How do I know if I have hypothyroid?

[ladyhairg]

From everything I have read, I seem to have an awful lot of the symptoms, but my doctor says I don't need to be tested. She says I'm just looking for an easy place to put the blame for being fat. (No, I eat too much and don't exercise enough-- that's where I put the blame!)

What symptoms did all of you have before being diagnosed?

[2big4mysize]

demand the test. it is a simple blood test and based on the results you will know if you are hypo or not. If you do a search on line you can see there are many symptoms.

You can if you are willing to pay for it order your own test at a site you can find on like if you read the roll call topic here you will see a link for finding a better doc.

[rivera11]

thyroid

I was diagnosed with hashimoto's (hypo) over 15 years ago. I went to my Dr. and he felt my throat and found my thyroid was enlarged. He ran blood tests and confirmed. I went to see a specialist , long story.
My symptoms were a big weight gain, low energy, unable to loose weight even while on diets. I was doing alot of walking and that didn't do a thing for me. I was cold alot often had heart palpitations. Those were some of my symptoms to name a few. I was put on medication and just recently was changed to a new med thanks to advice I got on this board. Things are finally starting to work, how I wish I would have found this group and atkins sooner. I suggest you request a blood test from your Dr. to rule things out. It's worth a try. Good Luck!! :wave

[bizzlekitty]

Definitely demand the test and ask to see and get a copy of the results. make sure they do a thorough panel.

And maybe get a different doctor, if possible.

Be prepared for the results, just in case. Alot of symptoms can be generalized that some people do have them, even without thyroid issues.

I did read an article recently that they have also changed the consideration of what they consider hypothyroidism now too. I think it was > 5.0 for TSH and now they are starting to consider anything about 3.0 is needing treatment, but not sure how widespread that is or how many doctors are really following that.

I was doing "dieiting" and exercise when I was diagnozed with hypothyroidism too for weight gain, fatigue, etc. However, now I realize that I was not doing the right diet, as I ate alot of carbs. Atkins has changed that for me.

[2big4mysize]

untreated hypothyroid is so common it is the first test run when depression is present.

The endocrinologist society in 2002 changed their posistion on the threshold for hypo with symptoms to 3.0 TSH from the old 5.0 as the upper limits.

[barelysane]

I too would demand to be tested or change doctors.

My symptoms are FATIGUE - so tired all of the time, incredibly cold (this one has never gone away), dry dry skin, CRANKY, leg cramps. When I miss taking my medicine all my symptoms come back very quickly - the fatigue and leg cramps most.

I am very pleasantly surprised that I have been able to lose weight on Atkins, I thought it would be more difficult considering my hypothroidism. I have lost 30 pounds since October and I'm pleased!

Again - PUSH for the blood test!!

[ANGALEE]

THAT WAS VERY MEAN WHAT YOUR DR.SAID THAT IT WAS ALLIN YOUR HEAD THAT YOU NEED AN EXCUSE THAT YOU CANT LOSE WEIGHT.IVE HAD HYPOTHYROID EVERY SENCE I WAS THREE.IT DOES SLOW DOWN YOUR MABTOBOLISM.YES ALWAYS BLOOD TEST TO CHECK HOW IM DOING.I TAKE SYNTHROID.200 I WAS TIRED ALL THE TIME.CANT THINK AT TIMES,LOTS OF THINGS CAN GO WRONG WITH IF YOU ARE HYPOTHYROID.PILLS ARE SUPPOSE TO HELP.I WISH YOU THE BEST WITH THIS AND SOON FIND A NICE DR. WHO WILL HELP YOU.I HAVE WEIGHT PROBLEM TOO I LOSE THAN I GAIN IT BACK AND MORE.WISH EVERYONE ON HERE GOD LUCK.
SINCERELY,
ANGALEE[/b]

[ANGALEE]

THAT WAS VERY MEAN WHAT YOUR DR.SAID THAT IT WAS ALLIN YOUR HEAD THAT YOU NEED AN EXCUSE THAT YOU CANT LOSE WEIGHT.IVE HAD HYPOTHYROID EVERY SENCE I WAS THREE.IT DOES SLOW DOWN YOUR MABTOBOLISM.YES ALWAYS BLOOD TEST TO CHECK HOW IM DOING.I TAKE SYNTHROID.200 I WAS TIRED ALL THE TIME.CANT THINK AT TIMES,LOTS OF THINGS CAN GO WRONG WITH IF YOU ARE HYPOTHYROID.PILLS ARE SUPPOSE TO HELP.I WISH YOU THE BEST WITH THIS AND SOON FIND A NICE DR. WHO WILL HELP YOU.I HAVE WEIGHT PROBLEM TOO I LOSE THAN I GAIN IT BACK AND MORE.WISH EVERYONE ON HERE GOOD LUCK.
SINCERELY,
ANGALEE[/b]

[lunazul]

My main symptom was severe depression. I spent my days crying. I couldn't concentrate and not only did I have leg cramps, but I also got them in my hands and feet. There are other symptons like dry skin and hair, fatigue, but for me all that was overshadowed by the depression.

I don't think the blood test is that expensive as medical tests go. Your Dr. was being a jerk! You can print this and tell him I said so.

Debby

[ANGALEE]

DEBBIE CONGRADULATIONS YOU ARE DOING GREAT.YOUR PICTURES TELLS IT ALL HOW WELL YOU ARE DOING.KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

[lisaaw]

I hope you have dumped that doctor with the condescending attitude and I also hope you let her know why you were no longer going to keep her as your physician.

Any doctor who doesn't take the concerns of a patient seriously isn't worth your time or money.

Lisa

[lisaaw]

My thyroid was tested several times 5 or 6 years ago but the results came back normal. I've had many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism such as dry skin and hair (which used to be oily), my eyebrows have thinned out so much I no longer have to tweeze them, I frequently have heart palpitations and I'm cold all the time. I had never been overweight in my life but suddenly gained 80 lbs. in one year. I recently heard something about a more accurate throid test that checks T4 to T3 conversion. Is anyone familiar with this?

Lisa

[iyamamaschke]

Ya Doctors really piss me off I got extremely depressed after I had my second. Well, they didn't even bother to check my thyroid he put me on antidepressants which made everything worse. I gained 40 pounds in 3 months and then we moved I felt extremely lethargic and was constantly tired and moody. Well, I went to the doc right away he said I didn't look good sent me for a thyroid test. Well, what do you know my thyroid was really low. He immediately put me on meds and weaned me off the antidepressants I felt so much better it was like I was a new woman it took only days to feel better. And about 4 weeks to feel totally human again. Now I know when my levels are off I start to gain really quick and I get depressed I feel like the world is over. Thnat's when I go in and get tested and almost every time it has been low.

Sarah

[2big4mysize]

My thyroid was tested several times 5 or 6 years ago but the results came back normal. I've had many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism such as dry skin and hair (which used to be oily), my eyebrows have thinned out so much I no longer have to tweeze them, I frequently have heart palpitations and I'm cold all the time. I had never been overweight in my life but suddenly gained 80 lbs. in one year. I recently heard something about a more accurate throid test that checks T4 to T3 conversion. Is anyone familiar with this?

Lisa

that have much more comprehensive testing then just the screening TSH tsting is what that T4 to T3 testing is about. DIscuss your symptoms with your doc and ask for a complete Thyriod panels. there are many types of hypothyriod. you can have normal TSH and T4 but not beconverting it to T3 too. Primary hypo id thyroid gland related. secomdary is hypothalmus related

the endocrine society lowered the threshold levles for screening to THS of 3.0 in 2002 so you might be hypo now even based on your old test levels.

Talk with your doc.

[lisaaw]

I was actually trying to set up an appointment with a doctor last week but after 3 hours of making phone calls, I just gave up. I don't have insurance so I was prepared and expected to be told that I would need to pay cash for the office visit up front but that part didn't even come into play. I was told (1) they weren't accepting new patients or (2) they only saw referrals from other doctors or (3) they couldn't see me because I haven't been to a doctor in the past year. It sounded like the HMO crap some of my friends go through but I let them know I had no insurance of any kind and was just told there was no exceptions to their guidelines regarding new patients. I know it's been awhile since I went to a doctor but there was none of this hoo haa going on back then. It's like communism has taken over the medical society. It sounds like pure insanity to me. Does anybody else understand this system? Also, does anyone know of a site on the internet where I can look up doctors in my area?

Lisa