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Are these the common symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Hi, I've been feeling really badly lately and after a visit to the ER for what I thought was heart attack symptoms, my doctor suggested hypothyroidism and just completed some bloodwork. I seem to be a text book case according to the symptoms I see listed on the internet (brittle hair and nails, intolerance of cold, inability to lose weight, etc.) but was wondering if anyone has also experienced dizziness and chest discomfort with their hypothyroidism. They seem to be worse in the morning when I awake. The dizziness isn't so much a spinny dizziness as it is a loss of balance kind of thing. Lots of other muscle aches, too. Can anyone shed some light on these symptoms? Thanks!
Thank you so much for all this info! I knew this wouldn't be easy so will start looking for another doctor who might listen. Your input is much appreciated!
I think the current/latest acceptable TSH level range is supposed to be 0.5 to 2.5
So using these latest range it would still indicate slightly high TSH indicating slightly Hypo. Your numbers don't seem horrible. But if you still have symptoms and feel crappy that is no benefit to you. As most Dr's will not medicate you without finding a good Dr. and/or a long hard fought battle.
I assume the T3 was total and not Free.
Most people seem to report the symptom relief when the Free T4 is about mid range or above and the FREE T3 to be about the top 1/3 of the range. Not sure how that correlates to total T3.
One other question that may also indicate hypo is to test your basal body temp. This is RESTING temp. As in immediately while your still in bed immediately after you wake up. It varies slightly with menstrual cycle but under arm temp should be 97.5 to 98.2. If it below 97 it is another indication that your furnace is not heating up. And the furnace is regulated by thyroid.
You may be able to talk your Dr. into getting a starting dosage of T4 medication and see how you feel. It is important to get BOTH free T3 and Free T4 BEFORE you start. AND it is also important to test again in 6 weeks or so. AND ultimately when you personally feel well. You will want to make sure to get the tests again. This will then provide you some baseline that should your levels fall off again, what point to try to get back to as you know you felt good there. it may not be exact. But it at least gives you an indication where YOUR "normal" is.
Also note that a person who is taking a T4 med may also result in suppressing TSH. That means in layman's terms that the medication will cause the TSH to "appear" and test really low. The Dr's first reaction will be to reduce the meds fearing that they will send you the opposite way and into Hyper land. However many people on straight T4 meds will have a TSH VERY near 0.0 (zero). Again this is were it is important to know why the FREE T3 & FREE T4 is so important to monitor. Because these are better indicators than the silly TSH. My wife and others have battled this with Dr's for years. They will finally talk the Dr into upping their dosage of T4 med and the next test will come in with very low TSH and they will take back some or all of the increase in dosage. Regardless of the fact that the patient has NO signs what so ever of being Hyper.
I think myself as a man and my oldest (17 year old) Daughter have the same problem. We have some symptoms but they will NOT test anything but TSH and since we are within range they dismiss all the other symptoms and will thus not prescribe any meds. Me, I have cold hands and feet and we both have low body temps too.
My daughter in particular has these dizzy spells as if she gets up too fast. Even when she does not get up too fast and also has aches and pains (joints) when she tests negative for arthritis and she being only 17 should not have the aches and pains of a 40 or 50 year old more normally complains about. My daughter is always tired and will put her self to bed at 9 PM and sleep until noon. The Dr's dismiss this as "normal" teenager who likes to sleep in. Except most kids also do not want to go to bed and stay up late which kind of justifies sleeping in. I don't know any other teenage girls who put themselves to bed at 8:30 or 9PM even on Friday nights!
This Thyroid TSH myth is one of the worst false things in the medical profession. I think that it is almost deliberate. Because the pharmaceutical company's can make BILLIONS more by selling 6 different drugs to cover up 6 different symptoms than they can by selling one cheap Thyroid med. But it is just my opinion. But as the saying goes "just follow the money" and it will explain a lot!
So using these latest range it would still indicate slightly high TSH indicating slightly Hypo. Your numbers don't seem horrible. But if you still have symptoms and feel crappy that is no benefit to you. As most Dr's will not medicate you without finding a good Dr. and/or a long hard fought battle.
I assume the T3 was total and not Free.
Most people seem to report the symptom relief when the Free T4 is about mid range or above and the FREE T3 to be about the top 1/3 of the range. Not sure how that correlates to total T3.
One other question that may also indicate hypo is to test your basal body temp. This is RESTING temp. As in immediately while your still in bed immediately after you wake up. It varies slightly with menstrual cycle but under arm temp should be 97.5 to 98.2. If it below 97 it is another indication that your furnace is not heating up. And the furnace is regulated by thyroid.
You may be able to talk your Dr. into getting a starting dosage of T4 medication and see how you feel. It is important to get BOTH free T3 and Free T4 BEFORE you start. AND it is also important to test again in 6 weeks or so. AND ultimately when you personally feel well. You will want to make sure to get the tests again. This will then provide you some baseline that should your levels fall off again, what point to try to get back to as you know you felt good there. it may not be exact. But it at least gives you an indication where YOUR "normal" is.
Also note that a person who is taking a T4 med may also result in suppressing TSH. That means in layman's terms that the medication will cause the TSH to "appear" and test really low. The Dr's first reaction will be to reduce the meds fearing that they will send you the opposite way and into Hyper land. However many people on straight T4 meds will have a TSH VERY near 0.0 (zero). Again this is were it is important to know why the FREE T3 & FREE T4 is so important to monitor. Because these are better indicators than the silly TSH. My wife and others have battled this with Dr's for years. They will finally talk the Dr into upping their dosage of T4 med and the next test will come in with very low TSH and they will take back some or all of the increase in dosage. Regardless of the fact that the patient has NO signs what so ever of being Hyper.
I think myself as a man and my oldest (17 year old) Daughter have the same problem. We have some symptoms but they will NOT test anything but TSH and since we are within range they dismiss all the other symptoms and will thus not prescribe any meds. Me, I have cold hands and feet and we both have low body temps too.
My daughter in particular has these dizzy spells as if she gets up too fast. Even when she does not get up too fast and also has aches and pains (joints) when she tests negative for arthritis and she being only 17 should not have the aches and pains of a 40 or 50 year old more normally complains about. My daughter is always tired and will put her self to bed at 9 PM and sleep until noon. The Dr's dismiss this as "normal" teenager who likes to sleep in. Except most kids also do not want to go to bed and stay up late which kind of justifies sleeping in. I don't know any other teenage girls who put themselves to bed at 8:30 or 9PM even on Friday nights!
This Thyroid TSH myth is one of the worst false things in the medical profession. I think that it is almost deliberate. Because the pharmaceutical company's can make BILLIONS more by selling 6 different drugs to cover up 6 different symptoms than they can by selling one cheap Thyroid med. But it is just my opinion. But as the saying goes "just follow the money" and it will explain a lot!
Oh, the T4 was T4 Free
The acceptable ranges are
TSH - .450 to 4.5
T3 - 71 to 180
T4, free - .82 to 1.77
The acceptable ranges are
TSH - .450 to 4.5
T3 - 71 to 180
T4, free - .82 to 1.77
Well, finally got my test results and I'm told it's not my thyroid because all the numbers are right in the middle of the acceptable range. Back to the drawing board, I suppose...
TSH - 2.56
T3 - 102
T4 - 1.08
TSH - 2.56
T3 - 102
T4 - 1.08
So glad to be on this site. Everyone's descriptions match mine so closely. Deelited, you did a great job in describing the dizziness/balance problem. That is EXACTLY how I feel.
I called to check on my blood work yesterday and - lo and behold - they tested everything but the thyroid. They "forgot" to put that on the prescription. Supposedly, they were going to call the lab and have them do the thyroid testing. Hope to have those levels tomorrow. I'm also supposed to have a Holter Monitor next week to monitor the palpitations.
Again, thank you all very much! Reading your posts helps me realize that I'm not crazy nor am I dying.
I called to check on my blood work yesterday and - lo and behold - they tested everything but the thyroid. They "forgot" to put that on the prescription. Supposedly, they were going to call the lab and have them do the thyroid testing. Hope to have those levels tomorrow. I'm also supposed to have a Holter Monitor next week to monitor the palpitations.
Again, thank you all very much! Reading your posts helps me realize that I'm not crazy nor am I dying.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I posted on your other thread.
If any of you have current labs to post, please do so (with reference ranges), so we comment more fully on your individual circumstances.
If any of you have current labs to post, please do so (with reference ranges), so we comment more fully on your individual circumstances.
Hi I have experienced exactly the same symptom as you, I stil have the body aches but I know its from the panic( feels like a heart attack, heart pulpations, dizzyness, shortness of breath) this is caused due to a major inbalance of your hormones, I am also only starting to loose weight now.
it will get better as soon as your med are corrected. i ended up going to 3 diffrent docters and think I finally got the right one, because after he adjasted my meds I can finally slowly but surely start to live my life normally again without worrying when I am going to have another attack.
don't let people tell you that you need to be on anti-depressant and traqilizers, I got 2 diffrent anti- depresants at home and it made me feel worse so I stop using them and started looking for another docter one wich didn't put me on anti-depresant but adjusted my meds and I'm feeling better already.
if you feel you need something to help with the attacks why don't you try a natural tranqilizer, I tried Restim and helped taking the edge off, just remember I have been diagnosed with definate hypothyroidism, make sure it is that and if it is do not fear there is help just never give up, it is your life and you need to fight.
judith6985
it will get better as soon as your med are corrected. i ended up going to 3 diffrent docters and think I finally got the right one, because after he adjasted my meds I can finally slowly but surely start to live my life normally again without worrying when I am going to have another attack.
don't let people tell you that you need to be on anti-depressant and traqilizers, I got 2 diffrent anti- depresants at home and it made me feel worse so I stop using them and started looking for another docter one wich didn't put me on anti-depresant but adjusted my meds and I'm feeling better already.
if you feel you need something to help with the attacks why don't you try a natural tranqilizer, I tried Restim and helped taking the edge off, just remember I have been diagnosed with definate hypothyroidism, make sure it is that and if it is do not fear there is help just never give up, it is your life and you need to fight.
judith6985
Hi there,
I also had classic symptoms of a thyroid disorder and the 'acceptable ranges' and as Barb stated it also took 20 years for me to get a diagnosis!! I even had thyroid antibodies at 200 (<20), every text book symptom and still they would say "no thyroid problems". I also ended up in ER 2 years ago with what I thought was a heart attack but no problem was found. These dr's also said it was not thyroid related but had no explanation as to why it happened and didn't seem to think they needed to find out. They just sent me home. I experience that feeling of 'loss of balance' or a 'quick shift' of my surroundings and if I am walking it feels like I am going to fall over but I never do as it passes really quickly. I have the aches and pains, mainly in my hands, wrists, fingers but can be anywhere. Days when my chest feels tight and hurts if I take a big breath.
I had to see countless dr's and specialists and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety disorders and more but never a thyroid problem. Thankfully I finally found a GP who was willing to listen to me and take notice of my thyroid antibodies. I have also now found an Endo who has recently diagnosed Hashimoto's, an autoimmune thyroid disorder and prescribed medication. Haven't been on the meds for long so cant say if it is helping but I sure am hopeful after all of these years.
Welcome to the forum and dont hesitate to contact me if you want to chat :)
I also had classic symptoms of a thyroid disorder and the 'acceptable ranges' and as Barb stated it also took 20 years for me to get a diagnosis!! I even had thyroid antibodies at 200 (<20), every text book symptom and still they would say "no thyroid problems". I also ended up in ER 2 years ago with what I thought was a heart attack but no problem was found. These dr's also said it was not thyroid related but had no explanation as to why it happened and didn't seem to think they needed to find out. They just sent me home. I experience that feeling of 'loss of balance' or a 'quick shift' of my surroundings and if I am walking it feels like I am going to fall over but I never do as it passes really quickly. I have the aches and pains, mainly in my hands, wrists, fingers but can be anywhere. Days when my chest feels tight and hurts if I take a big breath.
I had to see countless dr's and specialists and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety disorders and more but never a thyroid problem. Thankfully I finally found a GP who was willing to listen to me and take notice of my thyroid antibodies. I have also now found an Endo who has recently diagnosed Hashimoto's, an autoimmune thyroid disorder and prescribed medication. Haven't been on the meds for long so cant say if it is helping but I sure am hopeful after all of these years.
Welcome to the forum and dont hesitate to contact me if you want to chat :)
I've heard ( and have depression and anxiety as well as terrible body pain) that those can be symptoms, which some are also related to anxiety and fibermialga which I am hearing is a common problem among people with thyroid disease. Which came first the chicken or the egg? Ha Ha, if you know what I mean. Hopefully we can get help/ answers/ direction from some of the great people on this site like Barb135. I just found the site today and posted my deal earlier. I am hopeful due to this site. I haven't gotten any replies yet, but I hope to. Reading people's posts are somewhat helpful. Thanx!
I've read a lot of your comments and you seem to have a good understanding about hypothyroidism. I just found this site today and posted but haven't gotten any reply. Do you think you could give me your advice? My TSH is at 18.75 and T4, free is 0.52. Could you read my comment I posted earlier as I feel like crap and explained my whole long story and need to go to bed. Also waiting for a reply from a dr. on the site. I really look forward to a reply from you. I'm new and haven't made any friends and you seem like a good friend to have. I hope I make friends and can get some answers and eventually help others!
Hope to here from you.
-Rach3737
Hope to here from you.
-Rach3737
COMMUNITY LEADER
I went through the same thing for nearly 20 yrs -- doctors blamed my symptoms on everything BUT thyroid; in fact, never even checked my thyroid.......
I hope, once we see your labs and the ranges, we can help you get on track with this.
I hope, once we see your labs and the ranges, we can help you get on track with this.
Will do. I've been telling doctors for years that I had a long list of symptoms of hypothyroidism, but no one was willing to do anything because I was in the "acceptable" ranges. I'm hoping this doctor has an open mind. Happy to have some others with whom to chat!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree that you have all the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism; and yes, dizziness/loss of balance and chest pain/discomfort can also be caused by hypothyroidism.
Do you have any of the lab results back yet? When you get them, please post them, along with reference ranges, so members can comment more fully on your situation.
Do you have any of the lab results back yet? When you get them, please post them, along with reference ranges, so members can comment more fully on your situation.
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