topic Re: Thyroid Test in Wellness

Thyroid Test

kismet — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 06:07:23 GMT

I noticed from time to time there have been conversations on thyroid problems. My last test indicated my thyroid was low 4.95. I'll be going for another test to see what it is a month later. I have, in the past, felt my thyroid was low because of some of the symptoms I have. Are there any questions I should ask the doctor? A TSH was run. I told him I'm always tired so he ran the test. My temp is always low too and I see some hair loss more than usual. I would see a specialist if the test come back low again. I could sleep 10 hours and feel tired. Any suggestions.

Re: Thyroid Test

Glitter51 — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 07:20:27 GMT

i take Synthroid for my under active thyroid. Are you taking any medication for it??? I too use to be so tired all the time, and no matter what, I was always cold. The Synthroid got my thyroid back on track. You need to talk to your doctor.

Re: Thyroid Test

kismet — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 08:10:53 GMT

No, I'm not on anything yet. I just had the test 4 weeks ago and going back in for another test. Strange, I had two female dogs that were on synthroid since they were puppies. I am feeling chilly at times but the past few times I had my temp taken at the doctor it was between 96 and 97.4. I asked him about it a few times but until I said I always feel tired he ordered the thyroid test. When the test results come back for the second test and it's still low I'm sure he'll message me. Is it normal to have two tests to prove it's low?

Re: Thyroid Test

artisto — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 13:09:42 GMT

An interesting article:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/iodine-and-the-thyroid-3231870

Re: Thyroid Test

Sadiesadie — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 13:20:58 GMT

@: Boy, I’m no expert but do have low thyroid. My biggest symptoms for me were dry skin and hair and very brittle and actually brown looking nails. They were so ugly and I was always hiding my hands even with polish.

My mother had low thyroid for years so I suspected it....except she always had beautiful nails. When the doc ran the blood test of course it came back as low normal so he said, nope, you’re in the normal range.

I found an endocrinologist who got the same results but when she especially saw my nails she figured that was the issue and prescribed a very low dose of meds. She said my results may be in the normal range but obviously too low for me.

Turns out I needed the thyroid meds. I don’t take synthroid tho.

Good luck

Re: Thyroid Test

PINKdogWOOD — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 13:55:57 GMT

I have to thank my gyno Nurse Prac for talking to me about my thyroid 4 or 5 years ago. A referral to an Endochronolgist had me doing some testing which revealed I have hypothyroidism. She also put me on Synthroid and within about 1.5yrs and (blood) testing every time I see her, SUCCESS! I had many symptoms but never gave any of them a real thought but I am totally on track now, feel great, look so much better because I lost all of the belly wght as well overall weight/fat. I dropped 35 lbs, feel & look great.

Best I could recommed is that you read up on thyroidism so you're armed with better info while doing testing and meeting with your Dr. Knowing or having Information with your Doctors is very important to me, I arm myself so I can talk intelligently with them.

Re: Thyroid Test

sweetee2 — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:00:25 GMT

Another good sign for low thyroid is taking your temp first thing when you wake up. I always woke up filling cold.

Re: Thyroid Test

Effie54 — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:04:34 GMT

@kismet wrote:
I noticed from time to time there have been conversations on thyroid problems. My last test indicated my thyroid was low 4.95. I'll be going for another test to see what it is a month later. I have, in the past, felt my thyroid was low because of some of the symptoms I have. Are there any questions I should ask the doctor? A TSH was run. I told him I'm always tired so he ran the test. My temp is always low too and I see some hair loss more than usual. I would see a specialist if the test come back low again. I could sleep 10 hours and feel tired. Any suggestions.

Could you be low on progesterone? Sometimes low hormone levels mimic low thyroid. I would have hormone levels checked as well.

Re: Thyroid Test

KentuckyWoman — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:32:04 GMT

I take Levothroxine which is the same as Synthyroid. I have been on it for about 18 years. I have a blood test every six months to check thyroid levels to make sure I'm not too high or too low. There was no waiting to put me on thryoid meds. He started with low dosage and checked levels every three months. He gradually increased it and levels stayed steady for about 15 years. Last year, after two blood tests, he increased the strength again.

If your tests come back low again and the doctor doesn't prescribe medications for low thyroid, I would see a specialist.

Re: Thyroid Test

RespectLife — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 15:14:34 GMT

Good gracious! I am just going through this now as well.

Thank you all for your replies and info.

My levels are right at the edge but still normal.

My Gyno NP is also the one that scripted a full TSH panel. My PC had only been doing the basics. They have been fluctuating up and down for months. She just keeps 'watching' it.

My last test ordered by the Gyno NP showed my very high normal range and my antibodies at 347. NP said they should be 9! This is what is concerning her besides my symptoms.

I meet w/ my PC on the 4th. If she ignores it, I will go directly to a specialist. My Gyno NP said the Gyno Doc has been working w/ thyroid issues for several years now. Or I can go directly to an Endocrinologist. Luckily, I do not need a referral with our health insurance.

Re: Thyroid Test

Bird mama — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 15:16:51 GMT

@RespectLife If you ANA levels were high, don't be afraid, so were mine. Turns out my hypothyroidism is caused by a common autoimmune disorder called Hashimotos Thyroiditis.

My regular doctor saw elevated ANA and gave me the name of a rheumatologist. I chose to go endocrinologist first and that's when I learned it was Hashi's. I just needed Synthroid.

Re: Thyroid Test

Bird mama — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 15:19:25 GMT

@kismet they need a full thyroid panel - TSH, T3 and T4 in order to really know what is going on with your thyroid.

I didn't gain weight, I didn't lose hair and I've run cold since I was a kid. My thing was complete exhaustion and what made me go to the doctor was one day I squatted down in a Kmart to look at mascara and I literally didn't have the strength to stand back up.

Re: Thyroid Test

RespectLife — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 16:36:59 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
@RespectLife If you ANA levels were high, don't be afraid, so were mine. Turns out my hypothyroidism is caused by a common autoimmune disorder called Hashimotos Thyroiditis.

My regular doctor saw elevated ANA and gave me the name of a rheumatologist. I chose to go endocrinologist first and that's when I learned it was Hashi's. I just needed Synthroid.

Yes, thank you @Bird mama

Hashi was mentioned almost a year ago when my basic blood tests were not coming back very good.

My PC had just scheduled follow up blood tests and didn't seem to want to do anything except 'watch'.

Now that my more extensive results came back high normal, with the anitbodies so high..... my Gyno NP again mentioned it.

The symptoms are quite distressing to me and I really want to persue treatment.

Did you/do you have acid reflux/heartburn? Mine is extreme now and more often.

My research showed while it isn't conclusive it is 'thought' to be associated with Hashi.

Just wondering if you experience(d) this?

Re: Thyroid Test

Bird mama — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 17:35:33 GMT

@RespectLife No I can said I have GERD, acid reflux or heartburn. I don't eat lots of meat and I try to avoid fatty foods (except for the occasional pizza).

Re: Thyroid Test

RespectLife — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 18:56:16 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
@RespectLife No I can said I have GERD, acid reflux or heartburn. I don't eat lots of meat and I try to avoid fatty foods (except for the occasional pizza).

@Bird mama

Thank you....I have had a very restrictive diet for a while and it happens anyways! Seems to be timed to my other issues so I was just wondering.

Re: Thyroid Test

HLP — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 20:55:30 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
@kismet they need a full thyroid panel - TSH, T3 and T4 in order to really know what is going on with your thyroid.

I didn't gain weight, I didn't lose hair and I've run cold since I was a kid. My thing was complete exhaustion and what made me go to the doctor was one day I squatted down in a Kmart to look at mascara and I literally didn't have the strength to stand back up.

Yes you lose the muscle mainly in your thigh. Same with me. An endocrinologist is the way to go.. all the test you said should be taken, if your Dr knows thyroid. I suggest everyone with a problem should see one. I've had it 35 years.

Re: Thyroid Test

tsavorite — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 23:28:57 GMT

Almost painful to read how doctors are getting labs on patients and then not treating them!

If your TSH is over 3 then you are hypo...also your doctor needs to run free T3 & free T4 labs PLUS both antibodies test. TPO &TGAb...very important to determine if it is Hashimotos.

Please Google and read more on these labs so you can find a doctor to treat you right away. My gyno ran all of these back 15yrs ago on me and my antibodies were in the thousands...hurt all over my body...top of my head to soles of feet. I was DEAD tired and couldn't function at all. You need to be on a proper dose of replacement thyroid hormones to feel better.

Go to stop the thyroid madness to also read about it...educate yourself most doctors really stink at treating this...hth

Re: Thyroid Test

Glittergal — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 01:37:19 GMT

My story is similar to yours. I started noticing hair loss, tiredness, and trouble losing weight. I saw a dermatologist about my hair and he suggested seeing an endocrinologist. Find a good one if you don't already have one, make sure they specialize in thyroid disorders because some focus only on diabetes or other conditions. When I went, she manually examined my thyroid and felt a swelling. Turns out that I have 5 nodules due to Hashimoto's disease. Make sure they feel your thyroid when you see a doctor. Keep a diary of your symptoms. Find out if you have a family history of thyroid problems or any autoimmune disease. There are wonderful Facebook groups for people like us if you are on social medie. Good luck to you.

Re: Thyroid Test

kismet — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 05:38:41 GMT

I have seen an endocronologist in the past for a cyst in my thyroid. I finally had to have that burnt since it kept swelling up, that was on the right side. When I had an ultrasound they found 3 nodules in my left but were too small to biopsy although they tried. My blood work at that time was fine. It's been about 2 years and I'm due for another ultrasound. I really don't care for the woman I saw, she's one of the best in the city, but can't seem to connect with her. I already found one I will go and see when the second test comes back. She's in the same building also where I get my ultrasound done. My skin has been itchy which it never has been and never had to use any lotion. My skin is breaking out, my nails are growing like crazy, which is unusual and my hair gets very greasy which is not normal. I plan to see a specialist again since while I like my GP and trust him I know a specialist would be better. I will ask if he is running all those tests and if not will ask him to run them. Thanks. By the way my mom took thyroid pills and my brother takes them. I had a thyroid test by my GP in 2004 and it was 2. The other one was done by the specialist and I can't access my records but she said it was fine. Think that was 4 years ago.

Re: Thyroid Test

kismet — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 09:41:35 GMT

Sent a message to my GP and he said to wait until the middle of March to get my thyroid checked again. He also said just because it's borderline low doesn't mean it's low. I reminded him that I have to go and get an ultrasound for the nodules in my neck so will be seeing the specialist. Either way if he thinks I don't need medication I can talk to the specialist and take my blood workup with me. I'm not going to let this go when I feel there is something wrong. The hair loss bothers me and I have lost the outside of my eyebrows. Two opinions are better than one.