Symptoms, family history, goiter, but normal bloodwork? Help!

[medmystery]

I recently was told I have a goiter on my thyroid but the test results are normal.My weight gain was mostly around my belly and I look pregnant it has now moved to my legs which the Dr. felt was strange with the amount of walking I do. I was also recently told I have fibromylgia, which I doubt. At work I walk 2.5 miles and hike 4+ mile 3/4 days a week, yoga, and crunches.According to a nutritionist my diet could not be better. Over the past year I had exploratory surgery on my abdomen, multitudes of cat scans and test, taken prescription phentermine, colon cleanse, liver/gallbladder cleanse, tried the blood type diet, Adkins, and numerous others. I am becoming concerned with what all I am putting my body through to try to lose unexplained weight gain. In my family my fathers 3 sisters have hypothyroid and my sister also has hypothyroid. On a symptom check list I matched almost all of them. I noticed that at one point my TSH level was 1.2 and I felt good in Dec 2005 it was 2.35. I was also taking Zyrtec-D which I read can affect your thyroid. I have become very depressed, tired, as well as issues that are impacting my relationship. I feel that even thought the blood work is "normal" that my history and symptoms point to hypothyroid. What is the best way to approach a Doctor about medication when the blood work does not support it? What is the process when they find a goiter? I was told to come back in three months but I am finding it to be difficult to live with these symptoms.
Thank you to anyone kind enough to read this novel!
Any information would be greatly appreciated

[katey111]

A related discussion, do i have hormone problems was started.

[MyOpnyn]

A related discussion, Does anyone have any info on Cushings Disease and it's symptoms? was started.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Recheck TSH and get antibodies --- a TSH >3 with antibodies may merit a trial of thyroid hormone.  Goiter needs eval with ultrasound.

[snake lady]

How many people have faced the same problems you have.  There is a simple first step you can do to get a hint if you are hypothyroid.  Take your temp before you get up in the morning = it is best done under your arm for 10 minutes (basal) with a good old fashioned thermometer.  Generaly a normal temp at this time will be between 97.8 and 98.2.  Under that is suspicious.  Then get the labs done but not just TSH -- you need Free T3 and Free T4 for a start. The TSH can be very misleading and the new range is "0.3 to 3. and even the .3 could be too high. Check out the site "Stop The Thyroid Madness" it has a wealth of help.  Good luck.