Hypothyroid Testing?!
Question: I've had many symptoms of hypothyroid including fatigue, irritability, feet & hand swelling, dry skin, slow heart beat, & cold intolerence for about a month. My dr ordered blood work for TSH only -which came back normal. My question is should I push for another test for T3 & T4 levels or is that overkill? I have a 6 month old which could also explain some (but not all) of my "symptoms".
Answers: I've had many symptoms of hypothyroid including fatigue, irritability, feet & hand swelling, dry skin, slow heart beat, & cold intolerence for about a month. My dr ordered blood work for TSH only -which came back normal. My question is should I push for another test for T3 & T4 levels or is that overkill? I have a 6 month old which could also explain some (but not all) of my "symptoms".
what is normal? the american society of endocronologists changed normal from 5 down to 3...you need copies of your report so you can research it more. It is extreemly common for a woman who has just given birth to have hypothyroid problems. thyroid@yahoogroups.com has some info...and about.com/thryoid. I went for years undiagnoised with hashimotos, which is hyper/hypo alternating because of thyroid swelling and shrinking. I feel soooooo much better now. as for a referal to an endocronologist. good luck.
I would go with your gut feeling and have the other levels done. Also ask your obgyn about your symptoms. When you think about it your pregnant for almost a year you hormones are all over the place. Then after delivery they are still trying to get back to "normal".
Make sure you push the issue til you feel it's resolved. It's no fun having your symptoms trying to raise a 6 month old (what a great age). I would push for more blood tests. I know what you mean about cold intolerance. It's aweful. Mine is so bad that I think about the people who are stuck in their cars in the snow for days and survive. And here I am with a heating blanket on full blast laying on a heating pad, in winter pj's and I feel like I am going nuts because I am so cold.
Take care and make sure you push the issue till you feel okay. You know your not feeling right so don't let people tell you it's because of having a baby. Your symptoms sound like Hypothyroidism. I have it too.
One more thing I am currently going to a Dr. named Cleveland Randolph. He wrote a book called "From Hormone Hell to Hormone Well". Look it up on Amazon. People from all over see him. You might go to Amazon and see what it say's about the book and people that have read it.
Good Luck to you.
My first thyroid test came back normal. 9 months later it was positive for hypothyroidism. It could be because you are a new Mom, but it could also be a thyroid problem. If you aren't satisified, get another test. Testing of TSH should be done within an hour of waking, otherwise it may not show the condition. THis is because TSH is highest while we sleep. You want to test near its high point. By 2PM, its at it lowest point of the day.
Should you retest, ask for a free t4, free t3, and antibody test. Run another TSH as well. There are total and free tests of T4 and T3. The reason you want frees is because it shows the actual amounts of T4 and T3 that are free (available) for use by your body.