My Dr uses a Basal Body temp test along with the TSH, free T3, etc. bloodwork to make a definitive assessment of his patient's condition. I actually feel better on a higher dose than my bloodwork would indicate, and my Basal Body temp is still low on the dose indicated by my bloodwork. So, my concensus would be that patients have to be evaluated on an individual basis.

Hello Doctor,

I was hypothyroid for twenty-some years when suddenly I swung to hyperthyroid. I nearly went nuts...saw my doctor in five days, and he promptly removed me from Synthroid (.075) and doubled my beta blocker. It's been about 13 weeks of this...I was told I had subacute thyroiditis, but now am believing it may be Hashimoto's....I am still symptomatic of both hyper and hypo....hot surges, fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, chronic sore throat that I can feel inside and out, and I sense a thickening in my lower neck. The outside also feels "burny". I'm assuming this is inflammation. My APO antibodies are 87. TSH is now .603 or 1.4 depending on the lab you want to go by. T3 and T4 are normal, although the T3 was four points high initially. I am concerned about whether my brain is getting enough thyroid hormone....my short term memory loss got a lot worse, and I am very noise sensitive and emotional. I just don't know which direction to turn. I'm dealing with an internist right now, and trying to get into an endocrinologist. Nearly impossible in my area. Any thoughts on this or suggestions for me? I sure appreciate it and the time you take to do this.

Beckeroo

Hey Doc
My problems started after neck surger, I had two disc replaced in my neck, I have gained over 30 pounds since then, my hair has been falling out, my nails are brittle, I have no energy. At one time I was walking 3 miles a day plus 20 min. a day on the stair master and eating all low carb, and eating like a bird. I done this for 3 months while taking synthroid and I still gained weight, I also have been dignoised with low blood sugar (3 hour, last level at 45) and also have nf. advise

I think that if a patient's "lab" work is in the "normal" range and is still symptomatic, then treat the PATIENT. If it's not thyroid problems causing the symptoms, what is going on? I doubt most patients like going to the doctor complaining about things, and I really doubt that most patients want to FEEL so out of whack. I believe in lab tests, or I wouldn't get them, but I also know that IF the TSH comes back "normal" and a patient is still not feeling well, then maybe a change in medication or further tests are required? JMHO

I have lost my medical insurance and I have to choose between getting my blood work done which cost me over $700.00, going to my endo which cost me over $90.00 a visit, continuing my synthroid and my Lexapro which cost me 196.00. Ihav estopped my synthroid and now just take my lexapro and I seem to be fine. Any comments? I now wonder if I did not have a thryroid problem after all. Maybe I was just suffering from depression and needed meds for the depression.

I saw my doc this morning, and she said my levels are now good, and there is no need to adjust the dose. I also take Lexapro and last week the doc increased the dose of that thinking it might have something to do with why I am still more tired than I should be. Hasn't yet been a week, but I'm feeling less tired, and more motivated. So I definitely think the lexapro is working. But i still think the thyroxine meds are important too.

I know this is old but boy it gave me a laugh. Focusing on TSH is a good way to keep a patient sick.LOL

I'd like to know the name of the study, who conducted it and who financed it so I could read the whole thing. How many people was this study done on and how were they selected is a big interest for me, because I can't even believe someone with a TSH of 4 would feel good, but then again, I'm still learning the bio end of this. The financial end I've learned very well.

Sorry if I sounded abrupt or rude, if so I apologize; I read this at a time I'm watching a stock with really sweet looking indicators and trying to make up my mind. :-)

They should just take TSH out of the test and focus on the circulating thyroid hormones Ft4 and Ft3.

I've seen SO many people's tsh that is in the "normal" range and yet if the frees are tested they are at the bottom. My doc tests tsh, FT$ and FT3 everytime I go for labs.With Hashi's and or Graves combined, the tsh can be all over the place. Not a great indicator of thyroid health.