Am I just a hypochondriac?

[Mommy2oo6]

I’ve always been the “normal” one in the family, but the last 3 years I feel like I’ve started falling apart, and I’m only 23! I have signs of Hypo-thyroidisim, but have been tested 3 times and they say I’m in “normal” range. My mom was diagnose when she was 22 once she began gaining major weight after the birth of my sister in 1983. She's the one who encouraged me to be tested.

I am currently taking~
100 mg Zoloft per day for depression/social anxiety
100 mg Nitrofurantoin MONO/MAC (generic for Macrobid) for Trigonitis

Here are my Symptoms (I understand not all of these are hypo-thyroid symptoms)

· Low Basal Body Temperature (I’ve been charting, we're useing the FAM)
· Losing my hair
· Dry Skin (face dry too, but semi-oily T-Zone)
· Stiffness and minor pain after long periods of sitting/laying. I saw my doctor and after a few x-rays, I was diagnosed with minor arthritis and scoliosis in my lower back.
· FATIGUE
· Depression
· Low immune system
· Impatient/irritable
· Weight Gain/Over Weight
· Light sensitivity
· Poor mental function


I don't know what to do anymore, and am at the end of my rope. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I saw someone say that we should have our B12 checked, so I've got that on my list.

[tracies]

I lived for years being told I was a hypochondriac (by my family) and "it's just stress" (by my doctor) even though I had real, physical symptoms. It took landing in the emergency room late one night with a heart rate of almost 200 for SOMEONE to take me seriously, it was on that night in the ER I finally learned I had thyroid disease. . .

Now, I don't say this to scare you - I just want you to know - I understand how you feel. And if you are having real, uncomfortable, physical symptoms then I think you deserve a solid workup. Have a full blood panel, a 24 hour urine test, and make sure the doctor gives you all your lab values, don't settle for just being told "you're normal" or the "normal" box being checked off on a lab report - get the numbers - you're entitled to them. You might be falling in the normal ranges but you might be high/normal - or low/normal - and that can make a big difference. . .

It is VERY true that stress and anxiety can make a person sick. However, I find that a great many doctors are quick to blame 'vague' symptoms like yours on stress. It's quite possible there's a real physical illness at work, which was my case. My dr. told me repeatedly to "go on vacation, you'll come back a new person" - all along my thyroid problem was worsening over the months.

Again, not to scare you but just to tell you I think you have real, VALID concerns for your health & you deserve to be taken seriously. Good luck!!!

[midwest1]

While trying to get my own condition diagnosed, I read an article written by a doctor who admitted that it takes an average of 6 consultations to get thyroid disorders diagnosed. He recognizes how shameful that is for the profession.
One woman came here a while ago who had seen 36 MDs before finding one who diagnosed her.
My first doctor wanted to treat each of my symptoms without looking for a common cause of them, and actually refused my request to test for thyroid disease; the second one I saw diagnosed it, but didn't know how to treat my case; and the third one is the one who returned me to my former state of health.

So, don't give up!! Keep going to as many doctors as it takes, because you know in your heart you've probably inherited the family curse. As tracies said, levels merely within the "normal" range don't guarantee you have no problem. Low-normal levels cause trouble for more people than not.
Try to get more than your TSH tested. Push for free T4 and free T3 and thyroid antibodies as well. These are the real measures of thyroid health.
Remember.... don't give up!!!

[SangReal]

Originally Posted by Mommy2oo6

I’ve always been the “normal” one in the family, but the last 3 years I feel like I’ve started falling apart, and I’m only 23! I have signs of Hypo-thyroidisim, but have been tested 3 times and they say I’m in “normal” range.

What does "normal" mean? Do you have the numbers and ranges from your blood tests? That would help some of the more experienced people around here help you.

Originally Posted by Mommy2oo6

My mom was diagnose when she was 22 once she began gaining major weight after the birth of my sister in 1983. She's the one who encouraged me to be tested.

She's right. Thyroid disorders are often genetic. And if you're trying to get pregnant (you didn't say whether the FAM was to cause or prevent pregnancy), thyroid function is important for the health of your baby after it's conceived.

Originally Posted by Mommy2oo6

I am currently taking~
100 mg Zoloft per day for depression/social anxiety
100 mg Nitrofurantoin MONO/MAC (generic for Macrobid) for Trigonitis

I don't know about trigonitis, but your depressive symptoms could be related to a myriad of other diseases, including (possibly) hypothyroidism.

Of all your symptoms, only your impatience and your sensitivity to light might not be explained by a diagnosis of hypothhyroidism. The rest of it seems dead on. I'd encourage you to push your doctor a little into further testing. It's not like he's afraid he won't get paid. This is what I don't understand about doctors. Why do they care what blood tests you want as long as they get paid?

Anyway, best of luck. As for me, I think it's much more likely that you're a hypothyroidiac, rather than a hypochondriac!

<3 Mary

[Mommy2oo6]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I've been fighting with the doctors, and doing some major research for myself!

01/2004 TSH = 1.4
12/2004 TSH = 2.6
04/2005 TSH = 3.1
04/2005 still waiting on FREE T3, FREE T4, and both Antibody test...

PCP still thinks there is nothing wrong with me, so I had him refer me to an Endocrinologist. My appointment is May 2nd. Wish me luck!!!