Low body temperature, thryoid problem?

Question

I had all of the symptoms for hypothyroidism -- low body temperature, slow heart rate, constipation, dry skin/thinning hair, sensitivity to cold, etc.. - I went into the doctors, had a blood test done of TSH. I had this test done about 6 years ago and it came back as "normal" - again, with symptoms being more dramatic, my results came back "normal". -- So what is causing my symptoms then, if thyroid is supposively working "fine"? Is there a possibility the TSH test is missing something? Where should I go from here?

I took the TSH test 6 years and the past week - both came up Normal

Answer 1

Yes. A TSH will miss the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Functional hypothyroidism. There are actually several types of thyroid hormone secreted. They have different levels of metabolic activity. Functional hypothyroidism is when the thyroid secretes too much inactive thyroid and not enough active thryroid. There is a blood test that directly measures this.

What you should do is make an appointment directly with an endocrinologist. The reason is, most family doctors simply are not experienced enough to understand what is going on, so you should go see the specialist. Explain to him that you have all the signs of hypothyroidism but your TSH is normal. Tell him you suspect your thyoid is making the wrong form of thyroid and this is fooling the test. He will give you the correct test to detect if this is going on.

Also, people who are deficient in growth homrone or in testosterone (if you are a man) show similar symptoms. These should be tested for as well. If that is the problem, then supplementing the hormone with injections will make the symptoms go away (and make you feel a whole lot better). Again, this is something to do under the direct supervision of an endocrinologist.

Answer 2

6 years ago is a long time. Chances are if you are hypothyroid it will show up now. The TSH is a lousy test and that's probably why you didn't get diagnosed 6 years ago. TSH changes throughout the day, so the best time to test is first thing in the morning. Next time you test, get a morning TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and an antibody test.

Below are some good thyroid links. Read up on it and you'll know what to ask your doctor.

Answer 3

Many times the blood result is not accurate. The most accurate way of telling if your thyroid is good. Take your resting temperature right at the moent you wake up (keep the thermometer by your bed, you want to move as little as possible)
Do this for 2 weeks straight, if you average under 97 degrees then your thyroid is not functioning well enough, take the chart to your doctor - See if you can see an endocrinologist. They have medicine you can take