Hypothyroidism...

[enfuego23]

Had my thyroid checked = TSH - 2.86. Primary Care Doctor says this is a normal level but I have read that the new range is .3 - 3.0.  

Anyone deal with hypothyroidism or anything like this? I've been having some symptoms which is what pressed me to get my thyroid looked at. 

[fuckyourcouch]

I have thyroid disease. Primary is hypothyroidism.
I'm not sure what you're asking. I have lots of symptoms when not on meds.
Different doctors will treat different ranges. If you have symptoms, find a doctor that treats symptoms and not numbers.
For me personally, under my doctor's care, my dose has been adjusted to where I feel like a human being again. This happens to be at TSH of 1 for me. Some people feel normal at 5 or higher.
What kind of symptoms do you have?

[enfuego23]

Symptoms: puffy hands and eyes, extremely dry eyes, constipation, sluggish energy levels, irritability, increased anxiety, very difficult to lose weight, more so than in the past - Doc said symptoms could be related to thyroid but the range for the lab he used was 0.5 - 5.0 - so my 2.86 is normal. I just don't feel like my normal self.

[mandiespharm]

Feb 24, 2015 14:33:38 GMT -5 enfuego23 said:

Symptoms: puffy hands and eyes, extremely dry eyes, constipation, sluggish energy levels, irritability, increased anxiety, very difficult to lose weight, more so than in the past - Doc said symptoms could be related to thyroid but the range for the lab he used was 0.5 - 5.0 - so my 2.86 is normal. I just don't feel like my normal self.

I'd ask to trial synthroid for 3-6 months and see if you feel any better.  My TSH was running borderline high (~3) for roughly 2 years and we did a trial run which has turned into 4+ years of treatment with bloodwork every 6 months.  When I trial stopped it myself to see if it was really making a difference my TSH which was down around 2 more than doubled.  So yes I would say it works.  Worst case is that you don't notice any differences.  

[enfuego23]

Feb 24, 2015 16:06:42 GMT -5 @kizmet said:

Feb 24, 2015 14:33:38 GMT -5 enfuego23 said:

Symptoms: puffy hands and eyes, extremely dry eyes, constipation, sluggish energy levels, irritability, increased anxiety, very difficult to lose weight, more so than in the past - Doc said symptoms could be related to thyroid but the range for the lab he used was 0.5 - 5.0 - so my 2.86 is normal. I just don't feel like my normal self.

I still felt symptoms when my TSH was 2.6.  Find a doctor that treats symptoms, not just your number!

Do I press my primary care doctor to refer me to an endocrinologist?  My primary care doctor told me to just take another pregnancy test - ugh, I'm NOT pregnant. 

[clseale]

Feb 24, 2015 22:21:16 GMT -5 enfuego23 said:

Feb 24, 2015 16:06:42 GMT -5 @kizmet said:

I still felt symptoms when my TSH was 2.6.  Find a doctor that treats symptoms, not just your number!

Do I press my primary care doctor to refer me to an endocrinologist?  My primary care doctor told me to just take another pregnancy test - ugh, I'm NOT pregnant. 

SO.MANY.GIFS. Seriously. What the fuck?! First off. NO. Second, how about YOU doing a fucking test, doc. Who says that?! I'd probably start with finding a new primary care doc. 

[libbygrl109]

I have hypothyroidism - I don't feel good unless my TSH is below 2. At first my PCP was hesitant about treating me, but as soon as she heard my symptoms, she started me on medication. Definitely find someone who will treat your symptoms, not your numbers. If my PCP wasn't as progressive of a thinker as she is, I'd still be suffering.

[lauren170]

Here is my story. Was on a very low dose of thyroid medicines while PG - TSH was 1.25 after the baby was born. Primary care doc refused my refill the prescription 6 weeks post partum.

She tested me 1 month later when I complained about having no energy to get out of bed/shower etc. I'd been doing great and C25K and then boom, couldn't do it. TSH was a 2.5 when she tested - still normal, so refused again to refill prescription. Then I went back to her 2x more saying I wasn't myself. She kept pushing anti-depressants on me for possible post partum depression.

I waited months to get an appointment with an endocrinologist. My TSH was 26 hahaha. So never trust a PCP on thyroid issues, go to an endocrinologist. Sucks to have been so sick during my baby's first year. I'm still mad about the whole thing.

[londoncalling]

Has anyone with hypothyroidism also suffered hair loss? My TSH levels have moved from 2.2 to 2.8 in the last year, and I am waiting on comprehensive thyroid panel numbers. Even the endocrinologist is loathe to treat when my numbers are so "normal."

Did your hair loss subside with treatment?

Something is definitely going on with me but none of my numbers seem to indicate a problem.

[libbygrl109]

Feb 25, 2015 21:21:30 GMT -5 londoncalling said:

Has anyone with hypothyroidism also suffered hair loss? My TSH levels have moved from 2.2 to 2.8 in the last year, and I am waiting on comprehensive thyroid panel numbers. Even the endocrinologist is loathe to treat when my numbers are so "normal."

Did your hair loss subside with treatment?

Something is definitely going on with me but none of my numbers seem to indicate a problem.

My hair came out in large wads on a daily basis. Thankfully, I didn't have any bald patches, but the girl who has been doing my hair for the last 16 years said that she could definitely tell it had thinned out. It grew back to normal once I was on medication.

[fuckyourcouch]

Feb 25, 2015 21:21:30 GMT -5 londoncalling said:

Has anyone with hypothyroidism also suffered hair loss? My TSH levels have moved from 2.2 to 2.8 in the last year, and I am waiting on comprehensive thyroid panel numbers. Even the endocrinologist is loathe to treat when my numbers are so "normal."

Did your hair loss subside with treatment?

Something is definitely going on with me but none of my numbers seem to indicate a problem.

Mine definitely calmed down with treatment. I still lose a ton though. 

[appleaday]

Mine was 3.96 in January. My doctor won't treat unless it's over 4.20... Meanwhile I can't lose weight and feel sluggish. Ughhhh.

[fuckyourcouch]

Feb 28, 2015 13:58:26 GMT -5 appleaday said:

Mine was 3.96 in January. My doctor won't treat unless it's over 4.20... Meanwhile I can't lose weight and feel sluggish. Ughhhh.

Find a new dr. Seriously. This is something that varies so much person to person and if you feel bad find a dr that will treat the symptoms.