I recently was sent to an Endo under suspicions of PCOS and Insulin Resistance. After reviewing my labs, he determined that there was no evidence of PCOS, that I was vitamin D deficient and my testosterone level was slightly elevated due to some relation to DHEA that he would explain (but never did). I questioned him about my thyroid which he said was normal. I have been experiencing extreme fatigue, weight issues, severe menstrual problems, blurry/foggy vision, loss of memory, inability to focus/concentrate, ringing in ears and temporary loss of hearing, unstable blood pressure, muscle weakness, dry skin and hair, increased anxiety (the list could go on and on . . .), and diagnosed with anemia and adenomyosis.
Im trying to decide if I should demand more tests and/or treatment or if I should seek therapy for hypochondria. Ive listed my labs below and any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated. Id also like to get a second opinion, so if anyone has a recommendation for a good doctor in the Los Angeles/UCLA area I would be forever grateful. I simply cant go on like this for much longer. Thank you in advance for your responses.
TSH 3.8
(0.3-4.7)
Free T3, Automated 276pg/dL
(249-408)
Free T4, Automated 1.2ng/dL
(0.8-1.6)
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody 12.1 IU/mL
(< or =20)
Yes you are hypothyroid and are also suffering from yet another doctor who can't read free T lab tests correctly. Even your TSH is above the endocrine society's recommended (and still too high) range of 3.0. All your symptoms are very hypo as well.
It really saddens me to see you are doubting yourself and considering hypochondria. But how else are we to think when doctors repeatedly tell us we're "fine" and our labs are "normal" when all our symptoms tell us otherwise?
Tell your doctor that you need treatment and if he won't listen then you need to find another who will. Your Free T3 is only at 17% of range and your T4 is at 22% of range. We try to get these number up into the top third of range, depending on our symptom relief. The only way to do this is by replacing your deficient thyroid hormones. Hope this helps!
My TSH is 3.11, my Dr. refuses to do anymore tests or treat me even though I have every symptom of hypothyroidism. Anyone know of a Dr. in LA who can help? I'd rather not go from Dr. to Dr. spending all my money (which I have little to begin with) trying to find one that will help. It'd be better to go to a good one to start.
Thank you!
In addition to working up the thyroid, make sure you get your adrenals worked up as well. I was a bit of skeptic as far as adrenals go, until my levels were sub-par. You mentioned two tests that stood out...testosterone and DHEA. How is your blood sugar level? What is your weight issue...gaining or losing? My DHEA was at the lowest level of normal while testosterone was high normal. Further workup showed cortisol dropping to below normal throughout the day, aldosterone lowest end of normal. You get the picture. Find an MD who understands it is a thyroid/adrenal/pituitary axis...this is imperative.
