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Hypothyroid... or Low Cortisol and Adrenal Fatigue
Hi -
Is this a popular area of confusion? I went to my PCP today and presented him with a lot of information. List of symptoms, comparisons of blood work and even this article (http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html) to explain my push for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
In review my labs are:
TSH: .68 (.50-5.0)
FT3: 1.0 (.8-1.7)
FT4: 2.7 (range 2.3 – 4.2 )
List of symptoms:
WEIGHT GAIN (20lbs in 2 years - and I'm active)
Very brittle nails
Occasional constipation
Shortness in breath during exercise (noticed Dec 2012, increasing)
Depressed/crying (Began Jan 2012)
Irritability
Decreased libido
Tightness in throat
Lightheaded when I stand up too fast
2 week period of body temp 96.2-97 degrees, with occasional 97.9. – ongoing, see notes
Waking up with thick white coating in mouth
Dry eyes (I do wear contacts, but drier then normal, age?)
Fatigue
Dry skin
Cold hands and feet
Next day effects after a few drinks
AND he believes that these are symptoms of low cortisol and adrenal fatigue rather then Hypo. He also stated he isn't a big fan of the doctor who wrote the article, because he has no evidence to back statements up. So, I have a huge battery of bloodwork to be done tomorrow morning, first thing.
What does the community think here? Any thoughts on how to proceed?
Is this a popular area of confusion? I went to my PCP today and presented him with a lot of information. List of symptoms, comparisons of blood work and even this article (http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html) to explain my push for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
In review my labs are:
TSH: .68 (.50-5.0)
FT3: 1.0 (.8-1.7)
FT4: 2.7 (range 2.3 – 4.2 )
List of symptoms:
WEIGHT GAIN (20lbs in 2 years - and I'm active)
Very brittle nails
Occasional constipation
Shortness in breath during exercise (noticed Dec 2012, increasing)
Depressed/crying (Began Jan 2012)
Irritability
Decreased libido
Tightness in throat
Lightheaded when I stand up too fast
2 week period of body temp 96.2-97 degrees, with occasional 97.9. – ongoing, see notes
Waking up with thick white coating in mouth
Dry eyes (I do wear contacts, but drier then normal, age?)
Fatigue
Dry skin
Cold hands and feet
Next day effects after a few drinks
AND he believes that these are symptoms of low cortisol and adrenal fatigue rather then Hypo. He also stated he isn't a big fan of the doctor who wrote the article, because he has no evidence to back statements up. So, I have a huge battery of bloodwork to be done tomorrow morning, first thing.
What does the community think here? Any thoughts on how to proceed?
The doc today said those aren't very effective - so I am doing a blood test where I take a pill at night and blood immediately the next morning.
I'm actually building interest in the iron deficiency theory... I have read where that can cause hypo type symptoms if deficient enough.
I'm actually building interest in the iron deficiency theory... I have read where that can cause hypo type symptoms if deficient enough.
Feeling like a bus ran over you until 8:00 at night and then suddenly feeling normal sounds a lot more like a cortisol/adrenal problem than thyroid.
Have you tried getting a 24-hour saliva test?
Have you tried getting a 24-hour saliva test?
I can't bump meds - considering I'm not on any :)
I'm still feeling like crap. Actually this entire weekend I felt like a bus hit me, until almost 8pm at night when I would suddenly feel normal
This whole ordeal has been a year long battle - feeling progressively worse. Plus with more recent weight gain, I'm really at a loss. I've met with 2 nutritionists who claim "people like me don't need help from them" since I weigh and measure everything and calorie count already. I even wear a bodybugg. The month of Feb alone I put in 6lbs. Making for a total of 22 gained.
I'm still feeling like crap. Actually this entire weekend I felt like a bus hit me, until almost 8pm at night when I would suddenly feel normal
This whole ordeal has been a year long battle - feeling progressively worse. Plus with more recent weight gain, I'm really at a loss. I've met with 2 nutritionists who claim "people like me don't need help from them" since I weigh and measure everything and calorie count already. I even wear a bodybugg. The month of Feb alone I put in 6lbs. Making for a total of 22 gained.
your latest test shows:
Your FT4= 1.1 which is 30% of the range which is still quite a ways away from the target of 50% or more.
Your FT3= 3.1 which is 42% of the range which is quite a ways away from a target closer to 67%.
How are you feeling? If feeling well then no worry's. If still feeling poorly then a bump in your medication would make sense.
Looking above in the post I would think both the Iron and B-12 could be higher heck 50% of the range would be 650 and you are at 450 so there is definitely room to improve. Several people report that they need to have these well up into the range like towards the very top end.
Selenium can help in conversion of T4 into T3.
Your FT4= 1.1 which is 30% of the range which is still quite a ways away from the target of 50% or more.
Your FT3= 3.1 which is 42% of the range which is quite a ways away from a target closer to 67%.
How are you feeling? If feeling well then no worry's. If still feeling poorly then a bump in your medication would make sense.
Looking above in the post I would think both the Iron and B-12 could be higher heck 50% of the range would be 650 and you are at 450 so there is definitely room to improve. Several people report that they need to have these well up into the range like towards the very top end.
Selenium can help in conversion of T4 into T3.
"Most laboratories use 4 mIU/L as the upper limit of normal for TSH. However, new research has found that if a TSH is above 2mIU/L, the thyroid gland is probably in the early stages of disease." - Your Thyroid Problems Solved [book] - Dr Sandra Cabot
"Dr. Friedman recommends iron treatment for everyone with a ferritin less than 60 mg/dL. The goal of treatment is to raise ferritin levels to a value between 70 and 90 mg/dL and is usually achieved with oral iron treatment. Raising ferritin levels to this range may be needed for patients with hypothyroidism to have an optimal response to thyroid hormone treatment." - Good Hormone Health - Iron Deficiency and Fatigue
"At least six neurological and psychiatric papers, in top medical journals, have shown that the normal range should be regarded as at least 500-1,300 pg/ml (rather than 200-1,100), since the cerebrospinal fluid level can be deficient when the serum level drops below 500, and neuropsychiatric symptoms often occur at serum levels between 200 and 500 pg/ml (VanTiggelen et al, Lindenbaum et al, Mitsuyama/Kogoh, Nijst et al, Ikeda et al, Regland)." - John Dommisse MD - Vitamin B12 deficiency: Symptoms, Signs & Optimal Treatment
"Dr. Friedman recommends iron treatment for everyone with a ferritin less than 60 mg/dL. The goal of treatment is to raise ferritin levels to a value between 70 and 90 mg/dL and is usually achieved with oral iron treatment. Raising ferritin levels to this range may be needed for patients with hypothyroidism to have an optimal response to thyroid hormone treatment." - Good Hormone Health - Iron Deficiency and Fatigue
"At least six neurological and psychiatric papers, in top medical journals, have shown that the normal range should be regarded as at least 500-1,300 pg/ml (rather than 200-1,100), since the cerebrospinal fluid level can be deficient when the serum level drops below 500, and neuropsychiatric symptoms often occur at serum levels between 200 and 500 pg/ml (VanTiggelen et al, Lindenbaum et al, Mitsuyama/Kogoh, Nijst et al, Ikeda et al, Regland)." - John Dommisse MD - Vitamin B12 deficiency: Symptoms, Signs & Optimal Treatment
Just left my first Endo appt. Here are the old and new blood test results:
Old:
TSH 0.68 (.49-5.6)
FT4 1.0 (.80-1.80)
FT3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)
New:
TSH 2.09 (0.40-4.50)
FT4 1.1 (0.80-1.8)
FT3 3.1 (2.3-4.2)
Iron 67 (40-175)
Ferritin 17 (10-154)
B12 - 452 (200-1100)
He says there is nothing wrong with my thyroid. He wouldn't treat hypo until the TSH hit 450.
Thoughts?
Old:
TSH 0.68 (.49-5.6)
FT4 1.0 (.80-1.80)
FT3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)
New:
TSH 2.09 (0.40-4.50)
FT4 1.1 (0.80-1.8)
FT3 3.1 (2.3-4.2)
Iron 67 (40-175)
Ferritin 17 (10-154)
B12 - 452 (200-1100)
He says there is nothing wrong with my thyroid. He wouldn't treat hypo until the TSH hit 450.
Thoughts?
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