Can you have hypothyroidism even if your blood tests are normal?
I have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism including extreme cold intolerance, but my blood tests are normal. Doctors have refused to prescribe thyroid medicines for me.
I have two friends who take synthroid for hypothyroidism even though they don’t have any symptoms at all.
Can you have hypothyroidism even if your blood tests are normal?
Absolutely yes! It is very insightful of you that you recognize your hypothyroid symptoms, in spite of the fact that those so-called "professionals" refuse to acknowledge them. Evidently many doctors refuse to treat patients because they are relying on outdated thyroid lab test ranges, which have been revised by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) in 2001. Their new "normal" range is significantly lower than was previously indicated, as they have finally recognized that MANY women (millions) have been walking around with undiagnosed cases of hypothyroidism for years, all the while complaining to their doctors about their symptoms and being told they were "normal"! This is so outrageous, but not surprising to me anymore. I’ve learned that I know far more about my body and its symptoms than most "physicians" I’ve seen!
To read about the AACE’s new guidelines, see: http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=thyroid&cdn=health&tm=7&gps=447_441_1276_578&f=10&su=p284.9.336.ip_p726.4.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.thyroid-info.com/articles/aacereversal.htm.
Better still, check out this website:http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/. It is chock FULL of information and feedback from women just like you who were told they were "normal" yet have suffered for years with undiagnosed hypothyroidism. It provides detailed information on symptoms, treatments, medications, etc. I think it will be immensely helpful to you and hopefully set you on the right path to a solution! I hope this helps and don’t give up. Trust your gut instincts!
You need to see a Naturopath, they will have natural treatments available for you. They are able to treat conditions before they become "measurable pathology" which is what doctors need to have before they will treat.
Prevention is better than cure so get some preventative help now.
Yes, you can. Medical tests measure thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels…if they are not too high or too low, it’s determined your thyroid is functioning.
The problem is TSH does not tell you if thyroxine (T4) is being converted to triiodothyronine (T3). T4 is the hormone produced by the thyroid, it is inactive. Your body converts T4 to T3 (active form) as needed. Many things can and do impact that conversion.
Synthroid is a synthetic version of T4, so if there is a glitch in the conversion to T3, taking synthroid will not improve symptoms. There are thyroid hormone replacements that are a combination of T4 and T3… they tend to perform better for most folks. Still another formula is only T3, and for some is the only replacement that shows results.
Doctors are very different in how they manage patients presenting with symptoms of hypothyroidism…some will prescribe an Rx even if lab tests are normal, others will not. You can switch doctors, or look for a naturopath who can work with you to improve thyroid function.