Tsh

[kimbo]

Hi all at present my TSH is 0.01 dr want to speak to me about it, I still have symptoms anxiety being the worst and lightheadness also, plus the normal symptoms of being hypo, what if she wants to decrease should I fight my corner and say that I have lots of symptoms, I have also asked for a referral to a private endo of my choice

[shaws Administrator]

Yes, you have to fight your corner. This is an extract from Dr Lowe re adjusting doses according to the TSH. Read the rest of the answer by cursoring down to the question.

July 15, 2006

Question: My doctor uses my TSH and thyroid hormone levels to change my dose of thyroid hormone. He measures them every couple of months and has me increase or decrease my dose, depending on these little changes in the hormone levels. He calls it "fine tuning" my dosage. Personally I don’t see any change in how I feel even when he increases my dose a little. I just keep feeling tired, achy, and depressed. He seems convinced that by measuring my levels and making these little dosage changes that he’ll some day get rid of my symptoms. From reading your website, I don’t believe he’s on the right track. What do you think I should tell him to get him to use another approach?

Dr. Lowe: First I suggest that you ask your doctor to question the scientific basis of the endocrinologists’ notion of "fine tuning" by TSH and thyroid hormone levels. If he does, he’ll learn that the changes he sees in your TSH and thyroid hormone levels are probably nothing more than natural variations in the levels. He would probably see the same variations if he always kept your thyroid hormone dose the same. I’ll briefly review some of the evidence that your doctor should read.

web.archive.org/web/2010122...

You can also email [e-mail] for a copy of the article by Dr Toft wherein he says some need to have a suppressed TSH or the addition of T3 to feel well. You can show the whole article to your GP but point him to question 6 for the answer.Maybe he will add some T3!

[kimbo in reply to shaws]

Hi thank you for replying yes I will ask Louise for a copy, looks like I may have a little fight on my hands x

[shaws Administrator in reply to kimbo]

I hope your GP is receptive. Some don't like us telling them what we want. We do want to get well and we cannot do it without their assistance and flexibility.

[Glynisrose]

Your doctor can't cut your meds without your agreement, just refuse to agree!

[greenginger]

Hi on the other hand your TSH is well supressed and you could be over medicated. Hypers have a lot of the same problems as hypos. Get him to do some more bloods such as T4 and T3 and get your iron levels and vitamin D checked too.

[Che65]

My Hashimotos was diagnosed 10 years ago and was discovered following sudden onset of migraine and a temperature of just under or around 42 which ended up being pyolenephritis. I had sudden onset of uncontrollable shaking/chills, nausea, migraine. Once I was discharged from hospital I started going into what they call self-induced coma (?). The challenge was to stay awake. I would sleep 10 hours, set an alarm and would get up to see my child off to school and then go back to bed until just before he finished school. This went on for three months. I gained weight for the first time in my life and I wasn't even eating, experienced trouble passing water. My entire digestive system seemed to be in pain and turmoil. I dragged myself from bed and went to the Doctors in my PJ's at around midday (I had to set the alarm to wake me). I was diagnosed with Hashimotos (he said my thyroid gland was dead).

This brought on early onset menopause, two hoernias back to back and rectocele repair surgery, so many doctors, endocronologists, specialists, hospital visits. Ten years later and here I am, none the wiser. Although I do not give up the search. For the last four years I have experienced gut wrenching pain each night when I lay down in bed that causes me to wake, unable to go back to sleep despite extreme tiredness.

My TSH is <.01 (for the last five years) and my White Blood Cell count is 1.8. I am working long hours (as I always have). I have daily headaches, stomach pain, other. My Mothers mother died of toxic thyroid (non-responsive to medication) and my father is dying of leukaemia, hard to control diabetes (in full-time care at only 72). He can no longer walk. I have also been tested and am positive for MTHFR double gene mutation, which means you inherit one cancer gene from your mother and one from your father. This places me in the top 11% of contracting cancer in my lifetime as opposed to the other 89% who usually inherit one gene mutation from one of their parents.

I remain optimistic and have a very healthy diet which includes eating to assist in the prevention of cancer. I have cut dairy and bread and drink alcohol on weekend only (it is limited what I can have). I am on the Diabetes register as I have what they call gestational diabetes. I do not take HRT, or other treatments at present. Tried Progresterone and then Endocronologist put me on Testosterone (bad move - weight gain, pimple breakout) and after just losing it all and feeling great.

Despite this history, I try to exercise daily, eat healthy foods and have tried every food program you care to mention. For the last few days I have vitamised vegetable soup as I am going through a really bad patch. I have exhausted doctors, and have just started with a Naturopath who has put me on a complete detox. I have three ultrasounds booked. The pain continues to be excruciating. My breasts are so sore I can't lay on my right side, my ovaries are hurting too. I have been post menopause two years after 8 years peri. I am fifty, but get told I look 39, 40 - but feel 100 most days. I have had endoscopy and colonoscopy recently and all clear this time, previously I had polyp and am in high risk for bowel cancer.

At one time I put on a sudden 10kg in 6 weeks and wasn't even able to eat. This was when I had my second hernia, couldn't breath very well, severe cramps and symptoms of heart attack, blocked nose (ongoing), voice drops out. I slept for three months upright waiting for surgery. All that passed and I eventually got back to almost normal weight. Still struggle with some days being very bloated.

Has anyone else got a similar history or any advice to point me in the right direction?

So very much appreciated. PS I am bright with a positive outlook each and every day as I need to be to undertake my job as designer, marketing and sales.

Currently my headaches are daily. My eyesight has diminished significantly this last year and my teeth always ache and bleed, however I really look after my teeth.

Thank you for reading this. It has been interesting to read some of the blogs here and I have noted through my research that Low White Blood Cell count and Hashimotos seems to be relatively common.

How are you doing now, and have you found anything amazing in your travels.

I reside in Australia. I take 100 Tertroxin and 20mcg T3. I feel so run down and tired if I miss even a day of the T3.