Frustrated with results ... getting a 2nd opinion from a different Endo ... what do you all think?

[brazz6]

So I have an extensive family history of thyroid issues... I have been having symptoms for years... they are continuing and at times are worse main ones are exhaustion, always cold, hair falling out in pieces, inability to loose weight, full ache in (what I believe to be lymph nodes) armpits, neck, chin

Anyways I saw an Endo in November ( labs were drawn at 11am but fasted until then)

Vit D 26 (30-100 ng/mL)

Ferritin 24 (10-154 ng/mL)

Iron 97 (40-190)

Iron binding capacity 250 (250-450)

Saturation 39 (11-50)

TSH 2.09 (.4-4.5)

T 4 Free 1.0 (.8-1.8)

TPA Antibodies <1 (<9)

B 12 527 (200-1100)

He also did an ultra sound of my thyroid he said everything looked good he did find a nodule that measured 7mm but he said they don’t biopsy unless 10mm and he said come back in a year to make sure it hasn’t grown and that was it!!!

So I made another appt with a 2nd one to get a 2nd opinion... in the meantime I went and saw my GP... didn’t know she was going to draw labs so I wasn’t fasting but here are those results (in pic)... I see the Endo on Thursday.... any advice ?!?

[brazz6]

I meant a “dull ache” and I realize that picture is hard to read here are the results written out ...

Thyroglobulin antibody <1 (0-0.9)

Thyroid Peroxidase 13. (0-34)

Free Thyroxine 1.8 (1.2-4.9)

T3 Uptake 25 (24-39)

T4 7.2 (4.5-12)

TSH 2.56 (.4-4.5)

Vit D 31.8 (30-100)

Creatinine .54 (.57-1.00)

[Louiseb17]

Your thyroid is in what they consider “normal” ranges so I doubt they will offer treatment. I think your vit/iron etc levels are very low and these can also cause the symptoms you’ve described but definitely get a second opinion, even if it’s to put your mind at ease.

[brazz6]

Any other thoughts? Thank you very much!

[Tugun]

Hi,

I also am in the normal range but have low thyroid symptoms - fatigue, easy to put on weight, always cold. My body temperature is frequently 35.4 when I wake up. Once, when I was feeling sick on a winter's day, I checked my temperature and it was 34.8. I quickly put on a heater and warm clothes. The interesting thing is that as my temperature rose, I started feeling less and less nauseous. I get asthma with the cold so I now have a fan heater on at night and knowing that my temperature drops quickly, I am very aware of keeping warm. Sometimes I don't realize it's happening until I start feeling unwell. I feel like one of those frogs that's not aware of the temperature until it's too late.

One vitamin that has helped me is Vitamin A. I once read that some people with hypoglycemia and hypothyroid may have trouble converting Betacarotene to Vitamin A. Vitamin A aids with infections and the mucous membranes of the body. Too little and your hair falls out. Too much and your hair falls out! It is fat soluble so it is not flushed out like vitamin C. It is stored in the liver and too much can cause irreversible damage to your liver and nerves. One sign of an overdose is a blinding headache and it shouldn't be taken if you are likely to be pregnant. High doses can damage the foetus.

On the other hand a moderate dose has turned my life around. I always take it with Vitamin C as I believe they work well together. One 5 000iu dose with one 500mg of C will hopefully help you. I do take more but we're all different and it is better to start at a moderate dose. Read up on it.

You do have some other vitamin levels down - so see what you can do with them.

[RockyPath]

If you can get the doctor to look at your physical symptoms she/he should recognize hypothyroidism. Fingernails have long ridges in the direction of growth? Dr. Should take hammer and note slow reflexes, edema around eyes, look in mouth, “say ‘ahhhh.’l”

There are things that are visible on examination. Did anybody do these checks? Perhaps they’re busy, overworked, don’t feel like giving it anymore thought.

Getting treatment to work can be a long slog. Are you pleasant, respectful, grateful, and on time? I’m scratching the bottom of the barrel here. Apparently getting treatment is part human relations, part psychology, part lucky timing.

You should definitely mention that the blood draw was not first thing in the morning and you realize it was late in the circadian rhythm and hence TSH had fallen by then.

Sometimes you have to provide helpful prompts without seeming overbearing. Explain your quality of life issues and ask for a trial of hormone replacement.

I suspect one reason doctors blow off treatment is it requires a lot of thought on their part and they could potentially do some harm with over treatment so it seems safer for them to let you languish in your own personal hypothyroidi hell.

[Greekchick]

Dear brazz6,

I am so sorry to hear of your condition and your symptoms. It sounds as if you are really suffering. I urge you to get a second endo opinion. I would say your symptoms should be the guide for both you and your doctors. The blood work alone is insufficient to determine whether or not you need treatment, and it sounds as if more investigation is needed. Your doctor should see you as a whole, not just one dimensional.

I just had a TT 5 weeks ago for toxic multinodular goiter with Graves, and several of my nodules were as large as yours. I was being biopsied every other year for the last 5 years.I would certainly press for a biopsy with your second opinion,with regular follow up after that.

I am sending you positive thoughts and wish you all the best with your second opinion.