Getting an underactive thyroid diagnosed?

Question

I am hoping for some help. I have been having hellish problems for the last year and despite seeing 3 doctors, none will help. I have developed very irregular periods, lasting between 6 weeks and 3 months, then having gaps in between lasting between 5 weeks and currently 9 weeks. My weight, despite eating a healthy, calorie controlled diet and going to the gym 5 times a week, is continuing to rise (a stone since July 06). I am constantly sleeping, whatever time of day, and when working I will struggle to get thru the day because I can't nap. I have checked out the symptoms of hypothyroidism and have 8 of 10 symptoms. I had a test Nov 06 which was normal, so the doc won't re-test. I am now on my second batch of diet pills because the doctor just thinks I am over-eating when it is quite the opposite! I have got diet and exercise diaries to prove this. I am trying to get into the RAF and if I can't lose the weight I will be rejected. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

Go to an endocrinologist and get your TSH levels checked. This is the true test for hypothyroidism.

I have it - and take medicine daily. An untreated thyroid condition is not a joke. Trust your gut and get the help you need.

Answer 2

Poor you. I have suffered with an Under active Thyroid gland since I was 9 years old - I'm now 36! I take Thyroxine every day. Look at the Thyroid website which is listed on another answer - and go back to the Dr and insist on being referred to a Consultant who can do tests for you.

Just a word of warning though, stop taking the diet pills - if you do have an under-active Thyroid you shouldn't take pills that speed up your metabolism - this will give an incorrect reading of how your body is working.

I wish you luck x

Answer 3

My very first thyroid test was normal too, but the second test 9 months later showed the condition. Was I hypothyroid before? most likely. The reason for this is the TSH test is a lousy test. TSH changes throughout the day being at its highest point while we sleep. If one tested in te afternoon, they might have a normal test. That's why its important to always test first thing in the morning. If possible, als have a free t4, free t3, and an antibody test.

Do you happen to know what the TSH was in 2006? If it was over 2.0, then your thyroid is slowing down its production of thyroid hormone. If it was over 3.0, you should have been put on thyroid medication.

Links below

Answer 4

Thyroid disorder is certainly a possibility. A repeat Thyroid Function Test after 6 months seems reasonable. In addition, if your test is "borderlie" a Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody screen may be helpfull (TPO antibody level.)
Having said that, irregular menses may suggest other hormone disorders, and FSH / LH, oestradiol screen may shed some light on this. Are the periods heavy???? mIght you be anaemic? A full blood count (FBC) and Ferretin level may be helpful, also Diabetes should be excluded with blood glucose assay.

Answer 5

A blood test can tell you if your thyroid is producing too few hormones. I guesss your doctors have not found any serious reason to think that you have any thyroid problems. Besides, if you had, you would not have the energy to exercise 5 times a week. My suggestion is that you go down to exercise 3 times a week and get off the diet pills. Get on a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, eat 5-6 times a day.It could be that your body can't take the combination of diet pills and 5days of exercise! Good luck!

Answer 6

Thyroid abnormalities can not always be picked up with a simple blood test as the thyroid can flutuate quiet rapidly and at the time of having the test it may well of been normal but not OK the day after. Go back to the Docs and asked to go and see a endocrinologist to get tested properly. Don't be fobbed off because at the end of the day the Doctors are just trying to save money.

Answer 7

i would demand your Dr to re-check your thyorid level again. I have an underactive thyroid and when i was diagnosed it was at the borderline level. It is very possible that you are like that now. You definitely have majority of symptoms.

Good Luck...

Answer 8

I have been given clinically determined with an underactive thyroid approximately 6 months in the past and iv in simple terms been taking the pills time-honored and unfortunatley you ought to take them for the remainder of your existence. whether, counting on the severity of it, you've an operation to have your thyroid gland bumped off (its a small butterfly formed gland on your neck, in simple terms decrease than the adams apple). i understand a woman who has had this carried out, yet even then, she exchange into nevertheless having to take pills to alter each little thing. So on the minute, i might say there is probable no definate scientific shelter it, in simple terms proceed to take the medicine and once you start to observe it working it is going to look precious

Answer 9

My daughter is going through much the same thing, they say she is borderline but won't treat her.. Contact the British Thyroid Foundation. http://www.btf-thyroid.org/ Testing is not all that straightforward and it depends on quite a lot of things including whether the lab tested for T3. I think you'll need to get the full results of the previous test to see what exactly your result was and what test was done.

Answer 10

Have you been tested for PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome)? See your GYN - often those can have the same or similar symptoms. Otherwise, find a doctor who will listen to you and run the necessary tests.