Question:
Having a TSH of 3.0

So, for about 4 years I have been blissfully (or maybe not so blissfully) unaware that my TSH levels may be high. I first had them checked when I was 16 and my PCP said they were ever so slightly high, and referred me to an endocrinologist, who told me that I was not slightly high, that I was normal and did not need to be on synthroid. Fast forward to present day, I find out my TSH has been between 3.0 and 4.2 during the last two readings (within the past 8 months), and I had assumed it was totally normal, because my doctors are telling me so. Well, I just read in a thread yesterday that it is entirely possible that I am NOT normal and that many women feel best if their TSH is below 1 or 2. I thought I was going crazy! I have been feeling depressed, exhausted (physically and mentally), gaining weight (obviously), and a slew of other symptoms for years now (and I'm only 20). My only problem now is - how on earth do I get someone to help me get my TSH levels lower when every doctor is telling me I'm normal? I don't FEEL normal. How do I find an endocrinologist that won't think I'm nuts? Do most require a referral? If so, I guess I'd have to find a new PCP too?    — Kayla B. (posted on August 2, 2007)

August 1, 2007
I am also Hypothyroid and have been for years. A GREAT site is about.com and go to Health/Thyroid. Also www.thyroid-info.com the author is Mary Shomon and she is great!!! You will also find doctor referrals in your area from patients that have the same problems-doctors think we are crazy-just go on a diet-your just depressed-your fine!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh I know what you are going through try these sites and never give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   — stephanie9919

August 2, 2007
Goodness-- I think I was about 19-20 when I first realized I had the same problems as you. (and more.) The doctors did the same thing to me-- pushed me off told me it was normal, if I wasnt heavy I wouldnt have a problem.. so on and so forth. I finally found a doctor who I told all my research to and they actually listened to my frustrations. The sites mentioned in the post above are great sites! My suggestion is to write down all your problems even if you think they are minor,print out all your research, and go to your doctor again. If they won't listen perhaps trying a new pcp would be the next best step. I wish you the best of luck.. no woman should have to deal with these things. Zandra
   — Zandra C.

August 3, 2007
It would be nice if we could all blame our weight gain and other common feelings on our thyroids. I had all those symptoms as well. The bottom line is that depression itself can cause the same symptoms. So can other things. If you take thyroid hormone when you don't need it it can cause a serious problems including a life threatening condtion called thyrotoxicosis. Have they ever checked your T4 level to see if it is normal? If you TSH is normal and your T4 is normal your thyroid is functioning. It is normal for hormone levels to fluctuate and you could draw your blood now and tomorrow and get differing levels. I hope you feel better. Best wishes!
   — SteffieBear15

August 3, 2007
I can relate. I started out VERY Hyperthyroid and over a period of three years had three radioactive iodine treatments knowing the end result would be that my thyroid would eventually die. For a long while my Thyroid was finally normal and I felt great. But, that was soon to change. I was beginning to experience all the symptoms of Hypothyroidism, but my labs kept coming back normal. I felt so bad, was so depressed and was gaining so much weight that I really thought I would die if I couldn't get someone to listen to me. My short 5'3" body tipped the scale at 300 pounds. I printed off a copy of a questionaire I filled out about Hypothyroidism and I had almost all the symtoms except the pregnancy or male symptons. After the 3rd visit with my skinny Endochrinologist, she finally heard me. Unfortunately, she did not treat the Thyroid because the labs still reflected normal but she gave me back excercises for my back pain and referred me to a phychiatrist. That was the last time I saw her. Due to an insurance change I changed to a new PCP and I told him if he just treats a patient based on lab results and not symptoms, I should walk out of his office right now. He listened to my story and after my labs (still normal) he increased my dosage of Synthroid. Within days I began feeling like a new person. Shortly thereafter, my labs began reflecting what I had been feeling for months. Through the last 4 years my Dr and I have learned that my symptoms start appearing several months before they show up in the lab work. My plain old PCP, who is a DO, and a family practitioner, listens to me and increases the mgs based on symptoms not labs. He's a fabulous doctor.
   — BonnieP

August 3, 2007
I have been on levothyroxine for 15 years and my levels have never been as low as a 1 or a 2. Right now they are around a 5 and I'm on 136 mcg a day. Your levels are well within the "normal" range, but the lower, the better.
   — BykerGrrl