endocrinologist or neurologist FIRST.....TSH question

[Kate2876]

5 months post partum, 36 year old.  5'5" 169 lbs.  symptoms that took me to MD: tingling hands, feet and occassionally scalp.  muscle aches and pains.  tired.  losing hair.  hot showers to get the "chill" out of my body.

labs: TSH 3.32, cholesterol 256.

Active, run 3 miles 5-6 times a week.  Strong family hx: mat. gm, mother, and sister w/ hypo.

having brain MRI to r/o MS.  MD says TSH is NORMAL.  

Should I go see an endo for a full w/u regarding my thyroid before subjecting myself to an MRI?  

I am not avoiding it, it just makes more sense to r/o hypo before moving on to MS.  

I don't want to go to endo and be laughed at for my TSH of 3.3.

although that 3.3 was 3 months ago and my symtoms have gotten a little worse.  My md is not wanting to repeat.

[Red_Star]

I would see an endocrinologist as you may have postpartum thyroiditis (PT) which occurs in about 5% of women within a year after giving birth. PT is  the occurrence of either transient hyperthyroidism, transient hypothyroidism, or transient hyperthyroidism followed by transient hypothyroidism.

Some women diagnosed with postpartum thyroiditis may have pre-existing Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The hypothyroid phase of postpartum thyroiditis is most commonly diagnosed at 6 months.

Although most women with postpartum thyroiditis are euthyroid (normal thyroid gland function) one year postpartum, long term follow up reveals an increased prevalence of permanent hypothyroidism; 23% and 29% at 3.5 to 8.7 years postpartum.

[payton382]

I would go to the Endo just to see but make sure he pulls a TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 (not Total T3 and Total T4).  Then go from there.  

Other possible causes.....Tingling hands and feet sound like a B12 deficiency. Hair loss sounds like low Ferritin.  Either one could possibly mean anemia or thyroid or both.  Since you just a baby 5 months ago massive hair loss is normal but because of blood loss during delivery I would still have your B12 and Ferritin checked.  And, because thyroid issues can be triggered by pregnancy I'd pursue that too.  Plus, anything over a TSH of 3 is out of range and indicates hypo but knowing your Free T3 and Free T4 will tell you for sure.  

Honestly, I'd be really surprised if it were MS.