Thyroid Troubles

[player]

A little more info... my test as the TSH, and my number is 7. I did the second test today, and I have an appointment to see a GP at 9:45 am to find out more.

I have read normal range is .3 to 5, but some think it is really .3 to 3.

[Mark Douglas]

A little more info... my test as the TSH, and my number is 7. I did the second test today, and I have an appointment to see a GP at 9:45 am to find out more.

I have read normal range is .3 to 5, but some think it is really .3 to 3.

You might want to gently inquire could you have Hashimoto's
I say gently as to not PO your doctor playing doctor.

[DariaVader]

It is interesting to me how many fellas on this board have hashimoto thyroiditis, given that statistically 80% of hashy sufferers are gals. It would seem that a correlation should be subjected to a study.

and yeah, 7 is too high. and endocrinologists are mostly saying that the reference range for "normal" TSH is too wide... all other things being in order, 3 should be the upper limit, and 2 should be a treatment goal unless suppression is the goal, in which case they keep you at the bottom of the range (unless you have heart probs... blah blah blah) we are humans not numbers and there really are multiple factors to consider.

a full panel can catch pituitary issues when the TSH is low, but the T4 is also low - but when you have a high TSH most docs will not consider a full panel to be very helpful since it is already obvious that you need treatment. They may do a iodine uptake ultrasound to see if your thyroid has any function or if there are hot or cold spots. They can check for hashy antibodies. There are other types of thyroiditis some are self limiting. I recommend finding a knowledgeable endocrinologist - this stuff is best diagnosed there, and if it is something for which there is a known and recognized protocol, delegate that to a good internist.

(been there, done that!)

[player]

I saw a GP locum today. She said my second test was 5.3 so it is normal... I sure don't feel normal.

[DocWils]

You do realise that your feeling may be based on other problems than your thyroid, I hope. However, I do encourage you to seek out an endocrinologist if you still wish to focus on your thyroid as a possible problem.

[SirLaffalot]

Also be aware that if you're on a low salt diet, eat only sea salt or himalaya salt and don't eat seafood, you may not be getting enough iodine in your diet. Japanese people get like 10 times the amount that North Americans do. We rely largely on iodized salt. Vitacost dotcom used to have a triple iodine tablet. One of those a day and the cpap broke my narcolepsy. Also important is regular, intense exercise which raises the metabolism. I've since stopped taking the iodine but try to get seafood and seaweed on a regular basis along with exercise 2 out of 3 days.

But I'm not a doctor - ymmv.

[DariaVader]

I saw a GP locum today. She said my second test was 5.3 so it is normal... I sure don't feel normal.

5.3 is not very normal. No up-to-date-on-research Doc would claim so. You should definitely get an endocrinologist involved. Get Vit D levels checked as well; there is a correlation between thyroid issues and low D

[player]

Thanks for all the advice. I got the OK for a T3 T4 test.

I can't get a referral to a specialist because the GP says I am normal. I need to find a way around that one.

I do use sea salt, but also some table salt. I eat chicken and some beef, but rarely seafood.

I got a $41 bottle of thyroid capsules from the health food store. Lots of iodine plus other natural thyroid supporting ingredients.

I will check into vitamin D. I have psoriasis a D is also an issue with psoriasis. I have a 6 lamp narrow band UVB light unit I use somewhat regularly. It might help with vitamin D, but I am not sure.

I just had surgery today to help with a small but chronic infection I have had for almost 10 years. This infection could be a contributing factor in both my psoriasis and thyroid. Not sure yet if the surgery helped...

Thanks everyone! Anything / any ideas please post them.

[linn]

I have Hashimotos and should be on a CPAP by the end of the month. I have often wondered if the Hashis caused the sleep apnea or vice versa. Synthroid reduced my huge goiter and I have gained about 30lbs. I saw a naturopathic doctor about 8 months ago and she put me on 10,000ui of vitamin D (short term) My sleep improved from the vitamin D drops, so there is some sort of link there. I am still exhausted, so I hope the CPAP will save me.

[DariaVader]

For starters, lack of restful sleep is a stressor and as such contributes to autoimmune. There is correlation between hashis and apnea but causation is not established. There is also a correlation between low D and both conditions. Your goiter may also have contributed.