Hypothyroidism??? advice???!
Question: Hypothyroidism!?!?!? advice!?!?!?
So over the years i have noticed that I am ALWAYS tired!. I can sleep for 12-13 hours and STILL be completely exhausted!. Then the headaches and muscle aches started coming but I just thought i was over exerting myself!. I began to have a lot of problems with bowel movements recently where sometimes i would not go for weeks at a time!. my doctor assured me it was IBS(irritable bowel syndrome)!. I finally went to my gyno because I was experiencing thinning hair and hair loss!. I thought it could be due to my birth control pills!. He ran some tests and it came back that I have a TSH of 5!.5!. So he informed me to see my GP!. I went there today and the doctor told me i'm fine and there is nothing to worry about and we will recheck in 6 weeks!. I feel sick in general, and I don't think this is right!. I researched and found that the average is now between 0!.5 and 3!.0!. so that would mean i am above!?!?!? does anyone think i should maybe see another doctor for a second opinion or an endocrinologist!?!? or wait out the 6 weeks!?!? maybe someone can help me decide!?!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Yes, your TSH level indicates you have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)!. TSH stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, and a high reading like yours indicates that there is an attempt by the body to get the thyroid to produce enough hormones!. It certainly sounds like you have many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism!.
I cannot explain your doctor's reaction to your test results!. At minimum it seems like a repeat TSH would be in order!. It may be that your doctor (and the lab he uses) are still using the old reference ranges for what constitutes a "normal" TSH!. The OLD reference range is 0!.5 - 5!.0!.
But in January 2003, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists made new recommendations that suggested a reference range of 0!.3 - 3!.04 was more appropriate!.
Since you are symptomatic, you may not feel like waiting six weeks, in which case you may wish to seek a second opinion!. Better yet, go see an endocrinologist!. Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
I cannot explain your doctor's reaction to your test results!. At minimum it seems like a repeat TSH would be in order!. It may be that your doctor (and the lab he uses) are still using the old reference ranges for what constitutes a "normal" TSH!. The OLD reference range is 0!.5 - 5!.0!.
But in January 2003, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists made new recommendations that suggested a reference range of 0!.3 - 3!.04 was more appropriate!.
Since you are symptomatic, you may not feel like waiting six weeks, in which case you may wish to seek a second opinion!. Better yet, go see an endocrinologist!. Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Yes, I think yould see an endocrinologist!. Ask question to the doctor!? What is normal and write down and how much is suppose to be right and what is the average!? I hope you feel better!. I always ask those question to the doctor!. GaWww@Answer-Health@Com
If your TSH is 5!.5, that means your body is begging for more thyroid hormones!. Go to an endocrinologist!. Low thyroid can cause a lot of strange symptoms, including all of the things you listed!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
My mom has hypothyroidism and has all of the symptoms you are describing!. It is a manageable disease, just get a second opinion!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Yes, definitely get a second opinion because you are experiencing all the symptoms of hypothyroidism!. No matter what they say, your ideal TSH should be less than 1!.
I had the same problem once!. The doctor didn't believe I had a thyroid problem!. He treated me like a middle-aged hypochondriac and wanted to put me on antidepressants!. My hypothyroidism didn't get diagnosed until the TSH number was in the 100's and I was so ill I couldn't eat, sleep or think straight!.
Thyroid problems are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, so remember, you are not alone!. Good luck to you, and I hope you get the treatment you need so that you can start feeling better!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I had the same problem once!. The doctor didn't believe I had a thyroid problem!. He treated me like a middle-aged hypochondriac and wanted to put me on antidepressants!. My hypothyroidism didn't get diagnosed until the TSH number was in the 100's and I was so ill I couldn't eat, sleep or think straight!.
Thyroid problems are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, so remember, you are not alone!. Good luck to you, and I hope you get the treatment you need so that you can start feeling better!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
When they run your Thyroid test, there are several different types and they all have different ranges for normal, low and high results!. The TSH level could be within normal range, but your thyroid hormones could still have a low reading!. In order to get an accurate result, they would have to run the T4 and T3 test because those two are the actual level readings of the hormones that your thyroid is producing!. My advice would be to look at the lab results, check to see if they ran the T4 and T3 tests, if they did, then I would go to another End!. Dr!. for another opinion!. Some Dr!.s only check the TSH level and and miss the diagnosis of under active thyroid!. If the T4 and T3 tests were not ordered, then request the Dr!. to order those and then make a diagnosis!. All your symptoms point towards Hypothyroidism!. Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com