Am I hypothyroid?

[JBone]

Hi. I’ve had extreme fatigue, depression, muscle weakness and pain, erectile dysfunction, stopped having dreams, dry skin and hair, gained 8 lbs suddenly, BP spikes, constipation, back and joint pains, etc... for a year now.
Turned 50 ironically at this same time and was in best physical and mental shape of my life.
I’ve been on trt for 7 years and 6 of these years have been the best era of my life.
Well, that came to an immediate halt a year ago and turned into the worst period.
During this time got diagnosed with vitamin d deficiency at 15.2. Got that to 44.9 in 2 months. Was hoping that was the problem. Doesn’t seem like it.
Scheduled to see an endo in two weeks but am continuously trying to figure this out because my “life” has pretty much ended and would really like it back.
I’ve been wondering if my thyroid is the issue.
Here’s my labs:
T3 free-3.2(2.8-5.3)
T4 free-.6(.7-1.9) looking back 5 years this is always under range even when feeling “great”
TSH-3.02(.40-4.70)has been gradually rising
T3 reverse-13(10-24)
Thyroperoxide-1.0(<9.0)
Thyroglobulin-1.8(<4.0)
Anyway, it’s been really aweful and am looking for help and advice.
I’m having a sleep study done soon too but I’m 90% sure that’s not it. Don’t snore and am not obese.
My symptoms have many hypothyroidism related ones.
People have suggested this is my problem. GP doesn’t think so. He referred me to endo as I said to hopefully figure this out.
Sorry for the long post but you guys seem really smart and I am trying to narrow this down so this year doesn’t turn out like last year.
Thank you
Jeff

 

[OMI100]

Go here and look around and read first:
http://www.tiredthyroid.com/
Then order her book.
BEST web site and book covering thyroid.
Book is so well written and documented it could be used as a medical School text on thyroid conditions.
After that you will find some good information here:
http://hypothyroidmom.com/
then you might want to get this book:
https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/
After all that you should have a much better understanding of your situations and to be able to know if your Endo has any idea what he is doing.
If it looks like he has no clue than find one that does...
Finding a GOOD thyroid Dr. is like finding a needle in a hay stack....
Reference you FT3 and FT4 :
http://www.tiredthyroid.com/optimal-labs.html
Looks like you have some good test ran. Look here and see if you might want to add something else:
http://www.tiredthyroid.com/what-labs.html
One last comment:
If your Endo says all your labs are within range, just get up and run out of his office as fast as you can and find a DR that treats to symptoms and NOT ranges.

 

[ratbag]

Most good hormone MD's that really understand thyroid will say that anyone with a TSH of 2 or over is hypothyroid. In your case you also have lowish FT3 and under range FT4. You are definitely hypothyroid. Yet the average MD or Endocrinologist will pronounce you as normal. Low thyroid levels cause a lot of the symptoms you describe as well as depression etc. If you are deficient in some vitamins this may help you when you supplement those. But at the age of 50 if your thyroid is low you probably have other hormone that are low too. It's very common. It's time to see a MD that knows their stuff... like our sponsor here Defy.

 

[JBone]

Most good hormone MD's that really understand thyroid will say that anyone with a TSH of 2 or over is hypothyroid. In your case you also have lowish FT3 and under range FT4. You are definitely hypothyroid. Yet the average MD or Endocrinologist will pronounce you as normal. Low thyroid levels cause a lot of the symptoms you describe as well as depression etc. If you are deficient in some vitamins this may help you when you supplement those. But at the age of 50 if your thyroid is low you probably have other hormone that are low too. It's very common. It's time to see a MD that knows their stuff... like our sponsor here Defy.

Thank you. I’m aware that I may need to see a specialist and actually talked to one on the phone yesterday. After giving numbers and symptoms she pretty much diagnosed me then and there. Only problem is they can’t accept insurance.
I know Defy would be good but I live in Wisconsin.
Want other hormones? Cortisol?
My total T is at 575-600. Free t is almost at top of range and estrodial is 39 on standard scale which appears to be pretty decent and well under 64 which is the ceiling.

 

[ratbag]

I live in Canada and work with Defy by phone. They are setup so they can help... and they do a real good job at that. Also you will find most real experts... the MD's who can really help you won't take insurance so be prepared for that part.

 

[OMI100]

Look around your area. There are GP Drs. that have a truly great understand of the thyroid and proper treatment that are NOT ENDOs, but know waaaay more about the subject than most ENDOs (a lot of time it is because they themselves are hypo or have other issues). Ask around if anyone you know has thyroid issues and who is treating them. You might get lucky and find a gem.

 

[JBone]

Thanks guys.
I have a list of thyroid specialists within an hour of me. Got it from a guy on Medhelp. The two I talked to seem to really understand. Could probably get diagnosed immediately. I’ll see my endo next week and go from there. Hopefully he’ll understand too.
My T4 has been lower than range for at least 5 years as I look back but felt great til a year ago and TSH is gradually rising. Something is going on and it appears to be under active thyroid now. Was hoping for vitamin d but that hasn’t helped. Wishful thinking maybe.
You guys have issues? You know a lot.

 

[Vince Carter]

A little Iodine supplementation could be helpful to you, something I'd try before a Dr get's in to messing with T3 and/or 4.

 

[OMI100]

Had a thyroid nodule about the size of a golf ball but it was not pushing out, but in. When I had a ultra sound, the tech asked if I was having problems swallowing So 1/2 thyroid later.... I am on NDT (Natural Desiccated Thyroid)(Pig thyroid). My TSH is 0.006 Some Drs. freak when they see that
http://www.tiredthyroid.com/tsh.html

 

[JBone]

A little Iodine supplementation could be helpful to you, something I'd try before a Dr get's in to messing with T3 and/or 4.

thanks.
whats your hypo story? this is all new to me and am interested. wish I wasn't but may have to deal with this or something else that sucks.

 

[JBone]

I have an appointment with endo on Thursday finally. I just had a blood draw for cortisol the other morning so that we’d have results for appointment. Don’t have results yet.
Do you have any idea what she is thinking by checking this with my symptoms and thyroid numbers?

 

[OMI100]

Might be checking for Adrenal Fatigue or Low Cortisol?
http://www.tiredthyroid.com/hc.html

"[h=4]Cortisol[/b]Cortisol levels must be sufficient for someone to tolerate thyroid hormone. Flat-lined cortisol levels (found in Addison's disease) require supplemental hydrocortisone before thyroid can be taken, or symptoms as severe as vomiting (that requires hospitalization) can occur. [7,8] For others who are low, but not flat-lined, supporting the adrenals and raising very slowly has often worked. Thyroid and corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) have an inverse relationship, so as thyroid is raised, CBG goes down, leaving more cortisol free. Thyroid and cortisol levels usually rise and fall in tandem. [9]"

 

[JBone]

Might be checking for Adrenal Fatigue or Low Cortisol?
http://www.tiredthyroid.com/hc.html

"[h=4]Cortisol[/b]Cortisol levels must be sufficient for someone to tolerate thyroid hormone. Flat-lined cortisol levels (found in Addison's disease) require supplemental hydrocortisone before thyroid can be taken, or symptoms as severe as vomiting (that requires hospitalization) can occur. [7,8] For others who are low, but not flat-lined, supporting the adrenals and raising very slowly has often worked. Thyroid and corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) have an inverse relationship, so as thyroid is raised, CBG goes down, leaving more cortisol free. Thyroid and cortisol levels usually rise and fall in tandem. [9]"

Thanks. Feels and seems like I have high cortisol symptoms though. BP spikes and gained about 8-10 lbs. is that possible on trt?

 

[ratbag]

thanks.
whats your hypo story? this is all new to me and am interested. wish I wasn't but may have to deal with this or something else that sucks.

Don't expect too much from an endo. These guys are trained only to use synthroid and the TSH test. Which is why 99% of endos are are no help. You need cytomel and synthroid or NDT (natural dessicated thyroid) Endo's don't generally do that. Wanna read my story go here http://www.tiredthyroid.com and read Peter's story.

 

[JBone]

Don't expect too much from an endo. These guys are trained only to use synthroid and the TSH test. Which is why 99% of endos are are no help. You need cytomel and synthroid or NDT (natural dessicated thyroid) Endo's don't generally do that. Wanna read my story go here http://www.tiredthyroid.com and read Peter's story.

Ok., I’ll check that out.
You don’t think I’m goons get any help? What if you’re really sick?
Can’t go on much longer. Running out of gas fast.
Maybe I have Addison’s or Cushings. Kinda seems like one of them.

 

[Vince Carter]

Bloods are not a valid cortisol test which is done thru saliva but I'll say again some Iodine supplementation with some Selenium is where I'd go before letting a Dr start directly manipulating T3 or T4, its something simply and cost effective you can do on your own.

 

[JBone]

Bloods are not a valid cortisol test which is done thru saliva but I'll say again some Iodine supplementation with some Selenium is where I'd go before letting a Dr start directly manipulating T3 or T4, its something simply and cost effective you can do on your own.

Ok. I just don’t want to do anything until I see what kind of help I’m going to get. Are they actually going to manipulate my thyroid numbers? At this point I’m undiagnosed except for maybe i should be on anti depressants.
If they do mess with t3 and 4, what do you mean?

 

[JBone]

I just got my morning cortisol lab back. I didn't really sleep well so I imagine that could affect the results.
I was at 29.7. I guess that's high. I don't know how high though. The nurse said 22 was the upper limit. I will see her(endo) on Thursday.

 

[rhino5169]

Though I'm nowhere near 100% either, I was put on np thyroid about 5 or 6 months ago. It helped greatly at first but after a month it tailed off to 50%, which it's where it's at but that means its 50% better than it was before. Still trying to dial in and figure things out so this is what i just did

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0087US47Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ratbag]

Bloods are not a valid cortisol test which is done thru saliva but I'll say again some Iodine supplementation with some Selenium is where I'd go before letting a Dr start directly manipulating T3 or T4, its something simply and cost effective you can do on your own.

Serum cortisol (blood) is good for cushings and addisons. So it can at least rule that out. Remember that addisons has an autoimmune component to it. For cortisol insufficiency only diurnal saliva labs work.

So your high cortisol in the morning are they going to do other tests? Perhaps you do have cushings.