its a huge challenge and I am very competitive by nature and a take control kind of person in all aspects so that will certainly help with this. The only choice we have is to pick up the pieces and move on.

I certainly hope your situation does not deteriorate like mine just has. Get the proper medical attention ASAP or the chances of that happening will multiply exponentially. Sorry to be such a downer here but I always try to say it like it is. Good luck and keep us posted.

So your doc didn't say you had hypothyroidism? If he didn't, I urge you to find a new doc. I found mine in the Thyroid Change website. CD made a new group called Thyroid Resources and the link to that website and other docs is on there. It's hard to believe that the docs out there are so ignorant to this disease. They should be ashamed in themselves. You WILL get better! You need the right doc though.

After the birth of my son over 27 yrs ago I developed hypothyroidism. I had to keep going with a new baby. I have a great husband,who understands sometimes.. I keep fighting,but I sometimes want to give up.

Thank you Gagel, I actually prefer to surround myself with people who don't mince words. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you deal with it, (DDP Yoga).
@dawnrose, My PCP told me that because my TSH was perfect, that the .9 Free T4 was "normal for me" , even though it was so low on the scale, and there was nothing to worry about. I have an appointment with an endocrinologist February 5th, and hopefully he can give me some answers. If its not my thyroid, then that's fine with me, but I just need to find a doctor to figure out what it is so I know what I'm dealing with and how to fight back. I came here by suggestion from someone else because I have so many hypo symptoms.

jwlee

Dont want to discourage you again but an ENDO is most likely not the most efficient or wise route to go doctorwise. They are notoriously TSH ignorant, something you def dont need right now. (Just ask MButterfly about that!!!!)

Have you checked cd's list of doctors in each region of the country that are savvy and reputable in treating hypothyroidism? I would hate to see you suffer more than you already have. Another suggestion might be an ND, most of them are symptom oriented, don't give TSH a lot of weight, and always check your FTs.

I am in the same boat as you. I'm done effing around going to different useless doctors who don't help me. In a few weeks, my arse is getting on a plane and flying to Houston to see Hotze. Not only will they check my thyroid, but ALL of my other hormones, as they are all connected. They will treat me. I will finally have a chance at wellness.

It is expensive, but they will leave no stone unturned. So my family won't take an expensive vacation this year? So what? My health is worth it, and so is yours.

I hope you can find the help that you deserve. Otherwise it won't get any better.

@GageL, I did browse through the list. The closest I found to me was 3 hours away I think. I'm going to start being pretty suborn about my health with my doctors though. The endo was referred to me by a woman that has done lab (blood) work for over 20 years. She highly recommends him and said he is really good at listening to the patient. And I completely understand about the family thing. I'm lucky that my wife is so understanding, even though she gets frustrated with it sometimes. But my dad is another story. I guess you could best describe us as "rednecks" (and yes I have the redneck accent, LOL) and he thinks I should be able to just get up and go no matter what. Some days it just doesn't work like that even though I wish it did.

When I had insurance, went to doc to get thyroid tests and they are all stuck on the TSH. I am including all of the 10 or so docs before this last one. Last one was a dumb NP. Sorry my attitude.

I have been selfmedicating most of time since 2004. This is not an easy thing to do, but testing is very important.

Finding a non TSH worshipping doctor is not an easy thing to do either.

jwlee35

Didn't mean to disparage a 'red neck" accent but I am British and have lived only in New York City and SF in the US so my experience with accents other than those from those two cities is scant at best except when changing planes in DFW or Houston and then I can hardly understand what people are saying quite frankly. Its a cultural thing.

My immediate family has had it with me and this disease. They are just fed up that I don't get better already. Its going on 5 years. They think I am hypochondriac, delusional, mentally disturbed, lazy. And they are all educated sophisticated people by the way, even the children. They should all know better.

I have managed to keep my career together, just barely. Its been jeopardized several times very seriously since my diagnosis and treatment began. I am telling you this so that you might avoid this kind of future without proper medical attention.

I do hope your Endo referral works out. I do suggest you inquire first if this doctor is a TSH worshipper and also tests FT3 and FT4 with every lab before you invest more time and suffering. Again, much luck and keep us informed. I know what you are going through as do most of us. Its harder for men I think however, not the disease itself but the social reactions to its symptoms. We need our own advocates in my opinion. People are just not accustomed to men having hormone issues, including doctors.

I've always said that Hypothyroidism is treated like an orphan disease and the ignorance is astounding. If someone had diabetes or heart disease (which btw can be cause by hypothyroidism), the "stiff upper lip" attitude (or in the case of TN the, "Git ur behind in gear!" attitude) would not come into play. Nor should it.

Hypothyroidism if left untreated is SERIOUS. I know some people like their information sugar-coated, but that never helped a thing! Not. One. Thing. I do not sugar coat it, and I don't deal well with others who do. Hypothyroidism can destroy lives, cost jobs, rip apart families, and push people so far down they may never recover...and can indeed die.

I don't tell you these things to upset you, but to let those who read my words understand that mincing words won't help you. Realize the seriousness of the situation and make sure you have a doctor who understands the seriousness of that situation as well.

Yes, we must be our own advocates - it is, after all, our lives we're talking about here. Doctors are essential, but only if they're not causing harm...and not diagnosing and treating obvious hypothyroidism is absolutely causing harm!

GageL - hang in there man...nothing but love coming your way.

JwLee35 - hope your visit goes well...please keep us posted - we're pulling for ya. I also come from a family with a STRONG work ethic and laziness is NOT tolerated. period. So, I know of what you speak. You have to block those voices out and listen to your body. Demand treatment. Don't take the pat on the head and walk out of the office. State your case firmly and politely. Demand answers. Be your own advocate. And don't give up until you find a doctor who will help lift you out of this hell. Dawnrose gave you some good advice...here's the thing: 3 hours is not a big deal if you need to get your life back. If the endo doesn't work out, suck it up and drive the 3 hours and get some real help. How much time/money is your life worth? I know people who've flown across country to get help...or drive to another state. I know money is an issue (for most of us)...but if I added up all the money I wasted on the many doctors I saw that were idiots it would far surpass what it cost me to drive to/from the savvy doc and pay the savvy doc.

Dawnrose - you are absolutely right. You cannot give up. You did not give up... and you've come such a long way. I'm pulling for ya!

UG: I know this guy has got to be the one to help you. I just know it. I applaud you for putting your health first.

Bm55 - we all feel like giving up sometimes, but until the good lord calls us home...we simply can't. Life's too short to waste it being sick all the time. Hang in there.

@GageL, No harm with the redneck comment, lol. I fully acknowledge I am full blooded southern and have a thick accent. I play it up at times to mess with northerners and people from other countries ;)
My wife seems to fully understand how bad I feel. We had a family supper planned tonight at a nice restaurant, and she told me if it was her and she felt this bad, she'd not hesitate to stay home. So that's what I did. Even though its upsetting to miss out on nice outings.
I've started a folder that I'm in the process of going back and getting copies of all tests I've had done, so I can easily "remind" doctors of what we should and shouldn't do next. So far on all of my blood test results, the ALT result is high. On every one. Not too high, but usually just over the range. I'm not sure what that means toward my health but I'm going to be sure to find out ASAP. Thanks for all the help everyone.