Unfortunately a misdiagnosis can happen in the management of hypothyroidism and other thyroid disorders. If you go to a doctor with hypothyroid symptoms, you may be given replacement hormones without first determining what’s causing your thyroid issues.
Or, if you have hypothyroid symptoms but your lab tests are normal, your doctor may not realize you’re experiencing thyroid issues in the first place. You may even receive treatment or medication to deal with the symptoms you’re experiencing—like an antidepressant to address depressive symptoms—but you won’t receive anything that will help your thyroid disorder.
The problem with this approach is that thyroid physiology is complex.
The production, conversion, and uptake of thyroid hormone in the body involves several steps. A malfunction in any of these steps can cause hypothyroid symptoms, but may not show up on standard lab tests.
All cases of hypothyroidism do not share the same cause—and, as you might guess, they require different treatments.
In this article, I’ll present five patterns of thyroid dysfunction that may not show up on standard lab tests. If you have one of these patterns, your thyroid isn’t functioning properly and you will have symptoms. But depending on the tests your doctor runs, you may not get a diagnosis of hypothyroidism; and, if that’s the case, you won’t receive the treatment you need.
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A standard thyroid panel usually includes TSH and T4 only (while some panels will also look at free T3, free T4, and check for thyroid antibodies). The ranges for these markers vary from lab to lab, which is one of two main problems with standard lab ranges. The other problem is that lab ranges are not based on research that tells us what a healthy range might be, but on a bell curve of values obtained from people who come to the labs for testing.
Now, follow me on this. Who goes to labs to get tested? Sick people. If a lab creates its “normal” range based on test results from sick people, is that really a normal range? Does that tell us anything about what the range should be for health? (For more on the problems with standard lab ranges, watch this great presentation by Dr. Bryan Walsh)
Are you experiencing hypothyroidism symptoms even though your lab work is normal? You may still have hypothyroidism, though it may not show up on standard labs. Check out this article for more. #functionalmedicine #chriskresser
The Five Thyroid Patterns
1. Hypothyroidism Caused by Pituitary Dysfunction
This pattern is caused by elevated cortisol, which is in turn caused by active infection, blood sugar imbalances, chronic stress, pregnancy, hypoglycemia, or insulin resistance. (1) These stressors fatigue the pituitary gland at the base of the brain so that it can no longer signal the thyroid to release enough thyroid hormone. There may be nothing wrong with the thyroid gland itself. The pituitary isn’t sending it the right messages.
With this pattern, you’ll have hypothyroid symptoms and a TSH below the functional range (1.8 – 3.0) but within the standard range (0.5 – 5.0). The T4 will be low in the functional range (and possibly the lab range too).
2. Under-Conversion of T4 to T3
T4 is the inactive form of thyroid hormone. It must be converted to T3 before the body can use it. More than 90 percent of thyroid hormone produced is T4.
This common pattern is caused by inflammation and elevated cortisol levels. T4 to T3 conversion happens in cell membranes. Inflammatory cytokines damage cell membranes and impair the body’s ability to convert T4 to T3. (2) High cortisol also suppresses the conversion of T4 to T3. (3)
With this pattern you’ll have hypothyroid symptoms, but your TSH and T4 will be normal. If you have your T3 tested, which it rarely is in conventional settings, it will be low.
3. Hypothyroidism Caused by Elevated TBG
Thyroid binding globulin (TBG) is the protein that transports thyroid hormone through the blood. When thyroid hormone is bound to TBG, it is inactive and unavailable to the tissues. When TBG levels are high, levels of unbound (free) thyroid hormone will be low, leading to hypothyroid symptoms. (4)
With this pattern, TSH and T4 will be normal. If tested, T3 will be low, and T3 uptake and TBG will be high.
Elevated TBG is caused by high estrogen levels, which are often often associated with birth control pills or estrogen replacement (i.e. Premarin or estrogen creams). To treat this pattern, excess estrogen must be cleared from the body.
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4. Hypothyroidism Caused by Decreased TBG
This is the mirror image of the pattern above. When TBG levels are low, levels of free thyroid hormone will be high. You might think this would cause hyperthyroid symptoms. But too much free thyroid hormone in the bloodstream causes the cells to develop resistance to it. So, even though there’s more than enough thyroid hormone, the cells can’t use it and you’ll have hypothyroid—not hyperthyroid—symptoms.
With this pattern, TSH and T4 will be normal. If tested, T3 will be high, and T3 uptake and TBG will be low.
Decreased TBG is caused by high testosterone levels. (5) In women, it is commonly associated with PCOS and insulin resistance. Reversing insulin resistance and restoring blood sugar balance is the key to treating this pattern.
5. Thyroid Resistance
In this pattern, both the thyroid and pituitary glands are functioning normally, but the hormones aren’t getting into the cells where they’re needed. This causes hypothyroid symptoms.
Note that all lab test markers will be normal in this pattern, because we don’t have a way to test the function of cellular receptors directly.
Thyroid resistance is usually caused by chronic stress and high cortisol levels. It can also be caused by high homocysteine and genetic factors. (6)
Thyroid Treatment Depends on the Right Diagnosis
The five patterns above are only a partial list. Several others also cause hypothyroid symptoms and don’t show up on standard lab tests. If you have hypothyroid symptoms, but your lab tests are normal, it’s likely you have one of them.
Not only do these patterns fail to show up on standard lab work, they don’t respond well to conventional thyroid hormone replacement. If your body can’t convert T4 to T3, or you have too much thyroid binding protein, or your cells are resistant, it doesn’t matter how much T4 you take; you won’t be able to use it.
Unfortunately, if you have one of these patterns and tell your doctor your medication isn’t working, all too often the doctor’s response is to simply increase the dose. When that doesn’t work, the doctor increases it yet again.
As I said at the beginning of this article, the key to a successful treatment is an accurate diagnosis. Without understanding precisely what’s causing the problem, you may end up with a treatment that isn’t well-suited to your specific situation.
The good news is that, once the correct diagnosis is made, patients respond very well to treatment.
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I am so glad I found this article! I have been slowly gaining weight and retaining water (rings/watch becoming tight, as are my pants!) and yet my diet and exercise regimen are exactly the same. I had TSH tested today and it came back 0.27 (0.4 – 4.2 range) after it was 0.14 (0.1 – 5.5 range) 6 months ago. Doctor says I am hyperthyroid when I have no such symptoms and in fact, have the opposite symptoms more akin to hypothyroidism. This happened once before 12 years ago when my TSH was in same range and I went from a size 6 to a size 12 in 3 months, with my Endo telling me I was imagining my weight gain because my labs were “normal to hyperthyroidism.” What should I do?
That is me . My tsh is .013 and I am hypo on armour 135mg for 2 years. Three years ago gained 30 lbs in 3 months, to have a dr tell me please help check my thyroid only to tell me no I was fine stop eating . Had to find Drs who listened to me and knows I am hypo. I lost 25 lbs by staying under 20 carbs only last year then plateaued and gained it back on a normal low carb lifestyle. I’m not hungry person and don’t overeat. I try to stay gluten, dairy, and no bread or sugar . I try to do this again and no weight loss after 2 weeks. FRUSTRATED
I’m having the exact same issues, but my dr wants to “keep monitoring it”. I’ve been having this issue for almost 10 years but the last year has been on overdrive.
Hello..
I am Salma, 27 years old, I think I have symptoms of thyroid disorder it may be hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, symptoms like fatigue,muscles pain,joints pain, and I also diagnosed as a depression paient more than year ago. My blood thyroid profile is totally normal, TSh,T3 & T4.. How can I kno if there is thyroid problem? May Sonar scan be helpful?
I thought I had a thyroid problems for years and had gotten the typical thyroid work up which resulted in always having normal labs. Finally after a lot of research I asked my doctor to check my thyroid antibodies. They came back high. My doctor then sent me to an endocrinologist who refused to treat me because my TSH is normal but told me I would likely develop a thyroid disorder in years to come because the antibodies get worse and attack the thyroid more and more over time. He brushed aside all my thyroid symptoms but I refused to listen. I am now going to a functional doctor who believes that I have a problem and tries to see what is triggering my antibodies so that we can stop it. A thyroid problem with antibodies is an autoimmune condition which has a biological factor and an environmental factor- if you control the environmental factor you can stop your symptoms and get your blood tests in the right range. Common antibody triggers could be a combination of vitamin deficiencies and or food sensitives for example. Many functional doctors do not accept insurance but it is worth it because you will not get treatment any other way if this is your problem.
Symptoms like fatigue, muscles pain, joint pain, and depression are all symptoms of extremely low vitamin D as well. I suggest you have the vitamin D checked if you have not already.
Have you had an mri done on your head?? I recently learned that a tumor or an aneurysm could cause the pituitary gland to be affected which effects you thyroid.
Cover your bases.
You need to have the lab retest your TSH level. Go as early as possible in the morning on an empty stomach as the TSH level is the highest that time of day.
I was unfortunate enough to have joined Group Health, certainly not the brightest doctors money can buy, I think they go from one Group Health clinic to the other each week, I had to wait 3 months for my pacemaker apt and was called the morning of the apt it was cancelled and now I have to wait another 3 months, but I veer off topic.
My issue is my brilliant (not) pcp concluded since I fall in the normal range my thyroid is just fine however I have every symptom listed for thyroid patients. I told him that the reading they came up with may not be “my” normal and may have changed but he naturally dismissed that.
I am going to send him the link to this information, not sure if he will be willing to learn anything new or simply brush it off as someone who is a simpleton trying to tell him what to do.
We are like cattle these days as the doctors meet their daily quota of 50 to 60 patients per day, you cannot bring more than one issue to the table per visit, “against the rules, you need to make another apt if I am to ask that”, said one doctor at Virginia Mason Clinic on Bainbridge Island, Wa.
It simply makes me ill these doctors charge what they do and have no flexibility to make a decision on their own, I suppose it is because a few of them are simply lazy and maybe a small percentage of them don’t want to break the rules.
Screw em is what I say, most of them suck these days anyway, may as well treat myself from my book of common sense I wrote inside my own head, now i have to teach myself how to write a prescription and have it get approved at the local pharmacy.
I am tired of feeling tired and gaining weight for no reason, I don’t eat over 1200 calories daily and I walk 30 minutes a day. What goes doc, too lazy or too stupid? Probably a combination of the two.
Everything you wrote is the exact truth. So glad someone said it exactly the way it is. Thanks Pete . I feel the same way about my doctor whom is literally my mother’s, fathers, and sisters doctor too, for many years made eye contact with me at a Sam’s club and didn’t say one word to me. Really?
Patient privacy law requires in public places, like Sam’s, that the patient be the first to verbally acknowledge their dr. Otherwise, to respect and protect your privacy, all your dr can do is make eye contact & leave it to you to speak first if you wish to have “the public” know you are acquainted . The exception is if there is an obvious other reason for you to know each other like at church services.
Ditto!!!
Im the same way and the doctor tells me your thyroid is good i cant enjoy one day wit out feeling heavy headed i just want to die i cant concertrate my chest an arm are tense all the time and i have a hard time haveing conversation and my muscle strength just has dissapeard and the anxiety is so bad and my doctor tells me just stay away from the bad food its probely because i dont have med i need help
Hang in there, Clifford. I’ve shared all of your symptoms at one point or another over the last 15 years. I’m hypothyroid now but also had Graves’ disease for two years after my second pregnancy. Keep looking for a doc that will listen and always get copies of your blood work.
Hi. I have been on thyroid meds for two years, I have been told I have MS. As I was so ill , had to give up my part time job, spent a lot of time sleeping feeling to tired to make food..emong other health issues that was not detected till this year I was told only 41% heart is working , but the important thing..I looked up all the syptums that included pain, extreme tiredness, head takes, memory loss, could not hold coentration , well after two years of treatment for thyroid I still have all these going on. I asked doctor twice in the past 3 months chq thyroid levels all o.k. so I said as there all normal can I stop..being told there normal because of tablets..I stopped them after two weeks I’m feeling so much better, head clear, pain by half, more energy ect ect..hope it lasts..
P.s still high body temp, sweats.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause many of these same symptoms. Everyone should have a test done to determine what’s going on. I was diagnosed with low B12 and am now receiving once-a-month shots. I feel so much better!
My wife is now 11 months postpartum. She has had trouble swallowing 5 months postpartum and after it persisted she was scanned and found nodules 8 months postpartum. Her labs and biopsy came back negative. 10 months post she has heavy onset postpartum depression. Could this be due to the thyroid?
Symptoms: loss of appetite, insomnia, felling of hopelessness, excessive worring about the baby, short term memory loss
my brother had the same symptoms. it turned out he had hypothyroidism. he also has nodules. when we got Synthroid he no longer had swallowing problems and his loss of appetite improved . But even though all his tests are in normal range, he still isn’t feeling 100%.
I would say it’s more likely that she has post partum depression. I have two children and had it with both. I’m not saying that it couldn’t be thyroid problems, but most of her symptoms are that of PPD.
She should definitely get checked. I was 10 years with hypothyroidism and after my second pregnancy I developed Graves’s disease (hyperthyroidism) it took a long time to diagnose, even with an endo. I didn’t have postpartum but thyroid is affected by pregnancy.
This comment will probably get lost among the other as it is a subject many of us have issues with, but still I need to ask. I am a 21 year old female, with no family history of this ever happening before: I got a sudden unwanted weight loss (6 kg) in over a month that puts me in underweight for my height and I can’t gain any beyond that no matter the diet. I’m feeling the same as ever – note that I have constant low blood pressure (100/60) and irregular periods. Got some lab tests done, TSH is 0.5 and free T4 is 1.04. Doctor just blew me off saying she can’t give me anything since they’re both by a fraction in normal range. Does anyone know what can I do to naturally help my condition?
get a second opinion from another doctor. my brother got tested for thyroid disease but his levels were normal at the time. he still wasn’t feeling well so after about 1-2 months we got tested again for thyroid disease and it turned out his levels were really high. Now this doesn’t mean you will experience the same thing. But definitely get a second opinion. My brother had all the symptoms you describes except the irregular periods since he’s a guy.
have you tried iodin salt such as cornish sea salt you can buy it at the coop or maldon salt which you can buy in the asda do not try ordinary salt as it is so refined all the elements are almost none existant. i have been using cornish sea salt for nearly 2 wks now ive had the best cracking 2wks ever i have multi nodular thyroid and suffered thyroid symptoms for years with normal thyroid levels.
Try to get a re-test on the blood work and get to the lab the moment it opens in the morning. The earlier you have the blood drawn the better, because TSH is at it’s highest level in the early morning. I was always tested “normal” and was always tested in the afternoon. I had a friend tell me to go in the morning and my level came back over 6.0! My doctor finally relented and gave me levothyroxine. Good luck….this can be very frustrating, I know.
Kelp drops you can buy them in any health food store. I have all symptoms for hypothyroidism my blood results kept coming back normal. I even took home thyriod tests and failed them. So i went to a health food store the lady knew what was going on and gave me the drops my first 2 weeks on them i was down 7pds
I’ve just been reading some of the comments on here. Here are a few thoughts:
1. if you go to an endocrinologist and they’re telling you something, most likely it’s grounded in some empirical fact. They’re not always right, but they’ve worked their backsides off to get to where they are
2. this guy that wrote this article – check his credentials. that’s right. he’s not a doctor. he didn’t spend 8 years learning about the human body and its intricate ways
3. He’s right, values used in the clinic are based on a bell curve. but not of SICK people. otherwise the bell curve would not be used to analyze for normal function. that he said the values are pooled and bell curved using sick people values is just silly. hospitals dont make those numbers up. it’s all very tightly regulated.
4. remember, doctors spend years learning about these things. and getting into medical school is no easy task. reading something online and contesting an endocrinologist without really understanding what’s happening is equivalent to having a plumbing problem and reading reader’s digest as opposed to asking a plumber what the problem is.
5. if you truly are concerned about your results, sit with your doctor and ASK him/her to explain all this to you. it’s your right and you are paying for the service. start with “doc i understand you dont think it’s a big deal, but i’m still concerned. can we get a couple of confirmatory tests?”
Yet it looks like a much better explanation of my symptoms than I ever got from any endocrinologist.
Good luck with that approach.
Never go to a different doctor with your current tests. You need to have them re done. Have all of the tests done. They can be done without a doctors prescription. It could be something that is not studied by an endocrinologist. Pituitary glad perhaps. Also note the Synthroid may not be the best for the patient but gives the doctor the best kick back.. Armor may be a better drug. I pay more into a medical care than I actually spend. I would rather pay direct than to a health plan.
Track back through you history and determined when in correlation to your glandular changes in life and your life style did changes occur.
Physician heal thyself.
Thanks for this tip Lisa.
1. You’re kidding right? Where is this unicorn doctor you’re talking about, who’s willing to listen to the concerns of patients with normal test results? If a doctor doesn’t think it’s a big deal, what makes you think he/she is going to listen? This article may or may not be bunk, but regardless, we have a problem with doctors being dismissive and quick to get out the prescription pad. For most doctors, the only solution they have is drugs. If that doesn’t work, more drugs! Increase the dose! Add more drugs! And here’s another to combat the side effects of the others!
2. According to you, regardless of his many symptoms I have, as long as the genius endo says my lab results are normal, I’m good to go. I should just go home and accept that there’s nothing wrong with me because of some numbers, while my body is screaming at me, “dude, this isn’t normal! Things aren’t right!” Because the doctor spent eight years studying… he/she knows my body better than me and I need to just accept all the symptoms I have that prevent me from living my life. Because the smarty pants endo said so.
Thanks for that. I blew up with a doctor a few months ago. Been so ill I was suicidal. Got bloods tested again and they were ‘over the scale’ as he put it. I have been getting blood tests for thyroid for years. He asked if anyone in my family has problems.” Its in my notes I told you years ago”. He looked through my files and said “Oh so it is”. My maternal side sister, 4 Aunts and a few female cousins have thyroid problems. Got sent to endo at local hospital and got tests done get results 23 June. I just hope I can get help fed up with life.
They only check us for stuff within their field and that they can bill us for. need to check with a different type of doctor and retest.
Dr’ s do not know everything and they are not the ones that did the research. At least these types of articles are questioning the medical research out there which in based on old research not new.
Here in Canada you can not even get a doctor that speaks English so communication is a problem.
Just because some one went to school does not make them capable of reasoning or more intelligent then the patient.
Dr’s are not all good listeners nor are they all good Dr’s.
How low was there grade average did they just pass by 1 point? How many times did they pay to write that test before even passing with the point or two?
Do they continue to educate themselves.
These lab tests are as good as the person doing the testing.
Here in Canada you can not see a specialist unless you General Practitioner (Dr.) sends you so you are relying on someone who specializes in nothing but minor problems to make a choice for you.
I work with a 100 year old man. His normal blood sugar is 300 and his A1C is 14. I have had to advocate for him numerous times with Doctors who freak out at these numbers. More than once, they prescribed medication that brought his blood sugar down and put him in a hypoglycemic coma. His norms are his norms. And yet he has lived 100 years and has no side effects from his “high” blood sugar levels.
My mom was misdiagnosed by three endocrinologists because her calcium levels were “within normal range” at 10.1. Even though her parathyroid level was elevated, all refused to treat her for hyperparathyroidism even though she had all but one of the 12 classic symptoms. We took her to Mayo. They did a thorough workup and found a tumor on her parathyroid gland.
Three years later, she is now suffering from the symptoms of adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism. Again her labs are “within normal limits” and the Doctors refuse to treat her even though we have proof the historically her system is more sensitive and the norms don’t fit her.
Look for a doctor trained in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine. They are trained to look at the person, not the numbers.
I have made her an appointment with one here in her home town. I am hopeful she can finally get the help she needs.
Those same doctors gave thalidomide to patients Nate. Having a few more years of college entitles them to treat and write scripts but that hardly excuses them from the same issues that all professions have. Doctors go for averages, most just try to treat the most patients so pay off excessive loans from their overpriced education. I have met very few doctors who are excellent diagnosticians or who are interested in looking at illnesses with a new light like naturopath docs do. Same education but open mind to realize the whole body is involved not just a gland or organ. All you have to do is read a fraction of the comments to see that conventional doctors ignore their patients words and focus on what they can hide behind to treat minimums. It is sickening and disheartening. You HAVE to be your own advocate, your own doctor to get answers sometimes. If you don’t feel normal, if your body doesn’t function normally THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG no matter what the doctor / lab tests say. Keep pushing until someone listens because the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease.
I used to listen to my primary doctors when my thyroid labs kept coming back normal. I ignored my health for years because my labs were normal. I couldn’t take it and did some research and asked for different thyroid labs which came back abnormal. Then I was referred to an endocrinologist who told me he would not treat me until my levels were not just out of range, but well over the healthy range and that all my textbook thyroid symptoms were unrelated to one another. Many of us did have the same thought process as you Nate-but when you are suffering and know that there is an obvious connection you can’t afford to trust every doctor out there because in the end most of them got the same exact narrowed-viewed education. When regular people are dedicating research and time to write articles, even when they have full time jobs and families and busy lives, it should clue you in that there is a serious problem with how endocrinologists ‘treat’ patients with thyroid disorders. When I kept being told there was nothing wrong with me I tried to find solace in that doctors are very smart and educated people who know what they are doing, but with that mindset my health deteriorated even more.
Please don’t disregard the comments of others who are sick. When i referred to my endocrinologist because of hypothyroidism symptoms, he refused to test my tsh. He did the typical cbc blood panel for 4 months whiles he disregarded alo my symptoms. I was told I’m getting older, so weight gain eventhough I was on diet is standard. I just need to exercise more and stop watching tv. In addition to memory loss, slow cognition, and hair loss was also normal. When I complained of exhaustion, he said I must be depressed and recommended that look for a psychiatrist. He offered me a prescription of anantidepressant until I get am appoint with a therapist, I refused. Well it got to point that had to get an heated argument for him to test me. Well guess what, the educated doctor finally found that I had Hashimoto and thyoid cancer. I was not surprised at all, my symptoms that I complained about were textbooks symptoms. I knew I was suffering from hypothyroidism way before this well educated did.
I just had my thyroid tested again and my tsh came out 5.150 and the t4 came out 1.2. Does this mean I have low thyroid, my hair isi brittle and thin, I have around 12 to 14 hot flashes a day, I can’t lose weigh, I’m irrable all the time and my nails are so brittle and thin, I’m always cold, could you tell me I do have low thyroid or not my drs feel I do but my t4 is always in range but that tsh is always high.
Have you seen Dr Berg’s website? He’s an endocrinologist specialising in health for hormone related issues like you’ve described: always cold, brittle hair, ridged nails, can’t lose weight. I think you should have a read of his stuff and watch his webinar- very enlightening and I think it could help you.
Peace.
Hi,
Can someone help me make sense of my lab results with this article?
Thyroxine (T4) Free 1.14 ng/dL
Cortisol 13.0
TSH 1.5 uIU/mL
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) 6 IU/mL
Triiodothyronine, Free Serum 2.3 pg/mL
i really recommend that you have a doctor interpret this. please see your doctor to discuss the results. it’s the best course of action in my opinion.
I am currently being tested again for a thyroid problem I was tested back in 2011 but nothing showed now over the years I have more symptoms and it’s getting worse but I’ve a feeling again it won’t show but I have nearly every symptom for hypothyroidism including heart publications bruised legs daily sluggish tired hormonal and a lot of weight put on anemic what do I do if it don’t show again helpppp????
Hi I’m hypothyroid. I understand your frustration. I feel that way as well, mainly because I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the idea of having to take a pill for the rest of my life. I think the best approach to hypo or hyperthyroidism is to additionally seek help away from your general physician. What I would do in your case is to make an appointment with an endocrinologist first. By seeking advice from someone who specializes in glands will be able to give you insight, may read your test results with a more keener eye, and can get you in the direction of asking the right questions about your thyroid health. An endocrinologist will also help you figure out what the problem may be and will help you rule out significant thyroid dysfunction, if a low or high TH is in fact what’s happening. Secondly, I would visit a holistic physician to see if there are things you can be doing within your diet in order to help you feel more balanced. Let your holistic Doctor take a look at your blood work results, let them know what medication your taking and how long you’ve been on your prescription. Hopefully you will be able to find a solution that allows you to find your way off of your prescription/s entirely. Hang in there! And good luck
What is the best way to approach hypothyroidism caused by pituitary dysfunction? My endocrinologist has recommended a very low carb diet, but I don’t want to go too low that my cortisol requirements are even higher – pretty sure my adrenal glands are empty right now! Do you, or anyone else, have any advice? Particularly with regard to how many carbs is enough to keep my cortisol down but not keep my blood sugar up?
Hi, I think a good idea in your case is visit a neurologist. I think the best approach is to find out what a pituitary dysfunction means for you specifically according to your test results. A neurologist will help you look at your dysfunctioning thyroid from a different perspective. And disclose information from each doctor to each Doctor. Make sure your neurologist is privy to what you discuss with you’re endocrinologist and vice versa.
It may also be a good idea to check out Dr. Berg. He specializes in natural weight loss and management and he talks a lot about hypo and hyperthyroidism. He may know a thing or two about low pituitary levels and how it effects your health and what type of dietary changes and be made to get you healthy! He has an office located in Virginina- it may be worth it to take a trip<<unless you're in Virginia, then lucky you! But to get acclimated with him you can find his videos on YouTube and hear him first out. All you have to do is type Dr. Berg into the search engine at YouTube to find his videos. He also has a website, a holistic program and books, however, wether or you get that involved is up to you. But I would check out his videos to gain some insight and even make an appointment with him since he knows so much in what you've described. I've been following his work for sometime and I have to say, he's the only person on the net that seems to be making real sense of things. I hope trying these two things helps! Good luck!
All my labs-TSH, T4 free, T3 Uptake, T-4 are all normal; however, my T3 Free has been 30-60 pts above normal range for the past few months. It fluctuates and with it my anxiety fluctuates as well. T3 free goes up and so does anxiety. Does anyone know what could be causing my T3free to be above normal and what I can do about it?
I just want to mention that if you have hypothyroid please take a look at your vitamin D levels as it may have some influence. I have heard of some folks with low D raising their D levels and thyroid levels improved. Not an expert, just an observation.
I was recently “diagnosed” with Hashitmotos. I went to the gyno for a routine check up when he told me I had an enlarged thyroid and felt I should have an ultrasound. The ultrasound revealed two nodules. One that measured 3cm and another that measured 1cm. An FNA was recommended. At the ENT office they did another ultrasound right before the biopsy that revealed in the two month waiting period between the initial ultrasound and this one that my 3cm was now 3.9 and my 1cm one was now 2.1
The dominant 3.9 nodule was solid and demonstrated questionable increased vascularity centrally. No microcalcification. The 2.1 nodule was solid and does not demonstrate increased vascularity, and appears to contain calcification along anterior wall.
Biopsy results came in yesterday as not cancer but chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.
I went to my general practitioner to request a thyroid panel and those tests came back NORMAL.
TSH was .66
T3 Total was 137.1
T4 Free was .9
Thyroid peroxidase was 1
Thyroglobulin AB <1
So now what?
My daughter at 10 had “normal” blood work. I knew something was wrong regardless of every doctor telling me she was fine. She passed out one day, hitting her head. At the ER they did a CAT of her head and noticed her thyroid was COVERED in LARGE cysts. The Pediatric Endocrinologists said she was pre-cancerous and to come back in 6 mos. I asked what to do to help her become healthy…they said “nothing can be done.” I did my own homework. 7 months later she is feeling GREAT! I took her off Dairy, Soy and Gluten. I put her on Mega Food Thyroid Strength and IsAgenix meal replacement shakes for extra nourishment. The Dr’s are perplexed and said what we had done has nothing to do with it…I disagree. Her depression, sleep issues, nightmares, fatigue, panic attacks are nearly gone. The Dr. wants me to take her off the Mega Food Thyroid strength because it has 10 mg of Iodine. However, she had symptoms of Hypothyroidism BEFORE taking it and does not anymore…
You’ve done well Angel. I have hypothyroidism from my female family and I’ve had had hashimoto myself. So I’ve been checking every 6 months if I was ok. According to my test I’m between ”normal” yet I wake up so tired after having slept 10 or 11 hours, I feel depressed at times when I am now in a happy place myself, and I’ve been keeping gaining weight so that’s why I’ve started to go for a run every day and this only helps me to ”maintain” but I can’t lose weight.
I met a nice woman, though peculiar, and she was studying homeopathy and telling me all the diet you are describing to help with your thyroid. I tried cutting down little by little and I eat mostly vegan from Mon to Fri and I occasionally have a bit of cheese or eggs if I’m crazy.
Call me crazy but this has made a big impact on me. My mood has improved and I sleep so well at night. My face is less bloated. I have to cut down on sugar, I have a sweet tooth so it’s difficult for me but I’m happy I do see improvements
Jessica! My daughter and I are so happy for you! The “sweet tooth” is part of your thyroid dysfunction so look for healthy ways to sanctify that! We LOVE Trader Joe’s coconut based ice-cream! Delicious! Seriously consider researching the Thyroid Strength by Mega Foods. 100% food! My little one notices when she is off of that for awhile. Prayers for continued healing and health!
I have been diagnosed with excessive mucin production of the scalp & am currently being treated at Duke.
Your information is absolutely invaluable.
EVEN DUKE ONLY DID A BASIC THYROID PANEL WHICH CAME BACK NEGATIVE YET I HAVE ALL THE HYPOTHYROID ISSUES & MORE.
My scalp is on fire & the biopsies done on my scalp showed mucin in all 3 epidermal layers!! They are calling me a Zebra because they are dumfounded as to how to help me!
I will demand the tests you have recommended.
Friday I even asked my Duke Dr. If it was possible to have a negative Thyroid Panel & still have thyroid disease.
She initially thought myxedema.
Thank u sooo much!!!
Ronna
It says patients respond very well once the correct diagnosis is made but what treatments work if the synthroid won’t affect it?
Do these apply to the thyroidless as well?
Weird situation.
Have you ever heard of normal t3 and t4, but elevated TSH levels?
I have no symptoms of thyroid disease, but this has been showing up in my labs for a couple of years.
Hello everyone!
I am a very fit 45 y/o male. I workout 5-6x a week, eat a healthy diet under 2000 calories. Two years ago I gained nearly 30 lbs with no explanation. I had test after test. My testosterone dropped to all time lows of 130. Basically that of an 80 y/o man. I was put on testosterone and medication after medication. nothing helped. Thyroid tests always came back normal. I went to every specialist. All said, “something is wrong but we don’t know what. Upon the advice of my doctor, I went to a homeopathic, net, chiropractor doctor (holistic). Through supplements I am finally getting well. My thyroid has improved immediately since taking apo-STRUM oral drops 5drops in water 3x a day under the advisement of my natural doctor. I feel better, I look better and things are looking up. Conventional medicine treats symptoms not the cause of the problem. Seek out a GOOD homeopathic doctor.
I didn’t have any issues as youth. I believe that it was because I was consuming home grown vegetables and hand picked fruit. I am going to start a garden this coming year and hope that makes a difference. We also bought meat in bulk from the farm and cheese direct from a cheese maker.. NO artificial preservatives. One thing that we did take note is the quality of eggs, milk and meat varied according to when the cows were on fresh grass vs stored hay / grain. I was raised on home made bread as well.
I suggest that frozen/ home canned foods be consumed vs all the off the shelf canned / packaged goods.
My mother didn’t even have any issues until having food pre packaged later on in life.
I suggest generating a diary based on food consumed /time of year, and how you feel every day.
See if you are affected by any natural causes.
Just a thought.
I am currently searching for a farmer to split a pig, lamb, and beef, chickens and storing meat in my own freezer.
best of luck..
Lisa
Lab values in each lab are based on normal values and abnormal values. Not every person that walks through the door is sick so the statement about Lab values being set based on sick people is extremely incorrect!
Lab tests for thyroid function are normally run only when a doctor believes there is a possibility of a problem there. The result is that a much larger percentage of people being tested will have results different than a group of people who are not sick which changes where the “normal” is placed. That is why different labs have different normal standards.
My doctor and Endocrine doctor tried to push antidepressants off on me too. I have 5 nodules and 2 cyst on my thyroid gland, my sed rate is elevated but my thyroid lab test are normal. My CBC is out of whack, my white blood cells are high, my red blood cells are low. My doctor decides I have Fibromyalgia and wants me to be on Cymbalta. My doctor put me on Prednesone for a month for the Fibromyalgia, and then last month, I was diagnosed with Diabetes( my A1C was 6.5) I know in my heart the Prednesone caused me to have Diabetes. I also found out that most antidepressants have 30% Sodium Fluoride in them and Fluoride is horrible for your thyroid. I am trying to stay away from bottled water, faucet water, anything with fluoride in it. I am also thinking about taking Iodine for the nodules to see if they shrink.
Everyone thinks I’m crazy my thyroid levels are normal but I still have the same thyroid problems. Some body please help.
Please see my comments posted today. I think what I wrote will help you!
My thyroid levels were normal but for 7 years my dr would put that i had enlarged nodules until finally he says I’m gonna send you to get that looked at,, turns out the nodule was cancer! Might want to see if your doctor can’t at least send you to see how big the nodules are
I live in minnesota, I had multi nodule goiter (enlarged with cancerous nodules). Every MN doc said I was being a hypochondriac. 5 seconds with a doc in colorado, with this not being my complaint because I gave up on it, he asked if my thyroid had ever had an ultrasound. My right thyroid was the size of my hand, and wrapping itself around my left, wrapped around my windoipe, and my esophagus. Getting it removed solved my stomach issues to an extent, but I’m back in MN again. And they’re relying on my “normal” lab values again. I’m having the same symptoms I did before, and in same situation. I’m being called a hypochondriac. When I get my insurance back, I’m insisting on an ultrasound.
What doctor in Colorado??? I love in Colorado and have been diagnosed as having hypothyroidism since I was 1p (33 now). I have been having extreme hypo symptoms but my labs were always normal so my diabetes dr (type 1, have had it 2y yrs now, THEY were the ones that discovered my thyroid condition – it’s all endocrine obviously), anyway my endocrine specialist Dr’s relied on the “normal” labs and told me to see my PCP about all the crazy, painful, exhausting symptoms. My PCP had an ultrasound done (the forest I’ve ever had and I’ve had this hypothyroidism for 23 years) and they found a nodule and that I was in extreme iatrogenic (doctor induced) hyperthyroidism. So my Dr keeps lowering my dose every 6 weeks but I have to SUFFER in the meantime.
Please let me know what Dr you saw here in Colorado. I am so desperate to get some help. I have both hypo and hyperthyroidism symptoms and it had come to the point that I can barely function. I was sent to a psychiatrist and now I’m on so many dang meds I’m so sick of this!!!
Sorry for the rant, but thanks for reading and hopefully responding… I appreciate the support from all on this site 🙂
I’m so sorry, I should have read over it before sending .. My phone is so GAH! With autoUNcorrect .. Anyway, I’ve had hypothyroidism since 10 and I’ve had type 1 diabetes 26 yrs and this was my FIRST (not forest) ultrasound…
Thanks!!!
Hi Vicki,
This is probably not the reply you were hoping for and is kind of late. However, I’ve been following this post and thus far, it looks like the consensus is that the doctors are usually stating the patients are “fine”. I’ve been told that my thyroid test numbers were also “normal”, yet I experience symptoms of hypothyroidsm. That being said, I will try the Mega Food Thyroid that Angel Stewart suggested and the things that Dion suggested also. I hope you feel better
Wishing you the very best. Keep reading, researching & communicating with your Dr. I recommend journaling too. It helps the medical professions see what is really changing in you.