First, thank you for all of the wonderful information that I have been reading. I just wanted to get your insight on my condition, as you actually know there is such thing as Secondary Hypothyroidism unlike any DR. I have ever talked to.
I am a 43 year old female that suffers from unexplained "Chronic Daily Migraine", unexplained severe lower leg pain (for which the Rheumatologist said was RA and went through a year of multiple meds and a pain clinic) swelling, extreme fatigue, hair loss, any many more symptoms. I had my Dr check my Thyroid 2 years ago when I was grasping at straws trying to be my own advocate, and she said your TSH is fine, not your thyroid". Last week I got new DR to again check my thyroid and asked for a vitamin D test too. Neither of which she had even considered doing. Crazy, I have to tell a DR what to test.
My Levels were:
TSH 1.42 (0.40 - 4.50)
Total T3 93 (76-181) Didn't test Free T3
Free T4 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)
TPOab <1 (< 9)
Thyroglobulin ab <1 (< or = 1)
Vitamin D 13 (30-100)
The Dr called in Ergocalciferol 50,000 iu/ week. I read that I need D3 though.
I have found an Endocrinologist, and have an appointment for next Tuesday. I just would like to be more informed on what to ask her about.
Thank you so much for your time.
Michelle
I have no knowledge of Ergocalciferol compared to D3.
Your Vitamin D is terribly low, and obviously you need to supplement. . Hypo patients are also frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin B12 and ferritin. So I suggest that you get those tested and supplement as necessary. Optimal is about 55-60 for D, the upper end of the range for B12 and 70 minimum for ferritin.
Just because you are seeing an Endo does not guarantee a good thyroid doctor.Many specialize in diabetes, not thyroid. Many have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and only pay attention to TSH. That is wrong. Many also use "Reference Range Endocrinology", by which they will tell you that any thyroid test that falls within the so-called "normal" range is adequate. That is also wrong.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results, and especially not TSH results. You can get some good insight from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
So when you see the Endo, I suggest that you make sure they test you for both Free T4 and Free T3 each time. Also, you should request tests for B12 and ferritin. I also suggest that you should find out if the Endo is going to be willing to treat clinically, as described above. If not, then you will need a good thyroid doctor that will do so. In that case I have a doctor in you area that I can recommend.