[FedUp&Bored]

Is anybody else having problems with their thyroid? The reason I'm asking is that I got sick and tired of being given the royal run around and went online and began doing a self diagnosis. I knew the symptoms (3 major ones are weight gain, lethargy, depression) and the one thing everyone kept coming back to was hypothyroidism. The clincher was thyroid problems run in my family. All tests came back "normal", so now I'm self-medicating with a herbal thyroid support blend. The difference is like night and day, my energy levels are up and my depression is almost non-existent.

[Little Lulu]

I have had both an underactive and an overactive thyroid and have felt lousy with both. I am currently on Synthroid and my dose/levels are correct so I feel pretty good right now. Thyroid testing is tricky and several lab tests need to be done to get a good 'picture' of how the thyroid is functioning.

If what you are taking is safe and you feel better, congratulations on taking care of yourself.

[-jimi-]

I would get a printout of your labs if I were you.

I was rendered "normal" with a really high TSH because my T3 was still within range (barely!). They never told me one of the markers was very abnormal because they figured they will only diagnose if both are way off.... sigh. So I suffered for nothing for 10 years.

Getting treated made a HUGE difference.

I am dealing with this now. Have known I have hypothyroidism for years & have been on meds. Was told my thyroid was non functioning. Could have it totally removed..then read the possible complications. Decided to just let it sit there. Twice a year Dr. checks levels. A few years ago he started adjusting meds. If it's not functioning why r u changing meds, I asked. He said it has to do with how all 3 r working together. Recently I under went tests for arm & thumb, finger pain. Dr. said carpal tunnel...wear brace, can't do anything else cuz it will probably dissipate when we get your thyroid levels corrected. Never heard that before. He also said good numbers for one person may leave another symptomatic. It's a range. The number needed to be symptom free can change with age or presence of other meds or other medical problems. Just getting a number within the normal range is not enough. Apparently there's no direct correlation so I'm going to have to take an increased amount, wait a month, retest, evaluate symptoms on & on until we find the right dose. In the normal scheme of things not a biggie, fixable. But a pain both literally & figuratively!

[benzenering]

What test or tests did you get done? TSH alone is not an indicator, but that is the only test many doctors will go by...you need to get T3 and T4 done as well. Ask for them, it is the only likely way you'll get them.

[-jimi-]

It is very true that the ranges are personal. When I got treated I had to be overtreated to show positive results. Not overtreated according to my body but according to their charts. I fall in the very, very mildly hyperthyroid range when I feel my best. But still I show no signs of being hyperthyroid like my blood pressure and pulse rate are still normal. If they treat me less, I immediately show quite severe hypothyroid symptoms.