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...

1,470 Members
6,907 Posts
0 Online
Endocrine System
/ Hypothyroidism Support Group

Results

ladybug2008
ladybug2008
Had my blood checked for the TSH level. It was 4.560 and as far as normal for this lab, the range is .450-4.500. Looking on-line it seems there are many different ranges for "normal". Any help would be welcomed!
Nancy
cd3764
cd3764
Welcome to the hypo forum!

Sorry to tell you this but, you have a place here since your TSH level is screaming hypothyroidism.

Unfortunately, labs have not updated their ranges for TSH and this is problematic since many people remain undiagnosed/improperly treated as a result.

Thyroid textbooks indicate that healthy people have TSH around 1.0 and no higher than 2.0.

Are you dealing with any symptoms?
ladybug2008
ladybug2008
Depressed, dry skin, hair falling out, in a fog, never enough sleep, no energy. and cold all the time. I am on Lithium and understand it can affect the thryroid also. I was diagnosed Bi-Polar and with severe COPD within the last five years. I just piled the symptoms in with the diseases and meds.
ladybug2008
ladybug2008
P.S. sister was just diagnosed a few weeks ago with hypothyroidism with a TSH of over 6. Grandmother had a goiter. I have 3 fluid cysts per ultrasound a couple of years ago. Has been checked twice. Have been told not to worry. When doctors feel the thyroid-slightly tender and a little trouble swallowing also.
cd3764
cd3764
Sorry to hear of your issues! They are classic signs of hypothyroidism and, yes, Lithium might be to blame. However, your family history could also be to blame.

Bottom line, you would benefit from some thyroid hormone supplementation and I hope you can find another doctor who will recognize what this doctor recognizes:

http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/diagnosis_comp.htm

These are the suggestions I have to offer re finding a thyroid-savvy doctor:

1. networking

2. check the Top Thyroid Doctors site for a listing in your area

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

3. ask local pharmacists (not the counter help) for names of doctors that prescribe either Armour or Cytomel. Doctors that Rx either of these tend to be more thyroid-savvy

4. contact the Broda Barnes Foundation and pay ~$18 to get an information packet that includes a list of doctors in your state who follow Dr. Barnes' ideology (Dr. Barnes was the author of "Hypothyroidism - An Unsuspected Illness" and was lightyears ahead of his time)

5. find a doctor that prescribes bioidentical hormones either by checking websites or contacting compounding pharmacies (they are likely to have names of doctors that prescribe Armour which usually means they're more thyroid-savvy)

Idea #1 worked for me....the other ideas have worked for others. I hope one works for you.