thyroid question

[mazzywoo]

Hi everyone. Can anybody tell me whether it is still possible for thyroid hormones to be on the low side even when the TSH results come back normal? The reason I am asking is that I seem to have some of the symptoms of still being 'underactive' (piling weight on, brittle nails, pale skin, dull hair and sleep problems) and feel sluggish. I was tested for TSH levels just before Christmas and the results were fine apparently. I would be interested to know if anyone else has these problems. Many thanks

[cazzz1975]

yes, its quite common, in time your level will probably eventually rise to a point where you will be classed as bordeline. You can ask what your TSH level is, A normal level with symptoms of hypothyroidism would put your TSH at over 3.0

most people who are symptom free have a TSH of about 2.5

[mazzywoo]

Thanks for that Cazz-will go back and see the doc.

[yogasun]

Mazzywoo. Can I ask you - do you have really dry skin? My feet are horrendously dry and the heels sometimes crack. Have to go to chiropodist regularly. My job requires me to have bare feet but mine are dreadful to behold. My mother had thyroid probs and I have some of the other symptoms so may get it checked out. Never go to doctors, haven't been for years and years. Can't say I feel sluggish though but then everyone's different.

[mazzywoo]

Hi yogasun. Yep-my skin is really dry-and my hair is just awful even after conditioning. Maybe you should get checked out by a doctor but I know it's hard if you never usually go. I know that there are supplements available for thyroid problems but really, don't take risks-see your gp in the first instance. Good luck with that x

[Ethel]

The symptoms you list can be attributed to many causes.

Go back to the doctor if you are worried. I doubt it is anything to do with the thyroid, but the other possibilities need investigating.

By the way - I've had hard skin/chapped heels all my adult life. Horrible looking and painful at times. My thyroid is fine.

[yogasun]

Thanks mazzywoo...will go to GP and let you know what happens in a few weeks! x

[mazzywoo]

Hi all. Just been to doc and she says it may be mild depression/anxiety causing the symptoms and not my thyroid after all. Have been given tablets to try but I may not take them as I am a tablet-wimp!. Oh well, hopefully I will get over it once the days get longer and we get some sunshine! Thanx for all your replies xxx

[tillmouth]

It's very difficult to get a diagnosis; my brother has symptoms for years before the docs agreed he needed treated, and now my own level is borderline but still not treated. Seemingly the levels change throughout the day so it's a bit hit and miss if you're borderline. There are sites on the internet which offer support and all day urine tests, and are full of stories about how difficult it is to get a diagnosis.
I agree with you about the anti-depression pills; unless you really are seriously depressed they are only a sticking plaster. A walk in the hills and a glass of malt will be much better for you.
Good luck

[cazzz1975]

Dont rule it out in the future mazzy, I was told for a couple of years prior to diagnosis that I was having panic attacks and depression, In the end I left it, then during a routine blood test they said I was underactive. I had blood tests at the last time when they said I had depression before but they said my thyroid was fine.

lots of people have dry heels even me, the symptoms I had of hypothyroidism was tiredness, lethargy, slow thinking, slow reactions, jitters, cold feet, finding the cold weather very difficult to cope with.excessive dandruff and flaking skin, weight gain, wirey hair ..

my doctor put all this down to depression when it was an underactive thyroid

[cazzz1975]

my friend went to a private doctor who not only diagnosed hypothyroidism, but got him medicated and he is feeling much more like his old self now.

this is his doctor...

http://www.thyroideducation.com/

[Drisgirl]

Ive been borderline for a few years but GP is reluctant to put me on Thyroxin yet.Dont know if its under ot over -ccos I have forgotten TBH.
I agree tho that a lot of the symptons can be caused by another underlying problem.
Try -if you dont already - taking Multi Vitamins, Vitamin B complex and any others that people can suggest.

I take them along with Milk Thistle and Green Tea and have done for about 4months now -and the difference in my energy levels and my skinn is like night and day.

The Green Tea -I know I think its a wonder supplment but it truly is- purges the toxins out your body -you could be astonished -your face comes out in spots for about a week and then your skin just clears.

I would try some of what I have suggested and maybe other people know of other supplements to take.
I feel brand new -they are not a cure all -I still have my off days but I bounce back much quicker now.

(O and yeah I am born again -im one of those ex-smoker types lol -I gave up the booze as well -but have some at the weekends now -lol)

[mazzywoo]

Hey-well done for stopping smoking-that's my next task! I will keep pestering my GP for another thyroid blood level test but in the meantime, thank you all for your really gerat answers-nice to know theres people out there who understand xxxxMaz