Do I have hypothyroidism? In need of advice

[Alexissanchez]

Around 10 months ago I started having these symptons. I'm a physically fit 20 year old male 172cm/5"8 and 62kg.

• Tired & fatigued

• Really Sleepy all day especially in the afternoon

• Ankles/shins hurt even when not doing a lot of physical activity

• Phases where if I eat any simple carbs like a burger or wrap I will instantly become extremely sleepy

• Sore eyes (started a few months after other symptons)

• Mentally foggy from when I wake up till around 8-9pm

• Become physically tired when I take a usual dosage of caffeine, even though I have stopped regular use for quite a time now (not too sure if related)

• Feel extremely hot at night even when everybody else is cold (only just started happening)

These symptons started occurring just after going down to 25mg from 50mg Zoloft dose and I stopped Zoloft use shortly after becoming tired, I'm not sure if that is coincidental or related but thought I'd include.

I thought it was a sleep problem so took time release melatonin before bed for a while, which did in return make me noticably less sleepy the following day. Although am now thinking that my tiredness/sleepiness problem is due to hypothyroidism even though I'm lean and don't seem to have any problems with weight gain.

I have done blood tests for TSH and free T4 levels although my doctor says they are fine because they are in range, although I have doubts they are at normal levels.

Blood test 1 taken at 24/11/2016 11:50am

- TSH (Serum): 3.41 mIU/L (0.4-3.8)

Blood test 2 taken at 21/02/2017 10:00am

- TSH: 3.18 mIU/L (0.4-3.5)

Blood test 3 taken at 27/07/2017 11:20am

- TSH: 2.73 mIU/L (0.4-3.5)

- Free T4: 12.5 pmol/L (9-19)

(My LDL cholesterol is borderline over range with 3.5 mmol/L (<3.5) despite being quite lean and a healthy eater, any relation?)

I have done some research and found out that my TSH levels are not exactly normal as my doctor says but I am not entirely sure how TSH levels change throughout the day or if my levels are abnormal enough to cause my tiredness.

Any help, advice or comments would be very much appreciated! Thank you

[greygoose]

The TSH is highest early in the morning, and fasting. So, if you'd had your blood draw at 8 am, you would probably have been over-range. But, despite the range, you're hypo when your TSH hits three.

High cholesterol is a symptom of low T3 (low T3 usually means high TSH/means hypo). Your cholesterol level has little to do with your diet, and nothing to do with your weight/size.

Your symptoms do sound like hypo - and depression is also a symptoms of hypo. Weight-gain can be, but not all hypos gain weight.

[Alexissanchez in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for the quick reply! Extremely helpful, my doctor says my thyroid is fine as it is in the lab range. Although from what I see it isn't, should I see a endocrinologist or find another general practitioner?

[greygoose in reply to Alexissanchez]

If you are in the UK, it's very rare to find a GP that will treat until your TSH reaches 10 - I don't know what they think the ranges are for! But, even so, just because your result is within the range, it doesn't mean you're fine. The ranges are far too wide. FT4, for example, someone with an FT4 of 18.9, is going to feel a lot better than someone with an FT4 of 9.1! Yet, they are both in range. But, ranges are something else that the average GP just doesn't understand.

Endos, generally, aren't much better. They are usually diabetes specialists, with little knowledge of thyroid. Whoever you see, you're going to have to stand your ground, show that you know what you're talking about and insist that you are hypo. And, next time you have a test, arrange for it to be early in the morning, and fasting.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Would be good idea to get full Thyroid, including thyroid antibodies and vitamin tests.

You need to check antibodies for autoimmune thyroid disease and FT3 as well as FT4 to see if you have conversion problem

Low vitamins can affect thyroid or cause symptoms in their own right

Low vitamin D is very common generally and can give similar symptoms

Low B12 less common, but similar symptoms

Low ferritin can cause tiredness

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven private blood tests will test all these for £99 or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers

Always do any thyroid tests as early in the morning as possible and fasting.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...