Thanks, Marnie. That article made sense to me. It wasn’t saying that those numbers indicate hypothyroidism, so much as a downward trend that predicts becoming hypo and that people should be treated earlier. That makes sense to me. I wasn’t thinking strictly in terms of initial diagnosis. I would think earlier treatment would be even more significant when it comes to a diabetic since being or becoming either hypo or hyper thyroid can make managing our diabetes more difficult. And if you are already experiencing symptoms that seems even more clearly an indication that treatment is warrented. When I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and then stabilized I was astonished at how many things it had affected in me, probably for many many years, both physical and emotional. Good for you on doing your research and advocating for yourself with your endo. When I feel strongly about something like that I will change my mind only if the doctor explains something to me that I was unaware of or misunderstanding. If I get the “no, that isn’t what I’m going to do” with no explanation, I tell them they can do whatever they like with their body but I’m taking mine to a different doctor!
Want to thank everyone for all the info. I’ve got a lot to learn.
Donna, what’s the problem with changing between between brands & types?
I’m trying to get things right with my thyroid, too. I’ve always been borderline low, most of the women in my family are hypo. Several doctors said it’s too early to treat. Definitely have Hashimoto. Like Kristin my antibodies were off the charts.
The thyroid glad has so much to do with so many different body functions. It is a very sensitive little organ and changing from one brand or type of medicine to another may have a little bit of difference in dosage or formula and can affect the function. Once the medication is regulated, it may be stable for quite a while but that can change and that is why it is necessary to keep monitoring the thyroid function routinely. If symptoms get worse again after being on a certain dose for awhile, it may be necessary to do another thyroid test.
Thanks.
How often is it advisable to be tested? My mother has dealt with being hypo for decades & I think her doctors still haven’t gotten her doses right. She’s always cold & has severe hair loss. She’s been to many different endos & all have said her dose is correct from her blood tests. Is there such a thing as being thyroid hormone resistant similar to insulin resistance?
No, I really like my doc. She wants to wait until it settles a little, because my last TSH reading was 6, and then she wanted to doublecheck so I went for another TSH test that week and it was back down at 3. I have an appointment in 3 weeks with her, and I plan on pushing the issue with her.
I really think that my TSH levels are just fluctuating between hypo and euthyroid, and it’s going to be a pain to start on a synthetic TH, but I imagine we’re going to start that game of figuring out dosing at my next appointment. I’m not worried, if she still says I don’t need to consider it, then I would agree–it would be time for a new doc!
Type 1’s with no history of symptoms should get checked yearly. If the type 1 has symptoms, they check it more regularly.
Someone before mentioned that their T3/T4 levels were checked and they found that, though the TSH levels were in range, something was happening between that step and in the bloodstream, so perhaps that is going on with your mom?
I don’t know if you’re paranoid or not? Have you had your thyroid checked for that? Kidding.
OF COURSE, you should talk to your endo about it. Write down your concerns, what symptoms you have, what you think is happening, what objective evidence you have and what you think should be done about it.
Do not let the doctor ‘sluff’ you off. Anything less than a reasoned explanation of why you should not get the treatment you think you need is unacceptable. The doctor might talk you out of it, which is okay, or might recommend other tests, which is also okay, but do not let him or her ‘sluff’ you off or dismiss your concerns without an explanation.
I wish I could push a button to make people less fearful of their doctors. You are entitled to have your questions answered. You are entitled to have straight, informative answers to your questions. You are entitled to an explanation of why the doctor is or is not recommending a particular course of treatment. The doctor works for YOU, you aren’t simply there to give the doctor something to bill the insurance company for. YOU get to fire the DOCTOR. Yes! You can do that!
So write down the questions and don’t let the doctor leave without asking them. In fact, the very FIRST thing you should do when the doctor comes in and asks how your doing is to pull out the list and tell him/her that you have some questions.
Go for it. It’s your thyroid. Are you more paranoid of having a bad thyroid and not getting treated for it or of looking paranoid in front of the doctor?
Terry
It does sound like that could be it. She’s taking the right dose according to tests, but she doesn’t seem to be utilizing it from her symptoms. That’s why I’m wondering if people can be thyroid resistant. She rarely feels tired (she’s 80), but her body temp is low & the hair loss has her depressed. My mother has always taken Armour. Her doctor suggested changing to Synthroid, but she won’t.
Bravo, Terry!
Wish there was an assertiveness course for dealing with doctors. Many are so arrogant & dismissive–not easy.
Ask questions, get respectful answers, demand more. Question authority.
Optimal is around 1.5 TSH, my endo tells me that even 2 is not normal. Endos (their society) consider anything above 3.05? think it’s exactly the number…that’s not normal. I’m at 3.0 to 3.1 and have not started replacement as of yet (have been sitting at this # for over a year or so). I am symptomatic but have other issues affecting it and we are waiting to see. On my next 6 month appointment it will be assessed again and go from there.
Get your FT3 and FT4 done also. This will help you see where you are at.
k
This is interesting to me because I’ve had such a hard time losing weight despite diet and exercise and all dr’s want to do is add metformin even though I’m more like a type 1 or 1.5 they say…(thinking 1b) but my thyroid is within “normal” range at 2.21…I also have this dry patch on my ankle/foot regardless of what I use will not go away and I’ve never been one to feel cold and now I’m cold all the time…really interesting that some dr’s want that level to be 1… my body is very sensitive to changes so maybe going from 2.21 to a level of 1 may make a difference…found this info. on mercola.com
The basic problem that traditional medicine has with diagnosing hypothyroidism is the so-called “normal range” of TSH is far too high: Many patients with TSH’s of greater than 2.0 (not 4.5) have classic symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism (see below).
So, if your TSH is above 2.0 there is a strong chance your thyroid gland is not working properly.
Symptoms of Low Thyroid
The most common is fatigue.
Skin can become dry, cold, rough and scaly.
Hair becomes coarse, brittle and grows slowly or may fall out excessively.
Sensitivity to cold with feelings of being chilly in rooms of normal temperature.
Difficult for a person to sweat and their perspiration may be decreased or even absent even during heavy exercise and hot weather.
Constipation that is resistant to magnesium supplementation and other mild laxatives is also another common symptom.
Difficulty in losing weight despite rigid adherence to a low grain diet seems to be a common finding especially in women.
Depression and muscle weakness are other common symptoms.
any more information that people find about levels being optimal below 2 I would appreciate you posting it here so I can bring it to my dr. office 
Thanks for posting this.
Another problem seems to be that doctors do go by the classic symptoms you listed & tend to overlook thyroid problems when we don’t have many of the outward indicators. My doctor told me that I don’t seem to be hypo because I’m thin, don’t have dry skin, don’t chill easily, etc. My mother, who’s been taking Armour for years, has dry skin, her hands are ice cold, she rarely pespires & has lost her former thick hair.
Your dry patch could be psoriasis. My endo told me that diabetics have psoriasis frequently. He checked out my elbows & showed me a psoriasis patch on one elbow. I didn’t even notice this. Who looks at their elbows:)
You know my elbows are clearing on a gluten free diet. Scalp has gotten better too - about 50%
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/weetman.htm
Mean optimal level is 1.5 Optimal is between 1 and 2
sorry, I didn’t include the word mean before. I didn’t realize that myself…
I’m a bit of an odd case too (Celiacs, psoriasis, subclinical hypothyroid my TF4 hasn’t lowered yet…) no antibodies for T1. However I am a DQ8 B10302 (high risk genetics for T1). I’m most likely a combo of T1 and T2 but on the light side with Celiacs being my main issue (IMO). Long story and it’s in my profile.
Well…I take a very small amount of MET and I find it has helped me. Endo said I could go off of it - after finding out the Celiacs and going gluten free lowered my A1c. Right now I’m still taking it…it works to supress liver glucose output - which helps since I’m normal except I go high after eating. Also I found it has helped me on a hormonal basis. I feel more like me on it. Just my experience…
I thank you for that. I have no idea why its hard for me to stand up to a Dr. I have always been that way. If you knew me you would think I would tell the Dr. where to stick it(as I do many times to others that wroing me! ) but when I get in the office I feel like a little kid again! Push that button for me on Tuesday.
Also, I have no problem her not treating it if, as you say, she explaines why.
I had the t3 = 3.6, t4 = .88 and a thyroid peroxidase (TPO) which i don’t know what it is and it was <10 I have not found too much on where these numbers should be
TPO are antibodies for Hashimotos (hypothyroid) They can show up after your TSH has gone out of wack.
I don’t know about your t’s so much. Free T’s are what have not bound. T’s are what have.
You can google that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_hormone
that may help too
Hi Cheri I too am hypothyroid and newly dx type 1 in jan 0/9. let me know if you start this group please .