Hypothyroidism question

This is a post seeking medical advice- you need to speak directly to your physician about your concerns.

Well once someone has their hypothyroidism under control they should not have any symptoms. But that is in an ideal world. There is alot of controversy over treating just T4 or including T3 also. Many people find they still suffer from fatigue and trouble losing weight and some still feel cold alot of the time.

Now if someone is not getting synthetic hormone replacement then they are going to suffer from the same symptoms that are listed for acute hypothyroidism. But I also wanted to add that some women find that even with treatment they have a problem conceiving and that their period is not regular.

Hope that helps. I suffer from hypothyroidism myself, so I have alot of info in this area. Both my mom and dad suffer as well and we all have looked into alternative care because my mom and I especialy, still suffer even with our T4 in normal range.

Somewhat related question - I have found that a lot of docs in my area use a TSH as the only lab draw as a r/o for thyroid issues. That seems incomplete to me. The other day I heard a few of them talking and one was like "oh yeah we wanted to check the thryroid" and the teaching guy was like "oh, add a TSH to the labs." I've been hearing things like this a lot lately. But I thought what I was taught (a loooooooooong time ago) was that you needed a panel with a TSH and T3/T4. I wasn't going to say anything about it, but then this thread popped up. And also, I have a friend who has hypothyroidism who has a normal TSH, so I was just wondering whether I am being overly critical or not.

Just prior to be diagnosed as hypothryoid, my symptoms included dry skin (even the palms of my hands), my hair was falling out, extreme fatigue (I would fall asleep standing up and driving), frequent urination (I thought this was why I was tired all the time), missed periods, nystagmus and finally bouts of confusion. By the time I went to the doctor and asked to have my thyroid checked, I had a TSH of 256. I was never told what my T3/T4 levels were at the time. My doc was just so floored by the TSH level. He wanted me out of work and probably by that time I should have been hospitalized, but, being the stubborn nurse I am, I refused. Now that my thyroid is more under control, I don't suffer from too many symptoms. I still am cold intolerant, my skin is still dry but not the extent it was and my hair still breaks and falls out (but not too badly). Also, when I get a cold or sick, it seems to hit me just a little harder than previously.

As far as the levels that are used to check thyroid, when I have mine drawn they check a full thyroid panel. My tsh usually runs high, around 8, but they look at the T4 also and that is usually WNL. At work, I notice they also check a full thyroid panel, but sometimes will only check the TSH for a quick result. As far as being hypothyroid with a normal TSH....it's been studied that if the TSH is on the high side normal, many people experience symptoms.

Here's a link to something you could find interesting.

http://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/a/tshtestwars.htm