Hypothyroidism-Has anyone had their bloodwork come back normal, but still have hypothyroidism? (thyroid med, pregnant)

[sbd78]

Let me first give you a little background info. Around 5 or 6 years ago, I was at the doctor for something completely different and doc noticed my thyroid felt enlarged. Tests were ran, and it was determined I had hypothyroidism. I was put on synthroid for a while, things went back to normal, I was taken off the meds and pretty much forgot about it. I went on to have a baby 2 years ago, everything was normal with that pregnancy. About 3 months ago, I was pregnant again, and almost as soon as I knew I was pregnant, I miscarried. I've heard that hypothyroidism can cause problems conceiving and also increase the risk of miscarriage, so I made an appointment with my doctor to get my thyroid checked. I was worried that if my thyroid was out of wack again, it could have caused my miscarriage. The results of my thyroid test came back normal. (This was about a month ago.) I was relieved and thought I was in the clear. Starting this month, I began charting my basal body temperature to try and figure out my ovulation patterns to help with getting pregnant again. My basal body temps have been low, generally under 97.5 with several dipping under 97.0, I even had one as low as 96.6. (This is the first month I've charted my temp, I've charted for 26 days so far and have not detected the rise in temp which is supposed to happen after ovulation.) So I googled signs of low basal body temperature, and guess what comes up? Yeah, hypothyroidism. I read that basal body temps under 97.6 (which is what mine have been) are a sign of hypothyroidism. I'm confused because I just had bloodwork checked for hypothyroidism a month ago and it came back normal. I'm really worried that I could still have hypothyroidism even though my bloodwork was normal, and that it will make it difficult to conceive or cause me to have another miscarriage. Sorry this is so long, but I'm really stressed! Any advice? Should I try a different doctor?

[chielgirl]

Yes, and that is not rare. What tests did they do? There's a -3 and -4 test.
One way to check is my keeping track of your basal temperature. Mine was around yours.

Good luck. No, you're not alone.

[sbd78]

Originally Posted by chielgirl

Yes, and that is not rare. What tests did they do? There's a -3 and -4 test.
One way to check is my keeping track of your basal temperature. Mine was around yours.

Good luck. No, you're not alone.

I believe the free T3, TSH, and free T4 tests were done. My doc had also mentioned that my thyroid felt enlarged when she wrote me up the prescription for the blood work, but then my blood work came back normal.

[sgresident]

i am surprised that you could stop taking the synthroid! i have been taking thyroid medication for about 18 years. found out after i had my first child that i had a thryoid condition. i was told that you have to keep taking the medication to keep the levels normal. if you don't take the medication, it can effect your heart. I have never had the doctor tell me that my thyroid felt enlarged, either. all i know is that this thyroid thing is more prevalent than people realize.

[Debsi]

Originally Posted by sbd78

I believe the free T3, TSH, and free T4 tests were done. My doc had also mentioned that my thyroid felt enlarged when she wrote me up the prescription for the blood work, but then my blood work came back normal.

Do you have your bloodwork?

Most labs still show the old normal range for TSH (this makes me really mad!), but the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has embraced a new, lower range since 2002, I believe. There is still controversy in the field... the old range is .5 - 5.5 is considered normal. The new range I am aware of is .3 - 3.0. Some endocrinologists believe any TSH above 2.5 should be considered hypothyroid.



Personally I feel best with a TSH of 1.0. I suggest you find yourself an endocrinologist who will diagnose your thyroid condition with a combination of blood tests and LISTENING to how you feel.

Basically most doctors just look at the lab paperwork and see whether the lab flagged a particular test as low, normal, or high. So if you lab is using the old range, which I can almost guarantee they are, your doctor sees you as normal, despite your symptoms. ESPECIALLY if you are just seeing a G.P. for this.

This article talks about the AACE TSH range:

The TSH Normal Range: Why is There Still Controversy? Insights from One of the Nation's Leading Endocrinologists, Dr. Jeffrey Garber

This shows the even smaller range.

The Endocrine Society : Current Issues in Thyroid Disease Management (broken link)

[sbd78]

Originally Posted by Debsi

Do you have your bloodwork?

Most labs still show the old normal range for TSH (this makes me really mad!), but the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has embraced a new, lower range since 2002, I believe. There is still controversy in the field... the old range is .5 - 5.5 is considered normal. The new range I am aware of is .3 - 3.0. Some endocrinologists believe any TSH above 2.5 should be considered hypothyroid.



Personally I feel best with a TSH of 1.0. I suggest you find yourself an endocrinologist who will diagnose your thyroid condition with a combination of blood tests and LISTENING to how you feel.

Basically most doctors just look at the lab paperwork and see whether the lab flagged a particular test as low, normal, or high. So if you lab is using the old range, which I can almost guarantee they are, your doctor sees you as normal, despite your symptoms. ESPECIALLY if you are just seeing a G.P. for this.

This article talks about the AACE TSH range:

The TSH Normal Range: Why is There Still Controversy? Insights from One of the Nation's Leading Endocrinologists, Dr. Jeffrey Garber

This shows the even smaller range.

The Endocrine Society : Current Issues in Thyroid Disease Management (broken link)

Thanks for the info. I don't know what my levels tested at, I talked to the nurse who told me my lab results came out "normal". I went to my general practice doctor for my bloodwork, I'm now wondering if I should make an appointment with an endocrinologist. By the way, can anyone recommend a good endocrinologist in the Chicagoland area?

[Debsi]

Originally Posted by sbd78

Thanks for the info. I don't know what my levels tested at, I talked to the nurse who told me my lab results came out "normal". I went to my general practice doctor for my bloodwork, I'm now wondering if I should make an appointment with an endocrinologist. By the way, can anyone recommend a good endocrinologist in the Chicagoland area?

I always ask doctors to make a copy or mail me my bloodwork now ever since I learned of this. I keep it in a little notebook. It's not often I have cause to look at it, but I like knowing I have all those records at hand. I'd post your endocrinologist question in the Chicago forum. I think there are also further specialists called reproductive endocrinologists. (?)

Good luck getting this straightened out!

[mimosa]

Hypothyroidism lasts a lifetime and so do the meds. I can't believe as soon as your numbers were right they took you off. I was told I will be on it for the rest of my life, and my numbers have been good since I started the pills.

[StillLMAO]

I agree. I have NEVER heard of anyone going off thyroid medicine. Hypothyroidism is a lifetime condition. Get a different doctor.

[sbd78]

I've moved and do have a different doctor since the one that took me off the meds. (It was so long ago, I can't remember what the reason was they took me off the meds. Maybe my numbers were getting in the hyper range?) So anyway, I made an appointment with an endocrinologist for next week, hopefully I will have better luck there.