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...
It's been two months since I learned I could be hypo (based only on my TSH), and 6 weeks since I learned that my full labs showed me as "normal". I went back to my MD today to tell him that my symptoms are such that I have no life at the moment. I inquired about a few things, and he seems to believe that I am "normal". I went through some of my symptoms, and he said that it "may" be my adrenals, but also posed the idea that I could have sleep apnea. (seriously???) He has agreed to test me again, along with a number of other things. He seems open to testing me because of my symptoms, but seems largely driven by my numbers.
On the other side, I had a consultation with a ND, and she said that "just because my numbers fall within the normal range, does not mean its normal for me". From her crude assessment, she thinks I have both thyroid and adrenal failure. She said that, while the numbers provide some facts that help her, she treats based on the symptoms. I have another appointment with her on Wednesday for a full assessment where she can outline a full program for me.
I get the feeling that I'm going to get farther with my ND than I will with my MD. I suspect that any test results may continue to show "normal" numbers, and I figure my MD will only work with numbers. I can't wait to go from MD to MD just to find someone who will help me. I'll see how things go with the ND...and hopefully she can make me feel better. At least a little bit.
I'll be interested to see what my labs turn out to be like. This time, I'm going to do my labs at the end of the day when I'm most tired. Maybe at the end of the work week, too. Who knows, I'll try anything to get the numbers to swing in my favour. I'm so tired of being tired.
On the other side, I had a consultation with a ND, and she said that "just because my numbers fall within the normal range, does not mean its normal for me". From her crude assessment, she thinks I have both thyroid and adrenal failure. She said that, while the numbers provide some facts that help her, she treats based on the symptoms. I have another appointment with her on Wednesday for a full assessment where she can outline a full program for me.
I get the feeling that I'm going to get farther with my ND than I will with my MD. I suspect that any test results may continue to show "normal" numbers, and I figure my MD will only work with numbers. I can't wait to go from MD to MD just to find someone who will help me. I'll see how things go with the ND...and hopefully she can make me feel better. At least a little bit.
I'll be interested to see what my labs turn out to be like. This time, I'm going to do my labs at the end of the day when I'm most tired. Maybe at the end of the work week, too. Who knows, I'll try anything to get the numbers to swing in my favour. I'm so tired of being tired.
I too am optimistic as I have an apnt with a doc who sees to understand thyroid issues..
What a maze.. thank goodness for this site..
Keep us posted on your lab results.. You, and you alone know your symptoms.. Good idea to be tested at the end of the day..
For whatever it's worth, the most accurate thyroid labs are achieved in the morning and when the patient is fasting.
TSH is produced in a circadian rhythm.....it is highest in the morning and lowest in the afternoon. Studies have shown that it also shows highest when the patient is fasting.
Of course, a thyroid-savvy doctor does not even look at pituitary hormoneTSH to judge thyroid status and, instead, only looks at the actual thyroid hormone levels - FreeT4 and FreeT3.
I would expect the ND to order a 24-hr saliva test to check your adrenal function since that is the only accurate test as bm55 already stated.
Please feel free to share your lab results here and we'll show you how to interpret them.
Best of luck to you moving forward!!
No one should suffer from the malfeasance of idiots!
Right now I'm not seeing an Endo. Endos in Canada are in VERY short supply, and the wait times to see one is far too long. Up here, the only reason to see an Endo is for more critical things. So a regular MD treats thyroid issues like this.
After my initial diagnosis and information from my second labs that told me I was "normal", I spoke with a MD friend of mine. She said that she was taught not to treat people with thyroid meds until the TSH showed at 9.0 or greater. Good grief...if I feel this way with only two tests of my TSH at 5.98 and 1.89....how am I going to feel if I have to wait for it to get to 9.0?????
Will see what my next labs turn out to be like. I have a feeling that I'm only going to get relief from my ND.