Hypothyroidism Support Group

Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...

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Is the Doctor Right???

debbied1009
debbied1009
I just got my copy of the lab report and my TSH is 0.50 and my T4 is 1.30. It states on the lab report that Reference for TSH is 0.45 to 4.500 which seems to me that my TSH is almost borderline low??? He says that it's fine and my treatment of .125 Levoxyl is adequate.

So why am I so exhausted? Painfully tired, pale, gained 20lbs in the last 4 or 5 months. Can't concentrate or think clearly, extremely forgetfull. The list of symptoms goes on and on. His retort is something else is wrong, don't blame everything on my Hypothyroid.

I'm wondering what you all think about these levels? Do they sound right to you, or is my doctor right?

Thanks and have a wonderful Day!
deleted_user
deleted_user
He could be right, but the thyroid is a good starting point. However, you might also consider adrenal fatigue, particularly if you find yourself craving salt, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Both of these sometimes occur along with hypothyroidism. To start, you might ask him if he would be willing to try other thryoid meds(particularly if you are on Synthroid or a generic equivalent) to see if you need T3 long with your T4 supplementation.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Debbied!

I can't help you as far as talking numbers, but I truly believe you should not just let the doc say "you're fine as long as your labs fall within the "normal" range. That is a very BIG range and many, many people including myself feel that everybody's different. Some feel better when there levels are higher in that range when others feel better at a lower number. Everyone's body is different.

Your doc should be willing to listen to you and your symptoms and not just go by labs. I have a good doc that is willing to increase my dose as long as it doesn't put over the edge of the high end of the "normal" range. If he/she is insistent that it is NOT your thyroid causing you to feel bad, then definately push to find out if you might have another condition besides hypothyroidism. If your current doc isn't willing to work with you, you NEED to find one that is! Life is so much easier when our docs listen and work with us to help us feel better...don't even waste your time on a doc who doesn't listen.

Hugs and good luck to you,

Bdancer
Jonsparky
Jonsparky
Hi,
If the treatment is not working, you ned to find a doctor that will adjust your medication to your symptoms, not just going by the numbers! The proper TSH is .3- 3.0.
Another thing to have checked is the free T3 and reverse T3 levels, this is mostly over looked by doctors.

Has he done a full hormone panel with you? as he cehcked your Cortisol levels? Has he said anything about testing for hypo-pituitarism?
If the thyroid doesn't get the signal to make hormones, then it also makes hypothyroid, then it is called secondary hypothyroidism. You need to go to a specialist, but the docotr can give you the basic tests FSH, ATCH. If this shows low, then they may order a MRI to check for pituitary Adenoma, a small tumor on the pituatary gland
http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/SECT54a.HTM

Good luck! Keep at it...
Jon