thyroid problem or NOT.

[libster39]

I am 51 peri menopausal female.  My mother, brother and daughter have thyroid issues.  Hypothyroid for mother and daughter and hyper for brother. I have had my thyroid levels checked before( not the free 3 or 4) but the other values.  They have always been in range but on the low end of normal.  Therefore, my doctor does not want me to go on medication.  In the last year, I have been gaining weight and feeling tired.  I chalked it up to menopause.  I stopped smoking after 35 years in October by taking Chantix.  I thought that I would have so much more energy.  I just want to sleep ALL the time.  Starting eating better, working out more but still NOTHING.  Constipation, constipation, constipation.  I know that is due to not smoking and I expected some weight gain from that.  But, I still have no energy.  I am calling my doctor tomorrow to ask for more blood work.  What should I specifically ask for?  I am ready to start smoking again just to make me go to the bathroom.  NOT.  Any advice would be helpful.

[libster39]

Then the PA said that number was great! Right in the middle. Is that correct?

[libster39]

I had my doctor's appointment and ask specifically for the free t3 and free t4. The PA called back about something else and they only did TSH. It was 3.58. I may have to go back and have more blood drawn.

[libster39]

I just found my latest thyroid test.  my T4- 6.5ug/dl, TSH- 2.520.  I have an appointment with my doctor this afternoon and request the blood work that you suggested earlier.

[Barb135]

You need to be sure to ask for the actual thyroid hormone tests, Free T3 and Free T4.  Without those, it's nearly impossible to tell exactly what's going on with your thyroid, though most doctors think TSH is sufficient.

TSH is a pituitary hormone and does not correlate with symptoms.  FT4 is a storage hormone and must be converted to FT3.  FT3 is the active thyroid hormone and has been shown to correlate best with symptoms.

Because of your fatigue, I'd also suggest that you get tested for vitamin B-12 deficiency.

I quit smoking with Chantix, too, but I actually started gaining weight before I stopped smoking.  I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia and started on Vitamin B-12 shots, which were supposed to "fix me up"; when they didn't, at first, my doctor thought I was a hypochondriac, but when I finally got them to do thyroid function tests (a year later), it was discovered that I was hypo.

Your symptoms of weight gain, constipation and being tired are all classic symptoms of being hypo.  

You could also ask for a thyroid ultra sound, which will determine whether or not you have nodules, swelling or inflammation on your thyroid.

Ask for Free T3, Free T4, TSH, TPOab, TGab, Vitamin B-12, thyroid ultra sound.

[Red_Star]

Request thyroid antibodies - thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb). I posted plenty of information about smoking and thyroid disease on another answer....

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/whos-still-smoking-with-hypothyroidism/show/1766591