To all the Dis Doctors.....

[Starbrite]

Diagnose Me...

Female 29 (OK OK - 30 next week )

Weight Gain +45 lbs in 3 1/2 years....15 lbs since January alone I walk 2.5 miles, 5 nights a week. I don't eat terribly - Average 1400 calories per day. Sometimes more, Sometimes less. I've tried low cal, low carb, low fat, etc etc etc No improvement.

Tired....Always Tired! Seems to be getting much worse. I sleep for hours!! (On top of a good 8 hours every night)

Always Freezing Cold

Cranky & Moody


Oh, and Thyroid TSH Levels were "normal" 1.95 when checked in April. (Is it possible to still have Thyroid problems and all levels be normal?)

At the suggestion of friends, I made an appointment with my PCP this Friday to rule out any medical conditions. Though I hate to shell out the $$$ for co-pay & deductibles to get a professional diagnosis of "overweight".

Any ideas?

 

[Disney Doll]

Thyroid
PCOS
Call an endocrinologist.

 

[taximomfor4]

worth getting some blood tests, I would say. I had similar stuff going on, except I gained 24 lbs in 3 months and my hair was really falling out. They found thyroid problems and Vitamin D deficiency (numbers for both tests were very out of whack). I am treating those 2 things now. I am working my weight back down, using Sparkpeople.com. I REALLY watch not to let my carbs get over what sparkpeople recommended for me, and stick with the lower end of the calorie range they gave me. THe weight is CREEPING off. It's slower than the 1-2 lbs per week I was supposed to expect. 10 lbs now, in 7 weeks.

 

[mickeyboat]

I think there are more precise thyroid tests that can diagnose a thyroid problem even if TSH levels are normal. I would inquire.

Have you had your blood sugar levels tested?

Keep a food journal and really track every bit of food you put into your mouth. You can do this on www.sparkpeople.com.

I am glad you are seeing your doctor soon. Ask a lot of questions and don't let them brush you off.

 

[teacups]

You need TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 tests... then ASK TO SEE THE RESULTS. There are normal ranges, and if you are in the low end of normal, you sure could be hypo-thyroid and get all these symptoms. The thing is, if they dont treat you when you are mild, you get major and then hell really hits. BEG your doc to do these tests. The TSH test alone is worthless.

 

[taximomfor4]

You need TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 tests... then ASK TO SEE THE RESULTS. There are normal ranges, and if you are in the low end of normal, you sure could be hypo-thyroid and get all these symptoms. The thing is, if they dont treat you when you are mild, you get major and then hell really hits. BEG your doc to do these tests. The TSH test alone is worthless.[/QUOTE

TSH, at the HIGH end of normal, the OTHERS at the low end could still be hypothyroid.

Ask your dr if they did all those tests, in addition to the TSH. Mine, when he ordered it, ordered the PANEL of tests so they were done too -- I just didn't notice at the time

 

[kwelch10377]

I sounds like it could possible by PCOS or something else related to you blood sugar levels.

I would look up PCOS on webmd and see if you have any other symptoms. I was told that I had it last year and with some adjustments to how I eat and more exercise I have been able to lose about 30 lbs in a year.

 

[teacups]

You need TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 tests... then ASK TO SEE THE RESULTS. There are normal ranges, and if you are in the low end of normal, you sure could be hypo-thyroid and get all these symptoms. The thing is, if they dont treat you when you are mild, you get major and then hell really hits. BEG your doc to do these tests. The TSH test alone is worthless.[/QUOTE

TSH, at the HIGH end of normal, the OTHERS at the low end could still be hypothyroid.

Ask your dr if they did all those tests, in addition to the TSH. Mine, when he ordered it, ordered the PANEL of tests so they were done too -- I just didn't notice at the time

Exactly. TSH runs the opposite of the Free's tests.

 

[Starbrite]

worth getting some blood tests, I would say. I had similar stuff going on, except I gained 24 lbs in 3 months and my hair was really falling out. They found thyroid problems and Vitamin D deficiency (numbers for both tests were very out of whack). I am treating those 2 things now. I am working my weight back down, using Sparkpeople.com. I REALLY watch not to let my carbs get over what sparkpeople recommended for me, and stick with the lower end of the calorie range they gave me. THe weight is CREEPING off. It's slower than the 1-2 lbs per week I was supposed to expect. 10 lbs now, in 7 weeks.

First, Congrats on the 10lbs. Thanks for the Sparkpeople recommendation. I was using FitDay to track my calories, but it wasn't really that great. I took a quick look at Sparkpeople, now I can't wait to get home from work & get started with it!

I sounds like it could possible by PCOS or something else related to you blood sugar levels.

I would look up PCOS on webmd and see if you have any other symptoms. I was told that I had it last year and with some adjustments to how I eat and more exercise I have been able to lose about 30 lbs in a year.

Congrats on the weight loss!
Hopefully it's nothing....but I need someone to point me in the right direction. Tell me exactly what adjustments to make, etc etc. The internet is only good for so much.

You need TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 tests... then ASK TO SEE THE RESULTS.

Are the T3 & t4 tests normally done along with the TSH or do I have to specify I want those also?

 

[jfoofj]

I am not a doctor, and I did not stay in a Holiday Inn last night....

BUT, I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis which is an autoimmune disorder which causes hypothyroidism (TSH is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone which is secreted by your pituitary gland, so when your TSH is high it means your pituitary glad is squirting it out saying "Hey, thyroid.... WAKE UP AND WORK" . High TSH= hypothyroid Low TSH= hyperthyroid...). I have had my TSH as high as 45.... it was awful. I gained weight, had a puffy face, tired, depressed, hair falling out, cold, itchy skin... the works. I take 112mcg of levoxyl a day and I am fine, no symptoms.

I have read a bunch of books on thyroid issues, and I believe that you can still have a low TSH and have issues w/ your thryoid... there are other blood tests they can draw besides TSH (for some reason t4 and peroxidase something comes to mind, but don't quote me).

My PCP was ok to deal with, but if you have or suspect you have a thyroid issue you should really see an endocrinologist. Good luck, feel better!!

ETA a woman I work w/ struggled like you and finally a dr put her on a low dose of levoxyl (also called synthroid) and her symptoms went away. SO you can have a normal TSH and still benefit from meds it appears.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Sleep apnea will also cause all of the symptoms you listed. If they rule out thryroid I'd ask for a sleep study.

And I agree with the pps that you MUST ask for all of the thryoid tests AND insist on seeing the results. Even if you are within the 'normal' range this # might be very low (or high) for YOU. This is true for all hormone tests.

For example, let's say normal for estrogen is a result of 10-20. Your test result is 12. That's in the normal range. However, normal for YOU historically might have always been 19. So 12 is very LOW for you. Same with the thyroid tests.

 

[kwelch10377]

"Congrats on the weight loss!
Hopefully it's nothing....but I need someone to point me in the right direction. Tell me exactly what adjustments to make, etc etc. The internet is only good for so much."

Thanks so much, I still have another 25-30lbs to go. When I went to the endo she recommended that I see a nutritionist. The nutritionist recommened I follow an insulin resistance diet. There is a good book out there call the Insulin Resistance Diet. The diet basically tells you that whenever you eat a carb, you need to eat a protein. Your servings of protein at least have to match the number of carbs servings. If I eat 2 servings of carbs, I must eat 2 of protein, but I can eat 2 or protein and only 1 of carb. This book lists out a ton of different foods and tells you which category they would fall in.

I really wouldn't even call this a diet, it is more of a change in how you eat.

There really isn't one test that will tell you if you have PCOS, they looked at levels of several different things, including hormone levels and sugar levels. There are lots of things associated with it, but not everyone has all of them. I would ask your dr if it could be a possibility, bc alot of drs, especially PCP don't really know a lot about PCOS or don't think to put the symptoms that you have together.

Whether it is a thyroid issue or possibily PCOS your PCP should refer you to an endo.

 

[Starbrite]

Call an endocrinologist.

My PCP was ok to deal with, but if you have or suspect you have a thyroid issue you should really see an endocrinologist. Good luck, feel better!!

Whether it is a thyroid issue or possibily PCOS your PCP should refer you to an endo.

Thanks Again Everyone!!

I think I need the golden ticket (aka Dr's Referral) before I can call an Endocrinologist. Hopefully he'll agree & give me one. Of course, there's probably a 4 month wait to see one!

 

[teacups]

Thanks Again Everyone!!

I think I need the golden ticket (aka Dr's Referral) before I can call an Endocrinologist. Hopefully he'll agree & give me one. Of course, there's probably a 4 month wait to see one!

I have had thyroid issues for 20 years and have only seen an endo a handful of times. They usually cause me more trouble than they are worth. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Starbrite]

I have had thyroid issues for 20 years and have only seen an endo a handful of times. They usually cause me more trouble than they are worth. Just my 2 cents.

Good to know. I guess it just depends on the PCP. We'll see what he has to say on Friday but hopefully he has some ideas. I just can't go on like this.