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...
Got the blood test results from the Endo yesterday. Not really what I expected. Here's the break down
TSH range 0.40 - 4.50
TSH - 1.05
Free T4 range - 0.8- 1.8
Free T4 - 1.2
Thyroid Peroxidase AB range - less than 35
Thyroid Peroxidase AB - less than 10
He said my thyroid looked fine to him. I'm not sure how to do the math, but I know the Free T4 is still low. What shocked me was my testosterone level. The reference range was 241 - 847, and mine was 273. He said for a 38 year old, that was insanely low, that a 65 year old man should have a higher level than that. From the research I've done. a really low testosterone level can cause most of the symptoms I have as well, so now I'm having to jump through hoops for my health
He wants me to have a sleep study done (just like my regular doc) to see if sleep apnea is what is causing the low T level. The kicker is, he didn't give me ANY meds to try to regulate anything. I even stressed to him a couple of times how awful I feel, and still nothing. I honestly don't feel like I can make it another month feeling as bad as I do. Like several others have said, they act like we're trying to score addictive drugs when we're just trying to get what we need to feel better. Really frustrated!
TSH range 0.40 - 4.50
TSH - 1.05
Free T4 range - 0.8- 1.8
Free T4 - 1.2
Thyroid Peroxidase AB range - less than 35
Thyroid Peroxidase AB - less than 10
He said my thyroid looked fine to him. I'm not sure how to do the math, but I know the Free T4 is still low. What shocked me was my testosterone level. The reference range was 241 - 847, and mine was 273. He said for a 38 year old, that was insanely low, that a 65 year old man should have a higher level than that. From the research I've done. a really low testosterone level can cause most of the symptoms I have as well, so now I'm having to jump through hoops for my health
He wants me to have a sleep study done (just like my regular doc) to see if sleep apnea is what is causing the low T level. The kicker is, he didn't give me ANY meds to try to regulate anything. I even stressed to him a couple of times how awful I feel, and still nothing. I honestly don't feel like I can make it another month feeling as bad as I do. Like several others have said, they act like we're trying to score addictive drugs when we're just trying to get what we need to feel better. Really frustrated!
It is expensive, but how much time and money have you already wasted? You know for certain that he will treat you. IF your problems are from testosterone or thyroid, he will find it and fix it! You only have to fly out one time and the rest of the appointments are by phone.
As I like to say, "Get 'r done"!
CD and MB have given you some great advice. I just want to chime in on a few things. I really think the basis of your health issue is hypoT. Many Drs are ignorant and go by the TSH only. One should really judge by the FT3 and FT4.
You say you quit smoking last year??? I'm sorry to say I don't have a link off hand right this minute, but I know I've read research saying that smoking actually keeps symptoms at bay, and when one quits smoking the true issues reveal themselves. I know I've seen it mentioned on Thyroid Sexy fb page. So even though smoking is not good for one's health, it could have masked the thyroid issues.
Also want to say if you truly don't think you have sleep issues please don't waste time or money on that sleep study test. My old pcp pushed and pushed for me to do that and I'm so glad I didn't.... I am convinced my troubles were from undiagnosed hypoT, that went on wayyyy too long. My past doc noted that my oxygen levels were a little low and I know now it was from the hypoT and low iron (both of which were learned after I left his practice).
And about the low-T, Dr Hotze discusses that a little bit in his hypoT book saying that it is all in connection to poor thyroid levels.
Please try and find a thyroid doc off the ThyroidChange.org website or off the Thyroid Sexy FB page. I had to see numerous Drs before I found a helpful one. Its a real shame all that time and money I wasted.
Hang in there!! We're cheering for you!!
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/latestresearch/a/smoking.htm
Thanks for sharing some great info!
Would you be inclined to post it in our Thyroid Resources Group?
Um, Jeff.....you seem to be getting it from all angles on this thread but, I think our message is clear. We want to see you get well and know you deserve MUCH better than what you've been getting from the doctors you've seen.
Please don't give up until you find someone to treat your hypothyroidism. It will be worth every effort.
Most of us wound up seeing several doctors before finding one that gets it but, we now have some wonderful resources available to help in that regard.
Thank goodness for the internet :)