Comments on: Let me say it clearly–the TSH does not work

By: April

April — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:01:10 +0000

Hey Amber…I have the same exact symptoms as you complete with the same amount of crazy weight gain around that same age. I am now 31 and I eat right and hit the gym all to no avail. I also have that fullness in the neck too. I just had a TSH test taken a week ago and am awaiting the results as well. The doc did feel my neck though and her response was “Oh WOW! Yeah something is going on there!” And ordered the test. So I am waiting and wondering now if it will even be accurate.

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:51:57 +0000

Starting at age 22, I began to rapidly increase in weight, going from 135 to 213, within months. I can not get the weight off no matter what I try, eating healthier, exercising, not eating, nothing works. I am extremely fatigued all the time. I have constipation, low temperatures, a blocked feeling in my throat (like its hard to swallow). I have gotten a thick layer of fat around my neck that sticks out and looks aweful. I was always very thin prior to the age of 22. I had a TSH completed in June 2003 and the GYN said it was normal. She just completed another on July 06, 2009 and I haven’t gotten the results back yet, so we’ll see, but if they come back normal, I don’t know. I still feel like I have multiple symptoms of Hypothyroidism, but everytime I ask my primary physican or OBGYN for testing they only do TSH test!!! I’m so frustrated!! What to do??

By: Kim Reeves

Kim Reeves — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:18:02 +0000

I have weight gain, severe hair loss, memory problems, frog in throat, dry skin, very sore skin around joints, ringing in my ears, severe charlie horses in legs, feet, freezing all the time, cold hands, cold feet, mental confusion, pain in neck..like choking, hoarsness, very exhausted, severe mood swings, irritability, rages, heart palpitations, blurred vision, ankle swelling, irrational behavior, low ferritin…my doc felt a nodule on my thyroid..but the tsh is normal..so he says.. nope no thyroid problems..you are fine.. Really, can someone direct me what to do now.. ? I am not fine, my daughter is hypo as well as my grandmother I am at the end of my rope here. I have been dealing with this for 20 plus years…..help!!

By: Marie

Marie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:02:21 +0000

I’m glad to have found this website but am not sure if my answer is here. I was hyper at 8, treated until 18. Then hypo at 22 (or at least that’s what the dr said). Levoxyl until 41 yo. Always exhausted, dr said numbers perfect, diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, depressed, anxious…Anyway, switched to Armour 120 mg. Felt heavy arms and legs, same other symptoms. Lowered to 90 mg, felt better. TSH was 31, T3 was 23.3, and T4 was 3.4 (I don’t think these are the Free tests you talk about) Dr said I needed more Armour, now on 105 mg, and feeling the arm and leg symptoms and such fatigue, not sleeping well. I think I’m over medicated again. I’m going to get your book. (from Janie: you have adrenal fatigue)

By: leisa

leisa — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 19:01:18 +0000

me too!! 3 yrs of total hypo symptoms…i was put on 1/2 grain. symptoms worsened. NEVER has a doc felt my throat.now finally one thinks I have a nodule.

By: SeaLady

SeaLady — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 23:51:24 +0000

I went to my GP for 14 yrs, sleep was my main problem, followed by hip pain – he said I had bursitis, but isn’t that when there is excessive use of the joint I asked???

I Had exhaustion, unexplained weight gain, eyebrow and hair loss, dry skin, ridged fingernails etc.

I did not know anything about the thyroid – he finally did bloodwork, a TSH was included – he just told me I was normal. I didn’t know better.

Years later with the same complaints plus…..he again checked my thyroid – NOPE your normal, you need to get more exercise and eat better.

Could I kill him???? Maybe………when I finally switched doctors, in my Meet and Greet wellness visit, he said: You have thyroid problems??? I said No…….its been tested and is normal.

He said “I don’t think so, you need an ultrasound”

Well, enlarged thyroid, goiter and 7 nodules were hanging out in my throat.

Please, please can someone tell me HOW the other doc missed this?????? He not only relied on the wonderful TSH test, but he didn’t even bother to feel around on my neck!!!!!

AND people wonder why we do not trust Doctors????

Paleeeeeese!!!!!!

By: Administrator

Administrator — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 19:02:54 +0000

Hi Kelly. Your information and questions really belong over at the forums. You can find a link to them on the left of any page, towards the bottom of the links. (And by way, you need to strongly request having the free T3 and free T4, not a simple T4, or the useless Uptake.)

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 01:44:17 +0000

New lab tests…TSH = 0.050 range: 0.350-5.500
T4= 10.2 range: 4.5-12.0
T3 uptake = 32 range: 24-39
Free T Indez = 3.3 range: 1.2-4.9.
I have been on 100 Levo + 30 mg Armour + 25mg Cytomel daily. I split the Cyto and Armour and multi dose. After seeing these results, can anyone tell me WHY the doc would tell me to cut BACK on the meds? If the T3 and T4 are mid range shouldnt I stay with what I’m taking or even slightly increase? Seems this is proving the point of the weight the docs put on the TSH and ignore the T3 + T4. By the way, my temp is still below 98 in the AM and PM, I am dog-tired, still losing hair and struggling to lose an ounce. Stay with the dose or increase—advice? Thanks

By: Zev Lewinson

Zev Lewinson — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 17:57:08 +0000

Hello. I’m just amazed at this site. Sam, who is one of the contributors in the STORIES OF OTHERS page here, saw a post I once placed and emailed me this URL. I’ll be reading it and I’ll keep in touch. I’m the CEO of a mortgage company and a writer of childrens stories. I’m 53 and I lost my thyroid because of mercury poisoning. It’s a bit of a long story which I can’t get into now. I merely wanted to express my sincere thanks for your efforts with regard to creating this site. Thanks so much! Sincerely, Zev

By: Janie

Janie — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:51:50 +0000

Faith, just peruse this site and you’ll find everything you need. Read T4-ONLY MEDS DON’T WORK, then NATURAL THYROID 101 and THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED. Look at HOW TO FIND A GOOD DOC. And before you visit the new doc, read MISTAKES PATIENTS MAKE to avoid them. Become familiar with the page RECOMMENDED LABWORK. All can be found in the links to the left of the page. I also have a SITE MAP page to find any page on this site. If you want one-on-one help, go to the FORUMS. And remember: YOU are your own best advocate in the face of doctors who are keeping patients sick. Become informed. This site will help you. We’ve treaded the path before you and this site gives you what we have learned. Janie