A lot of symptoms but bloodwork in normal range.

[boxermumm]

Hi, not sure what to think anymore.  I have MANY of the symptoms of being hypothyroid.  I have had some of the symptoms for years but have even more symptoms now.  The past year I have been feeling worse and the past 4-6 months have been the worst.  I've been tested for hypothyroid every year for the past several years and each time the results come back within the normal ranges.  I have weight gain, heart palpitations, increased heart rate, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, anxiety, i'm either freezing or sweating (can't seem to be in the middle,) last year my hair was falling out in clumps (start taking biotin and it has helped,) weak (hard to pick up my son who is 35 pounds,) etc.  I told my PCP  (who is new to me, I had to switch due to insurance) about all of these symptoms and she said I should think about "seeing someone", meaning a psychiatrist.  Needless to say I was so upset, I am feeling worse and it seems like no one takes me seriously or they can't figure out what might me going on with me and why I feel like such crap all the time now.  I have a recheck with my PCP next month but in the meantime I had my yearly with my gyn last week.  I told her about how i've been feeling and she ordered a TSH and Free T4.  Just got the results back today and once again they fall in the normal range.  Is it possible to have so many of the symptoms of hypothyroid but the tests come back normal every time?  My mom is hypothyroid and her sister had a goiter removed a few years ago.  I don't know what to think anymore.  I'm so upset, this has really effected me, I have zero energy to play with my children, I hurt on a daily basis, it has effected how I perform my job now too.  Any ideas or suggestions...please!!!!

Here are the results from my labs I got back today.
TSH=1.03        Free T4=1.1

Any thoughts?!?!
Thanks in advance.

[iHopeful42]

I'm experiencing the same problem with my tests too. I know how you feel. Always normal, but have all the symptoms and more to boot. After 3 years of searching, I'm still no closer to answers. Good luck to you.

[boxermumm]

The normal range for the lab I used is as follows for the TSH.  Not sure why it says ranges are for a pregnant female, I am NOT pregnant!!!  Not sure if this alters the results or not.  

TSH/Thy.Stim.Horm 0.40-4.50 mIU/L 1.03 (my result)

REFERENCE RANGES BELOW ARE APPLICABLE TO PREGNANT FEMALES
FIRST TRIMESTER - 0.26 - 2.66 mIU/L
SECOND TRIMESTER - 0.55 - 2.73 mIU/L
THIRD TRIMESTER - 0.43 - 2.91 mIU/L


These are the ranges for the FT4
Free T4 @ 0.8-1.8 NG/DL   1.1 (my result)


And to answer your question, yes, I'm pretty sure those are the only thyroid tests I have had done.  Looking back at my lab results, I don't see where there was a FT3 ever done.  And yes, I am a female..lol.  I will be 39 next month.  I had fertility issues conceiving my first child and had to undergo IVF.  However we did conceive our second child without IVF.  I do have PCOS but the cause of my infertility was "unexplained."

I meet with my doctor again next month and plane on asking for some more testing.  I will give her one more try (as I hear she is supposed to be good.)  However, if I am not satisfied after that appt.  I will be searching for a new doctor (I already began asking around.)

[Barb135]

What's the reference range for FT4?  Ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.  

Are those the only thyroid related tests you've had done?  You should ask your doctor to also include an FT3 test, since FT3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells, whereas FT4 is a storage hormone that must be converted to FT3 for use.

You should also ask to get tested for thyroid antibodies, which would indicate the presence Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, an autoimmune Disease in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy it.  Hashimoto's is the number 1 cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. and symptoms can, often, be seen long before actual thyroid labs indicate a problem.

A thyroid ultrasound would also be in order to determine whether or not you have nodules on your thyroid.  Nodules are very common with autoimmune thyroid disease.  While there's, typically, nothing that needs to be done with them, it's often helpful to know they are there and they can help with the diagnosis.

Your profile says you're male, however, I'm assuming that since you have a gyno, you simply didn't change the gender when you filled out your profile page.  That said, some of your symptoms (weight gain, freezing/sweating) could indicate issues with reproductive hormones, as well, so you might want to have those checked out.  However, all of your symptoms (I'd have to question the weakness based on picking up a 35 pound child - that's a heavy load and I think most of us would cop to weakness on that.. LOL) could be thyroid related.

Other than additional testing, my best suggestion might be to find a different doctor, if the only thing yours can do is come up with "seeing someone".