Thyriod Problems

Has anyone had issues with their thyroid after WLS? I looks like I may have hypothyriodism never had this problem before.  just wondering?? Marsha

Marsha, I had problems before but am having major problems now. I've gained weight for no reason, am tired all t he time, my labido is gone, my hair started falling out again. It's either that or testosterone defiency or both. My thyroid seems to be hard so that means its not working right. I just called my doctor today to see what to do. When I hear back from him and we figure it out, I'll let you know. Diona

omg if i closed my eyes you would be describing me I going to  have a thyroid ultrasound in couple of weeks I will keep you updated thanks for responding thanks Marsha

I hope this helps! Do YOU suffer from Hypothyroidism and are going untreated??? The Board of Endocrinology changed the range of appropriate TSH levels in January of 2003. The appropriate range was .035-5.00 but is now .035-3.00. Anyone having a TSH over 3.00 is considered to have hypothyroidism and should be treated. Anyone between 2.00 and 3.00 with symptoms should be suspect and considered for treatment. The labs have not caught up with this change even 2.5 years later. So, PCPs and Surgeon's get TSH levels above 3.00 but they are showing within the acceptable range on the blood work. Therefore, people are going untreated. I'm a good example as over 10 years ago my TSH was topping to 5.00 (I had suddenly gained 20 lb for no apparent reason) but I was within normal limits - never mind that I had all the symptoms. Later, it would go over 5.00 but they considered this "slightly elevated" and didn't rush to treat anything as they were being conservative. So, I suffered needlessly for 10 years and slowly gained over 100 pounds. If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism such as the following, please inquire with your physician(s) and/or surgeon about your TSH level. Symptoms of hypothyroidism usually develop slowly over months or years. Symptoms and signs may include: *Coarse and thinning hair. *Dry skin. *Brittle nails. *A yellowish tint to the skin. *Slow body movements. *Cold skin. *Inability to tolerate cold. *Feeling tired, sluggish, or weak. *Memory problems, depression, or difficulty concentrating. *Constipation. *Heavy or irregular menstrual periods that may last longer than 5 to 7 days. Other, less common symptoms may include: *An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter). *Modest weight gain, often 10 lb(4.5 kg) or less. *Swelling of the arms, hands, legs, and feet, and facial puffiness, particularly around the eyes. *Hoarseness. *Muscle aches and cramps. "According to AACE Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for Evaluation and Treatment of Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism, the sensitive TSH test has become the single best screening for thyroid dysfunction. To further evaluate the appropriateness of a patient’s TSH level, AACE recommends that a Free T4 test be conducted along with a TSH test. “It is very important for patients with thyroid hormone imbalance to know their TSH and Free T4 numbers. The optimal goal TSH level for patients on treatment ranges between 0.3 to 3.0 mIU/L. Patients should talk to their doctors about their Free T4 numbers, since reference ranges can vary somewhat between different laboratories,” stated Dr. Law." http://www.aace.com/newsroom/press/2006/index.php?r=20060110 "Until November 2002, doctors had relied on a normal TSH level ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 to diagnose and treat patients with a thyroid disorder who tested outside the boundaries of that range5 . Now AACE encourages doctors to consider treatment for patients who test outside the boundaries of a narrower margin based on a target TSH level of 0.3 to 3.04. AACE believes the new range will result in proper diagnosis for millions of Americans who suffer from a mild thyroid disorder, but have gone untreated until now." http://www.aace.com/newsroom/press/2003/index.php?r=20030118

I'm being treated, I just think my dose is way too low. I take 30 mg twice a day of Armour Thyroid. I'm going to try doubling it and see what happens. I called my doctor and his nurse called back and said he thought maybe I should try another antidepressent - I said no thanks I don't think that's my problem. I made an appointment for Oct. 2nd to talk to him but I gave her a whole list of symptoms and told her I think it is my thyroid plus testosterone deficiency and I thought we should do some tests to see. I read a website today of Dr. Lowe's (drlowe.com) that said we should check for the following:

• Chem-Screen Panel • Lipid Panel • CBC with differential • TSH • Free T3 • Free T4 • Thyroglobulin antibodies • Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies • Free Testosterone • Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 I also read a website (http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/woliner.htm) article by a Dr. Woliner titled "Understanding Thyroid Lab Tests" and it was right on about what I have been having problems with.

By the way, my TSH level has always been very low  or low normal. My Free T3 is low and my Free T4 is at low normal - thus I take it my thyroid doesn't work. Right now my thyroid is hard and I am having a lump in my throat when I swallow.  So yes, I agree - something is amiss - now if I can just get my doctor's attention - he's a very busy man but there really is no one else in this town to go to for such matters. Until then I guess I'll just sleep alot! Diona

I hope this helps! Do YOU suffer from Hypothyroidism and are going untreated??? The Board of Endocrinology changed the range of appropriate TSH levels in January of 2003. The appropriate range was .035-5.00 but is now .035-3.00. Anyone having a TSH over 3.00 is considered to have hypothyroidism and should be treated. Anyone between 2.00 and 3.00 with symptoms should be suspect and considered for treatment. The labs have not caught up with this change even 2.5 years later. So, PCPs and Surgeon's get TSH levels above 3.00 but they are showing within the acceptable range on the blood work. Therefore, people are going untreated. I'm a good example as over 10 years ago my TSH was topping to 5.00 (I had suddenly gained 20 lb for no apparent reason) but I was within normal limits - never mind that I had all the symptoms. Later, it would go over 5.00 but they considered this "slightly elevated" and didn't rush to treat anything as they were being conservative. So, I suffered needlessly for 10 years and slowly gained over 100 pounds. If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism such as the following, please inquire with your physician(s) and/or surgeon about your TSH level. Symptoms of hypothyroidism usually develop slowly over months or years. Symptoms and signs may include: *Coarse and thinning hair. *Dry skin. *Brittle nails. *A yellowish tint to the skin. *Slow body movements. *Cold skin. *Inability to tolerate cold. *Feeling tired, sluggish, or weak. *Memory problems, depression, or difficulty concentrating. *Constipation. *Heavy or irregular menstrual periods that may last longer than 5 to 7 days. Other, less common symptoms may include: *An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter). *Modest weight gain, often 10 lb(4.5 kg) or less. *Swelling of the arms, hands, legs, and feet, and facial puffiness, particularly around the eyes. *Hoarseness. *Muscle aches and cramps. "According to AACE Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for Evaluation and Treatment of Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism, the sensitive TSH test has become the single best screening for thyroid dysfunction. To further evaluate the appropriateness of a patient’s TSH level, AACE recommends that a Free T4 test be conducted along with a TSH test. “It is very important for patients with thyroid hormone imbalance to know their TSH and Free T4 numbers. The optimal goal TSH level for patients on treatment ranges between 0.3 to 3.0 mIU/L. Patients should talk to their doctors about their Free T4 numbers, since reference ranges can vary somewhat between different laboratories,” stated Dr. Law." http://www.aace.com/newsroom/press/2006/index.php?r=20060110 "Until November 2002, doctors had relied on a normal TSH level ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 to diagnose and treat patients with a thyroid disorder who tested outside the boundaries of that range5 . Now AACE encourages doctors to consider treatment for patients who test outside the boundaries of a narrower margin based on a target TSH level of 0.3 to 3.04. AACE believes the new range will result in proper diagnosis for millions of Americans who suffer from a mild thyroid disorder, but have gone untreated until now." http://www.aace.com/newsroom/press/2003/index.php?r=20030118

I actually had a consult with my doctor at the gas station today. He agrees my thyroid is hard so it is not producing. He's so funny. His nurse had called me Friday and told me he wanted to give me another anxiety drug - I told her that wasn't the problem and gave her a list of symptoms to write down for him but he hadn't gotten that message. At the gas station he asked if I'd gotten his message and I asked him if he'd gotten mine - he said no. So I told him what my symptoms were and he checked out my thyroid right there. I laughed and asked him if this was an office call - he said heck no ! He's going to look at my chart and call me Monday. Quite the guy I tell you, what will I do when he retires! I'll let you know what magic he comes up with! Diona