[lowcarbcrystal]

The typical thyroid tests are outdated, unreliable, and inaccurate. The typical lab work only shows TSH and possibly T4. Many, many women suspect they have a thyroid or hormonal problem and then the blood tests always come back normal. The picture is much bigger than these simple tests. I suffered with this for 10 years before I found an on the ball doctor who ordered the correct thyroid tests. Symptoms of low thyroid and/or exhausted adrenals:
Weight gain
Fatigue
water retention
dry skin/cracked fingers or heals
insomnia
anxiety/depression
low body temperature
hair loss
arthritis, leg pain, shoulder pain
puffy face or swollen eyes
high cholesterol/diabetes
brain fog

[Gma]

Crystal,

Please tell me what the correct blood test should be. I have my regular bloodwork scheduled in a few days, with a follow up appt after that. My thyroid meds keep my levels in the "normal" range, but I really think something else is going on. I can't seem to lose weight, but boy I can sure pack it on in a hurry if I'm not careful.

I plan to have a heart to heart with him, but I need some info so I know the right questions to ask.

I'd really appreciate your input.
Thanks,
June

[lowcarbcrystal]

Hi, June-I would ask exactly what is going to be tested. The standard test is TSH ,T4, maybe T3. TSH(thyroid stimulating hormone) is a pituitary hormone. This hormone tells your body to produce the thyroid hormone T4. T4 is then supposed to convert to T3. It is possible to be in normal ranges and still have symptoms. I was told for years I was normal, but I wasn't. This is where the anti-depressents usually come in. This isn't a very good test because it only shows if TSH is giving the signal to the thyroid and it only shows how much T4 is in the blood. Who cares what is in the blood if it isn't being absorbed and used properly or if it isn't converting to T3. In my case, I wasn't converting to T3. So, this is what the doctor needs to test:
TSH
Free T4(measures how much is actually being absorbed)
Free T3
Anti-body test for a thyroid auto-immune(Hashimottos)
Maybe get your iron(ferritin) levels checked
Ask if he checks cortisol levels(may have low adrenal hormones)
How do you think your other hormones are?(estrogen, progesterone,DHEA,testosterone)

Many doctors don't understand and have not kept updated. He might even put these tests down simply because he doesn't understand or know how to read or prescribe what you need. Many people have benefited from the standard test and improve on synthroid but many more have not or could do a lot better. I don't know what type of tests your doctor will order so it's always good to find out. It's your call, of course, but I know that there are many doctors that specialize in this(bio-identical hormones) everywhere. This was probably over-whelming. It took me 10 years to find help. Please, I would love to answer your questions.
www.stopthethyroidmadness.com is an excellent website with a great forum and great people to answer your questions as well. Very busy site just answering thyroid questions. Hmmm, who knew? Let me know how it goes. Remember, you've many options. Crystal

[lowcarbcrystal]

P.S. What are your symptoms? The doctor should always go by symptoms and not strictly lab numbers. That is a dead give away that the tests are screwy, not you.

[cms0354]

[lowcarbcrystal]

Collen~You've come to the right place. I was on synthroid for 5 years and it did nothing for me except stress out my adrenals. Sure, it helps some but for many others it does not as mentioned above. You probably need t3 as well as t4. I would bet anything that your endocrinologist did not order the right tests!!!! A simple TSH or T4 test tells squat. Been there, done that. Above, I listed the correct tests. It is even more important to find a competent doctor to interpret the results. Not sure if I mentioned above but the doctor must conduct an adrenal test as well. This is what a recently discovered about myself. I have a sluggish thyroid as well as adrenals. "Adrenal hormones are the fuel, thyroid is the fire. You'll have a small fire w/o enough fuel." If you still have symptoms, and I'm sure you do, fix it. www.stopthethyroidmadness.com is the best place to learn and ask questions on the forum. Helped me figure out a lifetime of symptoms.

***If you've seriously tried low carb and still are unsuccessful, it could be adrenal/thyroid, especially if you have a variety of symptoms. If weight is your only symptom.....it's probably not. Take care ~Crystal

[lowcarbcrystal]

Coleen~Just read your profile, 50 lbs. in two months, yep you're hypo. An easy way to tell if their might be a problem is to take your temps. throughout your day and get a pattern going. You need an accurate digital thermomitor such as lumiscope. Cheap off the internet. It should read 98.6 with little variation. Right now, mine is all over the place between 96-97's. Not good. I thought it was broken so I've been checking my husband. Yep, 98.6. This will save time and $$$ for those suspecting a thyroid/adrenal problem. Bye.

[cms0354]

[lowcarbcrystal]

The problem is most doctors are too conservative or they simply don't understand what to do. Many doctors just won't listen. Even the ones that do listen and want to help, they don't have the experience and honestly don't know how to interpret the results. It is a real problem. The site(STTM) is a great place to start. I would read everything there. It may seem overwhelming at first. The forum is full of people with similar experiences and the moderators are amazing.
I noticed you live in Texas. There are many doctors there who know the right tests and treatment. The site explains how to find a good doc. When finding a good doc., before you make the appointment, ask exactly what tests they do for thyroid/adrenals. Many people, including myself, do the saliva test from canary club, that is explained, on our own for various reasons. This will show your accurate thyroid levels as well as adrenal function. You may be hypo./low adrenal/or both. Although not doctors, the moderators are experts in diagnosing and giving advice. I am there almost everyday. I just found a doc. in my area to help. I was happy to hear that he uses the same saliva test. Best of luck. I'll be happy to help here or at the other forum. The general thyroid forum is where I usually hangout. Deb. Su is the moderator. Best of luck. ~Crystal

[lowcarbcrystal]

P.S.~ I am a work in progress. I have been dealing with this for many years. Recently I figured it all out. I can't believe how many people are suffering because of bad tests and medical care. Actually, tomarrow, I am starting the right treatment and hormones and expect great things. I'll keep you posted of my healing, if you'd like.~Crystal

[cms0354]

[DebB]

I'd like to recommend the website: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

There is so much good information there from those that got fed up with the standard thyroid tests and told that they were fine because after all your tests came back "normal". Be sure and check out the bulletin board and don't be afraid to post questions there too - the FMs are very helpful.

Plus, I've got a thread titled "Armour Thyroid" going over on Suzanne Somers site. Plus there are various other hormone related threads too.
http://www.suzannesomers.com/Community/

and then click on "discussion" on the left and then to the

THE SEXY YEARS - The Hormone Connection forum. Everyone's welcome. We're all just posting as we see our doctors and sharing experiences.

I was hyper and had my thyroid ablated (kill with RAI, twice) and so ofcourse am now hypo. Synthyroid and Levoxyl did nothing for me and so I had to find a doc that would RX Armour as I wanted to give that a try.. *Ü*
_________________
Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[lowcarbcrystal]

DebB~Hey, I know you!! I think we've talked on Suzanne's website and maybe STTM too. ~Crystal (Lyn)

[DebB]

Hey Crystal! Small world, yes??

You sure know your stuff about all these hormonal issues Crystal! I always read your posts with interest. Nice to 'see' you! *Ü*
_________________
Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[DiPaul]

Ladies, you are correct... I've been hypo for 15 yrs. and my doc only did the basic tests and told me I'm "normal", and I kept telling him I'm NOT. I've been through the ringer with changing meds, increasing, decreasing etc. and after my husband hounding me for years to see a specialist, I've finally had enough so I have an appt. for the endo in August. There isn't one in my town so I have to travel 60 miles. He has a great reputation so I will be bringing the list of other tests in case for some stupid reason he tries to do the same as the primary doc. My doc moved away so the new one came in and I explained everything to him...he said he would up my dosage until I got in to the endo, and it's been helping with the brain fog and depression a little bit (Synthroid of course). I've tried Armor and my levels took a dive so they put me back on the Levothyroxin. We, those of us that live with this problem, know when our bodies tell us it's "not right", regardless of the test results, and I'm glad that some of the doctors are starting to understand that...but unfortunately even if some of them are told, some don't believe it because how can we be questioning them. It's frustrating when we know that our dieting efforts have to be stronger than others, and watching the weight "fall off" of others who are doing the same thing we are is maddening sometimes. Thank you for these posts. - Diana