concerned and need your help please

[AmandaRae]

I have already started atkins, ive lost 4 lbs so far. but i have a question....

I have a doctors appointment this coming tue to get my thyroid checked. I have symptons like always being cold, gaining weight and loseing hair. Should I continue with the diet or should i put it on hold till i get checked?

Ps Im not trying to make an excuse to stop, ive already had a loss in 3 days!

Thank you, AmandaRae

[GCC]

No need to stop Atkins.

When they do blood test, its very important to have the blood drawn early morning. Later in the day will skew the TSH test (and make it look like your thyroid is working better than it really is).
Don't expect the doctor, nurse or lab people to know that.
If your appointment is later in the day, find an excuse to go back another day to have your blood drawn early morning.

They need to do a TSH & a FREE T4.
Ask & make sure they do BOTH of those.

Its important to get copies of the lab reports.
There are new 'normal ranges' that many doctors still don't use.
You need to get copies of the lab reports to compare your numbers to the optimal ranges (not just the 'normal range).

Optimal TSH is lower than previously thought. Optimal TSH is a low number, around 1.0 (or at least BELOW 2.0).

OPtimal FREE T4 is the middle to upper part of the 'normal range', NOT the lower part.
Post your numbers after you get them (and the 'normal range' your lab uses) and I will help you determine if they are optimal or not.

Low iron could also be causing your symptoms.
Have that checked too.
Good luck.

[AmandaRae]

Thank you for the information, i will def keep everybody updated.

[GCC]

You're welcome & good luck.

[Lyndyn]

Ask them to do a test for antibodies, also. For me, just testing the TSH didn't do the trick. Mine was only 3.56 at its highest, but I had every symptom in the book. But...since my TSH was "normal" 3 endos and who knows how many general doctors just dismissed me - told me to "eat right and exercise." The 4th endo tested me for antibodies and diagnosed me with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and prescribed armour thyroid for me. FINALLY, I began to get better.

GOOD LUCK!

MAKE SURE YOU GET COPIES OF YOUR TEST RESULTS!!!