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...
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism by an internal medicine MD.
I was on meds alternating 75 & 50 until I couldn't afford the meds and had to go off them unfortunately. That was 6 yrs ago. A year ago I moved to another state and got a new doc and new insurance. I told the doc that I was diagnosed with Hypo but my last test results were 4. something. She said I don't need to take the meds anymore. Now I had been told by the doc that diagnosed me I would have Hypo for the rest of my life. Is this new doc wrong in saying I don't need to take the meds? I see her again for the Hypo next month.
I was on meds alternating 75 & 50 until I couldn't afford the meds and had to go off them unfortunately. That was 6 yrs ago. A year ago I moved to another state and got a new doc and new insurance. I told the doc that I was diagnosed with Hypo but my last test results were 4. something. She said I don't need to take the meds anymore. Now I had been told by the doc that diagnosed me I would have Hypo for the rest of my life. Is this new doc wrong in saying I don't need to take the meds? I see her again for the Hypo next month.
Hashi's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism - it is an autoimmune disease wherein an out-of-whack immune system produces antibodies that attack and eventually destroy the thyroid.
Well, we need our thyroid to help regulate virtually every system in our body.
Your symptoms definitely sound like your thyroid is low.
Unfortunately, many docs make their Dx and dosing decisions based upon TSH.
And, another unfortunate thing is the fact that the AACE lowered the TSH ranges back in 2002 yet labs have maintained the old ranges on their reports in the thought that doctors know this.
And, even worse, TSH is not a reliable indicator of thyroid function - it is best used as a screening tool.
Finally, having "normal" levels (in-range levels) does not mean they are YOUR normal.
Each of us has his/her own rate of metabolism and this would be reflected in the thyroid hormone levels of healthy individuals.
Since most of us don't know what our levels were before we got sick, it makes sense to dose in an attempt to bring our levels to those common to most healthy individuals.
Well, the extensive Nurse's Health Study showed that most people have a FreeT4 level at mid-range if not towards the top end of the range....and FreeT3 level at mid-range.
Here's a link to a medical journal article confirming that the FreeT4 and FreeT3 tests are the best ones to use for evaluation of thyroid function:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12915350?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=4&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed
And, if you'd like to read similar info in "English", grab a copy of "Thyroid for Dummies" written by noted endo, Dr. Alan Rubin.
I know I've often read that people need to be proactive with your health.....this seems to apply most especially with thyroid disease since too many docs have not kept up with the extensive advances made within the past two decades.
2boyzmom has given you some good advice.....to me, as far as my health and sense of well-being is concerned, I won't stop trying until I feel confident in my heart that I did all I could do to feel better.
I "went thru" 3 endos before finding a doc who knew how to medicate.
I am feeling my absolute best right now and I wish the same for you :)
WHAT IS THE TSH??? In your body, the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is synthesized and secreted by your pituitary glandi.e. its a PITUITARY hormone, NOT a thyroid hormone. You can view the TSH like a messenger sent to knock on the door of the thyroid. And its purpose is to regulate your thyroid glandto tell it to produce more, or to tell it to produce less.
The TSH test is often the test of choice for evaluating thyroid function and/or symptoms of hyper- or hypothyroidism. It is frequently ordered along with or preceding a T4 test. Other thyroid tests that may be ordered include a T3 test and thyroid antibodies (if autoimmune-related thyroid disease is suspected).
I wish you the best of luck in getting a complete diagnosis.
I hope the doctor can help you right away and not have to find another one.
Once you are HYPOthyroid, it's for the rest of your life -- haven't heard of any miracles -- yet!