I have been very depressed lately and extremely tired. My hair has been thinning and I've had lots of indigestion and gas. At my annual exam I asked my doctor for a thyroid test. She looked at me like I was crazy, but I insisted. She did a tsh and it came back 4.48. She said they considered high 4.82 so I didn't need treatment. I've done the basal temperatures for three mornings and it is 97.1, 97.2, and 97.2. I also feel like something is stuck in my throat and it's kind of sore. Does this sound like hypothyroidism??
you really need to find a new doctor, I changed mine 3 times and the last one finally sent me to an endo, who today dx me with hashimotos thyroid. I spent 3 years trying to get help and to many doctors tell you that you are normal. It was no walk in the park and at times I felt like just giving up. My husband would not allow me to do so thank god because I finally figured out that the sqeaky(did I spell that right? that is a nother problem I have lol) wheel gets the oil like my dad always told me. I have a problem being rude to people but I finally figured out sometimes it is the only way to get results. it was truly amazing how fast they helped me when I spoke up and would not take no for an answer. just keep pushing and look for the right doctor and most of all dont give up!!!! I wish you the best of luck. take care
Sounds like you have one of those drs that treats your lab sheet and not you. Your TSH is high at 4.48, the doc is not up on the latest ranges which I think now normal is only up to 3.5 not 4.82 or some used to go up to 5.5. Some docs don't have the info yet. I was diagnosed when mine was 4.75.
The other posters are correct, time to be pushy or get a new doc. Also do more testing, T4 free, T3 free and thyroid antibodies.
Good luck
[This message has been edited by dea4 (edited 08-20-2003).]
Thank you for the replies. My teenaged daughter thinks I exaggerate my tiredness...I get pooped out just walking through 2 or 3 stores at the mall. It makes me feel really old!! I want this fatigue to go away. I have an appointment with another doctor next week, so I'm hoping to get more tests done.
You are hypo, believe me. You'll hear a lot of stories from people on this site, like myself and Tree Frog, who are insanely hypo when our TSH levels get above 2.0. The American Assoc. of Clinical Endocrinologists recently lowered the recommendations for TSH ranges to 0.3-3.0, with anything over 2 being considered "suspicious". That, however, is really slow to catch on and the vast majority of doctors out there will look at you like you're smoking something when you bring it up. There are other studies that suggest that a "normal" person's TSH level is usually between 0.5 and 1.5. In the case of people with Hashimoto's (which makes up the majority of hypo cases), TSH needs to be suppressed all together and is completely useless in determining their thyroid function. Some people would argue that it's a completely useless test, anyway (unless you're talking about ThyCa patients, and those without thyroids due to RAI therapy, who still find the TSH somewhat helpful in monitoring their medication).
Tootired, you are absolutely hypo! Get a new doc, preferably an endocrinologist that knows his/her stuff. I've read in some thyroid books that females usually want to be as close to a 1.0 TSH as possible....and no higher than 3.0
Marilyn
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Extreme tiredness (as well as your accompanying symptoms) isn't always due to being Hypo. Have you been checked for Lupus, CFIDS, Fibro, Mono, Lime's?
I have Hypo/Hashi and my blood panel is always within a good range, but I have frequent "flare ups" of exteme fatigue and other symptoms because I also have CFIDS.
I would ask to see a specialist, either a Rheumatologist or endocrinologist.
[This message has been edited by peregrine (edited 08-21-2003).]
About three years ago both my ankles were very swollen and red. My pcp sent me to a rheumotid doctor and even then he thought I was developing Hashimoto's. They didn't send me to an endo, though. Also, I had antinuclear antibodies and thought I might have lupus, but didn't diagnosis me. Does any one have thyroid problems and ana?
You need a new doctor. A TSH of 4.48 is quite hypothyroid. You need really to find good treatment, which does not really include TSH. TSH really isn't a good measure of thyroid function overall.
[This message has been edited by Sky_Eagle1 (edited 08-23-2003).]
normal tsh level 
